Save the Date

9 DAYS FOR LIFE: PRAYER, PENANCE, PILGRIMAGE
On January 22nd, our nation marks the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the United States. Each year the US Catholic Bishops call for nine days of prayer for life during the days leading up to the anniversary of this tragic decision. Thousands of Catholics across the country will join together in prayer for a culture of life from Tuesday, January 21st - Wednesday, January 29th. The prayers in this novena address many Respect Life issues. For more information go to www.9daysforlife.org. – “Precisely because all issues involving human life are interdependent, a society which destroys human life by abortion under the mantle of law unavoidably undermines respect for life in all other contexts.”

DEFEND THE UNBORN! JOIN THE MARCH FOR LIFE!
Buses are being organized in various locations throughout the Diocese of Youngstown to take pilgrims to the annual March for Life in Washington, DC on January 24th. To find a bus near you, contact the Office of Pro-Life. Marriage and Family Life at dschmidt@youngstowndiocese.org, 330-744-8451 ext. 272 or go to www.doy.org.

ST. MICHAEL MEN’S RETREAT DAY
St. Michael Men’s Retreat Day is on Saturday, January 25th from 10:00 am (check in at 9:30 am) - 3:30 pm at the Fannon Center (3430 St. Michael Blvd., Canton). The theme will be Prayer: Getting in the Boat with Jesus. Do you have trouble praying? Monsignor Jay Clarke will lead in various ways of praying that connect with our real hungers. Cost is $25 and includes lunch. You must register by Monday, January 20th. Registration forms can be found on the bulletin board or you can register at stmichaelcanton.org.

WORLD DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE
The universal Church has been celebrating World Day for Consecrated Life since 1997. Bishop George Murry, SJ, invites our diocesan church to celebrate the gift of Consecrated Life with him and the religious of our diocese on Sunday, February 2nd at St. Columba Cathedral at the 10:30 am liturgy. All are welcome. Please mark your calendar.

STITCH AND A PRAYER NEEDS YOUR HELP!
On our next meeting, February 8th, we will be making rosaries. You do not need to be a member of the group to attend; adults, teens, and school age children are able to participate. All the materials will be supplied, we just need people to make the rosaries. We will meet from 9:00 am -12:00 pm, but you can come anytime that morning. These rosaries are distributed in our area and other areas around the world. For more information see Ginny Herman, Michele Valentine or any of the members of Stitch and a Prayer.

WHITE MASS FOR ALL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS
The Annual White Mass - celebrating and recognizing the ministry and work of those in the health professions - will be held on Sunday, February 9th at 10:30 am at St. Columba Cathedral (154 W. Wood St., Youngstown). Bishop George V. Murray, SJ, will preside. A reception will follow in the Cathedral Hall. All are welcome. For more information contact dschmidt@youngstowndiocese.org or call 330-744-8451, ext. 272.

SAVE THE DATE - CHILI COOK OFF
The Chili Cook Off will be held on Saturday, March 14 at 6:00 pm. Watch upcoming bulletins for details.

STARK COUNTY CHAPTER OF MAGNIFICAT: LENTEN SERIES
The Stark County Chapter of Magnificat invites you to their Lenten “Life in the Spirit” series. The series begins after the 7:00 pm Mass for one hour on Ash Wednesday and then is followed by 5 sessions from 7:00 - 9:00 pm on March 4th, March 11th, March 17th, March 25th and April 1st. The series will be held at St. Paul Catholic Church (241 S. Main St., North Canton) in the church hall located on lower level of the church. To register, please contact Rosemary at 330-499-9371 by February 12.

CMF CONFERENCE 2020 “MAKING YOUR VISION CLEAR”
This year’s Diocesan Men’s Conference will be held on Saturday, March 21st from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Go to www.cmfdoy.org for more information, to download a registration form or to register online.

BUILDING FAITH, FAMILY, FUTURE

BUILDING UPDATE
Since our last update, we have invited contractors to submit bids for the construction of our new facility. At the beginning of December, we conducted a meeting at which the interested contractors could walk-through our parish and learn about the project. We received bids from the contractors this past Thursday and now the Core Committee is reviewing them to select one. Meanwhile, we have begun reviewing the contract template for approval by the Diocese and negotiation with the selected candidate. We expect to sign soon thereafter to continue moving the project forward.

FISH

OUTREACH SUNDAY FOR FISH
FISH, our Lake Township community food pantry, relies on the generosity of others to stock it with items they needed. Once a month is designated as “Outreach Sunday.” This month’s “Outreach Sunday” items for Holy Spirit are canned fruit, rice and facial tissues. Please bring your donations next weekend and place under the wood tables.

Holy Spirit PSR & Youth Group Activities

Cancellations
To find out if PSR or other activities have been cancelled due to weather or other reasons, please check the Holy Spirit Facebook page (Holy Spirit Catholic Church) or follow us on Twitter (@HolySpiritUNOH). Links to Facebook and Twitter can be found on the parish website www.holyspiritunoh.org

FIRST RECONCILIATION
First Reconciliation will be held this Saturday, January 25th at 10:30 am. Pictures of those children who will be celebrating this Sacrament for the first time is on display in the narthex. Please keep these children and their families in your prayers.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
Children’s Liturgy of the Word will be offered at all three weekend Masses on the weekends listed below. On these dates, children will be called forward at the opening of Mass by the celebrating priest, blessed and sent with an adult catechist to the meeting room to hear and discuss the day’s Mass readings on a more age appropriate level that relates to their understanding. The catechist will then lead the children back to church to rejoin their families after the Creed.
Additional adults are needed to join the team of adult catechists leading children’s liturgy. There is no need to change your regularly attended Mass times and preparation/time commitments are minimal, yet it provides a valuable ministry to the children and families of our parish. Contact Cathy Kasza to learn more.

• February 8/9
• March 7/8
• April 25/26

On these dates, children will be called forward by Father John after the opening blessing, blessed and led by an adult catechist to a prayer space in the meeting room to celebrate a separate Liturgy of the Word that is more appropriate to their level of understanding.

MISSION TRIP PROGRAM REGISTRATION
There is still time to register for next Summer’s Mission Trip. If you are interested in participating in the program, please contact Anne Weeks as soon as possible.