Slovak pilgrimage to national shrine

July 19, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

NORTH JACKSON

The Youngstown chapter of the Slovak Catholic Federation will host the 21st annual pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, North Lipkey Road, on Sept. 14. The service will begin at 2:30 p.m. with the Novena of Saints Cyril and Methodius, followed by the sacraments of the anointing of the sick and penance.

Mass in Slovak will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. with Father Mickler of St. Paul Monastery in Canfield as homilist. Dinner will follow in Cedars Hall at 5 p.m.

The annual event is meant to honor Our Lady of Sorrows, who is the patroness of Slovakia and Slovak-Americans. A special component of this year’s event will be the celebration of Father George Franko’s 90th birthday and the 65th anniversary of his ordination. Father Franko is the pastor emeritus of Holy Name of Jesus Church, one of the three Slovak ethnic churches now consolidated into Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. He initiated the pilgrimage in 1994 and has contributed many articles to publications on aspects of Slovak Catholic traditions.

The opening novena, anointing, penance and Mass are open to all. Tickets for the dinner are $15 ($6 for children 12 and under) and must be purchased in advance. Call Lenny Yurcho at 330-793-8064, Father Franko at 330-782-9126 or Tim Wagner at 330-747-3777.

New Life Christian plans sing-along

LIBERTY

A free Saturday night sing-along is planned at 6 p.m. next Saturday at New Life Christian Fellowship, 2088 Tibbetts Wick Road. There will be snacks and fellowship.

At 6:30, In His Service, led by Paul McConnell, worship leader at New Life, will present a half-hour concert.

The sing-along will start at 7. Area musicians are invited to join in.

For information, call the church at 330-539-5333.

Club offers lecture on evangelization

BOARDMAN

First Friday Club of Youngstown will host the Rev. Nicholas Shori on Aug. 7 at Antone’s Banquet Centre on Market Street.

He is director of the Office of Evangelization in the Diocese of Youngstown and will speak on “Evangelization and What Really Happened in Las Vegas.”

The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. and concludes at 1 p.m. Cost is $15. Reservations are limited; call 330-720-4498 or visit www.firstfridayclubofgreater-youngstown.org.

YAJF receives $5K grant for program

YOUNGSTOWN

The Thomases Family Endowment Distribution Committee of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation awarded a $5,000 grant to Protestant Family Service for its Pathways to Stability program. The committee actively practices Tzedakah, the Hebrew work that exemplifies righteousness, charity and social action.

The $5,000 will be used for utilities either to prevent disconnection or restore service.

Burning with Truth conference is set

WARREN

Elim Christian Center will host the 17th annual Burning with Truth conference Aug. 6-9.

Guest speakers include T. Anthony Bronner, 7 p.m. Aug. 6; Pastor Ronald Johnson, 7 p.m. Aug. 7 and 8; Pastor Archie McMillion, 11 a.m. Aug. 9; Pastor Ted Howard, 6 p.m. nightly; Pastor Jackie Copland and Prophetess Verna McGhee.

For information, call Pastor Loretta J. Pernice at 330-979-5988.