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!

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!

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

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.

Diocesan Events This Month

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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
  • Reminders For OCIA Record Keeping Learn what your need to know for OCIA record keeping in preparation for the Easter Vigil, and throughout the year, for those received into the Church.
ECUMENICAL & INTERRELIGIOUS AFFAIRS
No announcements from this office right now
RURAL LIFE & MINISTRY

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. 

MARRIAGE & FAMILY 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.

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 REGIONAL AGENCY
CATHOLIC CHARITIES SERVING PORTAGE AND STARK COUNTIES
OFFICE OF PEACE AND JUSTICE

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

CCAC: HALO Donations (Bulletin Materials)**

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.

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. 

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

OFFICE OF YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
  • Save the Date for ARISE 2025! ARISE is an opportunity for young adults (ages 18-39) across the diocese to pray, laugh and experience God’s love for us, together. Questions/Suggestions? Please contact Maddie Francisco at mfrancisco@youngstowndiocese.org.
  • Save-the-Dates: Youth & Young Adult Ministry Events in 2025 [HS] April 28 — Eagle of the Cross; NCYC – November 20-23, 2025
  • 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.

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

THE CATHOLIC ECHO
MULTIMEDIA
SOCIAL MEDIA
  • Catholic Social Media Update: 63% Active! 63% of invited organizations are using this new tool available for free to schools and parishes to help easily find and schedule Catholic content on social media.
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
  • Communications Webinars & Recordings Our next Communications webinar will be ANSWERS TO YOUR CANVA QUESTIONS on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 11am with Michael Houy. RSVP & send your questions to communications@youngstowndiocese.org to receive the link to join. Anyone is welcome to participate!
  • Parish Directory Updates Please note recent changes to merged parish web addresses.

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

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

Vocations Intercessions and Bulletin Blurbs  (Bulletin Materials)**

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.” 

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
IN THE DIOCESAN LIBRARY
  • PARISH RESOURCES FOR JUBILEE 2025: YEAR OF HOPE Resources to help to help parishes prepare for the Jubilee 2025 are available. Our library has been renovated. Please call before your visit to confirm that the resources you need are available, and we are always ready to help: 330-744-8451.
HISPANIC/LATINO MINISTRY
  • Upcoming Hispanic Ministry Events Quinceañera Retreat, April 5 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Mujeres Valientes Graduation, April 8-11; Pilgrimage to Italy, April 21-18; Fe y Vida Training, May 17 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Social Hall in Ravenna; Jubilee Celebration Mass, July 12, 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Windsor.
  • Mujeres Valientes Four women representing the Hispanic Ministry in our Diocese are taking classes at the University of Dayton as part of leaders training for the Mujeres Valientes program.
OFFICE OF WORSHIP
WORSHIP: MUSIC
OFFICE OF YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT ACCOMPANIMENT
  • Save the Date for ARISE 2025! ARISE is an opportunity for young adults (ages 18-39) across the diocese to pray, laugh and experience God’s love for us, together. Questions/Suggestions? Please contact Maddie Francisco at mfrancisco@youngstowndiocese.org.
  • Save-the-Dates: Youth & Young Adult Ministry Events in 2025 [HS] April 28 — Eagle of the Cross; NCYC – November 20-23, 2025
  • 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.
OFFICE OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

Theology on Tap is BACK! (Bulletin Materials) **

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

Miscellaneous

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.

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

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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