Priests

About

The life of a priest is busy, demanding, challenging—and incredibly rewarding. In addition to administering the sacraments and leading prayer, there are many specialized ministries such as being a chaplain or working in diocesan offices. A majority of priests serve in parishes, building relationships with their parishioners and the community they serve.

Teach: Priests instruct others about the faith.

Shepherd: Priests guide, unite, and encourage their parishioners.

Sanctify: Priests administer the sacraments and encourage holiness.

Individual priests have a wide variety of tasks within the church. Below, please find a list of all priests authorized to serve in the Diocese of Youngstown with their current appointments. If you have questions about priests in the Diocese, please contact our Office of Clergy Services If you are considering a vocation to the priesthood, please contact our Office of Vocations.

Page last updated June 30, 2024

Priests in the Diocese of Youngstown

Parishes

In Memoriam

Seminarians

Rev. Steven Agostino

Assignment:

• Pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish (Niles)
• Pastor, St. Stephen Parish (Niles)

Very Rev. Michael Balash

Assignments:

• Vicar for Clergy and Religious
• Director of the Diocesan Office of Worship
• Director of Seminarians
• Administrator pro tem, St. Patrick Parish (Hubbard) until September 9, 2024
• Sacramental Minister, Trumbull County parishes
• College of Consultors (September 1, 2023 to August 30, 2028)

Rev. George Balasko

Retired Priest

No photo available

Rev. Edward Beneleit

Retired Priest

Temporary Assignments:

• Sacramental Minister, St. Joan of Arc Parish (Canton)
• Sacramental Minister, St. Joseph Parish (Canton)

REV. KEVIN BERTLEFF

Assignments:

• Administrator, Saint John Neumann Parish, formerly Saint Joseph Parish (Mogadore) and Saint Peter of the Fields Parish (Rootstown)
• Residence for one-year at Immaculate Conception Parish Rectory in Ravenna under the mentorship of Very Rev. William Kraynak, V.F.

Rev. Thomas Bishop

Retired Priest

Most Rev. David Bonnar

Bishop, Diocese of Youngstown

Rev. Bernard Bonnot

Retired Priest

Rev. David Bridling

Assignments:

• Pastor, St. Patrick Parish (Kent)
• Pastor, University Parish Newman Center (Kent)

 

No photo available

Rev. Edward Brienz, Jr.

Assignments:

• Vice-Rector, St. Columba Cathedral (Youngstown) 
• Parochial Vicar, St. Edward Parish (Youngstown)
• Parochial Vicar, Holy Apostles Parish (Youngstown) 
• Director of Propagation of the Faith and Missions

Rev. Richard Brobst

Retired Priest

Rev. Msgr. Frank Carfagna

Retired Priest

Very Rev. Msgr. Michael Cariglio, J.C.L.

Assignment:

• Rector and Pastor, Basilica of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – St. Anthony of Padua Parish (Youngstown)
• Judge and Defender of the Bond, Diocesan Tribunal

Rev. James Cavanaugh

2023: 73rd Ordination Anniversary

Retired Priest

No photo available

Rev. Thomas Cebula

Retired Priest

Very Rev. Martin Celuch, J.C.L.

Assignments:

• Judicial Vicar, Diocesan Tribunal
• Pastor, Holy Family Parish (Poland)
• Pastor, St. Paul the Apostle Parish (New Middletown)
• College of Consultors (September 1, 2023 to August 30, 2028)

Rev. Christopher Cicero

Assignments:

• Pastor, St. Mary and St. Joseph Parish (Warren) 
• Pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish (Warren)
• Pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish (Warren)
• Chaplain, John F. Kennedy Lower Campus (Warren)

Rev. Msgr. James Clarke

Retired Priest

Rev. Brian Cline

Assignments:

• Parochial Vicar, St. Charles Borromeo Parish (Boardman)
• Parochial Vicar, St. Luke Parish (Boardman)

Rev. Bernard Confer, O.P.

