The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians is sponsoring a nationwide essay contest for students in sixth to 12th grades on the subject “How the Irish Affected the Outcome of the American Revolution.”
Three scholarship prizes will be awarded in two divisions – sixth to eighth grade and ninth to 12th grade. The prize amount totals $5,000, with first prize being $1,500 for the older group and $1,000 for the younger one.
Submissions may be in the form of an essay, a creative writing piece, a poem, a song or an interview with a historic figure and may be submitted as a written paper or a PowerPoint presentation.
A combined total of 38 students nationwide participated in last year’s contest, so the chances of winning a prize are reasonable if that trend continues.
The entry deadline is Thursday, Oct. 30.
For rules and entry details, go to https://ladiesaoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-Student-Contest-Guidelines-2.pdf.
Luncheon club to hear about Maronite church
Father Jacques Kik, pastor of Columbus Our Lady of Victory Church and the Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Mission that meets there, will speak about the Lebanese Maronite Church at the September meeting of the Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club.
The club will meet on Friday, Sept. 5 after the 11:45 a.m. Mass at Columbus St. Patrick Church, 280 N. Grant Ave. Lunch begins at approximately 12:10 p.m. Cost is $12 for the lunch and meeting. No reservations are necessary.
St. Gabriel Catholic Radio is sponsoring the luncheon. If anyone is interested in sponsoring a future luncheon, contact Dave Kilanowski at dkilano@aol.com.
The club’s next luncheon will be on Friday, Oct. 3, featuring a talk on vocations by Father William Hahn, diocesan vicar for clergy.
Diocesan choral festival to take place in March
Pueri Cantores, the national student choral organization of the Catholic Church, and the
Diocese of Columbus invite all parish and school treble voice choirs (grades 4 to 12) in the region to participate in a youth choral festival and Mass on Saturday, March 7 at Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 E. Broad St.
Singers will unite with hundreds of their peers as one combined choir to sing music from the Church’s rich historic repertoire.
Registration will begin at 11 a.m., followed by rehearsals leading to the choral prelude at 4:45 p.m. and Mass celebrated by Bishop Earl Fernandes at 5. Lunch, a snack and break time will be included.
Conducting the choir will be Paul French, music director of Chicago Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and president of the American Federation of Pueri Cantores. He has composed more than 200 choral and orchestral works.
Eight professional development credits will be available for school music personnel whose choirs take part. MP3 tracks of the festival repertoire will be available so participating choirs can learn the music.
More information is available at www.pcchoirs.org, info@pcchoirs.org or (714) 633-7554.
Catholic conference sponsors Adoration at Statehouse
As part of the “Year of Mission” during the National Eucharistic Revival, the Catholic Conference of Ohio is sponsoring Eucharistic Adoration at the Ohio Statehouse once during each quarter of this year.
The bishops of Ohio invite all the faithful to spend time with Jesus and pray for national, state and local government leaders from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 in the Gov. Thomas Worthington Center, a room on the east side of the Statehouse.
St. Vincent de Paul walk set for Sept. 20 at DeSales
The diocesan St. Vincent de Paul Society’s annual fundraising walk will take place Saturday, Sept. 20 at Columbus St. Francis DeSales High School, 4212 Karl Road. Registration will be from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., with prayer, announcements and pictures from 9:30 to 10.
The walk will begin at 10 and is for one mile to symbolize walking a mile in the shoes of someone in need. The St. Vincent de Paul Society provides help with rent, utilities, food and more, bringing hope to people through difficult times.
Donations will be accepted, but the walk is free. If you can’t attend the event and wish to donate, visit www.svdpcolumbus.org or write to the society at 5969 E. Main St., Columbus, OH 43213.
Shroud of Turin will be Josephinum talk subject
The Pontifical College Josephinum’s 2025-2026 lecture series will begin with a presentation by Russ Breault, president and founder of The Shroud of Turin Education Project, Inc.
The program will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29 at the Jessing Center, 7625 N. High St., Columbus.
It will cover key findings of the scientific investigation of the shroud, relate new techniques to determine its age and explore the crucifixion and resurrection based on the shroud image.
Admission and parking are free and reservations are not required. For more information, call (614) 985-2274.