RELIGION DIGEST || Service planned

Service planned

coitsville

A multicultural service is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 22 at Coitsville Presbyterian Church, located on the east side of state Route 616, one block north of its intersection of Route 422.

The Nobles Family will provide music during the service. Guest speaker will be Pastor Bill Beck of New Bedford, Pa., chaplain of the Motor Racing Association.

After the service, there will be a “pot-hope” meal. Participants are asked to bring a “pot” and “hope” for something good to eat.

Liturgy Day

boardman

The Office of Worship of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will sponsor the annual Liturgy Day from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 4 at St. Charles Borromeo Church.

The Rev. Richard Fragomeni, associate professor of liturgy and preaching at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, will be keynote speaker.

Workshops will provide information for deacons, parish staff, liturgy committees, musicians, lay leaders of prayer, liturgical ministers and anyone who is interested in the liturgy.

Cost is $26 per person including lunch. After Jan. 26, the cost is $28 per person and lunch is not guaranteed.

For more information or a brochure, contact the Office of Worship at 330-744-8451, ext. 304. Brochures are also available online at www.cathdoy.org.

Marriage prep

villa maria, pa.

Engaged couples are invited to attend “Marriage Preparation: It’s About the Loving,” set from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 18 at Villa Maria Community Center.

A team of married couples, clergy, religious and financial and legal counsel present the program.

Cost is $150 per couple and includes materials, snacks and meals.

For an additional $40 a night, couples may elect to stay the night before the program begins or after the program has ended.

Registration is required. For registration and information, call 724-964-8886 or visit www.villaprograms.org.

Healing group

canfield

Free introductory lectures, “Help and Healing on the Spiritual Pagth through the Teachings of Bruno Groening,” will be presented at 5 p.m. Jan. 24, Feb. 14 and March 27 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 550 Broad St.

The lectures are sponsored by the Circle for Spiritual Aid to Life, based on the teachings of Groening, a German healer and teacher.

Sessions are be at the church but are not affiliated with it.

For information, contact Arlene Barkan at 330-372-3144.

Ukrainian choir

sharon, pa.

St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 389 Clark St., will host the Ukrainian Culture Trust Choir of Western Pennslyvania in a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday.

An offering will be taken.

Refreshments will follow in the church hall.

Second Chance

austintown

Second Chance Community Outreach Ministry will have its next gathering Jan. 21 at the ministry, 1747 S. Raccoon Road, Suite 1.

Singer/songwriter Jenah Shank will provide music starting at 6 p.m.

Doors open at 4 with a free meal served at 5.

The ministry conducts a monthly food distribution and provides a clothing closet.

The ministry also conducts a weekly coffeehouse at 6 p.m. Saturdays and service at 6 p.m. Sundays.

For information, contact Dave Fidram, executive director, at 330-301-6501.

Mass for Life

youngstown

Bishop George V. Murry will celebrate the annual diocesan Mass for Life at noon Jan. 21 in St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St.

At the Mass, the bishop will present the first Rev. William J. Witt Respect Life Award. The award honors the ministry of Father Witt, a well-known leader for the legal protection of the unborn, who died in February 2011. The award recognizes a local person who exemplifies the priest’s qualities of leadership, advocacy, prayer and service to the cause of protecting and fostering respect for human life.

After the Mass, a pasta luncheon and program will be provided in St. Columba Hall. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Gregory Maturi, whose topic is “Life and Justice 2012.”

The cathedral will observe Holy Hours for Life after the 4 p.m. Mass Jan. 22 and conclude with benediction at 7. The Ancient Order of Hibernians and Men and Women United for Life will provide refreshments in cathedral hall.

No reservations are necessary. For information, contact the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown Office of Pro-Life, Marriage and Family Life at 330-744-8451.

22-hour retreat

VILLA MARIA, Pa.,

Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer the first 22-hour retreat of 2012 on Jan. 20-21.

The retreat, focusing on ongoing spiritual development of adults, will be directed by the adult programming staff of the center.

Cost, depending on room accommodations, is from $99 to $109.60 and includes room, meals and programming. Registration is required. For registration, call 724-964-8886 or visit www.villaprograms.org

Church guild

youngstown

Infant Jesus of Prague Guild of St. Dominic Church will meet Wednesday at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St. The rosary will be at 11:45 a.m. and Mass at 12:10 p.m.

Celebration brunch

youngstown

An acknowledgement brunch is planned at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Stambaugh Charter Academy, 2420 Donald Ave., to recognize the work of clergy and youth ministries. Welcome will be at 10:30 a.m. with the brunch from 10:45 to 11:30. For reservations, call Sharon Armour at 330–792–4806.

Theology on Tap

lowellville

Theology on Tap, Mahoning County Chapter, will meet from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at Bogey’s Bar and Grill, 3535 Upland Road. Cindee Case will speak on “Living Those New Year’s Resolutions with Faith.”

No reservations are required. For information, call Pina Vargo at 330-651-6700.

Send newsletter to Religion desk

All churches, synagogues, mosques and ministries are invited to send their newsletters to The Vindicator. Send to Religion Desk, The Vindicator, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown, OH 44501-0780. Electronic versions may be sent to religion@vindy.com. The newsletters provide a valuable source of information on services and activities at area places of worship. For more information, call the Religion desk at 330-747-1471, ext. 1245.

Making choices

girard

Recently, an Idaho woman died of cancer just days after giving birth to a healthy baby. She might have survived if she had chosen to end the pregnancy so that she could receive treatment. When two lives are in danger, how does one choose which to preserve? Is sacrificing oneself for the good of the other always the right choice? Do Christians have special obligations?

These questions will be addressed at a dinner and discussion Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Girard, 890 Churchill Road. Supper begins at 5 p.m. and discussion at 6. Visitors welcome.

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