Clergy Official | April 30, 2025

Bishop David Bonnar announces the following Clergy and Pastoral Assignments effective July 1, 2025, unless otherwise noted.

Clergy Assignments – Deacons

Columbiana County

Deacon Christopher Evans to Deacon, St. Patrick, Leetonia in addition to his current role as Deacon, St. Jude, Columbiana; Our Lady of Lourdes, East Palestine.

Deacon Lawrence Pasko to Deacon, St. Jude, Columbiana and Our Lady of Lourdes, East Palestine in addition to his current role as Deacon, St. Patrick, Leetonia.  He is relieved of his role as Deacon, St. Paul, Salem.

Mahoning County

Deacon William Bancroft to Deacon, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica-St. Anthony, Youngstown; St. Angela Merici, Youngstown and St. Patrick Youngstown, in addition to his role as Deacon, Saint Columba Cathedral Parish (St. Columba, St. Edward, SS. Peter and Paul), Youngstown, Diocesan Director of Deacons and Diocesan Director of Safety.

Deacon Anthony Falasco to Deacon, Saint Columba Cathedral Parish (St. Columba, St. Edward, SS. Peter and Paul) Youngstown; St. Angela Merici, Youngstown and St. Patrick Youngstown, in addition to his role as Deacon, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica-St. Anthony, Youngstown.

Deacon Sylvester Frazzini III to Deacon, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica-St. Anthony, Youngstown; St. Angela Merici, Youngstown and St. Patrick Youngstown, in addition to his role as Deacon, Saint Columba Cathedral Parish (St. Columba, St. Edward, SS. Peter and Paul), Youngstown.

Deacon Mark Izzo to Deacon, Saint Columba Cathedral Parish (St. Columba, St. Edward, SS. Peter and Paul) Youngstown; St. Angela Merici, Youngstown and St. Patrick Youngstown, in addition to his role as Deacon, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica-St. Anthony, Youngstown.

Portage County

Deacon Tim DeFrange to Deacon, Immaculate Conception, Ravenna, in addition to his role as Deacon, St. Patrick, Kent and University Parish Newman Center, Kent.

Deacon Christopher Germack to Deacon, St. Patrick, Kent and University Parish Newman Center, Kent, in addition to his current role as Deacon, Immaculate Conception, Ravenna.

Deacon Eric Ruehr to Deacon, St. Patrick, Kent and University Parish Newman Center, Kent, in addition to his current role as Deacon, Immaculate Conception, Ravenna.

Deacon Michael Stabilla to Deacon, Immaculate Conception, Ravenna, in addition to his role as Deacon, St. Patrick, Kent and University Parish Newman Center, Kent.

Stark County

Deacon Alfredo Aguirre to Deacon, St. James, Waynesburg, in addition to his role as Deacon, St. Francis of Assisi, Canton and Holy Family, Navarre.

Deacon Mark Fuller is relieved of his role as Deacon, SS. Philip and James, Canal Fulton.  Deacon Fuller continues as Deacon, St. Michael the Archangel, Canton.

Deacon David Kenney to Deacon, St. Francis of Assisi, Canton and Holy Family, Navarre, in addition to his role as Deacon, St. James, Waynesburg.  He is relieved of his role as Deacon, St. Isadore, Louisville.

Deacon Randolph Smith to Deacon, St. Ann, Sebring; St. Joseph, Alliance; St. Joseph, Maxino and Regina Coeli, Alliance, in addition to his role as Deacon, St. Isadore, Louisville.  He is relieved of his role as Deacon, St. James, Waynesburg.

Deacon Philip Tischler is relieved of his role as Deacon, SS. Philip and James, Canal Fulton.  Deacon Tischler continues as Deacon, St. Michael the Archangel, Canton.

Deacon Gregory Wood to Deacon, St. Isadore, Louisville, in addition to his role as Deacon, St. Ann, Sebring; St. Joseph, Alliance; St. Joseph, Maxino and Regina Coeli, Alliance.  He also serves as a Diocesan Pastoral Associate for the same parishes.

Clergy Official | April 27, 2025

Bishop David Bonnar announces the following Clergy and Pastoral Assignments effective July 1, 2025, unless otherwise noted.

Clergy Assignments – Priests (by county):

Ashtabula County

There are no new appointments within Ashtabula County at this time.

Columbiana County

Reverend David Bridling from Pastor of St Patrick, Kent and University Parish Newman Center, Kent to Pastor of Holy Trinity, East Liverpool; St. Agatha Mission, West Point; and St. John the Evangelist, Summitville. Father Bridling is also named Dean of the Columbiana Deanery.