Assignment:

• Associate, St. Dominic Priory

 

No photo available

Rev. Msgr. William Connell, J.C.L.

Retired Priest

Rev. Shawn Conoboy, Ph.D.

Assignments:

• Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, 2023-2028

Rev. Zachary Coulter

Assignments:

• Administrator, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish (Lowellville) 
• Administrator, Christ Our Savior Parish (Struthers)
• Residence at Christ Our Savior – Holy Trinity Church campus

Rev. James Daprile, Jr., PhD

Retired Priest

Rev. Frassati (Alexander) Davis, O.P.

Assignments:

• Parochial Vicar, St. Dominic Parish (Youngstown)
• Hispanic Ministry, St. Paul Parish (Salem) and St. Patrick Parish (Leetonia)

Rev. Joseph Deffenbaugh

Retired Priest

No photo available

Rev. Gerald DeLucia

Retired Priest

Very Rev. Vincent Delucia, O.P.

Assignment:

• Pastor,  St. Dominic Parish (Youngstown)
• Sacramental Minister, St. Rose Parish (Girard)

 

No photo available

Rev. Thomas Dyer

Retired Priest

Rev. Robert Edwards

Retired Priest

Rev. Thomas Eisweirth

Retired Priest

Rev. Robert England

Assignments:

• Parochial Vicar, St. Michael Parish (Canton)
• Parochial Vicar, Ss. Philip and James Parish (Canal Fulton)
• Residence at Saint Michael Parish Rectory

Rev. John Ettinger

Assignments:

• Pastor, Our Lady of Hope Parish (Andover & Kinsman)
• Pastor, St. Joseph Calasanctius Parish (Jefferson)

Rev. Gregory Fedor

2023: 40th Ordination Anniversary

Assignment:

• Pastor, St. Joseph Parish (Youngstown)
• Pastor, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (Youngstown)

Rev. Donald Feicht

Retired Priest

Rev. Vit Fiala, O.F.M.

Assignment:

• Religious Priest,  Mount Alverna Friary (Youngstown)

 

No photo available

Rev. Daniel Finnerty

Assignments:

• Administrator, Christ the Servant Parish (Canton)
• Little Flower Parish (Canton)
• Residence at Little Flower Church campus
• College of Consultors (September 1, 2023 to August 30, 2028)

Rev. John Fongemie, F.S.S.P.

Assignment:

• Pastor, Queen of the Holy Rosary (Vienna)

 

No photo available

Rev. Ryan Furlong

Assignments:

• Pastor, St. William Parish (Champion) 
• Pastor, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish (Cortland)
• Pastor, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish (Vienna)
• Chaplain, John F. Kennedy Upper Campus (Warren)
• College of Consultors (September 1, 2023 to August 30, 2028)

Rev. Bernard Gaeta

2023: 50th Ordination Anniversary

Retired Priest

Rev. Msgr. Lewis Gaetano

2023: 50th Ordination Anniversary

Retired Priest

Rev. Michael Garvey, CHC

Retired Priest and Navy Chaplain

Rev. A. Edward Gretchko

Retired Priest

Rev. Christopher Henyk

Assignments:

• Pastor, Little Flower Parish (Canton)

Rev. Connor Hetzel

Assignments:

• Parochial Vicar,  Our Lady of Peace Parish (Ashtabula)
• Parochial Vicar, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (Geneva)
• Parochial Vicar, St. Andrew Bobola Parish (Sheffield)
• Chaplain, St. John School (Ashtabula)

Rev. Joshua Houck, F.S.S.P.

Assignment:

• Religious Priest, Queen of Holy Rosary Parish (Vienna)

 

No photo available

Rev. Matthew Humerickhouse

Assignments:

• Pastor, St. Louis Parish (Louisville)
• Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish (Harrisburg)
• Pastor, St. James Parish (Waynesburg)
• Chaplain, St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Louisville)

Rev. Nicholas-Gerald Ingham, O.P.

