Communique | December 2024

Preparing for the Messiah

In Advent, we wait in joyful hope for the coming Messiah, God of the Universe, who was, and is, and is to come. Oh come, let us adore Him!

Diocesan Events

Quote of the Month

“[Our Blessed Mother] says, ‘All generations will call me blessed.’ Every generation is integral to the story of our faith. As Catholics we have a responsibility to increase our awareness and appreciation of those who have gone before us.” 

-Bishop David J. Bonnar

Above: Bishop David Bonnar and Chancellor Joan Lawson at the Press Conference announcing the new All Saints Archival Center on November 20, 2024. Photo by Michael Houy.

Watch the full press conference at https://catholicecho.org/2024/11/20/introducing-the-all-saints-archival-center/

For more Catholic inspiration, connect with the Diocese of Youngstown and The Catholic Echo on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Welcome to the Digital Communique!

Click on the office name to see their list of announcements, and then click on the announcement title (in red) to view details. Please see the Attachments folder for additional files for bulletins & publicity:

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

For full list of bulletin announcements, please download the Text Only Attachments

Image and PDF files are available in the monthly Google Drive attachments folder: bit.ly/dec2024comm

Attachments Folder

The Communique collects important information provided by diocesan offices for parish ministry leaders. It also includes promotional materials for diocesan events and programs, where applicable.

Questions? Contact Meagen Farrell, Communications Manager, at communications@youngstowndiocese.org or (330) 744-8451 x275.

The printable format publication is sent by email as a PDF or Word file. Attachments are now provided as downloadable files in one folder (including the printable version):

Announcements suitable or adaptable for parish bulletins are noted. Where applicable, links to attachments and graphic files are included for each office below: click to save/download the file.  

Other Events & Shared Publicity

Events from around the diocese can also be found on The Catholic Echo Events Calendar. You can upload or find publicity for Catholic organizations outside of diocesan offices in our new Shared Publicity Folders. All at youngstowndiocese dot org emails have access to these folders, and others can request access.

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Chancery

Click the name of the office to read the announcement titles, and click the headlines for more information. Links to download the parish bulletin/publicity materials are listed below.

OFFICE OF SAFE ENVIRONMENT
BISHOP'S OFFICE
CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE
ARCHIVES OFFICE
ECUMENICAL & INTERRELIGIOUS AFFAIRS
RURAL LIFE & MINISTRY
No announcements from this office right now

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

Safe Environment Bulletin Announcements (Bulletin Materials | Materiales de Boletín)

The attached bulletin announcement regarding education, screening, reporting, and victim assistance, should be included bi-monthly (every two months) in all parish bulletins. 

Canonical Services

TRIBUNAL
  • Tribunal In-Service Available – The Tribunal staff has made available an ongoing in-service for small groups of between 8-12 participants and generally runs approximately two hours. Interested parties should call the Tribunal at (330) 744-8451, ext. 252.
MARRIAGE & FAMILY SERVICES
  • 25th, 40th, 50th and over Wedding Anniversary Celebration – Couples observing their 25th, 40th, 50th and over wedding anniversaries will be honored at a wedding anniversary celebration on October 27, 2024 at the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist in Downtown Canton. Reservations required through the parish.

Financial Services

OFFICE OF FINANCE
  • New Investment Option Quarterly Summary – A new quarterly investment option summary from June 30, 2024 is available for the Principal 403(b) plan.
  • Updated Finance Office Mailing Address – All payments and correspondence to the Diocese of Youngstown Central Office in Youngstown should be mailed to: 144 West Wood Street, Youngstown, OH  44503. The former P.O. Box is permanently closed.

Catholic Charities Services

Click the name of the office to read the full text of the announcements. Links to download the parish bulletin/publicity materials are listed below.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES, DIOCESE OF YOUNGSTOWN
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ASHTABULA COUNTY
  • Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County HALO – Catholic Charities extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of our recent event, the HALO Gala—Holiday Angels Loving Others. Support the children who will benefit from this event by visiting our Amazon Toys Wishlist today.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES SERVING PORTAGE AND STARK COUNTIES
OFFICE OF PEACE AND JUSTICE

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

CCAC: HALO Donations (Bulletin Materials)**
Donate Through the Amazon Toy Wishlist

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

URGENT PLEA – Winter Baby Items Needed (Bulletin Materials)**

Catholic Charities Serving Portage and Stark Counties is desperately seeking donations for their First Step Program for women & children.
The items currently needed most are:

  • Winter Wear – Hats, Gloves, Boots, Socks
  • Winter Clothing for Babies & Toddlers
  • Sizes 6 mos. through 5T
  • New or Gently Used
  • All used clothing should be freshly washed.
  • Boys & Girls Styles needed!

