COMMUNITY CUPBOARD CAMPAIGN
Providing essential personal hygiene and cleaning products to families in need, the Catholic Charities Community Cupboard Campaign runs throughout the summer months. The campaign focuses on goods that cannot be purchased with SNAP (Food Stamp benefits). If you are able, Catholic Charities encourages you to support this mission, either through prayer or by making donations of personal hygiene products and cleaning supplies to your local Catholic Charities agency. You may also purchase these items via Amazon or Dollar Days Wishlist, which will deliver the items directly to Catholic Charities’ offices. Visit www.ccdoy.org.
MINISTRY DAY
Save the date for Ministry Day 2026, which will be held on Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas High and Middle School in Louisville. This event for anyone involved in ministries across the diocese will feature networking opportunities, breakout sessions, an exhibit area and a keynote speech by Darcy Osby, a writer for Loyola Press’ Catechist’s Journey and director of faith formation at St. Aidan Parish in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Email Margie Hynes at mhynes@youngstowndiocese.org with questions, and keep an eye on www.doy.org for news on how to register.
This year, 18 teens received the Eagle of the Cross Awards at the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Youngstown on April 28. The award, which is the highest honor the diocese bestows on young people, was created by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) and introduced 28 years ago. It’s given each year to a group of high school juniors and seniors who model Catholic-Christian leadership amongst their peers, dedication to the faith and moral integrity for the Church. Visit www.doy.org to read the full list of names and to learn more.
CHURCH AT HOME COLLECTION
On the weekend of June 6 and 7, parishes across the diocese will hold the annual Church at Home combined collection. This three-in-one collection supports the national and local work of three important Church ministries: The Catholic Campaign for Human Development works to break the cycles of poverty by providing local and national support for empowering low-income and economically marginal people; The USCCB Catholic Communication Campaign helps the Church spread the Gospel message through local and national media; and The Catholic University of America and Newman Campus Ministries supports educational and research programs and develops future leaders at the national university of our Catholic Church. Please prayerfully consider a generous donation.
The diocesan Office of Catholic Schools announced seven Golden Apple Award recipients this year. Pictured above are the awardees. Top row, left to right: Dr. Steven Jones (superintendent of Catholic Schools); Robert Dlwgosh (Saint John School, Ashtabula); Bishop David Bonnar; Krista Dockery (St. Michael the Archangel School, Canton) and Donahue Foundation representative William Donahue. Bottom row, left to right: Caitlynn Dunn (Saint John School, Ashtabula); Nicole Glenn (John F. Kennedy Lower Campus, Warren); Marlene Bassil (Cardinal Mooney High School, Youngstown) and Nicole Pontuti (Holy Family School in Poland). The award honors outstanding individuals who teach or are an administrator in Catholic schools. Visit www.doy.org to learn more.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The Diocese of Youngstown is sponsoring a Wedding Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, June 28, at 2 p.m. in St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown, honoring couples observing their 25th, 40th, 50th, 55th, 60th and over wedding anniversaries in 2026. The Wedding Anniversary Celebration includes Mass with Bishop Bonnar and a blessing of couples celebrating significant anniversaries. Each couple will receive a personalized certificate. Following the Mass, there is a reception for the couples and their families in the parish hall. Contact your parish office to make your reservation by June 1.
It was a record year for Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown’s annual Voice of Hope dinner! At the time of publication, it was estimated that the event raised more than $50,000 (an increase of $10,000 over last year), including admission for 424 people and $12,000 in raffle tickets. These funds support Basic Needs Assistance across the six counties of the diocese, providing essential help to those in need by increasing access to food, shelter, utility assistance and prescription medications. Visit www.ccdoy.org.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown is introducing Christmas in July—a new, unified parish collection. The initiative replaces the former Warm Hearts for Warm Homes (January) and First Step for Change (May and June) campaigns. This simplifies collections for parishes, and collecting funds in the summer ensures that winter assistance for families and older adults is ready for disbursement exactly when the cold weather hits.
The inaugural Christmas in July collection will take place on July 25 and 26. Keep an eye out for the new Christmas in July envelope in your parish packet! Please consider donating to this campaign to help provide warmth and hope to our neighbors across the diocese during the frigid Ohio winter.
