Bishop Murry Responds to Obama Administration Mandate "The Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation's first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty." Click here to read the rest of Bishop George Murry's letter. Return to top Help Stop the Unjust HHS Mandate. Contact Congress Today! Click here to send an e-mail to Congress, urging them to support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, to overturn the Obama Administration's denial of religious freedom. Return to top Lutheran-Catholic Scripture Resources for Lent The Lutheran-Catholic Covenant Commission invites Catholics and Lutherans to pray and study together the Gift of Lent 2012: Resources for Discussion and Reflection. These reflections on the Sunday readings are good for group discussion or personal devotion. For more information, visit the Lutheran-Catholic Covenant website. Return to top "Literally Unconscionable" The Catholic bishops of the United States called "literally unconscionable" a decision by the Obama Administration to continue to demand that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans. Never before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience. Click here to learn more. Return to top Who is My Neighbor? A Pastoral Letter on the Occasion of National Poverty Awareness Month Click here to read the Pastoral Letter of the Most Rev. George V. Murry, S.J. on the occasion of national poverty awareness month. Return to top Liturgy Day Saturday, February 4, 2012 The annual Liturgy Day sponsored by the Office of Worship of the Diocese of Youngstown will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at St. Charles Parish, Boardman. The Reverend Richard Fragomeni, Ph.D. will be the keynote speaker. The cost of the day is $26 per person including lunch. After January 26, the cost is $28 per person and lunch is not guaranteed. Click here for the brochure. Return to top Marriage: Unique for a Reason Return to top Scriptural Prayer for Lent 2012 The Office of Religious Education invites you to use Lent 2012 Scriptural Prayer for personal prayer or for prayer with parish ministry groups. This order of service for the Sunday Gospels is based on the lectio divina method of scriptural prayer. Return to top Eagle of the Cross Nominations Accepted Until February 15 Nominations will be accepted for outstanding high school juniors and seniors in our diocese for the annual "Eagle of the Cross" Award. The nominees must be practicing Catholics and exemplify the qualities of moral integrity, prayer and spiritual life, personal outreach to church and community, contribution to parish and/or school programs, and Christian leadership. Involvement in diocesan programs will also be considered. Click here to download the form. Return to top World Day for Consecrated Life Sunday, February 19, 2012 The annual celebration of World Day for Consecrated life will be on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at the 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Columba Cathedral. All are welcome to join Bishop George Murry, S.J., the Principle Celebrant, religious women and men, and parish representatives. Light refreshments will follow in the Cathedral hall. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the St. Columba food pantry. Click here to download the Poster and General Intercessions. Return to top Women’s Spirituality Day Saturday, March 3, 2012 Women’s Spirituality Day will be held at the Ursuline Center in Canfield. The day will feature as keynote speaker Doris Donnelly, Ph.D., professor of theology at John Carroll University. Workshop sessions will be given on various topics regarding spirituality and prayer. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the day will conclude at 3:00 p.m. The cost of the day is $26 and includes lunch. For more information or a brochure, please contact the Office of Worship, 330-744-8451, ext. 304. or Click here. Return to top Getting Married? Click here to learn about the Marriage Preparation Process. Click here to download the registration form to God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage: One-Day Retreat. Return to top Execution Alert! Ohio has set execution dates for the following prisoners: Michael Webb - February 22, 2012 Mark Wayne Wiles - April 18, 2012 Abdul Hamin Awkal - June 6, 2012 John Eley - July 26, 2012 Donald Palmer - September 20, 2012 Brett X. Hartman - November 13, 2012 Return to top First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown Visit the First Friday Club Website for information on the monthly luncheon series. Return to top The Diocese of Youngstown Encourages Victims to Report Abuse The diocese encourages anyone who may have experienced abuse by clergy or others associated with the Church to contact the diocesan victim’s assistance coordinator at 330-744-8451 and to notify civil authorities. Return to top