Send information on Ash Wednesday

January 23, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

Lent, a season of spiritual renewal, begins Ash Wednesday, which is Feb. 10. 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 Feb. 6. Deadline to submit information is 5 p.m. Feb. 3.

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

Send newsletter to the Religion desk

All churches, synagogues, mosques and ministries are invited to send their newsletters to The Vindicator. Send to Religion Desk, The Vindicator, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown, OH 44501-0780. Electronic versions may be sent to religion@vindy.com. The newsletters provide a valuable source of information on services and activities. For more information, call the Religion desk at 330-747-1471, ext. 1245.

Bishop’s appeal

YOUNGSTOWN

The Diocese of Youngstown will begin the 2016 Bishop’s Appeal for Catholic Charities and Church with a balloon launch and cupcake celebration Tuesday at St. Columba Cathedral Hall, 154 W. Wood St. The goal of the 2016 Bishop’s Appeal is $4.2 million.

The public event will begin about 11:15 a.m. with prayer and brief remarks by Bishop George V. Murry and the Rev. John-Michael Lavelle, director of the Bishop’s Appeal. This will be followed by a balloon release from the steps of the cathedral to signify the launch of the campaign. Complimentary cupcakes also will be available for guests.

Mass will follow at 12:10 p.m. at the cathedral.

Now in its 20th year, the Annual Bishop’s Appeal funds the work of Catholic Charities in the six counties of the Diocese of Youngstown that are Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark and Trumbull, where 878 parishes are located. It will be implemented in the 87 parishes. Last year, Catholic Charities provided more than 46,000 people with food, clothing, housing and rental assistance, utility assistance, professional case management services and many other programs to meet local needs. Catholic Charities provides service to all qualifying individuals regardless of their faith.

The appeal also supports diocesan ministries and programs that promote family life, the formation of youths and young adults, the sanctity of human life, religious education and much more.

For information, contact Father Lavelle at 330-744-8451 or by email to jlavelle@youngstowndiocese.org. Visit www.doy.org” www.doy.org.

Men’s conference

ERIE, PA.

“A Key to God’s Mercy” is the theme of the third annual 2232 Erie Men’s Conference, a Catholic outreach to men of faith, planned from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 12 at Warner Theater.

Speakers will be Matt Birk, Pro-Bowl NFL center and Catholic motivational speaker; Tim Staples, a writer and speaker; and Deacon Ralph Poyo, founder and director of New Evangelization Ministries. Master of ceremonies will be the Rev. Larry Richards, an internationally known speaker, writer and evangelist.

Bishop Lawrence T. Persico of the Diocese of Erie will preside at opening ceremonies and closing Mass.

Cost is $40 and includes lunch and parking. Group rates and discounts for students are available. Visit www.2232men.com.