COURTESY PHOTO

Do as we do: The faculty and staff at Archbishop McNicholas High School kicked off the school year with some community service of their own. "We expect our students to perform community service, so we felt this would be a great way to celebrate the beginning of the school year by giving of ourselves to others in our community," said Sarah Dodds, religion teacher and campus ministry director. Faculty and staff volunteered within the community in many different ways. One group, above, made more than 468 peanut butter and cheese sandwiches that were delivered to Our Daily Bread in Over-the-Rhine.

ST. MARGARET MARY DEANERY

St. Vivian Parish hosts Grateful Believers fair

Masses during the weekend of Sept. 20-21 will be celebrated in the Fr. Jack Filippine Activity Center of St. Vivian Church in Finneytown. The reason? So parishioners can see stewardship in action, as they'll be surrounded by exhibits from each of the services, programs community outreach programs, and other ministries offered through the parish.

As Grateful Believers, parishioners are encouraged to prayerfully reflect on the mission of St. Vivian Church and the role(s) they can play in carrying out that mission. The Ministry Fair allows them to gather information and speak with those church members already actively involved before deciding if/where their personal talents and time could best benefit others.

The Ministry Fair will take place immediately following the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday and the 8:30 and 11 a.m. masses on Sunday.

For more information about the Ministry Fair or the programs and services St. Vivian Church offers, call the parish office at 513-728-4331.

CATHEDRAL DEANERY

St. Vincent de Paul fan drive exceeds goal

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) recently concluded its annual summer fan drive. Thanks to the generosity of the community, St. Vincent de Paul distributed 521 fans and 108 air conditioners to those in need throughout the summer through its neighborhood parish organizations, West End ministry center, and a variety of other social service organizations.

The fan drive kicked off at Coney Island on June 13 with a goal to collect 500 fans and 75 air conditioners.

"For a second year, we had a waiting list due to the extensive need in the community. There continue to be a significant number of elderly, the very young and people with health issues that are helped as result of the effort," said Liz Carter, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul.

ST. ANDREW DEANERY

'Engaging senior citizens in faith' at Athenaeum

A continuing education workshop aimed at keeping senior citizens engaged in their faith will be presented by the Athenaeum's Lay Pastoral Ministry Program (LPMP) Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Marcy Morgan, manager of spiritual care at St. Leonard Community in Centerville, will be guest speaker at the workshop in the Bartlett Pastoral Center on the Athenaeum campus, 6616 Beechmont Ave.

The workshop will highlight the wisdom of elders and focus on interacting with older parishioners, as well as reaching out to the homebound and connecting with nursing home residents.

The program will provide an excellent resource to parish staff members, bereavement ministers, parish visitation teams or those who care for an elderly family member.

Morgan is a graduate of the Athenaeum's Lay Pastoral Ministry Program and hold's a master's degree in gerontology from Miami University.

Cost of the workshop is $25 and includes a continental breakfast. For more information or to register, please call the LPMP office at (513) 231-1200. Deadline for registration is October 16.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES DEANERY

40 hours part of parish anniversary celebration

St. Cecilia's Church in Oakley, 3105 Madison Rd., will hold a 40 Hours Devotion Observance as part of its centennial celebration this year.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be on: Friday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. -7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, 9:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m. until the closing service at 4 p.m. Father Jamie Weber, St. Cecilia's pastor, will preside at the closing service.

Although all are welcome at all times, worshipers can sign up for a specific time (to ensure continuous observation) in the church or by calling Deb Garvey, 513-533-1620.

Following the closing service, all are invited to attend a potluck dinner in the cafeteria.

CATHEDRAL DEANERY

Archbishop to bless CRISPAZ office space

Christians for Peace in El Salvador (CRISPAZ) recently relocated its offices from Boston to Cincinnati, where it's based at the Peaslee Community Center, 14th and Sycamore streets in Over the Rhine.

On Monday, Sept. 22, Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk will bless the new office space at 4 p.m., with an open house to follow until 7 p.m. Antonio Canaz, a student of Jesuit Father Ignacio Ellacuria (one of eight Jesuits slain in El Salvador in 1989 for their opposition to the government), will reflect on his friendship with the Jesuits and the challenges facing his nation today

All are welcome to attend. Information: 513-381-4520.

SPRINGFIELD DEANERY

Former UD president to speak on justice

Marianist Brother Raymond L. Fitz, the former president of the University of Dayton, will discuss social justice issues as they relate to the Springfield region Sept. 21, at 6:30 p.m. in Room 105 in the Shouvlin Center at Wittenberg University.

The Springfield/Clark County Catholic Social Action Collaborative, the Urban Studies Program at Wittenberg, and the Clark County Family and Children First Council will sponsor Brother Fitz' presentation, "Social Justice in the Springfield Region: Challenges for Clark County Faith Communities."

His address will be followed by comments from three local panelists.

Brother Fitz served as president of U.D. from 1979-2002. He also is the senior faculty member at U.D.'s Center for Leadership in Community. He is the executive director of the Association of Marianist Universities.

ST. LAWRENCE DEANERY

Brother marks 50 years with Mass and dinner

Christian Brother Patrick O'Brien, a native of Price Hill, will mark 50 years of service with a Mass on Saturday, Sept. 20, 5 p.m. at St. William Church in Price Hill. A reception and dinner will follow in the church undercroft.

Brother Patrick credits his parents and the clergy and religious at St. William Church for helping him discern his vocation. A graduate of Elder High School, he entered then-St. Gregory's Seminary, and in 1958 entered the Christian Brothers at LaSalle Institute Novitiate in Missouri. He began teaching in 1962, having earned his bachelor's and master's degrees. He taught at LaSalle High School in Cincinnati, where he was also assistant principal. Following other teaching assignments, he returned to LaSalle to direct stewardship efforts. From 1987-2006 he was director of planned and major gifts for Christian Brothers University in Memphis. He is currently mission advancement gift offier for the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferninand, Ind.