Clergy Official | March 22, 2026

Bishop Bonnar is announcing the following Clergy and Diocesan Pastoral Associate Assignments, effective May 1, 2026 

Clergy Assignments – Priests

Reverend John Madden to Sacramental Minister, Saint Columba Cathedral Parish, Youngstown (Saint Columba Cathedral, Saint Edward Church, Saints Peter & Paul Church), Saint Patrick, Youngstown, Saint Angela Merici, Youngstown and Our Lady of Mount Carmel/Saint Anthony, Youngstown. Father Madden will reside at the Saint Columba Cathedral rectory.

Reverend John Rovnak, from Parochial Vicar, Saint Columba Cathedral Parish, Youngstown (Saint Columba Cathedral, Saint Edward Church, Saints Peter & Paul Church), Saint Patrick, Youngstown, Saint Angela Merici, Youngstown and Our Lady of Mount Carmel/Saint Anthony, Youngstown, to Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, Ravenna, Saint Patrick Parish, Kent and University Parish Newman Center, Kent. He will remain as Chaplain, Youngstown State University Newman Center, Youngstown and Chaplain, Cardinal Mooney High School, Youngstown through the end of the current academic year.

Reverend William Wainio, from Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, Ravenna, Saint Patrick Parish, Kent and University Parish Newman Center, Kent, to fulltime Vocation Director for the Diocese of Youngstown. He will also assist with Youth and Young Adult Accompaniment. He will reside at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help rectory (Queen of Heaven Parish) McDonald.

Bishop Bonnar is announcing the following Clergy Assignments effective July 1, 2026.

Clergy Assignments – Priests

Reverend Kevin Bertleff from Pastor of Saint John Neumann Parish, Mogadore, to Moderator of the Team of Priests in Solidum for Saint John Neumann Parish (Saint Joseph Church, Mogadore and Saint Peter of the Fields Church, Rootstown) and the newly formed Saint Katharine Drexel Parish (Immaculate Conception Church, Ravenna, Saint Patrick Church, Kent, and University Newman Center, Kent. The Team of Priests includes Reverend John Rovnak. The priests will reside at Immaculate Conception Rectory, Ravenna.

Very Reverend Chad Johnson, VF, is relieved of his responsibilities as Co-Vocation Director for the Diocesan of Youngstown. He remains Pastor of Saint Carlo Acutis Parish, Columbiana, Chaplain of Ursuline High School, Youngstown, and Dean for Columbiana County.

Very Reverend William Kraynak, VF, from Pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Ravenna, and Administrator, Saint Patrick Parish, Kent and University Parish Newman Center, Kent, and Dean for Portage County, to retired. Bishop Bonnar thanks Father Kraynak for his many years of devoted service to the Church and wishes him well in his retirement.

Reverend John Rovnak, from Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, Ravenna, Saint Patrick Parish, Kent and University Parish Newman Center, Kent, to the Team of Priests in Solidum for Saint John Neumann Parish (Saint Joseph Church, Mogadore and Saint Peter of the Fields Church, Rootstown) and the newly formed Saint Katharine Drexel Parish (Immaculate Conception Church, Ravenna, Saint Patrick Church, Kent, and University Newman Center, Kent. The Team of Priests includes Reverend Kevin Bertleff as Moderator. The priests will reside at Immaculate Conception Rectory, Ravenna. Father Rovnak also concludes his ministry as Chaplain, Youngstown State University Newman Center, Youngstown and Cardinal Mooney High School, Youngstown at this time.

Clergy Assignments – Deacons

Deacon Tim DeFrange, from Deacon, Immaculate Conception Parish, Ravenna, Saint Patrick Parish, Kent and University Parish Newman Center, Kent, to Deacon, Saint John Neumann Parish (Saint Joseph Church, Mogadore and Saint Peter of the Fields Church, Rootstown) and the newly formed Saint Katharine Drexel Parish (Immaculate Conception Church, Ravenna, Saint Patrick Church, Kent, and University Newman Center, Kent).

Deacon Christopher Germak, from Deacon, Immaculate Conception Parish, Ravenna, Saint Patrick Parish, Kent and University Parish Newman Center, Kent, to Deacon, Saint John Neumann Parish (Saint Joseph Church, Mogadore and Saint Peter of the Fields Church, Rootstown) and the newly formed Saint Katharine Drexel Parish (Immaculate Conception Church, Ravenna, Saint Patrick Church, Kent, and University Newman Center, Kent).

Deacon Eric Ruehr, from Deacon, Immaculate Conception Parish, Ravenna, Saint Patrick Parish, Kent and University Parish Newman Center, Kent, to Deacon, Saint John Neumann Parish (Saint Joseph Church, Mogadore and Saint Peter of the Fields Church, Rootstown) and the newly formed Saint Katharine Drexel Parish (Immaculate Conception Church, Ravenna, Saint Patrick Church, Kent, and University Newman Center, Kent).

Deacon Theodore Suzelis, to Deacon for the newly formed Saint Katharine Drexel Parish (Immaculate Conception Church, Ravenna, Saint Patrick Church, Kent, and University Newman Center, Kent) in addition to his current assignment as Deacon at Saint John Neumann Parish (Saint Joseph Church, Mogadore and Saint Peter of the Fields Church, Rootstown).

Clergy Official | March 7, 2026

Bishop Bonnar is announcing the following Clergy and Diocesan Pastoral Associate Assignments, effective immediately:

Priest Assignments

Reverend Stephen Zeigler from Parochial Vicar to Pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Boardman, with Worship Sites at Saint Charles Church and Saint Luke Church, both in Boardman.

Very Reverend Monsignor John A. Zuraw, JCL, VG is relieved of his responsibilities as Administrator Pro-Tem of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Boardman. He remains Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Director of Pastoral and Educational Services, with Diocesan Tribunal responsibilities as Defender of the Bond, Promotor of Justice and Judge, in addition to his role as Rector-Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica / Saint Anthony Parish, Youngstown.

Diocesan Pastoral Associate Assignments

Mrs. Erica Galvin is appointed Diocesan Pastoral Associate of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Boardman, with Worship Sites at Saint Charles Church and Saint Luke Church, both in Boardman.

Bishop Bonnar is also announcing the following Clergy Assignments, effective April 10, 2026:

Priest Assignments

Reverend Scott Kopp from Sacramental Minister in Portage County to Parochial Vicar of Saint Joan of Arc, Streetsboro, Saint Joseph, Mantua, Saint Ambrose, Garrettsville, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Aurora, with residence at Saint Joseph, Mantua.

Very Reverend Kevin Peters, VF, to be relieved of his role as Administrator Pro-Tem of Saint John Basilica / Saint Peter Parish, Canton. He remains Pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Canton, Holy Family Parish, Navarre and Brewster, and Saint James Parish, Waynesburg, and his diocesan responsibilities as Director of Rural Life and Dean of Stark County East.

Reverend Brian Smith from Parochial Vicar of Saint Joan of Arc, Streetsboro, Saint Joseph, Mantua, Saint Ambrose, Garrettsville, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Aurora to Administrator of Saint John Basilica / Saint Peter Parish, Canton.