Please drop off donations at either location, but please call first.

Call the Canton office at 330-491-0896
Call the Ravenna office at 330-297-7745 or

Alternatively, please ship directly using our AMAZON WISHLIST.

Donate Through the Amazon Baby Items Wishlist

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

URGENT PLEA – Volunteers Needed (Bulletin Materials)**

Catholic Charities Serving Portage and Stark Counties is looking for volunteers to help with the increased demand for pantry services in both the Canton location and the Ravenna location. Pantry volunteers will typically work a 2-3 hour shift and can choose to work weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on their personal availability. Clients will schedule pantry visits in advance, and pantry volunteers will prepare the grocery bags based on client selections. Compare this to the “Giant Eagle Shoppers” that prepare groceries for pick-up customers. However, this is much easier! In addition, volunteers may be asked to assist with other routine tasks such as dating incoming goods, rotating products, and general organization.

Come and lend a hand!  Help others by directly fulfilling just one of the many ways we assist clients in need.

Call the Canton office at 330-491-0896

Call the Ravenna office at 330-297-7745 or

Send an email to charities@youngstowndiocese.org and we will forward your information to the proper location!

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

Office of Peace & Justice: Prison and Jail Ministry (Bulletin Materials)**

The Office of Peace and Justice is seeking to expand the volunteer program for prison ministry. If you, or someone you know, is interested in ministering to the incarcerated, please contact us. Volunteer opportunities available in all six counties. For further information contact R.J. Mangan, Director of Peace and Justice, at 330-744-8451 x 245. 

Department of Missionary Discipleship

Click the name of the office to read the full text of the announcements.

OFFICE OF YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
  • Save-the-Dates: Youth & Young Adult Ministry Events in 2025 – [YA] Christmas in the Cabin & Christmas at the Orchard on January 3; [HS] Night of Praise on January 12; Diocesan Confirmation Retreat on February 1; [HS] ENCOUNTER on March 8, 2025
  • Annual Global Celebration of Youth and Young Adults – On this feast day… the Church proclaims the Kingdom of Christ, already present, but still growing in all its mystery towards its full manifestation … young people are indispensable bearers of the dynamics of the Kingdom of God, the hope of the Church and the world. – St. John Paul II
  • Theology on Tap – Theology on Tap is an invitation to young adults (18-39) to delve deeper in their faith and in community with other members of the Church.
  • FG2G on January 12, 2025 | Youth Ministry – Join youth ministries from across the diocese for this unique event on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord!

Department of Communications

Click the name of the office to read the full text of the announcements.

THE CATHOLIC ECHO
MULTIMEDIA
SOCIAL MEDIA
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

CALL FOR RECIPES! (Bulletin Materials)**

The Catholic Echo magazine would like to feature your favorite recipes in an upcoming print edition! All recipes are welcome. For more information or to submit a recipe, email catholicecho@youngstowndiocese.org.

Catholic Echo logos are included on the DOY Brand page: doy.org/brand

BULLETINS/PUBLICITY
Shared Publicity Folders -UPDATED LINKS

Catholic parishes, schools, and lay organizations are invited to share your flyers, images, and bulletin announcements using Google Drive. All @youngstowndiocese.org emails should have access to these folders, and others can request access on a case-by-case basis. We will respond to all requests within one business day and appreciate your patience.

Clergy and Religious Services

Click the name of the office to read the full text of the announcements. Links to download the parish bulletin/publicity materials are listed below.

