The Office of Worship The Office of Worship exists to enable the People of God in the Diocese of Youngstown to better celebrate the presence of Christ in worship and sacraments. The office serves as a resource to parishes and parish liturgy committees. Assistance is offered through phone consultation, printed resources, parish visits, and workshops. The office plans and coordinates diocesan liturgical celebrations such as ordination ceremonies, the Rite of Election, Holy Week services, Easter and Christmas celebrations, and other special liturgies at St. Columba Cathedral. The Diocesan Liturgical Commission is a consultative body whose purpose is to offer advice and recommendations to the diocesan bishop in liturgical matters within the diocese. The Commission assists the director of the Office of Worship in the implementation of liturgical programs and policies. In conjunction with the Office of Religious Education, the Office of Worship assists parishes in the implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Liturgical Calendar Advisories The following are the holy days of obligation for the year 2004: Immaculate Conception - Wednesday, December 8, 2004 Nativity of the Lord - Saturday, December 25, 2004 Other liturgical dates of note: Ash Wednesday - Wednesday, February 25, 2004 Easter Triduum - Thursday, April 8 through Sunday, April 11, 2004 Ascension of the Lord - In the dioceses of Ohio, the Ascension will be celebrated on Sunday, May 23, 2004. The decision of the Bishops of Ohio to transfer the Ascension to the 7th Sunday of Easter has been in effect since 2000. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Sunday, August 15, 2004 All Saints - Monday, November 1, 2004. The obligation for the faithful to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist is abrogated because All Saints falls on a Monday. Mary, Mother of God - Saturday, January 1, 2005. The obligation for the faithful to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist is abrogated because Mary, Mother of God falls on a Saturday. Diocesan Celebrations at the The Cathedral of St. Columba White Mass - Sunday, February 8, 2004, 10:30 a.m. This Mass is especially for medical professionals. Rite of Election - Sunday, February 29, 2004, 2:00 p.m.; also at St. Joseph Parish, Canton, 2:30 p.m. Chrism Mass - Holy Thursday, April 8, 2004, 10:30 a.m. Night to Honor Mary - Friday, May 14, 2004, 7:00 p.m. Wedding Anniversary Mass - Sunday, June 13, 2004, 1:00 p.m. Upcoming Workshops The annual Liturgy Day for all involved in the liturgical life of the parish will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2004, at St. Charles Parish, Boardman. Rev. Edward Foley, Capuchin, will be the presenter. To register, contact the Office of Worship. An Institute on Children's Choirs will be presented by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians and cosponsored by the Office of Worship at Walsh University, North Canton, July 21 - 23, 2004. Extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist