Dear Parish Family,

First and foremost, I must tell you how blessed I am to be a part of this wonderful, loving and caring parish family. As your Pastor, I am privileged to share in the joys, sorrows and all the events of your lives but most especially, the journey of our faith which I know enriches me as a person and a brother in Christ!! I also thank ALL of you for the beautiful and inspiring cards and gifts you so generously gave to me. Your love and generosityis so appreciated and know that I will always keep you in my prayers.

This Pastor’s desk column I’m also devoting to sharing New Learning Opportunities for Adults this Winter offered by our Diocese online. There are several courses offered to not only teach you about our Catholic faith but specific instructions about Catholic Church practice. The press release which is included here and is posted on our bulletin board in the gathering space, gives all the details.

Again, I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do for me but most especially, the gift of your lives that you are to me.

My love and prayers always,~~Fr. Steve

The Office of Religious Education/Evangelization of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown offers new online opportunities for adults seeking to learn more or deepen their understanding of topics in faith and Catholic Church practice. Online winter courses be-ginning January 24th include: “Elementary Catechesis,” led by Carla Hlavac; “Saints with a Heart for Creation,” led by Maureen Hall; and “Understanding Eucharist through Scripture,” led by Margie Hynes. Other courses in February through April include “Introduction to Catholic Morality,” “Racism, the Catholic Church, and Me: A Look into Ourselves,” “The Last Words of Jesus: Meditations on Love and Suffering,” “Sowing God’s Word,” “Hope: A Virtue for Our Times,” and “The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts.” These online sessions allow flexibility in schedules, because learners can read, reflect, and respond at any time of the day. Materials are provided and assign-ments posted at the beginning of a given week, and participants have the week to respond, until the following week’s learning is posted. Courses vary in the number of weeks, from three to six. Course fees vary depending on costs of materials and length of time. Course dates and descriptions are found by going to the website Catechist Café, (https://catechistcafe.weebly.com) under “For Catechists/Catechist Courses.” For more information, contact the Office of Religious Education/Evangelization by phone, 330-744-8451, ext. 290, or email jlawson@youngstowndiocese.org.