Office of Rural Life and Ministry
The Office of Rural Life and Ministry was created to support farmers and rural families throughout the six counties of the diocese (Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark and Trumbull). The office works in collaboration with county farm bureaus and fair boards and will help identify and serve basic spiritual and social justice needs in rural communities.
Guided by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, the Office of Rural Life and Ministry is actively involved in legislative matters that impact farming practices, food chain issues and food supply for the poor and underfed and enhances the diocese’s efforts to positively impact both Catholics and the wider community.
Catholic Rural Life - Diocese of Youngstown
Catholic Rural Life (CRL) has a rich history spanning over an entire century. The organization, originally called National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC), has spent decades dedicating hard work and prayer to promoting Catholic life in rural America. Catholic Rural Life (CRL)
A CRL Chapter builds, celebrates, and promotes rural Catholic community in its local area in cooperation with the national organization of Catholic Rural Life. The Diocese of Youngstown chapter has been established in 2023.
CRL Chapters share the vision of flourishing Catholic life in rural America—thriving families, farms, and parishes—centered on faith, community, and care of creation. Our work in ethical agriculture and pastoral ministry & outreach supports and builds the rural Church by educating leaders—clergy, religious and laity.
Prayer for a Rural Family
Bless us, O God, we who live close to the land. Bless us as you blessed Jesus, Mary and Joseph. They, like we, our models in family life knew the struggles, the fears, the joys and the rewards of life in a rural area.
Help us to be aware of the quiet beauty of the night, the fresh green growth on trees and all plants and the songs of birds. We give thanks for all of these.
May we always show respect for all of creation. Bless each of us and help us grow in love and unity with you and with each other.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
from Catholic Rural Life
Catholic Rural Life—Diocese of Youngstown Chapter Leadership
- Rev. Thomas Dyer, Chair
- Rev. James Lang, Chaplain
- Mrs. Diana Hancharenko, Mahoning County Leader
- Mrs. Diane Brown, Columbiana County Leader
- Mrs. Tracey Bonner, Stark County Leader
