YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The office of youth and young adult ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has announced 23 recipients of the 2009 Eagle of the Cross Award. The Eagle of the Cross, created by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and introduced to the diocese in 1999 by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, is given each year to a group of high school juniors and seniors who model the dedication, integrity, values and promise for church and society.  Read more here.

WICHITA FALLS, TX — Teens from Sacred Heart, Holy Family in Vernon, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Sacred Heart in Seymour, and Our Lady Queen of Peace are among those taking part in this year’s Food Fast. The event falls during Lent and raises money for Catholic Relief Services. The teens are taking a day out of their own lives to understand what life is like every day for people far away — and even close to home — when poverty, violence and other conditions create a way of life far from the one they know. They are taking part in Food Fast ’09 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Food Fast is a 24-hour retreat that began Friday evening, and during this time, the teens — who come from several parishes across the area — are going without food; juice is all that’s available. Read more here.