Reverend Chad Johnson to Pastor of St. Patrick, Leetonia in addition to his current role as Pastor, St. Jude, Columbiana; Our Lady of Lourdes, East Palestine; Chaplain, Ursuline High School; and Co-Director, Office of Vocations.

Reverend Robert Lanterman from Sacramental Minister of Little Flower, Canton and Christ the Servant, Canton to Parochial Vicar of the Columbiana County Parishes (Holy Trinity, East Liverpool; St. Agatha Mission, West Point; St. John the Evangelist, Summitville; St. Patrick, Leetonia; St. Jude, Columbiana; Our Lady of Lourdes, East Palestine; St. Paul, Salem, St. George, Lisbon; St. Philip Neri, Dungannon), with residence at St. George, Lisbon.

Reverend Joseph Ruggieri to Pastor of St. George, Lisbon and St. Philip Neri, Dungannon, in addition to his current role as Pastor of Saint Paul, Salem. Father Ruggieri is relieved of his duties as Pastor of St. Patrick, Leetonia.

Mahoning County

Reverend Edward Brienz to Parochial Vicar of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica- St. Anthony, Youngstown; St. Angela Merici, Youngstown and St. Patrick Youngstown, in addition to his role as vice-rector of Saint Columba Cathedral Parish (St. Columba, St. Edward, SS. Peter and Paul), Youngstown, and Diocesan Director of Missions and Propagation of the Faith.

Reverend Zachary Coulter from Administrator of Christ our Savior, Struthers and Holy Rosary, Lowellville to Pastor, Our Lady of the Lakes, Lake Milton and North Jackson and St. Mary & St. Joseph, Newton Falls.

Reverend Frassati Davis, OP, at the presentation of Very Reverend Allen Moran, OP, Provincial, from Parochial Vicar to Pastor of Saint Dominic, Youngstown. Father Frassati continues his duties as Hispanic Ministry Sacramental Minister, St. Paul, Salem.

Reverend Vincent DeLucia, OP, at the presentation of Very Reverend Allen Moran, OP, Provincial, from Pastor of St. Dominic, Youngstown, to pursue another assignment in formation for his religious community.

Reverend Thomas Kraszewski from Administrator to Pastor of Christ the Good Shepherd, Campbell and Pastor of Christ our Savior, Struthers and Holy Rosary, Lowellville. Father Kraszewski is relieved of his duties as Administrator of St. Angela Merici, Youngstown and St. Patrick, Youngstown.

Reverend Bala Prasad Marneni from Parochial Vicar of St. Pope John XXIII, Niles to Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica-St. Anthony, Youngstown; St. Angela Merici, Youngstown; St. Patrick Youngstown; and St Columba Cathedral Parish (St. Columba, St. Edward, SS. Peter and Paul), Youngstown. Father Marneni resumes his role as Chaplain of St. Joseph the Provider School, Youngstown.

Reverend Jonah Pollock, OP, at the presentation of Very Reverend Allen Moran, OP, Provincial, from Chaplain of Youngstown State University Newman Center to ministry outside the Diocese of Youngstown.

Very Reverend Monsignor Robert Siffrin, VF to Pastor of St. Angela Merici, Youngstown and St. Patrick, Youngstown, in addition to his role as Rector/Pastor of St. Columba Cathedral Parish (St. Columba, St. Edward, SS. Peter and Paul), Youngstown. Monsignor Siffrin continues his role as Diocesan Vicar for External Community Affairs/Special Projects.

Reverend G. David Weikart from Pastor of St. Ann, Sebring; St. Joseph, Alliance; St. Joseph, Maxino; Regina Coeli, Alliance to Pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena, Boardman.

Very Reverend John Zuraw, JCL, VG from Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena, Boardman to Rector/Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica/St. Anthony Parish, Youngstown and Coordinator of the Youngstown City Collaborative in addition to his duties as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.

Portage County

Reverend Kevin Bertleff from Administrator to Pastor of St. John Neumann, Randolph, effective immediately.

Very Reverend William Kraynak to Administrator of St. Patrick, Kent and University Parish Newman Center, Kent, in addition to his current role at Pastor of Immaculate Conception, Ravenna and Dean of the Portage Deanery.

Reverend William Wainio to Parochial Vicar of Immaculate Conception, Ravenna, in addition to his role as Parochial Vicar of St. Patrick, Kent and University Parish Newman Center, Kent and Co-Director, Office of Vocations.

Stark County

Reverend Robert England from Parochial Vicar of St. Michael the Archangel, Canton and Philip and James, Canal Fulton to Parochial Vicar of St. Ann, Sebring; St. Isadore, Louisville; St. Joseph, Alliance; St. Joseph, Maxino; and Regina Coeli, Alliance.

Reverend Daniel Finnerty from Administrator to Pastor of Little Flower, Canton and Christ the Servant, Canton, effective immediately.

Reverend Mattew Humerickhouse to Pastor of St. Ann, Sebring; St. Joseph, Alliance; St. Joseph, Maxino and Regina Coeli, Alliance in addition to his role as Pastor of St. Isadore, Louisville, as well as his role as Chaplain of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Louisville. Father Humerickhouse is relieved of his role as Pastor of St. James, Waynesburg.

Reverend Benson Okpara is relieved of his role as Pastor of SS. Philip and James, Canal Fulton. Father Okpara continues as Pastor of St. Michael the Archangel, Canton.

Very Reverend Kevin Peters, VF to Pastor of St. James, Waynesburg in addition to his role as Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi, Canton and Holy Family, Navarre, as well as his role as Diocesan Director of Rural Ministry and Desan of the Stark East Deanery.

Reverend Frederick Schlueter to Parochial Vicar of St. James, Waynesburg in addition to his role as Parochial Vicar of St. Francis of Assisi, Canton and Holy Family, Navarre, as well as his role as Chaplain of Central Catholic High School, Canton. Father Schlueter has also been appointed to begin Studies in Canon Law on a part time basis beginning in 2026.

Very Reverend John Sheridan, VF to Pastor of SS. Philip and James, Canal Fulton in addition to his role as Pastor of Divine Mercy, Massillon and Adjunct Judicial Vicar, and Dean of the Stark West Deanery.

Trumbull County

Reverend Christopher Cicero to Chaplain of John F. Kennedy Upper Campus in addition to his role as Pastor of St. Theresa of Calcutta, Warren and Chaplain of John F. Kennedy Lower Campus

Reverend Brian Cline from Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine of Siena, Boardman to Pastor, St. Robert, Cortland; St. Thomas the Apostle, Vienna; and St. William, Champion.

Very Reverend John-Michael Lavelle, D.Min., with the appointment of Reverend Leo Wehrlin as Pastor, is relieved of his role as Administrator of Saint Pope John XXIII, Niles. He remains Pastor of Saint Michael, Canfield; Vicar of Missionary Discipleship; Diocesan Director of Stewardship and Development; and Diocesan Director of Communications.

Reverend Leo Wehrlin from Pastor of Holy Trinity, East Liverpool to Pastor of St. Pope John XXIII, Niles. With the move to Trumbull County, Father Wehrlin is relieved of his role as Dean of the Columbiana Deanery.

Retirements 

Bishop David Bonnar accepts the following retirements from active ministry with profound gratitude for their priestly ministry (effective July 1, 2025):

Very Reverend Monsignor Michael Cariglio, JCL from Rector/Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica/St. Anthony Parish, Youngstown.

Reverend David Merzweiler from Pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes, North Jackson and Lake Milton and St. Mary & St. Joseph, Newton Falls.

Reverend Stephen Wassie from Pastor of St George, Lisbon; St. John the Evangelist, Summitville; St. Philip Neri, Dungannon; and St. Agatha Mission, West Point.

Special Assignments

Reverend Ryan Furlong from Pastor St. Robert, Cortland; St. Thomas the Apostle, Vienna; and St. William Champion; and Chaplain of John F. Kennedy Upper Campus to Chaplain, Walsh University, Canton and Sacramental Minister, St. Michael the Archangel, Canton.

Reverend Ernesto Rodriguez from Sacramental Minister of Our Lady of Peace, Ashtabula; Corpus Christi, Conneaut; Assumption, Geneva and St. Andrew Bobola, Kingsville to Diocesan Prison Ministry, with residence at the Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Younsgtown.

Diocesan Pastoral Associates Appointments

Amy Benedetti-Dike to Diocesan Pastoral Associate of St. Isadore, Louisville in additional to her role as Diocesan Pastoral Associate of St. Ann, Sebring; St. Joseph, Alliance; St. Joseph, Maximo; and Regina Coeli, Alliance.

Deacon Michael Hanshaw to Diocesan Pastoral Associate of St. Pope John XXIII, Niles.

Deacon Gregory Wood to Diocesan Pastoral Associate of St. Isadore, Louisville in additional to his role as Diocesan Pastoral Associate of St. Ann, Sebring; St. Joseph, Alliance; St. Joseph, Maximo; and Regina Coeli, Alliance.

Resignations

Bishop David Bonnar accepts the following resignations from ministry, with sincere gratitude for dedicated ministry to the Church.

Sister Mary Alyce Koval, OSU from Diocesan Pastoral Associate of Saint Catherine of Siena, Boardman.