OCEA convention

OCEA convention

YOUNGSTOWN — The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, in collaboration with the Catholic Conference of Ohio and dioceses in Indiana and Kentucky, will host the Ohio Catholic Education Association convention Thursday and Friday at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati. The OCEA convention occurs every two years.

This year’s convention will feature more than 300 national and regional presenters, covering virtually every aspect of Catholic education and Catholic religious education.

The convention is designed primarily for Catholic school teachers and administrators, parish and diocesan directors of religious education, catechists, youth ministers and family life ministers.

All who educate in Catholic settings are welcome to attend.

In addition to national speakers — including Dr. Michael Carotta; Dr. Mary Angela Shaughnessy, SCN; Dr. Jane Regan; Rev. Ron Nuzzi; John Robert; and Dan Mulhall — several people from the Diocese of Youngstown and beyond will be presenters.

The Diocese of Youngstown personnel providing breakout sessions are: Dr. Alan Digianantonio, director of curriculum and technology, Office of Catholic Schools; Wally Dunne, director of government programs/resource development, Office of Catholic Schools; Rev. Thomas Dyer, president, and Sally Deckard of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Louisville; Msgr. Lewis Gaetano, Walsh University, Canton; Rev. Ron Nuzzi, diocesan priest and director of Catholic Leadership programs at University of Notre Dame; Brian Sinchak, principal, Jillian Phillips and Stacie Raub of John F. Kennedy High School in Warren; Dr. Michael Skube, superintendent, Office of Catholic Schools; and Msgr. John Zuraw, Vicar for Administration of the Diocese of Youngstown.

Brochures are available from the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Religious Education, (330) 744-8451.

For additional information, hotel information or to register, contact the OCEA online at www.ohiocathconf.org.

Helping young adults

YOUNGSTOWN — The Diocese of Youngstown Vocation Office is sponsoring “How to Find the Love of Your Life,” a Young Adult Discernment day Oct. 10 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Center in Austintown.

The event will focus on helping young adults, age 18 or older, begin to discern and discover God’s call to a particular state in life, marriage, single life, ordained priesthood or consecrated life.

Bishop George V. Murry, S.J., Bishop of Youngstown, will be the keynote speaker. There also will be presenters on each state in life.

Register by telephone and pay $6 at the door. Registration at the door is $10. Call the Diocese of Youngstown at (330) 744-8451 and ask for Geri Deane, ext. 329.

Dinner and lecture

YOUNGSTOWN — The Lourdes Guild and the Human Life Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will host a dinner and lecture at 6 p.m. Oct. 15 in St. Christine Parish Center, 3165 S. Schenley Ave. The cost is $20. Reservations are required.

Reverend Tad Pacholczyk of the National Catholic Bioethics Center of Philadelphia will present “Update: Science and Ethics of Stem Cells and Cloning.”

The Lourdes Guild is the Catholic Medical Association of the Diocese of Youngstown. Currently, 65 Catholic physicians and dentists are members of the association.

The Human Life Guild is an organization whose members accept Pope John Paul II’s invitation to be a “People of Life” with an unconditional commitment to protect and defend human life at every stage. Currently, 1,100 people are members of the Human Life Guild.

To join either guild and/or attend the annual dinner/lecture, visit www.cathdoy.org or contact the Diocese of Youngstown at (330) 744-8451, ext. 289 or 273.

Pastor Appreciation

BOARDMAN — Westminster Presbyterian Church, 119 Stadium Drive, will host a Pastor Appreciation Sunday for its pastor, The Reverend David Joachim, Oct. 11 at the 10:30 a.m. service.

Friends and family will offer tributes, and The Reverend Dr. Dan Schomer, executive presbyter for Eastminster Presbytery, will be the guest speaker.

A reception with light refreshments will follow in the Gathering Room.

Red Mass celebration

YOUNGSTOWN — The 13th annual Red Mass, a traditional celebration for those who serve in the judicial and legal professions, will be at 12:10 p.m. Oct. 22 at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St. Bishop George V. Murry, S.J., Bishop of Youngstown, will be celebrant, and Bishop David Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh, will be homilist.

The Red Mass is intended to bring together members of the bench and bar in prayerful communion for guidance, strength and recommitment to the highest principles of the legal professional for the benefit of all citizens of the community.

After Mass, a luncheon will be at St. Columba Hall. Reservations are necessary for the luncheon (note special dietary needs), and checks for $20 may be made payable to the Diocese of Youngstown.

All people involved in the legal profession in Northeast Ohio are welcome to attend.

For more information or to make a reservation, call the Diocese of Youngstown at (330) 744-8451, ext. 225. Deadline for reservations is Oct. 13.

Day of recollection

CAMPBELL — St. Joseph the Provider, 6331 Porter Ave., will have a day of recollection Oct. 21. Confessions will be at 9 a.m., rosary at 9:30 a.m., liturgy to follow at 10 a.m.

