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 next Saturday. Deadline to submit information is 5 p.m. Wednesday.

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

Choir festival

The Diocesan Office of Worship will sponsor the Diocese of Youngstown 2014 Youth Choir Festival next Saturday at St. Columba Cathedral and hall, 154 W. Wood St.

The festival, open to third- through 12th-graders at diocesan schools and from diocesan parishes, will begin at noon for rehearsal.

The choir will sing at the 4:30 p.m. Mass with Bishop George Murry as celebrant and homilist. Dr. Daniel Laginya, director of music at the cathedral, will be the choral director and Mary Ann Bilas Bush, organist and pianist.

The choir will present a choral prelude at 4:10 p.m. The repertoire includes classics and music from contemporary composers including Dr. Laginya.

The event is open to the public. Students must register to participate in this event. Contact the Office of Worship or Barb Zorn by email at zornbarb@aol.com.

Prayer team

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown City and Regional Prayer Team will meet for a prayer assembly at 10 a.m. next Saturday at Fifth Avenue Community Church, 1361 Fifth Ave.

Larry and Betty Stephens are prayer leaders.

Children’s choir

YOUNGSTOWN

The Sunbeam Jubilee Children’s Choir of Phillips Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, 1407 Victor Ave., will celebrate its 33rd anniversary with a program at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Children’s and junior choirs and mime groups from Valley churches may participate.

Ignatian retreat

CANFIELD

The Ursuline Center will offer an Ignatian Retreat in Daily Life based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits.

The retreat lets people continue with their everyday obligations. It requires 30-45 minutes once a week for eight weeks with a spiritual director, and 30 minutes daily for personal prayer.

It is suggested that the first meeting occur before Ash Wednesday, March 5. Meetings will be at the Ursuline Motherhouse, 4280 Shields Road. Donation is $75 and covers eight meetings, a book and handouts.

Eileen W. Novotny, director of program development for The Ursuline Center and an Ursuline Associate, is the spiritual director.

To schedule a retreat, contact Novotny at 330-533-3831 or enovotny@theursulinecenter.org.

Recital at church

YOUNGSTOWN

Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road, will host a free recital by church members at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Performers include Laura Volenik, flute; Leann Rich, oboe; Michele Vargo, piano; and Stephanie Chizmar, voice. Additional musicians include Jack Ciarnello, Mike Fay, Dave Drevna and Joan Gent.

Monetary donations will be accepted for Zion’s food distribution ministry.