Send information on animal blessings

September 10, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

The traditional blessing of animals celebrates the life of St. Francis of Assisi, whose Feast Day is Oct. 4. He is known for his love of all creatures.

A listing of pet blessings will be published on the Religion page Sept. 24; deadline is 5 p.m. Sept. 21. Send information to the Religion desk, The Vindicator, 107 Vindicator Square, Box 780, Youngstown, Ohio 44501-0780; by fax to 330-747-6712; or by email to religion@vindy.com.

Annual pilgrimage

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown Chapter of the Slovak Catholic Federation, which serves the Diocese of Youngstown, will conduct the annual pilgrimage honoring Our Lady of Sorrows on Sept. 18 at Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted, 517 S. Belle Vista.

Devotions, the rosary, novena of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, anointing of the sick and the Sacrament of Penance begin at 2:30 p.m. with Mass at 4 p.m.

Refreshments will be in the shrine’s social hall after Mass. All are welcome.

CCD classes set

GIRARD

First day of classes for Confraternity of Christian Doctrine at St. Rose Church, 48 E. Main St., is Sept. 18.

Registration forms are available at the church for the 2016-17 school year.

The fee is $35 per student or $90 per family of three or more children.

Call 330-545-4351.

Blakeman banquet

columbiana

Blakeman Ministries Come Alive banquet is planned at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Das Dutch Village Inn, 150 E. State St., Route 14.

Guest speaker will be David Kohout, founder of “Talk IS Cheap,” a nonprofit organization that focuses on building character.

Admission is free for the dinner buffet, but reservations are required by calling 234-759-3419 by Sept. 23. No children younger than 12 will be admitted. An offering will be received.

Last concert

NILES

Soul Purpose will present the last concert of the year at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at Encore Theater, 930 Great East Plaza adjacent to Eastwood Mall. The group offers traditional southern Gospel.

Their ministry began in 1972 as The Sounds of Joy, and the name changed in 1995. Members are Don Clapsaddle, Jim Barrett, Misty Clapsaddle and Judy Clapsaddle.

Doors open at 6 p.m.; there is a $5 charge.

Male chorus event

YOUNGSToWN

The male chorus of Mount Zion Baptist Church, 827 Wilson Ave., will celebrate its 66th anniversary during a program at 4 p.m. Sept. 18.

Male groups from Ohio and Pennsylvania will presents songs of praise.

Special ministry

YOUNGSTOWN

In celebration of the Year of Mercy, the Office of Lay Ministry Formation plans a 10-week course on Ministry to the Marginalized on select Tuesday evenings from September through early April.

The course will focus on our call as baptized Christians to bring God’s love and mercy to those on the margins of society. The course will include ministry efforts to reach out to people with disabilities, those who are sick or homebound, divorced, have same-sex attraction, post-abortion healing or are immigrants or victims of human trafficking.

Co-sponsors are Catholic Charities Social Action Ministries and Office of Pro-Life, Marriage and Family Life Ministry. Call Pete Schafer, director of Office of Evangelization and Pastoral Planning, 330-744-8451, ext. 289, or pschafer@youngstowndiocese.org.