Diocesan Infant of Prague Guild will participate. The cost of the brunch is $13. Reservations are due by Oct. 12. No takeouts available day of brunch. Call (330) 757-3972 for more information.

Farewell organ concert

SHARON, Pa. — First United Methodist Church, 237 W. Silver St., will have a farewell organ concert at 5 p.m. Sunday featuring organist Elizabeth Harrison, university organist, Oklahoma City University. She will perform works by J.S. Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, Olivier Messiaen and others. Admission is free. A free-will offering will be collected.

Workshop concert

DAMASCUS — Son Grace Music Ministries presents Filese L. Hauser at a worship concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at Damascus United Methodist Church, 300 Valley Road. There is no fee, but an offering will be taken. A fellowship reception will follow the concert. For more information, call (330) 537-3031.

Leaf to attend conference

WARREN — Believers Christian Fellowship will host a conference featuring Dr. Caroline Leaf, neuro- metacognitive learning specialist and best-selling author of “Who Switched Off My Brain?.”

Hailing from South Africa, Leaf tours the world with a simple message: “You can switch on your brain; you can realize your infinite potential for growth.”

Believers will offer three weekend services featuring Dr. Leaf. The conference will officially begin Sunday night, continuing each night through Tuesday.

Rethink conference topics will include the function of the brain and its impact on relationships, careers and health.

Those interested in the free event can visit www.bcfonline.com for more information or e-mail rethink@bcfonline.org.

Understanding Christianity

CORTLAND — Are you wondering about God? Do you have questions about Christianity?

Beginning Oct. 11, Pastor Dan Barker of Cortland Trinity Baptist church, 2576 McCleary Jacoby Road, will offer “Who Is This Jesus?,” an eight-week class especially designed for seekers who want to know more about the basics of Christianity. Prior knowledge of the Bible is neither expected nor necessary. Questions are welcome.

Dress is casual and the atmosphere is informal. The class will be conducted at 11 a.m. to noon in the church Sundays. A detailed syllabus will be provided for note taking and facilitating group discussion.

You can register for the class by calling the church office at (330) 637-1421. Child care will be provided. There is no charge for the class.

Final Zion Hill concert

COLUMBIANA — On Oct. 11, the final of five concerts will be at Zion Hill Church of the Brethren, 14550 New Buffalo Road, at 6 p.m. It will headline God’s Quad, a local Southern Gospel group. For more information, call (330) 482-4446.

Tribute to Rev. Simon

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown-Warren Black Caucus will have a tribute to Rev. Kenneth L. Simon on Nov. 14 at the Byzantine Center on the Grove, 3801 Shady Run Road. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30. Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President Rep. Sandra Williams will speak at the event.

Rev. Simon is the pastor of one of the city’s largest black churches, New Bethel Baptist Church, and serves as chairman of Youngstown Community Mobilization Committee. CMC is a conglomeration of more than 14 minority organizations in the Mahoning Valley.

He also serves as an officer of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and many other community groups.

Rev. Simon is a determined soldier in the struggle for equality, and we are pleased to be able to honor his work and commitment to the religious, minority and education community.

Tickets for the event are $40 per person, and tables may be reserved for $300. You also may purchase an ad in the souvenir booklet for the event.

A full page ad is $100, half page is $50 and a quarter page is $25. Ads can be mailed along with a check to P.O. Box 51, Youngstown, Ohio 44501, or you may call YWBC Secretary Mildred Delgado at (330) 507-2154 or Communications Officer Lisa Freeman Williamson at (330) 360-8144.

Rummage sale

MINERAL RIDGE — The First Presbyterian Church, 3654 Main St., is having a rummage sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the church. It has expanded its annual sale of clothing to include household and kitchen items, books, games, toys and collectibles. There also will be a bake sale.

Candlelight Vigil

YOUNGSTOWN — Sojourner House Domestic Violence Services presents the Annual Candlelight Vigil in honor of survivors and in remembrance of victims of domestic violence, at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave., at noon Monday. Refreshments will be provided.

Indoor labyrinth

YOUNGSTOWN — St. Brendan Parish invites people of all faiths to walk through an indoor labyrinth Oct. 11. The event will take place in Maxwell Hall behind the church at 2800 Oakwood Ave. The labyrinth will be open at 12:45 p.m. for all ages and 2 p.m. for teens and their families.

The labyrinth is made of canvas panels that comprise a journey of nearly one mile. Its design mimics the labyrinth constructed around the year 1220 in the stone floor of the Cathedral in Chartres, France.

The labyrinth is a “compressed pilgrimage” for people who can’t make long trips. It’s also referred to as a “prayer in motion.” Unlike a maze, travelers can’t get lost. The path leads to the center and back out.

Call the rectory at (330) 792-3875 to make a reservation. Admission is free, but reservations are required.