Program on spring

Program on spring

VILLA MARIA, Pa. — Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will introduce the third in a series of courses titled “Spirit of the Seasons: Spring,” from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 17. Sister Carolyn Gorny-Kopkowski, director of spirituality programs for the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pa., will lead the program. There will be prayer, meditation, discussion, creative leisure, movement, ritual and celebration that will focus on the natural rhythms of the season.

The cost is $40 and includes lunch. Registration is required. Call (724) 964-8920, ext. 3241, or send e-mail to cwilpula@humilityofmary.org.

Gospel concert set

YOUNGSTOWN — The Lutheran Women Missionary League/Ladies Guild and Thrivent Chapter 30779 of Victory Lutheran Church, 2110 Glenwood Ave., will present a spring gospel concert featuring Brenda Crouch Caffey of Cleveland and Wilbert Ervin of Youngstown at 5 p.m. May 17. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door. For more information, call Mrs. Waymer Martin, (330) 369-8358, chairperson.

St. John chapter to meet

Youngstown — “Priesthood: Foundations and Reflections” will be the topic when the Society of St. John Chrysostom, Youngstown-Warren Chapter, meets at 6:30 p.m. May 13 at Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church, 626 Wick Ave. Speaker will be the Rev. Calinic Berger, a former electrical engineer who earned a doctorate in historical theology from the Catholic University of America. He is the pastor of Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Hermitage, Pa., and visiting professor of dogmatic theology at St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary. The program is free and open to all.

On religious freedom

GIRARD — What are the limits of religious freedom? When does the state have the right or the obligation to intervene in religious practice? What is the appropriate response when faced with a situation such as the polygamist sect in Texas? These questions will be the basis for a dinner and discussion Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Girard, 890 Churchill Road. A potluck supper dinner will be at 5 p.m. and discussion at 6. The event is open to the public. For more information, contact the pastor, the Rev. Deborah Dockstader, (330) 505-1192.

Rosary cenacle

YOUNGSTOWN — The Shrine of Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted, 517 S. Belle Vista Ave., and Queen of the Holy Rosary Prayer Group will have a rosary cenacle at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Refreshments will follow.

Spiritual program

YOUNGSTOWN — Angels with Extra Blessings Women’s Outreach Ministry will have a spiritual program and dinner in honor of Mother’s Day (May 11) at 3 p.m. next Saturday at Celebrity Fashion, 2520 South Ave.

‘Celebrate Jesus’ service

YOUNGSTOWN — First Christian Assembly of God, 3243 Cardinal Drive, will have a service at 10 a.m. Sunday titled “Celebrate Jesus.” Speaker will be the Rev. David Brickley and his wife, Karen, who offer a Bible-based ministry in song and preaching.

Cinco de Mayo celebration

CAMPBELL — Santa Rosa de Lima Church, 394 Tenney Ave., will have a Mass at noon Sunday in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, which marks Mexico’s independence from France, on Monday. The service will feature mariachi-style music and the Virgin of Guadalupe statue will be crowned by two children. The Rev. Gerald DeLucia will officiate. After Mass, there will be a Mexican food and folk music in the parish hall. The event is free and open to all.

Women’s Day luncheon

WARREN — New Jerusalem Fellowship, 2555 Palmyra Road, will have its annual Women’s Day luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 17 at Renaissance Place, 1948 Palmyra Road. Renea Woods, a motivational speaker from Akron, will be featured. The theme focuses on love. Charlene Allen will be honored for her community service. There also will be a hat show. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children. Call the church (330) 395-4518.

Holy Communion project

HUBBARD — Second-graders in Mellony Leonard and Caroline Martuccio’s classes at St. Patrick School in Hubbard spent April 25 baking bread as a class in preparation for their First Holy Communion on Sunday. Each child brought ingredients to help make the bread. Parent volunteers helped pupils.

The children participated in an afternoon liturgical service with bread and grape juice. Short readings were presented by parents and Leonard. Pupils shared the bread they had made and each took a small loaf of bread home to share with their families. Two loaves will be presented with the gifts at their First Communion Mass.

Church anniversary

FARRELL, Pa. — Greater Pentecostal House of Prayer, 725 Fruit Ave., will mark its 51st anniversary with a service at 11 a.m. Sunday with Pastor Keith Banks as speaker. Superintendent Wilbert G. Hadden will speak at 5 p.m.

Art and retreat

VILLA MARIA, Pa. — Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer “Art and Retreat: Mandalas and Prayer” from May 29 to June 1. Sister Paulette Kirschensteiner, retreat leader, will explore art as a resource for listening to God’s presence within us. Participants will learn how to create mandalas out of a variety of materials and use them as a resource. No prior art experience is necessary.

Registration by Thursday is $260 and includes overnight accommodations, materials and meals. Registration between Friday and May 22 is $270 and $180 as a commuter. Program costs include course materials.

For registration, call Cindy Wilpula (724) 964-8920, ext. 3241.