Assignment:

• Religious Priest, St. Dominic Parish (Youngstown)

 

No photo available

Rev. John Jerek

Assignments:

• Pastor, St. Brendan Parish (Youngstown)
• Pastor, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish (Youngstown)
• Pastor, St. Christine Parish (Youngstown)
• College of Consultors (September 1, 2023 to August 30, 2028)

Rev. Chad Johnson

Assignments:

• Pastor, St. Jude Parish (Columbiana)
• Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (East Palestine)
• Chaplain, Ursuline High School (Youngstown)
• Diocesan Director of Vocations

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Rev. Frantisek Katrinak

Assignments:

• Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish (Aurora) 
• Pastor, St. Ambrose Parish (Garrettsville) 
• Pastor, St. Joseph Parish (Mantua) 
• Pastor, St. Joan of Arc Parish (Streetsboro)

Very Rev. John Keehner, J.C.L., V.F.

Assignments:

• Pastor,  Our Lady of Peace Parish (Ashtabula)
• Pastor, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (Geneva)
• Pastor, Corpus Christi Parish (Conneaut)
• Pastor, St. Andrew Bobola Parish (Sheffield)
• Dean, Ashtabula County

Rev. Jordan Kelly, O.P.

Assignment:

• Pastor, St. Rose Parish (Girard) until May 1, 2024

No photo available

Rev. Donald King

Retired Priest

Assignment:

• President, Stark County Catholic Schools
• President, St. Thomas Aquinas High School
• President, Central Catholic High School

Rev. Carl Kish

Retirement effective July 1, 2023.

Rev. Msgr. James Kolp

2023: 73rd Ordination Anniversary

Retired Priest

Rev. Scott Kopp

Assignments:

• Pastor, St. Joan of Arc Parish (Canton) 
• Pastor, St. Joseph Parish (Canton)

Rev. James Korda

Retired Priest

Host of Wineskins

Very Rev. John Chrysostom Kozlowski, O.P., V.F.

Assignments:

• Prior, St. Dominic Priory (Youngstown)
• Diocesan Director of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate
• Dean, Trumbull County Deanery
• Pastor, Saint Rose Parish (Girard)
• Diocesan Tribunal
• Diocesan Theological Commission

No photo available

Rev. Thomas Kraszewski

Assignments:

• Pastor, St. Angela Merici Parish (Youngstown)
• Pastor, St. Patrick Parish (Youngstown)
• Pastor, Christ the Good Shepherd Parish (Campbell)

Very Rev. William Kraynak, V.F.

Assignments:

• Pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish (Ravenna)
• Dean, Portage County Deanery
• College of Consultors (September 1, 2023 to August 30, 2028)

Rev. James Lang

Retired Priest

Rev. Robert Lanterman

Assignment:

• Diocesan Curator of the Patrimony
• Parochial Vicar, Christ the Servant Parish (Canton)
• Little Flower Parish (Canton)
• Residence at Saint Barbara Church campus

Very Rev. John-Michael Lavelle, D.Min.

Assignments:

• Pastor, St. Michael Parish (Canfield)
• Vicar for Missionary Discipleship
• Director of Diocesan Communications
• Diocesan Director of Development and Stewardship
• College of Consultors (September 1, 2023 to August 30, 2028)

Rev. Louis Bertrand Lemoine, O.P.

Assignments:

• Parochial Vicar, St. Dominic Parish (Youngstown)
• Adjunct Professor, Walsh University

 

No photo available

Rev. John Lody

Retired Priest

No photo available

Rev. Christopher Luoni

Assignment:

• Sacramental Minister, Portage County parishes

Rev. John Madden

Retired Priest

Rev. Nicholas Mancini

Retired Priest

Rev. J. Patrick Manning, Ph.D.

