The two-hour program begins at 6:30 p.m. at Toledo Corpus Christi, 2955 Dorr St.

Fr. Kookoothe is a native Toledoan and Catholic priest of the Diocese of Cleveland. He holds degrees in law and nursing, and practiced for many years at the former Mercy Hospital in Toledo. Fr. Kookoothe met Joe D’Ambrosio in 1998 while serving as spiritual advisor to several men on Ohio’s death row.

Fr. Kookothe’s experience in theology, nursing and law drew his interest to the case, and aided Mr. D’Ambrosio in bringing attention to unresolved issues never addressed by the legal system or in the courts.

Mr. D’Ambrosio was convicted and sentenced to death in 1989. Always maintaining his innocence, his pleas for assistance often went unanswered. He was released in 2009 after a federal judge ruled key evidence was withheld that would have refuted the state’s witnesses and pointed to other individuals as perpetrators of the crime. The state of Ohio continues to appeal the case through the Federal Courts.

For more information about the program, contact Germaine Kirk, jail and prison ministry coordinator, at 419-244-6711, ext. 431 or gkirk@toledodiocese.org.

Patricia Cooney-Hathaway

Dr. Cooney-Hathaway is associate professor of spirituality and systematic theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and previously taught at the Washington Theological Union. She is the project director for a grant from the Lilly Foundation for the education and formation of ecclesial lay ministers.

Dr. Cooney-Hathaway’s most recent book, “Weaving Faith & Experience,” is to be for sale during the event, but it is not necessary to read it prior to attending.

All women are welcome to attend, but are asked to reserve a seat by calling 419-531-1421.

Magdalena Skiles has had a devotion to the saint for about the past two decades and wants to share her experience with others to help them rediscover the faith and evangelize, she says.

“I want other people to be aware of his healing gifts to us,” Ms. Skiles says of St. Padre Pio. She first learned of the saint when she came across a book about him in a Catholic book store.

“His face and especially his eyes on the book cover, penetrated my soul and showed his many loving characteristics as our spiritual father: compassion, forgiveness, passion, suffering, healing, caring,” she says.

According to the Padre Pio Prayer Groups USA website, the saint promoted prayer groups “because he envisioned them as God’s instruments of relief for a suffering world. … Padre Pio organized the prayer groups so that they would be a source of constant prayer embracing all those around the world who were needy in either body or soul.”

An introductory meeting of the new prayer group in Toledo begins at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at Christ the King, 4100 Harvest Lane. Based upon interest shown at this meeting, the new prayer group will begin meeting monthly, with the first gathering scheduled at 8 a.m. Feb. 11. The monthly meetings are to consist of Mass, adoration, prayer and discussion.

Father Bill Rose, pastor at Christ the King, is to be the prayer group’s spiritual director.

In addition to those active members who attend monthly prayer gathering, Ms. Skiles hopes to develop a “spiritual” membership for those who cannot physically attend the meetings.

For more information about active and spiritual membership in the Padre Pio Prayer Group, contact Ms. Skiles at Magdalena@magdalenaskiles.com or 419-356-4208.

Baby items are given out through the organization’s Heart to Heart Parent Learning Program and through its Emergency Services Program and Layettes for Newborns Service.

Items currently needed include:
• Diapers, newborn through size 5
• Powdered formula, Similac Advance and Similac Sensitive Isomil Soy
• Baby wipes
• Baby wash, lotion, powder, diaper rash ointment
• New and gently used winter clothes, sizes 0-6 months
• Boys clothing up to size 2T
• Outerwear, especially coats, snowsuits, boots, mittens up to size 2T.
• Receiving blankets
• Hooded bath towels and washcloths
• Gently used high chairs and strollers

To donate, please contact Heartbeat at 419-241-9131. Items may be dropped off at the office at 4041 W. Sylvania Ave., Suite LL4 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In John’s Gospel, when the first disciples approach Jesus and ask him where He lives, His response was, “Come and see.” Christian meditation is about making the spaces in our lives so that we are able to respond to Jesus’ invitation to “Come and see.”

In the faithful repetition of a prayer phrase, those who meditate learn the discipline of quieting their minds and opening their hearts to God’s voice and action. The ancient practice of meditation in the Christian tradition had been newly rediscovered and articulated by Father John Main, a Benedictine monk who died in 1982.

Fr. Main tapped into this ancient tradition in the writings of John Cassian, a 4th century monk who sat at the feet of the Christian monks and hermits in the Egyptian desert.

In preparation for Christmas, all are welcome to learn more about Christian meditation and participate in a short meditation period.

For more information or a reservation, contact David Kontur at davidkontur@yahoo.com or 419-472-0287.