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Clergy Official | August 6, 2023
Priest Appointments effective September 1, 2023: Sheridan, Misbrener, Johnson, Balash, Lanterman.
Clergy Official | July 30, 2023
Priest and Deacon Appointments. | Priest Appointments: Mankowski, King, Sheridan
Official Decree | St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Merger of St. Anthony/All Saints and St. Mary/St. Benedict Parishes)
Decree regarding the merger of St. Anthony/All Saints Parish and St. Mary/St. Benedict Parish, and the establishment of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, effective July 1, 2023.
Clergy Official | June 17, 2023
Priest and Deacon Appointments. | Priest Appointments: England, Johnson, Rovnak, Schlueter, Zuraw; Deacon Appointment: Aguirre
Clergy Official | June 10, 2023
Priest, Deacon, and Diocesan Pastoral Associate Appointments. | Priest Appointments: Beneleit, Bishop, Haladej, King, Kraszewski, Lavelle, Mankowski, Peters, Polando. Deacon Appointments: Aguirre, Kenney, Smith. Diocesan Pastoral Associate Appointment: Condello
Clergy Official | June 3, 2023
Parish appointments for Transitional Deacons Bertleff and Wainio while they complete seminary formation.
Clergy Official | May 30, 2023
Dean Assignments for Very Rev. Michael Swierz (Trumbull County Deanery), Very Rev. William Kraynak (Portage County Deanery), Very Rev. John Sheridan (Stark East Deanery)
Clergy Official | May 20, 2023
Personnel Assignments for Rev. Ernesto Rodriguez; Confirmation of Assignments for Rev. Frassati (Alexander) Davis, O.P. and Rev. Jonah Pollock, O.P. | New assignments for Ashtabula Deanery, St. Dominic (Youngstown), St. Rose (Girard), St. Patrick (Leetonia)
Holy Apostles Parish, Youngstown | Official Decree Closing Saint Stephen of Hungary Church
Decree regarding Saint Stephen of Hungary Church of Holy Apostles Parish.
Standards of Ministerial Behavior Advisory Council | Official Decree
Most Reverend David J. Bonnar | As Bishop of Youngstown, following the review and unanimous recommendation of the Presbyteral Council, I hereby establish the Standards of Ministerial Behavior Advisory Council and promulgate the Bylaws of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior Advisory Council for the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, effective immediately. . . . Along with the Diocesan Review Board, this Advisory Council will strengthen our existing commitment. to justice for victims and those who are accused of misconduct of any kind.
Clergy Official | March 19, 2023
Personnel Appointments for Revs. Agostino, Bridling, Brienz, Cebula, Cicero, Conoboy, Jerek, Humerickhouse, Katrinak, Lanterman, Luoni, Marcelli, McCaffrey, Murphy, Stafford, Zeigler, Zwilling; Dcns. Frazzini, Hanshaw, Kleese, Puhalla, Simmerly, Toth. | New assignments for parishes and schools in Aurora, Boardman, Canal Fulton, Garrettsville, Harrisburg, Kent, Louisville, Mantua, McDonald, New Middletown, Niles, Orwell, Rock Creek, Streetsboro, Warren, Waynesburg, Youngstown
Clergy Official | March 13, 2023
Personnel Appointments for Very Rev. Msgr. Siffrin, Very Rev. Balash, Rev. Furlong, Rev. Johnson, Rev. Smith; Dcns. Bancroft, Green, Mintus | New assignments for Holy Apostles Parish (Youngstown), St. William Parish (Champion), St. Robert Bellarmine Parish (Cortland), St. Thomas the Apostle Parish (Vienna)
Decree | October 4, 2025
DECREE
The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, has released the following Decrees:
Merger of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (McDonald) and Saint Mary (Mineral Ridge) into Queen of Heaven Parish, effective January 1, 2026
Merger of Saint Brendan, Saint Christine and Our Lady of Sorrows (Youngstown) into Saint Mary Magdalene Parish, effective January 1, 2026
Saint Brendan Church and Saint Matthias Church (Youngstown) designated as secondary sites for Saint Mary Magdalene Parish, effective January 1, 2026
Saints Peter and Paul Church (Youngstown) designated as secondary site for Saint Columba Cathedral Parish, effective November 3, 2025
Saint Peter of the Fields Church original location (Rootstown) relegated to profane but not sordid use, effective immediately
Mother of Sorrows Church and Saint Joseph Church (Ashtabula) relegated to profane but not sordid use, effective November 30, 2025
Download the full text of the decrees with signatures as a PDF document.
Clergy Official | October 4, 2025
In alignment with the parish mergers announced this weekend, Bishop Bonnar is also announcing the following Clergy Assignments effective January 1, 2026.
Priest Assignments
Reverend John M. Jerek is appointed pastor of Saint Mary Magdalene Parish, Youngstown. This parish is comprised of Saint Brendan Church, Saint Christine Church, and Saint Matthias Church, Youngstown.
Reverend Richard Murphy is appointed pastor of Queen of Heaven Parish. This parish is comprised of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, McDonald and Saint Mary Church, Mineral Ridge. This is addition to his duties as president of Ursuline High School, Youngstown.
Reverend Stephen Zeigler is appointed pro-tem sacramental minister for the Mahoning and Trumbull Deaneries. He is relieved of his duties as parochial vicar for Saint Brendan Parish, Saint Christine Parish and Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Youngstown, effective December 31, 2025.
Deacon Assignments
Deacon Mark Kiraly is appointed permanent deacon of Saint Mary Magdalene Parish, Youngstown. This parish is comprised of Saint Brendan Church, Saint Christine Church, and Saint Matthias Church, Youngstown.
Deacon Ronald Layko is appointed permanent deacon of Saint Mary Magdalene Parish, Youngstown. This parish is comprised of Saint Brendan Church, Saint Christine Church, and Saint Matthias Church, Youngstown.
Clergy Official | September 22, 2025
Bishop Bonnar is announcing the following appointment, effective September 22, 2025.
Deacon Assignment
Deacon Sylvester Frazzini III is appointed Episcopal Master of Ceremonies for the Diocese of Youngstown, with responsibility for the training, assigning and oversight of all Masters of Ceremonies. This is in addition to his diaconal responsibilities at Saint Columba Cathedral Parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica – Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Saint Angela Merici Parish, and Saint Patrick Parish, Youngstown.
