Send information on animal blessings

September 17, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

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

A listing of pet blessings at Valley churches will be published on the Religion page next Saturday; deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday. 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.

Guest speaker

HUBBARD

Jennifer Cadamore of Sarver, Pa., will be guest speaker at a retreat at Hubbard Church of the Nazarene, 1815 Cherry Lane Drive SE, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 1. The theme is “You Are Beautiful.”

Cadamore has a teaching and speaking ministry that focuses on instructing women about Scripture and how to effectively apply it to their lives. Visit jennifercadamore.com.

Women and girls age 12 and older are invited.

Breakfast, lunch and gift bags are included in the $25 cost.

Call the church at 330-534-3111 between 9 a.m. and noon weekdays for information.

Women’s retreat

YOUNGSTOWN

Women of Worship at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 646 Lakewood Ave., is planning the fifth annual women’s retreat Oct. 7-9 at the Clarion Inn and Conference Center in Hudson.

The theme is “Under His Wings.” Cost is $275. Contact Pecola H. Hunter at 330-747-7373 or the church at 330-743-5084.

Church to celebrate 110th anniversary

YOUNGSTOWN

Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church, 626 Wick Ave., will celebrate its 110th anniversary this weekend.

Great vespers will be at 5 p.m. today and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be at 9:45 a.m. Sunday with a banquet at 1 p.m. in the social hall.

Romanian immigrants came to the Mahoning Valley in the early 1900s to find work and better their lives. In 1906, because of the need for a place to worship, a building was rented and a priest came to serve liturgy. A parish council was organized and money collected to buy a permanent structure. By 1910, the congregation bought land at 830 Wilson Ave., and construction was begun.

The congregation grew and a larger church was needed. In 1944, the former Arms mansion on Wick Avenue was purchased and renovated.

The spiritual leader is the Rev. Florin Bica, who graduated from Andrei Saguna Faculty of Theology in Sibiu, Romania. His wife is Preoteasa Monica and they have two children.

Dignitaries attending will be the Most Reverend Archbishop Nathaniel (Popp) and the Rev. David Oancea, both from the Episcopate in Jackson, Mich., and other priests and deacons.

‘Call and Awakening’

CANFIELD

Cindy Jacobs, author, speaker and teacher, will visit Touch Heaven Church, 10 Skyline Drive, on Sept. 30.

Revival One Network, a Christian fellowship, is the sponsor.

At 10 a.m., she will speak to Christian pastors and ministerial leaders. She and her husband, Mike, will be presenters. They are co-founders of Generals International.

Those planning to attend are asked to register at www.revivalone.org or call 330-286-3524.

A service, open to the public, is planned at 7 p.m.

An offering will be taken.

Harvest Tea

STRUTHERS

The Aureola Wilson Missionary Society of St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, 97 W. Washington St., will host its annual Harvest Tea at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Guest speaker will be Jocelyn Dabney.

Church anniversary

CAMPBELL

Gospel Temple Baptist Church, 279 Whipple Ave., will mark its 93rd anniversary during a program at 4 p.m. Sunday

The Rev. Richard Cash and congregation of Mount Haven Baptist Church in Akron will be guests.

Movie planned

NORTH LIMA

North Lima Mennonite Church, 90 Mennonite Drive, will show the movie, “Woodlawn,” at 6 p.m. Sept. 25.

The movie is about the spiritual awakening of nearly every black and white player on the Woodlawn High School football team. The year was 1973 and the school had recently been desegregated. The team, which included outstanding player Tony Nathan put unity and love before hate and racism. They played in one of the biggest games in n Birmingham, Ala.,

Men’s Day service

YOUNGSTOWN

Christian Bible Baptist Church, 2369 Oak St. Ext., will observe a Men’s Day service at 11 a.m. Sunday with guest speaker, Pastor Erin D. Bell. The theme will be “O Man of God” from 1Timothy 6:11.

Chairman is Anthony Madison and Keith A. Neal is pastor. Colors are blue and black.

