PRESS RELEASE

June 5, 2023

CONTACT: Justin Huyck, Director of Communications; (330) 744-8451, ext. 320, jhuyck@youngstowndiocese.org

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – On Saturday, June 17, 2023, the Most Rev. David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown, will ordain Rev. Mr. Robert England, Rev. Mr. John Rovnak, and Rev. Mr. Frederick Schlueter to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. All three are currently serving as transitional deacons for the Diocese of Youngstown. The ordination liturgy will take place at the Cathedral of Saint Columba in Youngstown at 10:30 a.m., and can also be viewed online at The Catholic Echo website at www.catholicecho.org/live/ 

Upon ordination as priests, Deacon England, Deacon Rovnak, and Deacon Schlueter will be assigned to serve as a Parochial Vicar (Associate Pastor) at a parish in the Diocese of Youngstown. Their assignments will be announced during the ordination Mass. 

Deacon Robert England, the son of Robert and the late Sandra England, is from Christ Our Savior Parish in Struthers. He attended Poland public schools and is a graduate of Poland Seminary High School. Before entering seminary, he worked professionally in the water treatment industry for about twenty years. Deacon England was educated at Youngstown State University and Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in Wisconsin, and he is a graduate of Cardinal Stritch University, also in Wisconsin. In 2023, he earned a Master of Divinity from Saint Vincent Seminary in Pennsylvania. As a transitional deacon, while completing his seminary formation, Deacon England was assigned to St. Christine Parish and Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Youngstown.

Deacon John Rovnak, the son of Tom and Janice Rovnak, is from Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Youngstown. He attended St. Matthias School, Lowellville High School, and graduated with a business degree from Youngstown State University. He worked for several companies before entering seminary, and in 2023 earned his Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology from Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe, Ohio. As a transitional deacon, while completing his seminary formation, Deacon Rovnak was assigned to St. Michael Parish in Canfield.

Deacon  Frederick (“Fritz”) Schlueter, the son of Frederick and Lori Schlueter, is from St. Paul Parish in Salem. He attended St. Paul School and West Branch High School and began college at the University of Dallas before transferring and graduating from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus. In 2023, he earned a Master of Divinity from Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe, Ohio. As a transitional deacon, while completing his seminary formation, Deacon Schlueter was assigned to St. Anthony/All Saints Parish in Canton.