St. Paul Parish begins celebration

By MARIAN HOUSER, Community editor
St. Paul Parish in downtown Weirton will begin a year-long celebration of the International year of St. Paul today with an outdoor procession, banner-raising and Mass on the front lawn of the church, beginning at 5 p.m. A bonfire and wiener and marshmallow roast will follow the Mass. Pope Benedict XVI has called the Catholic community to observe a “Year of St. Paul” from today through June 29, 2009, in observance of the saint’s 2000th birthday. The Weirton church is the only Catholic church in the area to bear the saint’s name, the Rev. Larry W. Dorsch, pastor, said. St. Paul’s has planned a year of activities culminating in May with an original musical production based on the apostle’s life and featuring writing, production, acting and singing by parish members. Dorsch said, “Our planning task force has consciously set as our mission the energizing of our own community and helping us look outward. We want to come to the end of the year with renewed parish vitality and commitment to offering a beacon of hope in our dramatically changing community.” During July, parishioners will undertake a book study on the life and work of St. Paul, and a parish revival/mission is planned for September. There will be special movie nights and a one-man dramatic biblical portrayal by actor Mark Price. Dorsch said the parish hopes to install a permanent immersion pool and baptismal fountain in its worship space since St. Paul helped establish the theological basis for Christian baptism. An original painting of St. Paul teaching at his tent-maker’s shop in Corinth, Greece, also has been commissioned from Sylvia Jackovitch-Kallay, an artist with family connections in Weirton and the Ohio Valley. The parish also intends to continue its work with other Christian communities in developing the ministries and outreach of the Community Bread Basket, Dorsch said. Twelve churches work together to provide food, emergency assistance and services for mothers and children at the Breadbasket Outreach Center on West Street in Weirton. Covenant plans musical extravaganza An “Independence Day Musical Extravaganza” will take place at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1443 Belleview Blvd., Sunday at 3 p.m. George Melhorn, music director, will serve as pianist and song leader, with Juanita Panebianco at the organ. Patriotic tributes will be presented by the Drama Department of the Weirton Women’s Club, Thomas Graham and Ellsworth Graham. An offering will be taken with proceeds to go towards the annual presentation of the Christmas Portion of Handel’s “Messiah” in December. ‘Movies in the Park’ starts Thursday First United Presbyterian Church of Mingo Junction is again sponsoring “Movies in the Park” this summer. The schedule is: Thursday, “The Water Horse.” July 17 and Aug. 5, to be announced. Movies start at dusk at Aracoma Park in Mingo Junction. In the event of inclement weather, the movies will be shown in the main shelter house. Ladies of Purpose meet Monday Ladies of Purpose will meet Monday at 11:30 a.m. at Froehlich’s Classic Corner. Patricia Branlett Lewis, a Weirton native and member of Central Christian Assembly of Huston, Pa., will be the speaker. Luncheon cost is $10. Lewis is a former member of Shiloh Apostolic Faith Church in Weirton, is a graduate of Franciscan University with a master’s degree in counseling and is a licensed professional counselor with national certification. She is a member of the choir and orchestra at Central Assembly. Her daughter, Rachel, will perform a mime routine. Barney Fife impersonator to perform Larry Delawder, a Barney Fife impersonator, will perform Sunday at 6 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene, 475 Colliers Way, Weirton. Delawder brings the gospel message through comedy and harmonica music. Brooke Hills to have patriotic musical “Stars and Stripes Forever,” a patriotic musical created by Russell Maudlin and Sue C. Smith, will be presented Sunday at 6 p.m. at Brooke Hills Free Methodist Church, 1340 Washington Pike, Wellsburg. Judith Fowler will direct the combined adult and children’s choirs. The Rev. Elwood Daugherty, pastor, said the presentation covers the American flag’s history and the legacy on which it was founded. Temple to sponsor child food program Bethlehem Temple, Wheeling, and the Ohio County Schools Child Nutrition program will offer free breakfast and lunch for children 18 years old and younger Monday through Friday, through Aug. 8 at North Wheeling Youth Center, 334 N. Main St., Wheeling. Breakfast hours are 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No meals will be served July 4. E-mail me at community@heraldstaronline.com