The Diocese of Youngstown is sponsoring a Wedding Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, May 18th at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Columba in Youngstown, honoring couples observing their 25th, 40th, 50th, and over wedding anniversaries in 2025. The Wedding Anniversary Celebration will include Mass with the Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown, with the blessing of couples celebrating significant anniversaries. Each couple will receive a personalized certificate. Following the Mass, there will be a reception for the couples and their families in the parish hall. You must make advanced reservations for this event by contacting the Office of St. Joseph & St. Ambrose Parishes (330-274-2253) and obtaining your pastor’s signature before April 25, 2025.

The Knights of Columbus are once again selling Super Cash Bonanza tickets. The proceeds go directly to charities in the State of Ohio. Tickets will be available until May 1st. Please see any Knight for tickets.

The first Sunday of the month is always the time parishioners show their generosity by “brown bagging” donations for the local food pantry. If you have never donated before, perhaps you will consider bringing a bag of non-perishable food or cleaning products on May 4th. Please check the expiration date of the food items before you donate them!

Bishop Bonnar extends his heartfelt gratitude for the prayers and contributions of our diocese's faithful supporters. As of April 18th, 51 families have pledged $11,940.00 toward our parish goal of $17,000.00 (70.24%). If you haven’t yet made a pledge or gift to the 2025 Annual Diocesan Appeal, we invite you to do so today. Brochures with information on giving are available in the Narthex or Vestibule. Make your gift by completing a pledge card in your pew or by using the QR code to give online at doy.org/appeal. For more information, visit doy.org/appeal.

St. Ambrose Church encourages the community to join us on Thursday, May 15. Noon to 6 p.m. in Hughes Hall to give the gift of life. The donation process only takes about an hour and can make an enormous difference for a patient battling illness or injury. Donors of all blood types are needed. Blood is a perishable product that can only come from volunteer blood donors. For more information, please visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The St. Patrick’s Day Reverse Raffle on Saturday, March 15, was a great event. Held at Sugar Bush Golf Club, the event benefits the St. Ambrose Maintenance Fund (new rectory roof). Thank you to the 145 people who came out and for everyone who volunteered at this fun event! This effort made $8,360.50 to be put toward a new rectory roof. Visit our Reverse Raffle page to view photos.

In 2024, blood drives held at St. Ambrose had 252 donors providing 232 units of blood, impacting 696 people. The next Blood Drive will be on Thursday, May 15th, from Noon to 6 p.m. in St. Ambrose Hall. Community members are urged to come out and roll up a sleeve. Visit www.redcrossblood.org or to learn more.

Every week we send out a parish newsletter through Flocknote. If you are not receiving it via email or text and would like to, please contact the Office of St. Joseph & St. Ambrose Parishes (330-274-2253 or [email protected]) with your email address and/or cell number.

Have you heard about Portage North Life Teen? Several options are available for programs for the four parishes of Portage North. The GOAL is to provide a safe and fun place for high school teens to find a solid Catholic community, get answers to their questions and most importantly, to experience and encounter Jesus in a real and personal way. Check it out!

Diocesan Virtus Compliance and background checks are not just for those working with children anymore. Any adult who is an altar server or anyone bringing communion to or visiting the homebound, needs to be virtus compliant. Training is done online at your convenience. Please contact Jennifer Berczik (330-274-2253- T,W,TH) to find out how to get started.