OFFICE OF CLERGY SERVICES
OFFICE OF CHURCH VOCATIONS
  • Come and See the Seminary Weekends – Saint Mary Seminary & Borromeo Seminary are once again offering “Come and See” Weekends. Contact Fr. Chad Johnson at cjohnson@youngstowndiocese.org.
  • December 2024 Vocation Intercessions and Bulletin Blurbs (Bulletin Materials) – Please use these vocation intercessions and bulletin blurbs to help promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life in your parish community and school.
  • New Candidates Admitted into Seminary Formation – The Office of Church Vocations is pleased to announce the acceptance of Mr. Jacob Huzyak and Mr. Luke Liptak into Seminary Formation for the Diocese of Youngstown, following the Priestly Formation Board meeting. Mr. Huzyak will attend St. Mary Seminary, while Mr. Liptak will attend Borromeo College Seminary.
  • Pastoral Internship Year – Bishop Bonnar has assigned Mr. Arthur Bodenschatz to a pastoral internship year beginning June 2024 with Rev. Chad Johnson, Pastor of St. Jude (Columbiana) and Our Lady of Lourdes (East Palestine).
  • Vocation Director or Seminarian Visits to Your Parish / School – If you have a special youth ministry, parish, retreat, or vocational event, please remember our current seminiarians are available to speak at your parish or school.
  • Seminarian Posters and Prayer Cards – Our 2024-2025 Seminarian Posters & Prayer Cards have been delivered to each Parish, High School, and Elementary School in the diocese.

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

Vocations Intercessions and Bulletin Blurbs  (Bulletin Materials)**
Vocations Intercessions & Bulletin Blurbs

Watch our social media for more updates.

Vocations Social Media

Development and Stewardship Offices

Click the name of the office to read the full text of the announcements. Links to download the parish bulletin/publicity materials are listed below.

ANNUAL DIOCESAN APPEAL
OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT AND STEWARDSHIP
Annual Diocesan Appeal Updates

Fr. John-Michael Lavelle has been emailing updates on individual parishes’ performance on the Appeal. This information is also posted at www.doy.org/appeal under “Parish Toolkit and Updates.” 

News About the Appeal
PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY
Fall 2024 Stewardship Bulletin Thoughts (Bulletin Materials | Materiales del Boletín) 

It is recommended that every week, in every parish, a stewardship reflection should be included in the weekly bulletin.

Pastoral and Educational Services

Click the name of the office to read the full text of the announcements. Links to download the parish bulletin/publicity materials are listed below.

OFFICE OF FAITH FORMATION AND LAY ECCLESIAL MINISTRY
  • Personnel and Catechetical Report Requested – Current leaders are asked to complete and return the personnel lists for all catechetical and pastoral ministers and the program report as soon as possible.
  • The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion – The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion for catechumens and candidates will be celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, March 9, 2025.
  • New Order of Christian Initiation of Adults – The new Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) books were released for sale by publishers on November 1, 2024 – The Feast of All Saints. Workshops for clergy and parish OCIA teams will be scheduled in January 2025.
  • Official Appointment | October 28, 2024 – Bishop David Bonnar accepts the retirement of Barbara Walko effective January 10, 2025 and appoints Margie Hynes as Director of Faith Formation and Lay Ecclesial Ministry, effective January 11, 2025.
  • Lifelong Learning Courses – All adult faith formation courses are open to anyone wanting to grow in their faith. These courses are offered online and in person.
IN THE DIOCESAN LIBRARY
  • LIBRARY UNDERGOING RENOVATIONS – Books to help you grow in your prayer life may be borrowed from the Diocesan Library. Due to construction, please call before your visit to confirm that the resources you need are available: 330-744-8451 x296.
HISPANIC/LATINO MINISTRY
OFFICE OF WORSHIP
  • Cathedral Organ Concert Series (Bulletin Materials) – We are thrilled to announce the latest group of talented musicians who will be participating in the organ concert series for the Cathedral of Saint Columba in Youngstown, Ohio.
  • The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion – The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion for catechumens and candidates will be celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, March 9, 2025.
  • New Order of Christian Initiation of Adults – The new Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) books were released for sale by publishers on November 1, 2024 – The Feast of All Saints. Workshops for clergy and parish OCIA teams will be scheduled in January 2025.
  • LEADER OF PRAYER FORMATION SERIES – Lay Leaders of Prayer are a great assistance when a priest is not available to provide an opportunity and lead prayer for the faithful. The candidates listed were commissioned on November 13, 2024.
  • Sunday of the Word of God: January 25-26, 2025 – This year, January 25/26, 2025 will be designated as “Sunday of the Word of God” and is to be devoted to the celebration, study, and dissemination of the Word of God.
  • Cecilia Project – The Cecilia Project is a unique opportunity to identify young potential musicians in our parishes and schools and offer them the advantage of furthering their musical education and talent at no cost.
  • MONDAY – DECEMBER 9, 2024 – A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION – The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is transferred this year to Monday, December 9, 2024, which is a Holy Day of Obligation.
WORSHIP: MUSIC
  • Cathedral Organ Concert Series (Bulletin Materials) – We are thrilled to announce the latest group of talented musicians who will be participating in the organ concert series for the Cathedral of Saint Columba in Youngstown, Ohio.
  • Upcoming Parish Music Events (Bulletin Materials) – Join us for live music events at Divine Mercy Parish (Massillon), St. Patrick Church (Youngstown) and the Cathedral of Saint Columba.
  • Cecilia Project – The Cecilia Project is a unique opportunity to identify young potential musicians in our parishes and schools and offer them the advantage of furthering their musical education and talent at no cost.
  • MONDAY – DECEMBER 9, 2024 – A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION – The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is transferred this year to Monday, December 9, 2024, which is a Holy Day of Obligation.
  • FG2G on January 12, 2025 | Youth Ministry – Join youth ministries from across the diocese for this unique event on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord!
  • Planning Parish Music Events? – If your parish is having any upcoming musical events you’d like to send out, please email Ralph Holtzhauser, Diocesan Music Director, at rholtzhauser@youngstowndiocese.org!
OFFICE OF YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT ACCOMPANIMENT
  • Save-the-Dates: Youth & Young Adult Ministry Events in 2025 – [YA] Christmas in the Cabin & Christmas at the Orchard on January 3; [HS] Night of Praise on January 12; Diocesan Confirmation Retreat on February 1; [HS] ENCOUNTER on March 8, 2025
  • Annual Global Celebration of Youth and Young Adults – On this feast day… the Church proclaims the Kingdom of Christ, already present, but still growing in all its mystery towards its full manifestation … young people are indispensable bearers of the dynamics of the Kingdom of God, the hope of the Church and the world. – St. John Paul II
  • Theology on Tap – Theology on Tap is an invitation to young adults (18-39) to delve deeper in their faith and in community with other members of the Church.
  • FG2G on January 12, 2025 | Youth Ministry – Join youth ministries from across the diocese for this unique event on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord!
OFFICE OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

Upcoming Parish Music Events in December 2024 (Bulletin Materials)**
Join Us! Learn More

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

Theology on Tap is BACK! (Bulletin Materials) **
Theology on Tap in DOY Updates

The Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry is now on social media! Please give it a like and follow!

Miscellaneous

In Memoriam | Necrology for December

The Necrology (In Memoriam) for Diocesan Clergy is now available online!

Many thanks to Robalyne Sciubba for keeping the printable Necrology updated.

Gratitude to Rev. Joseph Ruggieri who has created a Google calendar to help you pray by date.

In Memoriam for December

Diocesan Cemeteries (Bulletin Materials)

Click the name of the office to read the full text of the announcements. Links to download the parish bulletin/publicity materials are listed below.

DIOCESAN CEMETERIES

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Fridays at 3pm (Bulletin Materials)
Rosary at Four Diocesan Cemeteries (Bulletin Materials)

Please share these flyers and bulletin announcements as applicable to your location:

Other Events

Visit https://catholicecho.org/events/
FAQ: Where do I send my announcements?

You are invited to submit events and announcements for The Catholic Echo to Editor-in-Chief Katie Wagner at kwagner@youngstowndiocese.org.

Are you planning a parish music event? Please contact/copy Diocesan Director of Music Ralph Holtzhauser at rholtzhauser@youngstowndiocese.org.

BULLETINS/PUBLICITY
Shared Publicity Folders -UPDATED LINKS

Catholic parishes, schools, and lay organizations are invited to share your flyers, images, and bulletin announcements using Google Drive. All @youngstowndiocese.org emails should have access to these folders, and others can request access on a case-by-case basis. We will respond to all requests within one business day and appreciate your patience.

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