Retired Priest

Assignments:

• Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Church History, St. Mary Seminary (Cleveland)

Rev. Michael Marcelli

Assignment:

• Priestly service in the Diocese of Cleveland, ad experimentum, for five years (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2029)

Rev. Bala Prasad Marneni

Assignments:

• Parochial Vicar, Saint Columba Cathedral (Youngstown)
• Parochial Vicar, Saint Edward Parish (Youngstown)
• Parochial Vicar, Holy Apostles Parish (Youngstown)
• Under the mentorship of Rev. Raymond Thomas

Rev. Thomas McCarthy

2023: 62nd Ordination Anniversary

Retired Priest

Rev. Kevin McCaffrey

Assignment:

• Pastor, St. Mary Parish (Orwell)
• Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish (Rock Creek)

Rev. James McKarns

Retired Priest

Very Rev. David Merzweiler, V.F.

Assignments:

• Pastor, Our Lady of the Lakes Parish (Lake Milton)
• Pastor, St. Mary & St. Joseph Parish (Newton Falls)
• Dean, Mahoning County North Deanery

Rev. Michael Mikstay

Retired Priest

Rev. Msgr. Kenneth Miller

Retired Priest

Rev. Philip Miller

Retired Priest

Rev. Robert Miller

Retired Priest

 

Rev. Simon Mino

Assignment:

• Parochial Vicar, St. Paul Parish (North Canton)
• Parochial Vicar, Holy Spirit Parish (Uniontown)

Very Rev. David Misbrener

Assignments:

• Rector, Basilica of St. John the Baptist Parish (Canton)
• Pastor, St. Peter Parish (Canton)

Rev. John MulQueen

Retired Priest

No photo available

Rev. Richard Murphy

Assignments:

• Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish (McDonald)
• Pastor, St. Mary Parish (Mineral Ridge)
• President, Ursuline High School (Youngstown)
• College of Consultors (September 1, 2023 to August 30, 2028)

Rev. Edward Noga

Retired Priest

Rev. Ronald Nuzzi

Assignments:

• Professor Emeritus, University of Notre Dame

 

No photo available

Rev. Benson Okpara, Ph.D.

Assignment:

• Pastor, St. Michael the Archangel Parish (Canton)
• Pastor, Ss. Philip and James Parish (Canal Fulton)

Rev. Raymond Paul

Retired Priest

Rev. Richard Pentello

Retirement effective July 1, 2023.

Temporary Assignment:

• Sacramental Minister, St. Joan of Arc Parish (Canton)
• Sacramental Minister, St. Joseph Parish (Canton)

Very Rev. Kevin Peters, V.F.

Assignments:

• Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Canton)
• Pastor, Holy Family Parish (Navarre & Brewster)
• Diocesan Director, Rural Life and Ministry
• Dean, Stark County West Deanery

Rev. Msgr. Peter Polando, J.C.L.

Assignment:

• Sacramental Minister, Trumbull and Mahoning counties

Rev. Stephen Pollock, O.P.

Assignment:

• Chaplain and Director at St. John Henry Newman Center at YSU

Rev. Msgr. David Rhodes

Retired Priest

Rev. Ernesto Rodriguez

Assignments:

• Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Ashtabula County Deanery
• Sacramental Minister, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Geneva)
• Sacramental Minister, Corpus Christi Parish (Conneaut)
• Sacramental Minister, Our Lady of Peace Parish (Ashtabula)
• Sacramental Minister, St. Andrew Bobola Parish (Kingsville)

Rev. Matthew Roehrig, S.S.P.

Assignment:

• Parochial Vicar, St. Paul Monastery (Canfield)

 

No photo available

Rev. Philip Rogers

Retirement effective May 1, 2024

Rev. John Rovnak

Assignments:

• Administrator, St. Patrick Parish (Hubbard) effective September 9, 2024
• Parochial Vicar, St. Paul Parish (New Middletown) until September 9, 2024
• Parochial Vicar, Holy Family Parish (Poland) until September 9, 2024
• Chaplain, Cardinal Mooney High School
• Studies in Canon Law at Catholic University of America (summer program)

Rev. Joseph Rudjak

Retirement effective July 1, 2023.

