The Office of Worship The Office of Worship exists to enable the People of God in the Diocese of Youngstown to better celebrate the presence of Christ in worship and sacraments. The office serves as a resource to parishes and parish liturgy committees. Assistance is offered through phone consultation, printed resources, parish visits, and workshops. The office plans and coordinates diocesan liturgical celebrations such as ordination ceremonies, the Rite of Election, Holy Week services, Easter and Christmas celebrations, and other special liturgies at St. Columba Cathedral. The Diocesan Liturgical Commission is a consultative body whose purpose is to offer advice and recommendations to the diocesan bishop in liturgical matters within the diocese. The Commission assists the director of the Office of Worship in the implementation of liturgical programs and policies. In conjunction with the Office of Religious Education, the Office of Worship assists parishes in the implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Liturgical Calendar Advisories The following are the holy days of obligation for the year 2009: Mary, Mother of God - Thursday, January 1, 2009 All Saints Day - Sunday, November 1, 2009 Immaculate Conception - Tuesday, December 8, 2009 Nativity of the Lord - Friday, December 25, 2009 Mary, Mother of God - Friday, January 1, 2010 Other liturgical dates of note: Ash Wednesday - Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Easter Triduum - Thursday, April 9 through Sunday, April 12, 2009 Ascension of the Lord - In the dioceses of Ohio, the Ascension will be celebrated on Sunday, May 24, 2009. The decision of the Bishops of Ohio to transfer the Ascension to the 7th Sunday of Easter has been in effect since 2000. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Saturday, August 15, 2009. The obligation for the faithful to participate in the celeration of the Eucharist is abrogated because the Solemnity of the Assumption falls on a Saturday. DIOCESAN CELEBRATIONS AT THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. COLUMBA Rite of Election - Sunday, March 1, 2009, 2:00 p.m.; also at St. Joseph Parish, Canton, 6:00 p.m. White Mass - Sunday, February 15, 2009, 10:30 a.m. This Mass is especially for medical professionals. Chrism Mass - Holy Thursday, April 9, 2009, 10:30 a.m. Night to Honor Mary - Friday, May 1, 2009, 7:00 p.m. An Additional Night to Honor Mary will be celebrated on Friday, May 8, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Canton UPCOMING WORKSHOPS The annual Liturgy Day for all involved in the liturgical life of the parish will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2009, at St. Charles Parish, Boardman. Reverend J-Glenn Murray, S.J., will be the keynote speaker. To register, contact the Office of Worship. Women's Morning of Reflection will be offered on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at St. Michael Parish in Canfield. The theme will be Women and the Spirituality of Change in a Changing Environment. Contact the Office of Worship for more information. Extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist