The St. Ambrose Annual Chicken Dinner Festival, the major fundraiser of our parish, began in 1959. Since then, thousands of delicious chicken dinners have been enjoyed by many during the weekend’s festivities. Volunteers are always welcome. To join contact Lenny Barcikowski or Pat Johnston.

Bishop Bonnar will lead an evening prayer service on Wednesday, May 14, at 4 p.m. in Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna for all who work for the Church, namely our clergy, religious, faithful, and diocesan and church employees throughout the diocese who are integral to the mission of the Church. Come join us as we celebrate and offer prayers for Pope Leo XIV.

As fields are plowed and crops are sown for this year’s growing season, the Church offers a blessing of fields to anyone who would like one. If you would like to arrange for one of our priests or deacons to visit your farm or field for a blessing, please contact the Office of St. Joseph & St. Ambrose Parishes (330-274-2253) at your earliest convenience.⁣

The Seminarian Collection will take place May 11 to assist with costs of their tuition, room, board, books, and with stipends for their summer ministry in parishes. During the year, they assist at diocesan events, speak at parishes and schools, and are involved in private tutoring in Spanish to help them in their ministry assignments. Your donations will also be used to cover these costs. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support of seminarians and please continue to pray for an increase of all vocations. PLEASE BE GENEROUS IN SUPPORT OF OUR FUTURE PRIESTS! For more information about seminarians in our diocese, visit https://doy.org/seminarians/.

Bishop Bonnar extends his heartfelt gratitude for the prayers and contributions of our diocese's faithful supporters. As of May 9th, 58 families have pledged $14,100.00 toward our parish goal of $17,000.00 (82.94%). 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.

We congratulate our Mantua - FFP students who celebrated their First Communion at Mass on April 27, 2025, in their home parishes. May God fill each of you with the Holy Spirit and make you one with Christ in peace and love. We also add a prayer of gratitude for their devoted parents and their dedicated catechists, Debbie Smith & Makaylyn Spencer. Special thanks to Fr. Francis, Fr. Brian, Deacon Gerry, and Jennifer Berczik for their support as well. Look for photos at https://stjosephmantua.com/photoalbums/first-communion-2025

We congratulate our students who were Confirmed on Sunday, April 27, at St. Joan of Arc Church in Streetsboro. Bishop Bonnar confirmed 50 young people from the Portage North Parishes. We especially thank the catechists who helped prepare our students: Ruth Skocdopole, Theresa Gross, Jennifer Berczik, Greg & Lyn Best, Jeff Botos, Tim & Diane Burke, Colleen Houlahan, John Melich, Carol Rondini. God Bless these young men and women as they continue on their journey of faith! Come Holy Spirit!  View photos at https://stjosephmantua.com/photoalbums/confirmation-2025. You may view the video of the Confirmation Mass at https://www.facebook.com/sjoastreetsboro/videos/1355620715758577

Rev. James P. Lang and his family invite you to join him in celebrating his 50th anniversary as an ordained priest in the Roman Catholic Church. He will preside at the 6 p.m. Mass on Saturday, June 7, at St. John Neumann Parish, St. Joseph Church, 2643 Waterloo Rd. (Randolph), Mogadore, OH  44260. An open house will follow at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2697 Waterloo Rd. (Randolph), Mogadore, OH 44260, immediately following the Mass.

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.

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.