Send information on animal blessings

Send information on animal blessings

The traditional blessing of animals celebrates the life of St. Francis of Assisi, whose feast day is Oct. 4. St. Francis is known for his love of all creatures.

A listing of pet blessings will be published Oct. 1 on the Religion page. Send information to the Religion desk, The Vindicator, 107 Vindicator Square, Box 780, Youngstown, OH 44501-0780; by fax to 330-747-6712; or by email to religion@vindy.com.

First Friday Club

boardman

The Rev. Joseph Fortuna of St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology will speak on “The New Roman Missal: Reflections in Light of Vatican II” when First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown meets Oct. 6 at Antone’s Banquet Centre, 8578 Market St.

The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $15. Reservations must be made by calling 330-533-1023 or visiting www.firstfridayclubofgreater-youngstown.org.

The new English translation of the Roman Missal, the official manual for the Roman Catholic Mass, will be used on the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 27. Familiar Mass prayers and peoples’ responses have changed.

Labyrinth walk

Villa Maria, PA.

Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a guided labyrinth walk from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Villa Maria Community Center. The theme is “Awaken to Wisdom.”

The labyrinth is a tool for enriching the spiritual journey. Labyrinths have existed for more than 4,000 years and are found in every major religious tradition in the world. Sister Therese Pavilonis will offer a brief history and introduction.

No registration is required but is appreciated. Free-will offerings will be accepted.

For information, call 724-964-8886 or visit www. villaprograms.org.

Neighborhood Day

poland

Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2985 Center Road, will host a Neighborhood Day on Sunday. The worship service will be at 10 a.m. with a picnic at 11:30. All food and table service will be provided. There will be activities. Julianne D. Smith is host pastor.

Male choruses

youngstown

Singing Praises, the male chorus at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 827 Wilson Ave., will host its all-male chorus program at 4 p.m. Sunday. Milton Taltoan is president and the Rev. Jack W. Pettis is pastor.

Dinner, discussion

girard

Unusual weather patterns and natural disasters have struck many in the United States recently.

Some people see these hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fires and other natural disasters as messages from God.

Is God really trying to speak to us through such natural catastrophes? If so, who interprets the message? What about all the innocent lives lost or disrupted?

These and other questions will be the basis for a dinner and discussion on Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Girard, 890 Churchill Road.

Supper begins at 5 p.m., and discussion is at 6. Visitors are welcome.

For more information, contact the Rev. Deborah Dockstader at 330-505-1192.

Anointing Mass

youngstown

An anointing Mass is scheduled for 1 a.m. Wednesday at St. Casimir’s Church, 145 Jefferson St. The Rev. John Keehner will anoint the sick, suffering, troubled and elderly. After Mass, a light lunch will be served.

Guest speaker

hermitage, pa.

The Rev. Woody Woodson will speak at Miracle Valley Church, 2119 Valley View Road, at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sept. 25 and 7 p.m. Sept. 26.

A children’s ministry will be provided.

Methodist meeting

EAST LIVERPOOL

The Tri-State Free Methodist Campground, 1027 Anderson Boulevard, is hosting its second annual Fall Harvest Gathering of members of 14 Free Methodist churches in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Pastor Hal Haire of Free Methodist Community Church in New Middletown will speak at 7 p.m. Friday and next Saturday.

The event also will include recreational activities including a cookout, crockpot cook-off, pumpkin-carving activity and games for children.

“The 5th Quarter,” a faith-based film, will be shown. It is the story of the tragedy that led up to the conference win of the 2006 Wake Forest University’s football team.

Taiz service

youngstown

A taiz service of prayer and reflection is planned at 7 p.m. Sept. 29 at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave.

The church’s Motet Choir, assisted by the St. Columba Cathedral Choir and Poland Presbyterian Chancel Choir, will lead the service in the church cloister.

Similar to the services conducted in the Taiz community in France, the worship will include chant-like songs, Scripture readings, prayers and silence.

The community is an ecumenical Christian monastic order of about 100 brothers who come from Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions.

Eastern Cluster

austintown

“Call to Be a Blessing” is the theme of the Eastern Cluster fall gathering from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 27 at Grace Lutheran Church, 162 S. Raccoon Road.

At the meeting, in-kind monetary offerings will be accepted for the benefit of North Dakota Lutheran churches who were hard hit by flooding.

The offeratory will go to Protestant Family Service in Youngstown.

Registration of $3 is due by Monday to Erin M. Burns, 1330 Henn Hyde Road, NE Warren, Ohio 44484 and should include check, name of church and number of people attending.

For information, call 330-442-7924.

Theology on Tap

youngstown

Theology on Tap, Mahoning County Chapter, will meet from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Lemon Grove, 122 W.Federal St.

No reservations are required.

The program is for young adults from 21 to 39 years old.

Guest speaker will be Nick Nolfi on “Why I am Proud to Be a Catholic.”

For information, contact Pina Vargo at 330-651-6700 or send email to TOTMCC@gmail.com.

Toney Brothers

north lima

The Toney Brothers will be in concert at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at North Lima Mennonite Church, 90 Mennonite Drive.

A free-will offering will be taken.

A meatloaf dinner will be from 4 to 6:30 at the church.

Cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children from 3 to 10 years old.

Installation service

youngstown

Installation services are planned Sunday at Alpha and Omega First Baptist Church, 3120 Winton Ave., for Pastor Raymond Mason.

Pastor Grady Williams of Warren will speak at 10:45 a.m. and Pastor Michael H. Harrison Sr. of Union Baptist Church at 4 p.m.

Honoring teachers

coitsville

The Coitsville Campus of Victory Christian Center, 3899 McCartney Road, will honor all teachers at the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services Sunday.

Teachers will receive the book “A Teacher’s Gift,” written by Pastor David L. Thomas.

The church also will host a Small Group Expo to familiarize the congregation and community about the more than 70 small group ministries offered by the church.

The expo will continue through Sept. 25.

The church will host “The Pioneer Conference” on Friday and Sept. 24 featuring international speaker Dutch Sheets with worship led by Rick Pino.

For more information, visit www.theresaplaceforyou.com or call 330-536-2127.

Church picnic

campbell

Greater Liberty Baptist Church, 66 10th St., will host a reunion for families, friends and former members from noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 24.

Games will be among activities.

A donation of $5 is requested.

For information, call the church at 330-755-9644.

Queen for a Day

canfield

Lucille Orr Ministries Inc. will sponsor a “Queen for a Day” program from 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Lifecare Ministry Center.

Guest speaker will be Kimberly Butler of Findlay, a counselor and a prayer ministry leader at Restoring the Foundations.

No phone reservations will be accepted.

Mail-in reservation with name, address, phone number and email to Lifecare Ministry Center, , 5357 S. Raccoon Road, Canfield, Ohio 44406 and check for $15.

Reservations are due by Oct. 5.

Family, friends day

youngstown

Phillips Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 718 Albert St., will observe family and friends day at the 11 a.m. service Sunday.

The new pastor, the Rev. Anthony L. Copeland and family of Cleveland, will be introduced.