Submit information on Ash Wednesday, Lenten programs

Submit information on Ash Wednesday, Lenten programs

Lent, a season of spiritual renewal, begins Ash Wednesday, which is March 5. Forty days is a traditional number of discipline, devotion and preparation in the Bible. Lent also lasts for 40 days, excluding Sundays.

A listing of Ash Wednesday services and other Lenten programs will be published on the religion page on March 1. Deadline to submit information is 5 p.m. Feb. 26.

Send information by email to religion@vindy.com; mail to the Religion Desk at The Vindicator, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780; or fax to 330-747-6712.

Men’s conference at Walsh University

louisville

The Catholic Men’s Fellowship of the Diocese of Youngstown will have its annual men’s conference March 8 at Walsh University, North Canton.

The event begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes with 4 p.m. Mass offered by Bishop George V. Murry.

Keynote speakers will be Marcus Grodi, host of “The Journey Home” at 8 p.m. Mondays on EWTN, and James Hogan, a theology teacher at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland.

Bishop George V. Murry will be principal celebrant of the closing Mass.

Advance tickets are on sale for $35 for men and $15 for students.

After March 1, tickets are $45 and $20, and lunch is not guaranteed.

Visit www.CMFDOY.org for registration, or contact Mark Izzo at 330-770-2311 for information.

Conference planned

warren

Teen Straight Talk will sponsor “Help for the Hurting, Strengthening the Family” for clergy only from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Enzo’s Banquet Room, 2918 Elm Road. Bishop Joey Johnson, organizer and senior pastor of the House of the Lord in Akron, is conference facilitator. The cost is $30. For information, call Mary Duke at 330-539-6040.

Winter concert

LIBERTY

Unity Centre for Spiritual Living, 1226 Naylor Lloyd Road, will present its annual winter concert, “A Harp in Winter,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The concert, originally set for Jan. 10, was rescheduled.

Featured performers will be Kirk Kupensky, the center music director and harpist, and the Rev. Vit Fiala, director at the Shrine of Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted in Youngstown. He is a Franciscan priest and cellist.

Kupensky has studied harp with the former first- chair harpists of the Cleveland, Berlin and London Philharmonic Orchestras. He has performed at New York’s Merkin Concert Hall, music festivals in Montevarchi and Gubbio, Italy, and as featured soloist at the World Harp Congress in Paris, France.

Father Fiala played with the National Opera and Chamber Players, both of Brno, the capital of Moravia, and the Aus Symphony Orchestra in Prague, both in Czechoslovakia. He also was the concert master with the symphony in Prague.

For information, contact the center at 330-539-0122 or visit www.unitycentre.org.

Quartet concert

DAMASCUS

Damascus United Methodist Church, 300 Valley Road, will present the Colonial City Quartet in concert at 6 p.m. Feb. 23. The group combines four-part harmony in traditional southern Gospel and sings old hymns and popular Christian songs. There is no admission fee; a free-will offering will be taken. Fellowship and refreshments will follow the concert.

Male choruses

YOUNGSTOWN

The male chorus of New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., will present a musical celebration, ”Thank You, Jesus,” at 5 p.m. Feb. 23 at the church.

The event will feature other male choruses and groups.

St. David’s Day

YOUNGSTOWN

St. David’s Society of Youngstown will host its 123rd annual St. David’s Day banquet in honor of the patron saint of Wales at 2 p.m. March 1 at the Saxon Club pavilion.

The banquet is the signature event of the organization.

It will feature Welsh flags, shields, banners and daffodils, the national flower of Wales.

Jennifer Jones Mosher will entertain and group singing in the Welsh tradition will take place.

Cost is $19.50. For reservations, due by next Saturday, call 330-792-2000.

New assignments

YOUNGSTOWN

Bishop George V. Murry of the Diocese of Youngstown has appointed the Rev. Stephen Zeigler as pastor of St. Ambrose Parish in Garrettsville and St. Michael Parish in Windham and the Rev. Jeffrey Stealey as associate pastor of St. Paul Parish in North Canton.

Both appointments are effective March 1.

Father Zeigler completed seminary studies at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Cincinnati. After ordination June 25, 2011, he was appointed associate pastor at St. Paul Parish in North Canton.

Father Stealey was ordained June 25, 2011, after completing seminary studies at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wis. He was then appointed associate pastor at St. James Parish and Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Warren, now merged as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.