Communique | February 2025

Catholic Charities Month

February invites us to reflect on God’s universal call to charity and to discern one’s specific call to ministry.

Quote of the Month

“Charity is the sweet and holy bond which links the soul with its Creator: it binds God with man and man with God.”

-Saint Catherine of Siena

Photo: Participants consider transportation choices during a Charity Walk at Breakfast with the Bishop to benefit Catholic Charities, held at St. Michael Parish Hall in Canfield, December 3, 2024. Photo by Breanna Crissman. Find more event photos on Facebook.

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/feb2025comm

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
  • Official Decree | February 4, 2025 The Most Rev. David J. Bonnar has designated four Sacred Jubilee Sites for pious pilgrimage or visit in 2025: the Cathedral of St. Columba (Youngstown), Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Basilica (Youngstown), Basilica of St. John the Baptist (Canton) and Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration (Canton).
  • Catholic Men’s Conference (Bulletin Materials) Bulletin materials available for upcoming Catholic Men’s Conference including Mass with Bishop Bonnar.
  • Upcoming Events with Bishop Bonnar (Bulletin Materials) Bulletin materials available for upcoming events with Bishop Bonnar.
  • Upcoming Hispanic Ministry Events Fe y Vida Training, 2025 Dates: January 18, March 1, and May 17 from 9:00 to 6:00 PM; Third Hispanic Summit with Bishop Bonnar on March 22, 2025. All at Immaculate Conception Social Hall in Ravenna.
CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE
ARCHIVES OFFICE
JUBILEE 2025
  • Official Decree | February 4, 2025 The Most Rev. David J. Bonnar has designated four Sacred Jubilee Sites for pious pilgrimage or visit in 2025: the Cathedral of St. Columba (Youngstown), Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Basilica (Youngstown), Basilica of St. John the Baptist (Canton) and Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration (Canton).
  • Parish Intentions of Hope for 2025 We invite all to pray along with Bishop Bonnar and our parishes, asking for the Holy Spirit to renew us during this Year of Hope.
  • Jubilee Year Hymn | Music Ministry All parish music directors are encouraged to use the Jubilee Year official hymn “Pilgrims of Hope,” where appropriate within the liturgical year.
  • PARISH RESOURCES FOR JUBILEE 2025: YEAR OF HOPE | DIOCESAN LIBRARY Books to help to help parishes prepare for the Jubilee 2025 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.

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

Catholic Charities Awareness Month (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

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

THE CATHOLIC ECHO
  • New in 2025: Parish Profiles & Patron Saints of the Diocese Parishes, look for an email soon requesting information for your PARISH PROFILE to be published at DOY.org and in a special edition of The Catholic Echo Magazine. Listen to The Catholic Echo podcast or follow social media for Bishop Bonnar’s new series, Patron Saints of the Diocese.
  • 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.
  • The Catholic Echo Magazine Advertising Deadlines Stay connected with The Catholic Echo magazine’s advertising schedule to ensure your ad reaches our vibrant Catholic community across the Diocese of Youngstown. Discounts are available for multiple insertions and Catholic organizations.
MULTIMEDIA
SOCIAL MEDIA
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

Wineskins & The Catholic Echo Podcast (Bulletin Materials)**

Learn more at catholicecho.org/podcast

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

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 & RELIGIOUS 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
  • News About the Appeal Fr. John-Michael Lavelle has been emailing updates on individual parishes’ performance on the Appeal. This information is also posted at doy.org/appeal under “Parish Toolkit and Updates.”
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
Winter 2025 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 | DIOCESAN LIBRARY Books to help to help parishes prepare for the Jubilee 2025 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.
  • 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
  • Upcoming Hispanic Ministry Events Fe y Vida Training, 2025 Dates: January 18, March 1, and May 17 from 9:00 to 6:00 PM; Third Hispanic Summit with Bishop Bonnar on March 22, 2025. All at Immaculate Conception Social Hall in Ravenna.
OFFICE OF WORSHIP
WORSHIP: MUSIC
OFFICE OF YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT ACCOMPANIMENT
OFFICE OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

PARISH BULLETINS/PUBLICITY

Resources to Promote School Affordability (Bulletin Materials) **

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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