Vocation week | Special prayer times

National Vocation Awareness Week will be celebrated Sunday through Nov. 8 in the United States. The event offers those of the Catholic faith a special time in their parishes and schools to recognize and foster vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life. On Wedmesday, the six dioceses of Ohio in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Steubenville, Toledo and Youngstown will join together as one to pray for an increase of vocations at select parishes in each diocese. Catholics from across the state will have the opportunity to spend time in adoration and prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, praying specifically for an increase in priestly and religious vocations throughout their diocese, the state of Ohio and the United States. For information on this statewide day of prayer, contact the Rev. Christopher Luoni at 330-744-8451 or by email at cluoni@youngstowndiocese.org. Specific times and places of adoration for the diocese of Youngstown are:

Ashtabula County: St. Joseph Calasanctius Church, 32 E. Jefferson St., Jefferson, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Columbiana County: Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 200 E. Main St., East Palestine, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Mahoning County: Christ our Savior Parish at St. Nicholas Church, 764 Fifth St., Struthers, from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Portage County: St. Peter of the Fields, 3487 Old Forge Road, Rootstown, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with vespers at conclusion.

Stark County: St. Joseph Church, 322 Third St. SE, Massillon, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Trumbull County: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church, 1234 High St. NE, Warren, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Walsh University’s main chapel: 2020 E. Maple St., North Canton, from 10 to 11:15 a.m.

Year of Consecrated Life: Pope Francis has declared a year of consecrated life to mark the 50th anniversary of Perfectae Caritatis, the Second Vatican Council document of religious life. The Holy Father calls all within the church to deepen their understanding and appreciation of consecrated life for the mission of the church. The Diocese of Youngstown opened the year with a special liturgy Oct. 26.