Office of Clergy Services
Vicar for Clergy
The Vicar for Clergy is responsible for all matters pertaining to clergy. These include assignments, retirements, serving outside the diocese, leave of absences or sick leave. The Vicar of Clergy serves the bishop in his relationships to the priests of the diocese. The Executive Director assists in the administration of the retired priests program and policy and attends to the needs of senior priests. He also works with the Diocese to complete the processes of Clergy being incardinated into or excardinated from.
Offices under the direction of the Vicar for Clergy include Continuing Formation of Clergy, Priest Personnel, Permanent Diaconate, Vocations and Vowed Religious.
For More Information, Contact:
Rev. Michael Balash
Vicar For Clergy & Religious
To request a letter of suitability (Priests/Deacons/Seminarians only):
Director of Continuing Formation
The Director of Continuing Formation of clergy presents opportunities for clergy to develop holistically. He offers opportunities to celebrate and develop together, and affirms and encourages clergy to continue to grow in their ministry. The office provides opportunities such as the diocesan celebration of ordination anniversaries, days of recollection, retreats and convocations.
Announcements
Chrism Mass – March 26, 2024
The Chrism Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in Saint Columba Cathedral. All clergy are invited to concelebrate and parishes are welcomed to send delegations of 5-7 people.
Saint Patrick Day – Sunday, March 17, 2024
Please note that Saint Patrick’s Day falls on Sunday, March 17, 2024, this year. The Fifth Sunday of Lent is to be celebrated on this day at Mass.
Clergy Lenten Day of Recollection
We are a blessing to each other with much to share among ourselves. Those attending are asked to make their lunch reservation by March 5, 2024 by contacting Geri Deane.
Lenten Regulations
All are encouraged to participate in the traditional Lenten practice of prayer, sacrifice, and almsgiving.
Clergy Convocation – Catholic Leadership Institute: SAVE THE DATE!
Save-the-date for a Clergy Convocation with Catholic Leadership Institute: Thursday, September 12, 2024.
Letters of Suitability Required
Letters of suitability are to be sent from one bishop/superior to another. An electronic form is now available online for diocesan priests to request a letter of suitability from Bishop Bonnar.
Clergy Official | March 9, 2024
Bishop David Bonnar has approved new priest and deacon assignments, retirements.
Clergy Official | November 26, 2023
Priest Appointment: Polando; Deacon Appointment: Seaman
Clergy Official | November 12, 2023
Priest Appointments: Henyk, Manning; Deacon Appointments: Bancroft, Kocjancic, Simmerly
The Office of Church Vocations
The Office of Church Vocations shares responsibility for educating the people of the Diocese about their baptismal call to minister to others for Christ. This office directs and supervises activities aimed at fostering priestly and religious vocations in the Diocese. It provides counseling and referral services for men and women inquiring about religious life, the diocesan priesthood or the permanent diaconate.
The Office of Church Vocation conducts vocation awareness programs for adult groups, on college campuses, and for high school and elementary school students. The office also sponsors “come and see the seminary” visits for high school age men considering a church vocation.
Permanent Diaconate Program
The Fundamental Goals of the Permanent Diaconate Program of the Diocese of Youngstown are:
To train and form by study and prayer men who have demonstrated active Church service and leadership for diaconal ministry.
To direct and support the ministry of permanent deacons in the diocese.
To accomplish these goals, the Bishop established an Office for the Permanent Diaconate and a Deacon Formation Program. The program strives to put particular emphasis on the notion of the deacon “as one who serves.”