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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)
Clergy Official | February 27, 2023
Retirements of Rev. Kish, Very Rev. Pentello, Rev. Rudjak, Rev. Zamary
Clergy Official | February 26, 2023
Personnel Appointments for Msgr. Polando, Very Rev. Lavelle, Revs. Eisweirth, Korda, Rodriguez, Smith | Saint Paul Parish, Salem, and Saint Patrick Parish, Leetonia.
Saint Patrick’s Day Dispensation
Bishop Bonnar has granted a dispensation from the Lenten obligation of abstinence from meat on March 17, 2023 in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
Conneaut Corpus Christi Parish | Official Decree Closing Saint Mary Church
Decree regarding Saint Mary Church of Corpus Christi Parish
Catholic Schools Week 2023 | Official Decree
Most Reverend David J. Bonnar | By virtue of this degree, I announce the celebration of Catholic Schools Week in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, January 29 – February 5, 2023.
Clergy Official | December 18, 2022
Personnel Appointments for Rev. Stephen Zeigler, Very Rev. Martin Celuch, Very Rev. Frantisek Katrinak, V.F., Rev. Christopher Cicero, and Rev. Ryan Furlong.
Official | December 1, 2022
Personnel Appointments for Very Rev. Furlong; Revs. Mankowski, Miller, Katrinak, Cicero and Stafford; Deacon Benedict, and Ms. Patricia Condello (Diocesan Pastoral Associate).
Clergy Official | November 11, 2022
Personnel Appointments for Rev. Robert Miller, Rev. Thomas Cebula and Rev. Ernesto Rodriguez.
Merger of St. Barbara, St. Joseph, and St. Mary Parishes, Massillon into Divine Mercy Parish | Official Decree
Decree regarding the merger of St. Barbara Parish, St. Joseph Parish, and St. Mary Parish, and the establishment of Divine Mercy Parish, effective January 1, 2023.
Clergy Official | August 19, 2022
Personnel Appointments for Very Rev. Christopher Henyk, V.F., Very Rev. Frantisek Katrinak, V.F. and Mrs. Joan Lawson (Chancellor).
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.
Clergy Official | September 13, 2025
Bishop David Bonnar announces the following Clergy Assignments:
Clergy Assignments – Priests
Reverend Scott Kopp is appointed sacramental minister, on an as needed basis for the Portage Deanery, with residence at the Immaculate Conception Parish Rectory in Ravenna, effective October 1, 2025. The Portage Deanery includes Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Aurora; St. Ambrose Parish, Garrettsville; St. Patrick Parish and University Parish Newman Center, Kent; St. Joseph Parish, Mantua; St. John Neumann Parish (St. Joseph Church, Mogadore and St. Peter of the Fields Church, Rootstown); Immaculate Conception Parish, Ravenna: and St. Joan of Arc Parish, Streetsboro.
Very Reverend John-Michael Lavelle, D.Min., is appointed Curator of the Patrimony, effective September 12, 2025. This is in addition to his pastoral duties as pastor of St. Michael Parish, Canfield, and his diocesan responsibilities as Vicar of Missionary Discipleship, Director of Stewardship and Development and Director of Communications.
Reverend Christopher Luoni is relieved of his duties as sacramental minister of the Portage Deanery, effective October 1, 2025. He continues to provide Spiritual accompaniment for the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration at Sancta Clara Monastery in Canton and to pursue a Spiritual Director Certification at Loyola University.
Reverend Benson Okpara is appointed administrator of Guardian Angels Parish, with worship sites at Saint Joan of Arc Church and Saint Joseph Church in Canton, effective September 22, 2025. This appointment is in addition to his pastoral duties at Saint Michael the Archangel Parish in Canton. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, he is appointed Diocesan Director of Extern Priests. In collaboration with the Vicar for Clergy and Religious Services, the Director of Extern Priests will secure entrance and follow up documentation for priests entering the Diocese of Youngstown from other countries.
Reverend Richard Pentello is relieved of his duties as pro-tem administrator of Guardian Angels Parish, with worship sites at Saint Joan of Arc Church and Saint Joseph Church in Canton, effective September 22, 2025.
