Fiala and Schmidt each spent more than 40 years in education and religious life
NEWS RELEASE
June 17, 2024
Contact: Dennis Biviano, PR & Media Specialist, (330) 744-8451, ext. 320; dbiviano@youngstowndiocese.org
The Diocese of Youngstown is announcing the retirements of Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Mary Fiala, and Director of the Office of Pro-Life, Marriage and Family Life, Dave Schmidt, effective June 30.
Mary Fiala has been superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Youngstown the past decade. Previously Fiala served as Principal at SS. Philip and James School in Canal Fulton and St. Joan of Arc School in Canton from 1991-2011. Prior to being named principal, Fiala was a teacher at St. Paul School in North Canton for 12 years. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Ashland University and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Administration from the University of Akron. Earlier this year, Fiala was presented with the NCEA’s Lifetime Commitment to Catholic Education award. Steven Jones, Ph.D. joins the diocese as the next Superintendent of Catholic Schools.
Dave Schmidt has served various roles in his 40 years of service in Catholic Churches and schools throughout the state of Ohio. Schmidt served as Director of Youth Ministry at Holy Family Parish in Poland, Our Lady of Peace Parish in Canton. He also served as Director of Religious Education at Holy Spirit Parish in Uniontown as well as Pastoral Associate of Our Lady Mount Carmel Church in Niles.
Schmidt graduated from South Range High School, earned a Bachelor’s in Philosophy from the Pontifical College Josephinum, studied theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West and earned a Master’s of Pastoral Studies with the Loyola University Institute of Ministry Extension program.
R.J. Mangan, the Director of the Office of Peace and Justice in Catholic Charities will be assuming the duties for the Pro-Life Ministry, which includes Walking with Moms in Need and Project Rachel Ministry. The Very Rev. Martin Celuch, J.C.L., the Judicial Vicar of Canonical Services and the Very Rev. John Sheridan, V.F., J.C.L., the Adjutant Judicial Vicar, will be assuming the duties of Marriage and Family Life Ministry, which includes Marriage Preparation.
