First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown OH

05/23/2026

Join First Friday of Greater Youngstown for our June luncheon featuring David Gibson, Ph.D., Director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University.

He will present: “American Pope, American Church: What Leo XIV Means for U.S. Catholicism”—a timely and thought-provoking conversation from one of the nation’s leading religion journalists and Vatican commentators.

📅 Thursday, June 4, 2026 | 11:30 AM
📍 Avion on the Water Banquet Center
💲 $25 per person
📞 Reservations: 330-720-4498
⏳ RSVP by Thursday, May 28

Don’t miss this engaging luncheon—reserve your seat today!

05/23/2026

Missed our April First Friday gathering? You can still experience this inspiring presentation from Kerry Alys Robinson, President of Catholic Charities USA, as she reflects on “People of Hope: Reflections on the Power of Service and Encounter.”

Her message offers a meaningful reminder of the importance of hope, compassion, and serving others with love and purpose.

We invite you to watch the presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqudl-Nm7mM

Please feel free to share with others who may enjoy this uplifting conversation!

We continued the First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown 2025-26 Sp...

05/23/2026

Article by David Gibson, our June 4th luncheon speaker. Come see him live at Avion Banquet Center. Cost $25pp. Call 330-720-4498 for reservations no later than May 28th.

The document will address A.I. and its impact on humanity. He’s also staying the course on Catholic social teaching.

05/04/2026

Reminder: This month is the return of our dinner program! Doors open at 5:30 pm. Dinner is served at 6:00 pm. Our speaker, Dr. Mathew Schmalz, will speak from 6:30 -7:30 pm. We look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday evening, May 7!

03/31/2026

🌟 Missed March First Friday? Watch it now! 🌟

A big thank you to Reverend John Jerek, Pastor of St. Mary Magdalene Parish, for leading a thought-provoking talk on “Wrestling With Our Cultural Myths”—exploring how faith can help us reflect on the stories our culture tells us.

📽️ Watch the full video below.

✨ Take a moment to be inspired, reflect, and grow in hope—right from home!

We continued the First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown 2025-26 Speaker Series season with a luncheon on March 5, 2026, the FIRST Thursday in March! We welc...

03/31/2026

Friendly Reminder: It’s not too late to register! 🌷

Join us for our next First Friday on Thursday, April 9 at 11:30 a.m. at the Avion on the Water.

We’re excited to welcome Kerry Alys Robinson, President of Catholic Charities USA in Washington, D.C., who will speak on:
“People of Hope: Reflections on the Power of Service and Encounter.”

Cost: $25 per person
Please make your reservation by Thursday, April 2 by calling 330-720-4498.

As we celebrate Holy Week and the joy of Easter, take a moment to gather, reflect, and connect with others in hope and service! 🌼 Catholic Diocese of Youngstown Catholic Charities, Diocese of Youngstown Catholic Charities USA

02/25/2026

This is a friendly reminder to reserve your spot for March’s First Friday program, where faith meets the questions of our culture and daily lives.

Join us Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. for a thoughtful and engaging presentation by Reverend John Jerek, Pastor of St. Mary Magdalene Parish, titled
“Wrestling With Our Cultural Myths.”

Together, we will explore the stories our culture tells us and how faith can help us reflect, question, and grow in deeper understanding and hope.

The cost is $25 per person.
Please call 330-720-4498 to make your reservation.
RSVP by this Thursday, February 26, 2026.

We look forward to sharing this meaningful morning of reflection, conversation, and faith with you—bring a friend and join us!

02/25/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Avion on the Water Banquet Center for our February First Friday program. We are so grateful for your presence and for the beautiful spirit of faith and reflection you brought to the morning.

If you were unable to attend — or if you would like to experience it again — we invite you to watch the video presentation by Margie Cretella, titled:

“Have You Seen My Brother? Discovering That God Is Good in a Tragedy.”

Margie’s powerful witness of faith, hope, and healing touched many hearts, and we are pleased to share it with our wider community.

Watch the video here:

We continued the First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown 2025-26 Speaker Series season with a luncheon on February 5, 2026, the FIRST Thursday in February! W...

01/30/2026

We’re delighted to share a beautiful and reflective program from our community featuring Sr. Jeanne Thurin, HM, titled “Jesus the Recipe for Life: Vignettes in Mime,” thoughtfully narrated by Sr. Mary Ann Spangler, HM.

Through gentle movement, silence, and story, Sr. Jeanne invites us to encounter the life of Jesus in a uniquely prayerful way—offering moments of insight, imagination, and spiritual nourishment that speak beyond words.

Watch, reflect, and let us know what resonates with you in the comments. Please like and share with others who may appreciate this creative expression of faith.

We continued the First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown 2025-26 Speaker Series season with a luncheon on January 8, 2026, the SECOND Thursday in January! We...

01/23/2026

This is a friendly reminder to reserve your spot for February’s First Friday program, where faith and hope meet life’s hardest questions.

Join us Thursday, February 5, at 11:30 a.m. at Avion on the Water Banquet Center for a moving and engaging presentation by Margie Cretella, sister of Fr. Steven Popovich, titled “Have You Seen My Brother? Discovering That God Is Good in a Tragedy.”

The cost is $25 per person. Please call 330-720-4498 to make your reservation by Thursday, January 29.

We look forward to sharing this meaningful morning of reflection, creativity, and faith with you—bring a friend and join us.