n Frackville: The Irish Lads will perform from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Frackville Elks Lodge, 307 S. Third St., to benefit the Girardville Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. The event is cash-bar-only, no BYOB, according to a press release. For more information, call Annetta at 570-590-6008. Also, the AOH will auction off Irish-themed items, including a Notre Dame yard ornament, two handmade Irish wreaths, two sets of Irish placemats with mugs, Irish dish towels, a shamrock baking dish with potholder and a leprechaun hat filled with flowers. Tickets are $2 per chance or $3 for five chances and are available now until the event.
n Frackville: Brad Oravitz, assistant Rotary district governor, described upcoming Rotary District events at a recent meeting of the Frackville Rotary Club held at the Cracker Barrel restaurant on the Schuylkill Mall campus. Oravitz urged club members to attend club events. A Rotary-sponsored Quest health screen will be held from 7 to 9 a.m. April 2 at the Frackville Senior Citizens Center. Blood tests will be administered at a reduced fee and the results will be forwarded to a doctor of the participant’s choice.
n Mahanoy City: The Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite --- Tridentine Latin Mass --- will be celebrated at 3 p.m. today at St. Cecilia Chapel, South Catawissa Street. The Rev. Edward B. Connolly will be the celebrant. Latin-English missals will be provided to assist in praying the Mass. Afterward, there will be a time of fellowship in the chapel hall. The Latin Mass is celebrated the last Sunday of every month. For more information, call Sarah Johnson at 570-734-3022.
n Mahanoy City: Good American Hose Company, Eighth Street and Mahanoy Avenue, will have a soup sale beginning at 3 p.m. Friday at the firehouse. To order or for information on cost and flavors call 570-773-3473. Baked goods will also be available.
n Orwigsburg: A casino night with Mardi Gras theme sponsored by the Orwigsburg Area Free Public Library is set for 7:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Schuylkill Country Club, 877 W. Market St. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. The eighth annual event will include casino and other games, prices, auction items and a cash bar. The ticket price includes $5,000 in playing chips and hors d’oeuvres. For more information, call 570-366-1638.
n Shenandoah: The Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society will have a Chinese auction March 20 at its history center, 201 S. Main St. Doors will open at noon and the auction will begin at 1:30 p.m. There will be a shop-and-drop from 1 to 4 p.m. March 19. Tickets are $3 and refreshments will be available.
n Shenandoah: In connection with the papal document proclaiming the Jubilee Year of Mercy being observed by Catholics worldwide, Pope Francis said this Friday and Saturday should be set aside as “24 hours for the Lord.” In the Allentown Catholic Diocese, the 24 hours will be marked by making the sacrament of Penance available during the period in at least one church in each of the five counties of the diocese. In Schuylkill County, it will be at Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Church, Cherry and Chestnut streets, Shenandoah, with Confessions from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 6 to 9 a.m. Saturday. The 24 hours will begin and end with Mass. The opening Mass will be followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Stations of the Cross and other prayer services are scheduled Friday. The day will end with benediction, which precedes the closing Mass on Saturday. From 8 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, prayer before the Blessed Sacrament will be available at the Adoration Chapels at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church, Mahanoy City, and St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.
n Tamaqua: Former Shenandoah resident Lester Hirsch will be featured in concert at 7 p.m. April 16 at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St. Hirsch is an award-winning songwriter and Grammy nominee. He also is a guitarist, singer and poet. Tickets are $10 each. For tickets or more information, call 570-668-1192.