Dinner to follow Mass and the deadline to RSVP for the event is October 31
NEWS RELEASE
October 20, 2025
Contact: Ralph Holtzhauser, Diocesan Director of Music and Cathedral Musician, rholtzhauser@youngstowndiocese.org, (330) 744-8451, ext. 212
YOUNGSTOWN, OH – All parish directors, musicians, and anyone involved in liturgical music within the Diocese of Youngstown are invited to come to the third annual Gold Mass. A concert featuring choral and instrumental music will begin at 3:45 P.M. The Mass takes place Sunday, November 23, 2025, 5:00 P.M. at Saint Columba Cathedral, 154 West Wood Street in Youngstown. A complimentary barbecue dinner follows the Mass.
If you are interested in participating in the concert before the Mass, singing or playing for Mass, or need any additional information, you’re asked to contact Youngstown Diocesan Director of Music and Cathedral Musician, Ralph Holtzhauser. He can be reached at rholtzhauser@youngstowndiocese.org, or (330) 744-8451, ext. 212.
About the event, Holtzhauser says, “I’m ecstatic that the Cathedral will be hosting the Diocesan Gold Mass for the third year in a row! The Gold Mass is in dedication and celebration of all diocesan musicians. After 27 years of playing and directing liturgical music in a variety of styles and in many different places, I’ve come to realize the huge amount of work that goes into every single Mass and liturgical celebration. One of my goals since assuming the role of Diocesan Music Director has been to support and uplift musicians across the diocese. I can think of no better way than to honor our musicians’ talent and dedication to the Church than through good liturgical music.”
In other music ministry news, the Diocese of Youngstown is bringing back the Cecilia Project for the 2025-2026 church year. The project was developed in response to a growing concern to encourage, recruit, train and empower qualified people to become pastoral musicians in our parishes.
Finally, the Diocese of Youngstown 2026 Organ Concert Series kicks off on January 30 at 6:30 P.M. at St. Columba Cathedral. This series has garnered the attention of artists both nationally and internationally and continues to gain traction in the liturgical and organ world. There are six performances, starting monthly in January. The concerts are free of charge, but a suggested donation of $10 will help this self-sustained series. The series ends June 12 with a performance by acclaimed international organist Loreto Aramendi.
