Parenting help

An eight-week session designed to help parents is being offered, free of charge, at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center on Pine Street. The sessions will begin at 7 p.m. on Feb. 5The "Homes of Honor Parenting Series" offers information on ways to become a better parent and develop closer relationships and better communication with your children. Topics include building a close-knit family, motivational techniques, setting limits through contracts and more.There is no fee for the course.For more information, or to register, call (570) 668-1192.West Penn softballThe West Penn Softball League will be accepting registration for the 2013 season on Feb. 2 and Feb. 9. The registration sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, both days, at the West Penn Township Municipal Building.The league is open to players between the ages of 5-16.St. Peter's UnionThe Rev. Cheryl Moore will officiate at the 9 a.m. contemporary worship service Sunday in St. Peter's Union Church, Mantzville. The service will include Holy Communion. Sunday school classes will meet at 10:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, the Confirmation class will meet at 11:30 a.m. and Daisies, Brownies and Cub Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.The prayer group will meet next Thursday at 4:45 p.m.The choirs rehearse on Thursdays. Next week's schedule will include: cherub choir at 6:30 p.m., junior choir at 7 p.m.; senior choir at 7:30 p.m.SS. Peter and PaulFirst Friday will be observed this week in SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. First Friday confessions will be heard at 7:30 a.m., followed by Mass and devotions at 8 a.m. Communion calls will begin at 9 a.m.Feb. 2 is the Feast of St. Blase and Fatima Saturday. Confessions will be heard at 7:30 a.m., followed by a recitation of the rosary and Devotions before the 8 a.m. Mass. The Blessing of Throats will be held after the 8 a.m. MassMembers of the parish Holy Rosary Society will attend the 8 a.m. Mass on Feb. 3 and receive Holy Communion as a group. A rosary will be said before the Mass.The parish Holy Name Society will meet at 8 p.m. on Feb. 7. The meeting will be preceded by a Mass, at 7:30 p.m.Choir rehearsals resume on Feb. 13.Calvary MethodistThe Rev. Dr. Edward Bean will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. service Sunday in Calvary Evangelical United Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. The service will include Holy Communion. Sunday school for all ages will be held at 9:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, a Soup R Bowl event a time of caring and sharing, will be held at 5:30 p.m.An evening prayer and share service is held Wednesdays at 7 p.m.