Diocesan Update

Beginning July 1, 2023 the Portage North Pastoral Region will be under the guidance of one Pastor and one Parochial Vicar. To read the letter from Fr. Shawn, Fr. Joe, and Fr. Chris regarding this announcement, click here.

What Are You Doing On Tuesday Nights?

Come play bingo with us in the church hall at St. Ambrose and support our parish’s programs. The doors open at 5:45 p.m. and Early Bird Bingo begins at 6:45 p.m. Regular bingo begins at 7:00 p.m. Your first packet (good for all evening with nine cards per game) is only $13.00. Each additional packet is only $3.00 more! Jackpots begin at $400.00 and 48 numbers, and adds one number and $15.00 each week. Each regular bingo game pays $25.00. Next Bingo is this Tuesday, March 21.

Eat, Pray and Give: Lenten Fridays

The Worship Committee is having a meatless, light meal on each Friday during the Lenten Season here at St. Ambrose. The meal is at 6:00 p.m. in the church hall with either the Stations of the Cross or the Divine Mercy Chaplet following at 7:00 p.m. Donations will be accepted to go to various charitable organizations. Friday, March 17, is the Divine Mercy Chaplet

Fish Dinners

St. William Church, 5411 Mahoning Avenue, NW, Champion, is sponsoring a Lenten meal every Friday (February 17 thru March 31) from 4:00 p.m. until 6.30 p.m. Fish Dinners are $13.00 which include choice of baked or fried fish (2 pieces), three sides (French fries, coleslaw and macaroni & cheese), tartar sauce and a surprise dessert.

Bloodmobile - American Red Cross

The bloodmobile will be at St. Ambrose on Thursday, March 16, in the church hall from noon to 6:00 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Day Dispensation

Given the Church’s discipline which Catholics aged 14 and over are required to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and each Friday during the Season of Lent. This year, however Friday of the third week of lent corresponds with Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, which has traditionally been an occasion of importance in the lives of so many in the Diocese of Youngstown. Having taken into consideration both past practices and present circumstances, and having judged that it would serve the spiritual good of the faithful, Bishop Bonnar has granted to the faithful of the Diocese of Youngstown, as well as to any visitor or travelers who may be physically present within the territory of this diocese, a dispensation from the obligation of abstinence from meat on March 17, 2023. Those taking advantage of the dispensation are urged to make some other act of Lenten sacrifice of charity, such as the public celebration of the Stations of the Cross, the giving of time in a charitable way, the spending of time in devout prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, praying for vocations, the Divine Mercy Chaplet or the rosary.

Virtual Reverse Raffle

St. Ambrose Church’s Reverse Raffle Committee invites you to their St. Patrick’s Day Virtual Raffle on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Watch live on FB (http://www.Facebook.com/StAmbroseCatholicChurch) as numbers are pulled. Only 100 tickets will be sold at $50.00 each and one time buy backs available for an additional $20.00. Gift baskets given away for every 20th number pulled. Grand prize for the final number is $1,000.00. A lottery tree prize will be given to the runner up (new this year). Winner need not be present. Tickets available to purchase after Mass at St Ambrose or by calling Marlene Szabaga 330-858-0458, Jackie Rinearson 216-375-0709 and Jen Barcikoski 440-635-6967. Cash, check, Zelle or Venmo accepted.

Adoration and Holy Hour

All are invited to join the second half of the Diocesan Year of Eucharistic Revival with opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Hours in a different county of the diocese each month. The Holy Hour will begin with a brief understanding of the importance of Eucharistic Adoration, followed by time spent in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Our next celebrations will be on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at:
     St. Joan of Arc Parish, Streetsboro (March 19)
     Corpus Christi Parish, Conneaut (April 16)
     St. Jude Parish, Columbiana (May 21)
Please consider joining us as we spend time in prayer with our Lord. Event details at https://doy.org/eucharisticrevival/.

St. Ambrose K of C Steak Fry

The best way to chase away the winter blues is with a summer cook out, right? So come on down to the St. Ambrose K of C "Summer Steak Fry in “March” on Saturday, March 25, in the hall

Catholic Men’s Fellowship Conference

We are pleased to announce that Catholic Men’s Fellowship of the Diocese of Youngstown has set this year’s Men’s Conference for Saturday, March 25. This year’s theme is on the Eucharist and is titled "This is my Body." Join your fellow Catholic brothers on March 25 at JFK Catholic High School in Warren, Ohio. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. and the conference will run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. with Bishop David Bonnar. Throughout the conference, you will hear from engaging speakers on topics related to the Eucharist, including Why Adoration?, What is the "Real Presence?", What do I believe?, and the Coming activities of the Eucharistic Renewal in the diocese. Our featured speakers include...

• Fr. Ryan Furlong, Pastor of St Thomas the Apostle Parish in Vienna, Ohio
• Dr. Ben Safranski, D.R.E. Christ Our Savior Parish, in Struthers, Ohio
• Fr. John-Michael Lavelle, Pastor of St Michael Parish, in Canfield, Ohio

Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired, motivated and educated on the Eucharist. Admission is free but reservations are required. To reserve your seat go to https://www.cmfdoy.org/2023-mens-conference-registration/. We hope to see you at this year’s conference!

Tenebrae: A Service of Darkness

Tenebrae is a service that follows a tradition of the early church dating back to the eighth century. It portrays the solemn drama of the final hours of Christ's life on earth with sensitivity and depth of emotion seldom heard as He prepared for and suffered death on the cross. Tenebrae: A Service of Darkness is an exceptionally moving work that consists of readings, music, and candles that are extinguished symbolizing the fading loyalty of the disciples and friends of Christ. The gradual darkening of the church portrays the diminishing light of the world as Christ was departing from it. A Tenebrae Service will be held at St. Ambrose Church on Wednesday, April 5, at 8:30 p.m.

Fr. Ed Stafford Appreciation Reception

Since we didn’t get a proper goodbye before Fr. Ed’s medical health leave of absence in the Spring of 2022, we’re having an Appreciation Reception for him on Saturday, April 15, in Hughes Hall after the 5:00 p.m. Mass. Come and show your appreciation for his time with St. Joseph and St. Ambrose parishes (no RSVP required). There will be light refreshments and desserts. Fr. Ed also celebrates his birthday on April 19. He would love to see everyone. Mark Your Calendars!

Wedding Anniversary Celebration

The Diocese of Youngstown is sponsoring a Wedding Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Saint Columba Cathedral, honoring couples observing their 25th, 40th, 50th and over wedding anniversaries in 2023. The Mass will include a renewal of marriage vows, a personalized certificate and reception. Reservations are needed and can be made at the rectory. Deadline to register is March 29.

“Girl, Get In The Boat!”

All women 18 years and older are invited to attend the St. Ambrose and St. Joseph Women’s Spiritual Renewal Weekend, April 22- 23, 2023, at Camp Asbury (10776 Asbury Rd., Hiram). The weekend begins with 7:30 a.m. check-in on Saturday and ends by 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. This is a free, two-day gathering of adult Christian women (Catholic and non-Catholic) coming together in faith to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and other Christian women. Take some time for yourself, come enjoy fellowship, laughs, and much more! Self care includes your spirit. Ladies, it can start with renewal. Brochures with a registration form are available in the vestibule.

Ministry of Care: Prayer Request

Ministry of Care was started by Vi McCarty and has been part of our St. Ambrose family for decades. If you have a prayer request or would like to become a St. Ambrose prayer warrior, please email your information to ministryofprayersa@gmail.com. Prayer requests will be sent to members at the beginning of each month via email in the form of an attached letter. For prayers needed in between the monthly letter you can simply send your request to the same email, and all members who are on the email chain will receive it. If you do not have access to email, you can contact the rectory to request a copy to be mailed to you. For other questions please feel free to contact co-chairs Betsy Dunn 330-719-2657 or Judy Macek 330-398- 5000.

Are You Registered?

To avoid problems or misunderstandings, especially when planning baptisms, marriages, etc., be sure that you are registered and active. To register, call the rectory at 330-527- 4105. One way to show you are active means to use your weekly contribution envelopes. That way, the computer will not deactivate you.