Singer and beat boxer

YOUNGSTOWN

Men and Women United for Life, in cooperation with the Office of Pro-life, Marriage and Family in the Diocese of Youngstown, will host Paul J. Kim, inspirational speaker, singer and beat boxer, in two presentations Oct. 2 in the hall at Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 343 Via Mt. Carmel, Youngstown.

The first session at 6 p.m. will feature the topic, “Love or Lust.” It will focus on the real meaning of love and commitment in dating and marriage.

A second session at 7:30 p.m. will be geared to parents and parish ministers who work with teens and young adults. “Parenting from the Inside Out” will focus on decision making and leading authentic lives.

Light refreshments will be served. The programs are free but a free-will offering will be taken to help with expenses.

Teachers and parish ministers who attend the parenting talk can earn one hour of religious education credit.

For information, contact Dave Schmidt at 330-744-8451 or Judy Welsh at 330-718-7746.

Prayer before election

WARREN

Blessed Sacrament Parish Catholic Community, 3020 Reeves Road NE, plans a Prayer Before an Election series with the theme, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.” Gatherings will feature evening prayer, also called vespers, and Taiz prayer that includes song and changed prayer, meditation, silence and liturgical readings.

Most prayer sessions will be from 7 to 8 p.m. in the chapel. The schedule is Sept. 26, Taiz ; Oct. 3, evening; Oct. 10, Taiz ; Oct. 17, evening prayer from 7 to 7:30; Oct. 24, Taiz ; Oct, 31, evening; Nov. 7, Taiz ; and Nov. 8, Election Day, evening prayer from 7 to 7:30.

The prayers will be ecumenical; there will be no partisan presentations. Bring a friend or a political adversary.

For information, call the parish office at 330-372-2215.

Ministries chapter

boardman

Renee DiSalvo will be guest speaker when Youngstown Chapter of Igniting New Life Ministries, an interdenominational ministry, meets Monday at the Elton Beard Cabin by the children’s playground in Boardman Park, 375 Boardman-Poland Road, Route 224. Fellowship will begin at 6:30 p.m. with ministry at 7.

She is an attorney serving in ministry at Victory Christian Center in Coitsville.

Mass at Wick Park

YOUNGSTOWN

St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave., will conduct an outdoor Mass at 10 a.m. Sunday at Wick Park.

Participants should provide their own lawn chairs. Refreshments will be available.

Divorce guide

YOUNGSTOWN

The Office of Pro-Life, Marriage and Family Life of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, in cooperation with St. George Parish in Lisbon, is offering “The Catholic’s Divorce Survival Guide.”

The DVD-based series with accompanying materials brings hope, healing and wisdom to those who are divorced. This series includes Catholic experts on relationships, love, sex, marriage, divorce, annulment and church teachings, plus 12 divorced Catholic men and women who share their stories of hope and healing.

Sessions are planned from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 27 and Oct. 4, 18 and 25 at the church, 271 W. Chestnut St.

There is no cost (an optional book is available for $15).

For information, to register or to learn about additional opportunities for ministry to the divorced, call 330-744-8451, ext. 272 or send email to dschmidt@youngstowndiocese.org.

Clergy association

HERMITAGE, PA.

Sharon Hermitage Clergy Association will gather for lunch, prayers and conversations at noon Wednesday at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 159 Todd Ave.

All pastors, priests and ministers serving churches in the Shenango and Mahoning valleys are welcome to attend.

Luncheon reservations must be made no later than Monday; call 724-342-2310.

First Friday Club

boardman

Dr. Vincent J. Miller will be the featured speaker when the First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown meets Oct. 6 at Antone’s Banquet Centre, 8578 Market St.

The Gudorf Chair in Catholic theology and culture at the University of Dayton will speak on “Integral Ecology: The Central Teaching of Laudato Si.”

The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $16. Reservations must be made by calling 330-720-4498 or visiting www.firstfridayclubofgreater-youngstown.org.