Rev. Joseph Ruggieri

Assignments:

• Pastor, St. Paul Parish (Salem)
• Pastor, St. Patrick Parish (Leetonia)

Rev. Melvin Rusnak

Retired Priest

Rev. Frederick Schlueter

Assignments:

• Parochial Vicar, St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Canton)
• Parochial Vicar, Holy Family Parish (Navarre & Brewster)

Rev. Michael Seifert

Retired Priest

No photo available

Very Rev. John Sheridan, V.F., J.C.L.

Assignments:

• Pastor, Divine Mercy Parish (Massillon)
• Dean, Stark County East Deanery
• Adjutant Judicial Vicar, Diocesan Tribunal

Very Rev. Msgr. Robert Siffrin

Assignments:

• Diocesan Vicar of External Affairs/Special Projects
• Pastor, Holy Apostles Parish (Youngstown)
• Pastor, St. Edward Parish (Youngstown)
• Rector, The Cathedral of St. Columba (Youngstown)

Rev. Brian Smith

Assignments:

• Parochial Vicar, St. Joan of Arc Parish (Streetsboro)
• Parochial Vicar, St Joseph (Mantua)
• Parochial Vicar, St. Ambrose (Garrettsville)
• Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Aurora)

Rev. Edward Stafford

Assignments:

• Parochial Vicar, St. Mary and St. Joseph Parish (Warren) 
• Parochial Vicar, Blessed Sacrament Parish (Warren)
• Parochial Vicar, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish (Warren)

Rev. Michael Swierz

Administrative Leave

Rev. Raymond Thomas

Retirement effective May 1, 2024

Rev. John Trimbur

Retired Priest

REV. WILLIAM WAINIO

Assignments:

• Parochial Vicar, Saint Patrick Parish (Kent)
• Parochial Vicar, University Parish Newman Center (Kent)
• Residence at Saint Patrick Parish Rectory
• Very Rev. John Sheridan, V.F. will serve as mentor

Rev. Anthony Warren, S.S.P.

Assignment:

• Parochial Vicar, St. Paul Monastery (Canfield)

 

No photo available

Rev. Stephen Wassie

Assignments:

• Pastor, St. George Parish (Lisbon)
• Pastor, St. Philip Neri Parish (Dungannon)
• Pastor, St. Agatha Mission (West Point)
• Pastor, St. John the Evangelist Parish (Summitville)

Very Rev. Leo Wehrlin, V.F.

Assignments:

• Pastor, Holy Trinity Parish (East Liverpool)
• Dean, Columbiana County Deanery

Rev. G. David Weikart

Assignments:

• Pastor, Regina Coeli Parish (Alliance)
• Pastor, St. Ann Parish (Sebring)
• Pastor, St. Joseph Parish (Maximo)
• Pastor, St. Joseph Parish (Alliance)

Rev. Joseph Witmer

Retired Priest

Rev. Jules Wong, O.F.M.

Assignment:

• Parochial Vicar, Mount Alverna Friary (Youngstown)

 

No photo available

 

Rev. Frank Zanni

Retired Priest

No photo available

Rev. John Zapp

Retired Priest

Rev. Stephen Zeigler

Assignments:

• Parochial Vicar, St. Christine Parish (Youngstown)
• Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish (Youngstown)
• Parochial Vicar, St. Brendan Parish (Youngstown)

Rev. Thomas Ziegler

Retired Priest

Rev. Howard Ziemba

Retired Priest

No photo available

Very Rev. Msgr. John Zuraw, J.C.L., V.G.

Assignments:

• Pastor, St. Charles Borromeo Parish (Boardman)
• Pastor, St. Luke Parish (Boardman)
• Vicar General
• Moderator of the Curia
• Vicar of Pastoral – Educational Services
• College of Consultors (September 1, 2023 to August 30, 2028)

Rev. Matthew Zwilling

Assignments:

• Studies in Church Management at Villanova University
• Pastor, St. Paul Parish (North Canton)
• Pastor, Holy Spirit Parish (Uniontown)

Looking for more information?

Contact

Rev. Chad Johnson, Director of Vocations

cjohnson@youngstowndiocese.org

(330) 744-8451 x368

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