Women’s Spirituality Day Dee Ruckert will guide the audience in a spiritual reflection with a background of inspirational music in “Pastel Presentations” during Women’s Spirituality Day at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa. on May 6. Ruckert, a retired art teacher, gives presentations at churches, nursing homes, retreats and motivational events. View photos of her work at www. pastelpresentations.vpweb. com. Call the Office of Religious Education at 412-322-8773 to register or download the brochure at www.archpitt.org.
Catholic, Lutheran bishops celebrate unity Catholic and Lutheran bishops will celebrate their unity in Jesus Christ and commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation with “An Evening of Repentance” 7 p.m. March 14 at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cathedral, 210 Greentree Road, Munhall, Pa.
Evening prayer will be followed by a Lenten meal. Celebrant is Archbishop William Skurla, Metropolitan Archeparchy of Pittsburgh; and homilist is Bishop Kurt Kusserow, Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Bishop Edward Malesic, Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg; and Bishop David Zubik, Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, will also attend. Commemorative crosses will be blessed and distributed to all participants. Open to the public. Three events this year will reassess shared histories and divisions, examine the progress of 50 years of ecumenical dialogue and witness together the mercy of God in proclamation and service to the world. Subsequent events will be held in June and October.
Genealogy workshop “Nashi Predky — Our Ancestors” Family History Group of the Ukrainian Historical and Educational Center of New Jersey will host a “Rediscovering Your Family Stories” genealogy workshop 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 6 at the Ukrainian American Citizens’ Club, 302 Mansfield Blvd., Carnegie, Pa.
The organization’s goal is to help Ukrainians and others in the United States learn about their family histories, collect stories and documents about their immigrant ancestors and get advice on preserving family records. Workshop topics include: the basics of Ukrainian genealogy; finding and using Ukrainian church records; and the history of Lemkos, Boykos and Hutsuls. Featured speakers are Justin Houser, Michael Buryk, Rich Venezia and Michelle Chubenko. Cost is $55, which includes breakfast and lunch. Register online at NashiPredky.org/ workshop. Save $10 by registering before March 31.
Saint Vincent College Summer Program for Youth Saint Vincent College will host the seventh annual Faith and Reason Summer Program, an intensive, one-week introduction to the Catholic, liberal arts tradition June 11 to 16. The program is directed by Dr. Michael P. Krom, associate professor and chair of the philosophy department. It is designed for advanced high school and first-year college students who are seeking an opportunity to come to a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith and its integration in college education.
Students age 15 and older are invited to apply for admission to the program. All staff are Benedictine and lay professors on the faculty of Saint Vincent. Participants will have an opportunity to explore the relationship between faith and reason, examine the perennial questions of humanity, develop their communication skills, learn how to analyze difficult arguments, prepare for college studies and integrate their moral, intellectual and spiritual development. Each day is structured around the Saint Vincent monastic schedule of prayer and Mass.
During the class sessions, students analyze and discuss selected reading passages in a seminar setting. There is also leisure time for recreational activities, movies and excursions to attractions in the Laurel Highlands and Pittsburgh areas. Housing in a college residence hall and three daily meals in the college dining hall are included in the $495 cost. Saint Vincent College students serve as residence hall directors.
Limited scholarship funding is available for Byzantine youth. Further information is available by contacting Krom at 724-805-2844 or michael. krom@stvincent.edu. Register online at www.stvincent.edu/ faithandreason.
Metropolitan Cantor Institute online programs
The Metropolitan Cantor Institute will offer the following online courses in 2017: n Introduction to the Divien Liturgy: April 24 to June 16. This course presents tbe Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom at an introductory level. Students learn to lead the chants of the Divine Liturgy, including music sung at Communion and before and after Liturgy. Students will record their singing for review and feedback and must demontsrate their ability to sing one version of each of the ordinary chants of the Divine Liturgy. Tuition is $75.
Prerequisites are Introduction to Liturgy and and Introduction to Church Singing or equivalent. n Reading in Church: April 24 to May 19. This course will teach those with basic singing experience how to correctly chant the epistle and other readings at liturgical services. The course will cover the role of Scripture in services and how to make regular Scripture study part of your life. It is intended for church readers and cantors.
Students will record their singing for review and feedback. Tuition is $50. No prerequisites but the Introduction to Church Singing course is recommended. All courses require a computer, Internet access and speakers or headphones. For courses which require recording of singing, students will use a computer microphone or digital tape recorder. Course material will all be recorded and students watch or listen on their own schedule.
Weekly assignments will ensure a steady pace of learning. Courses are intended for the education and formation of cantors for the Byzantine Catholic Church; others will be admitted on a space-available basis. Courses are graded on a pass/fail basis, and aim at an understanding of the liturgy, mastery of the plain chant, and the ability to lead congregations in prayer. Students are expected to work hard, learning with other cantors and those wanting to become cantors. To register, fill out the registration form on the Cantor Institute Web site at mci.archpitt.org and submit it with the appropriate tuition.
Events at Mount St. Macrina
The following events will be hosted by the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great and held at the House of Prayer, Mount St. Macrina, 500 W. Main St., Uniontown, Pa. For information, call 724-438- 8644. www.sistersofstbasil. org.
Weekly Lenten Prayer Service: noon Tuesdays March 7 to April 11. No registration required. n Lenten Morning of Prayer with Father Joseph Raptosh: 9:15 a.m.-1 p.m. March 18. Offering of $35 includes lunch. Registration due March 14. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered.
Lenten Afternoon of Prayer with Helenanne Hochendoner: 1:15-5 p.m. March 19. “The History and Importance of Fasting.” Offering of $35 includes supper. Registration due March 15. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered.
A Healing Retreat with Father William Kiel will be held 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. March 25. Offering is $35. Registration is due by March 20. Lunch will be served and day will conclude with a Liturgy for Healing.
Men’s Evening Out with Father Don Bolls will be held 7-9 p.m. March 28. Offering is $20. Registration is due by March 24.
Spiritual Reflection: “Laughter is the Best Medicine”with Becky Johnen will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 8. Offering is $30. Registration is due by April 4. Lunch will be served.
Women’s Discernment Weekend with Sister Barbara Jean: 7 p.m. April 21 to 11 a.m. April 23. Offering is $130 and $105 for commuters. Registration is due by April 17.
Candlelight Dinner for Married Couples with Pastor Ken and Thelma Walls: 6:30-8:30 p.m. April 27. Dinner, music and a presentation. Offering is $60 per couple. Registration is due by April 21.
