MONTGOMERY — It's 5:40 a.m. on a Wednesday, and cars begin pulling into the parking lot of the Montgomery Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. About 20 teens make their way inside.

        These students are starting seminary.

        It's a four-year program Mormons have for high school age children to prepare them for college, their mission and the real world. “It makes it a lot easier to remember to make good choices throughout the day,” said Laura Moster, a 15-year-old who attends Sycamore High School.

        Josie Fields, a senior at Sycamore, is attending for her fourth year. She's already spent one year each studying the Old and New Testaments and the Book of Mormon. This year, the class is learning about church history and the revelations to Joseph Smith.

        “It's also a good start to the day. It sets a good tone,” she said.

        Scott Weinert, a 15-year-old from Loveland, said he attends because he wants to be prepared when he goes on his mission when he turns 19. Young men in the church are expected to leave home and spread the Gospel.

        Some in the class hope to attend Brigham Young University and for them, seminary is an important step to being admitted to the competitive church-run college.

Blessing pets

        A few local churches will honor St. Francis of Assisi when they host a Blessing of the Animals service on Oct. 4 and 5.

        St. Francis Seraph Catholic Church, 1615 Vine St. in Over-the-Rhine; The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 2944 Erie Ave. in Hyde Park; and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 7820 Beechmont Ave. in Anderson Township, each will welcome pets.

        IHM's service is at 7 p.m. Oct. 4, and St. Francis Seraph's at 10 a.m. After the 4:30 p.m. service at the Church of the Redeemer there will be treats for pets and people.

Church hosts revival

        A three-night revival “Call him up!” will be held at St. Leo the Great Church, l1851 Baltimore Ave. in North Fairmount, Monday through Wednesday at 7 p.m. Tuesday night's service will focus on youth.

        The Rev. Anthony Bozeman, an African American priest from Philadelphia, will be the revivalist.

        For more information, contact Father Edwin Gearhart at (513) 921-0025 or Sister Mary Macke at (513) 242-0164.

Lecture series

        A lecture series, “Is Jesus for Real?” will continue Sunday night at Lakota Christian Church, Hamilton-Mason and LeSourdsville-West Chester roads, at 9:30 and 10:45 a.m.

        Information: Shane Hargrave at 779-8800 or visit www.lakotachristian.org.

        Send religion news to kvance@fuse.net, or fax to 755-4150.

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