ACTION banquet to host 3 speakers, present 2 awards

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Three speakers and two award presentations will highlight the annual ACTION banquet April 3 at St. Luke parish center, 5235 South Ave., Boardman.

Social time will begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6.

Program presenters for Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods will be:

The Rev. John Welch, vice president and dean of students at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, who will address rekindling our congregations; Dr. Laura Meeks, president of Eastern Gateway Community College, who will speak about rekindling our economy; and John McNally, mayor of Youngstown, who will speak about rekindling our democracy.

The Frances Kerpsack Award will be presented to the Rev. Joseph Fata, pastor of St. Luke and vice president of ACTION, for his dedication to infusing Gospel values into all aspects of his ministry.

Also receiving the Frances Kerpsack Award will be Sister Jerome Corcoran, founder of “Sister Jerome’s Children,” for her lifelong service and leadership in teaching and protecting the children of the Mahoning Valley

Music will be provided by the LaBra Brothers and the Williamson School Voices of Hope Choir.

The cost for a ticket is $35 or $280 for a table of eight.

Tickets can be purchased through any of the member churches and institutions; at the ACTION office, 20 Federal Place Suite MB; or by calling 330-782-7433.

A company or organization can be represented by an advertisement in the program for a variety of price points. Arrangements for an ad can be made up through March 17 by calling the office.

Among the programs being addressed by ACTION this year are the improvement of the South Avenue corridor, development of training and information for professionals helping people in distress, improvement of parent-child-school communication in conjunction with Youngstown City Schools and a re-entry program for persons returning from incarceration in addition to other ongoing programs.

Member congregations and organizations of ACTION are: Common Wealth Inc., Holy Bible Church of God, St. Luke Catholic Church, Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, St. Michael Catholic Church, Peace Action Council of Youngstown, St. Charles Catholic Church, St. Edward Catholic Church, St. Patrick Catholic Church, St Angela Merici, Holy Apostles Catholic Church, Southwest Neighborhood Association in Warren, International Brotherhood of Christian Men, Mahoning County Association of Churches and, Lily Grove Baptist Church.

For information, contact Rose Carter, director, at the office or by email to taulen@aol.com.