THE CATHOLIC ECHO PODCAST
The Catholic Echo podcast, which launched in November, is available on all major podcasting platforms and at www.catholicecho.org/podcast/, as well as on Youngstown radio stations WHOT-FM 101, WYFM-FM 102.9 and WQXK-FM 105.1 on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. (with Wineskins airing beforehand at 6 a.m.) Airing weekly, each episode of The Catholic Echo Podcast features a specific topic relevant to the Church today, and Bishop David Bonnar and guests explore the topic of the week with host Father Jim Korda.
Topics for December and January include: December 3—Bishop Bonnar’s pastoral letter Faith, Hope and Love (featuring Bishop Bonnar); December 10—Our Lady of Guadalupe and Hispanic ministry (featuring Cristina Hernandez and Paulina Montaldo); December 17—Grief during the holidays (featuring Sister Pat Fesler); December 24—Christmas music (featuring Ralph Holtzhauser); December 31—What’s next for The Catholic Echo (featuring Katie Wagner); January 7—The St. John Chrysostom Society (featuring Socrates Kolitsos and Rich Mattiussi); January 14—MLK Day (featuring Robin Johnson and Father Ed Noga); January 21—Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (featuring Justin Huyck and Father Joe Witmer); and January 28—Catholic Schools Week (featuring Mary Fiala and Jim King)
ANNUAL WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
The diocesan Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs invites all parishes to participate in the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from Thursday, January 18, to Thursday, January 25, 2024. Parishes can find resources from the World Council of Churches (www.oikoumene.org) and the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute (www.geii.org), including suggestions for observing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity; poster art, music and prayer cards in English and Spanish; Scripture readings, commentaries and questions for reflection; an ecumenical prayer service model and historical and contextual information. For more information, please contact Monsignor Robert Siffrin at rsiffrin@youngstowndiocese.org.
WARM HEARTS FOR WARM HOMES
Many people come to Catholic Charities for assistance to keep their homes warm during the cold winter months here in Ohio. Catholic Charities’ Warm Hearts for Warm Homes campaign (formerly Keep the Kids Warm) runs through January, providing assistance and peace of mind to individuals and families in need of utility assistance. Please visit www.ccdoy.org to learn more or to make a gift online. You can also give during the second collection at your parish on the weekend of January 13 &14, or mail a check to: Catholic Charities, 144 West Wood St., Youngstown, Ohio 44503.
NATIONAL MARCH FOR LIFE
The National March for Life will be held Friday, January 19, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This year’s march will include a pre-rally concert at 11 a.m., a rally at noon and the march at 1 p.m. Other events around the march this year will include: The March for Life Expo from January 17 to 19; the National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception from January 18 to 19; the Life Fest Rally in the morning on January 19; the National Pro-Life Summit on January 20 and The Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life on January 20. For more information on March for Life activities, contact David Schmidt at 330-744-8451 ext. 272 or dschmidt@youngstowndiocese.org.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2024, which will be held January 28 to February 3, is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.” The daily themes for this year are: Sunday—“Celebrating Your Parish,” Monday—“Celebrating your Community” Tuesday—“Celebrating Your Students,” Wednesday—“Celebrating the Nation,” Thursday—“Celebrating Vocations,” Friday—“Celebrating Faculty, Staff and Volunteers” and Saturday—“Celebrating Families.” This year, the diocese is pleased to announce new EdChoice funding for all families interested in pursuing a Catholic education for their children. Our schools will celebrate with special Masses, open houses and other activities for students and the community.
Visit www.doy.org/catholic-schools/ for more information.
