Special Mass

Special Mass

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A special Mass celebrating the beatification of Pope John Paul II is scheduled for 4 p.m. next Saturday at St. Casimir Church, St. Columba Parish, 145 Jefferson St.

Beatification will be May 1.

The Rev. John Keehner, rector of St. Columba, will serve as celebrant.

A reception will follow and will feature a screening of the newly released documentary “Nine Days that Changed the World.” The film tells how Pope John Paul II’s historic nine-day pilgrimage to Poland in June 1979 transformed that country and reshaped the spiritual and political landscape of the 20th century. The event is free. For reservations, call 330-744-5233, or send an email to info@polish-youngstown.com.

Customs celebration

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A First Holy Communion and Easter customs celebration is planned at 1:30 p.m. May 1 at Our Lady of Hungary’s Mindszenty Hall, 545 N. Belle Vista Ave.

The event will feature a display of Hungarian and Croatian articles.

There also will be an Easter-egg hunt for youths.

Our Lady of Hungary, Sts. Peter and Paul Croatian Church and St. Stephen of Hungary Churches are merging and sharing customs.

For information, call 330-799-6929.

Tour stop planned

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VineSong, an international worship ministry team will be hosted by The Church of The Rock, 7025 Luteran Lane, at 7 p.m. Friday for an evening of worship.

VineSong is on its annual tour of the United States and will travel to Washington D.C., for the National Day of Prayer event in May.

Dedication concert

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Canfield United Methodist Church, 27 S. Broad St., will celebrate the dedication of the church’s new three- manual Rodgers Masterpiece Signature Organ with a free concert at 7 p.m. Friday.

Rodney Barbour, guest artist from Cincinnati, will perform. Barbour’s extensive background includes doctoral work in organ performance, presentations at National Conventions of American Guild of Organists and being organist for the Cincinnati Reds from 1987-1998.

His expertise is in orchestral use of the organ in worship.

The new Rodgers organ was installed in the fall of 2010.

The organ is being dedicated as the Frank and Norma Watson Organ to help recognize the many gifts and leadership the Watsons have offered the church and community for many decades.

Pastor anniversary

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Great Liberty Baptist Church, 66 10 St., will celebrate the second anniversary of their pastor and his wife, Carl A. and Sharon Anderson, at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

Pastor Michael Harrison of Union Baptist Church is guest revivalist.

Various choirs from the area will provide music.

The celebration will conclude May 1 with Pastor Jack Pettis of Mount Zion Baptist Church. He will be accompanied by his choir and congregation.

Church merger

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In the Diocese of Youngstown Parish Reconfiguration Plan, St. Anthony and All Saints churches in Canton have merged under the name of St. Anthony/All Saints Parish.

The address for St. Anthony/All Saints Parish is 1530 11th Street, SE, Canton, OH 44707.

The All Saints church building has closed. Five sets of parishes already have merged in the plan.

Anniversary events

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The Office of Pro-Life, Marriage and Family Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will sponsor two wedding-anniversary celebrations to honor couples who are observing their 25th, 40th, 50th or more anniversaries in 2011.

Couples may register for the celebration that is most convenient for them.

The first celebration is scheduled at 2 p.m. June 5 at St. Columba Cathedral. Couples planning to attend this celebration should register at their parishes by May 1.

The second celebration will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 2 at St. John the Baptist Church in Canton. Registrations will be accepted in August and September.

Both celebrations will include Mass celebrated by Bishop George V. Murry, renewal of marriage vows, a personalized certificate for each couple, an opportunity to greet Bishop Murry and, by prior arrangement, have their picture taken with him, and a reception for the couples and their families.

Ecumenical Day

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The Lutheran-Catholic Covenant (Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and Northeast Ohio Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) Commission will observe an Ecumenical Day of Service from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 7 in Canton/Lake Township, Cleveland, Lorain and Youngstown.

Registration of $5 is open to adults and young people in the seventh grade or older.

All minors must be with a parent, guardian or youth-group leader with the appropriate medical release.

Sponsors include East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, Episcopal Diocese of Cleveland, Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Roman Catholic Dioceses of Cleveland and Youngstown.

For more information, call the Episcopal Diocese of Cleveland, 216-774-0457, or visit www.2011dayofservice.eventbrite.com.

First Friday Club

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Dennis McNulty, director of Disability Services Cleveland Catholic Charities, will be the featured speaker for the First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown on May 5 at Antone’s Banquet Centre on Market Street.

Dr. McNulty will speak on the topic “Ministry With and To People with Disabilities.”

The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cost is $15.

Reservations are due by April 30; call 330-533-1023 or visit www.firstfridayclubofgreateryoungstown.org.

Seraphim Chorus

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The Seraphim Chorus will perform in concert at 2 p.m. May 1 at St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave., as part of a yearlong centennial celebration for the South Side parish.

The group features more than 50 members directed by Kris Harper, adjunct music faculty member at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., and director of music ministries at Mary, Mother of Hope Catholic Church in New Castle, Pa., and director of music at St. Patrick.

Anthony Ruggiero, pianist and musical director, will accompany the chorus in the hourlong program.

The concert is free and open to the community.

Free-will offerings will be accepted.