New parish names were voted on by parishioners and the final names chosen by Bishop Bonnar
NEWS RELEASE
November 22, 2024
Contact: Dennis Biviano, PR & Media Specialist, (330) 744-8451, ext. 320; dbiviano@youngstowndiocese.org
YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown announces the names of parish mergers in the Mahoning and Ashtabula Deanery. They take effect January 1, 2025.
On November 4, the Diocesan Presbyteral Council met to review the progress of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, which was promulgated by the late Bishop George Murry in 2019 and has continued to be developed since the 2021 installation of Bishop David Bonnar. The regional plan for the six-county Diocese of Youngstown has resulted in structural changes aimed at developing effective ministries and supporting missionary activity. Criteria include the number of parishioners and worshipers, parish finances, population shifts within the region, effective use of buildings and effective use of a limited number of priests and lay ecclesial ministers.
As a result of the pastoral plan, almost all of the 69 parishes in the diocese are now part of a collaborative unit or exist as a multi-site parish. At its November 4 meeting, the Diocesan Presbyteral Council formally recommended that Bishop Bonnar merge additional parishes throughout the diocese who are already working together in ministry partnerships—sharing priests, deacons, diocesan pastoral associates, additional personnel, Mass schedules, an various parish programs and activities. This recommendation is in line with continuing the efforts of the Diocesan Regionalization Plan that began several years ago. Since January, pastors and parishes have developed plans for parish mergers. These newly merged parishes will be aligned with the structure of other multi-site parishes in the diocese, with Masses and other parish activities continuing to be offered in multiple churches and campuses while ensuring more efficient operations. This year there have been a total of 20 parish mergers. In 2025, the diocesan communication’s team will be sharing more information on each newly merged parishes’ patron saint.
Parish Mergers Effective January 1, 2025:
Mahoning Deanery:
- Austintown, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and St. Joseph Parish. New merger name: Saint Blaise Parish
- Boardman, St. Charles Parish and St. Luke Parish. New merger name: Saint Catherine of Siena Parish
- Youngstown, St. Columba Cathedral Parish, St. Edward Parish and Holy Apostles Parish. New merger name: Saint Columba Cathedral Parish
Ashtabula Deanery:
- Orwell, St. Mary Parish, and Rock Creek, Sacred Heart Parish. New merger name: Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish
