Clergy Official | October 10, 2026

Bishop David J. Bonnar is announcing the following, with effective dates listed:

Clergy Assignments – Priests

Very Reverend Frantisek Katrinak, V.F., with the announcement of the newly formed Parishes in Aurora/Streetsboro and Mantua/Garrettsville (effective January 1, 2027), is relieved of his duties as Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Mantua and as Pastor of Saint Ambrose, Garrettsville, effective November 1, 2026. He remains Pastor of Saint Joan of Arc, Streetsboro and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Aurora, along with his duties as Dean of Portage County and member of the Presbyteral Council and Priestly Formation Board.

Reverend Scott Kopp, with the announcement of the newly formed Parishes in Aurora/Streetsboro and Mantua/Garrettsville (effective January 1, 2027), is relieved of his role as Parochial Vicar for Saint Joan of Arc, Streetsboro, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Aurora, Saint Joseph Parish, Mantua and Saint Ambrose Parish, Garrettsville and is named Administrator Pro-Tem of Saint Joseph Parish in Mantua and Saint Ambrose Parish in Garrettsville, effective November 1, 2026.

Very Reverend Kevin Peters, V.F. has been renewed for a second term as Dean of Stark County West Deanery. He remains Pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi parish, Canton, Pastor of Holy Family Parish, Navarre and Brewster, Pastor of Saint James Parish, Waynesburg and Diocesan Director of the Offices of Rural Life and Ministry.

Very Reverend John Sheridan, J.C.L., V.F. has been renewed for a second term as Dean of Stark County East Deanery. He remains Pastor of Divine Mercy Parish, Massillon, Pastor of Saints Philip and James Parish, Canal Fulton, Adjutant Judicial Victor, Diocesan Tribunal, Diocesan Director of Office of Marriage and Family Life and Diocesan Director of Worship.

Clergy- Announcement

Reverend Richard Murphy has retired effective August 1, 2026, as the President of Ursuline High School and as Pastor of Queen of Heaven Parish, McDonald and Mineral Ridge, and has become the Administrator of Queen of Heaven Parish, effective August 1, 2026.

Father Ryan Furlong, currently assigned as Chaplain at Walsh University, Canton, has received his Master’s Degree in Education from Walsh University, Canton.

Religious – Announcement

Reverend Stephen Dominic Hayes, O.P., at the presentation of Very Reverend Allen Moran, O.P., Provincial, has joined the Saint Dominic Priory in Youngstown, effective September 1, 2026, for ministry and mission work.