Massillon Catholic churches will merge into one parish
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MASSILLON – The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown is merging the city's three churches into a single parish starting Jan. 1.
The merged church will be called Divine Mercy Parish.
After consulting with parish representatives and a review of pastoral statistics, Bishop David J. Bonnar acted on the recommendation of the Rev. Maciej "Matthew" Mankowski, pastor of St. Barbara, St. Joseph and St. Mary churches, to merge the three parishes.
In accordance with church law, the decision was made after having also heard the advice of the diocese’s presbyteral council, which was unanimous.
More Catholic news in Massillon:St. Barbara Catholic School closes; low enrollment, loss of faculty and debt risk cited
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All three church buildings will retain their names, but will function under the new name.
There also will be a shared Mass schedule, which will remain the same:
The Mass schedule will remain the same: Saturday Vigil, 4 p.m. at St. Joseph; Sunday Mass, 8 a.m. at St. Mary, and an 11 a.m. Sunday Mass at St. Barbara.
Massillon has around 3,000 families between the three churches.
Bonnar chose the new name from among three names put forth by parishioners to evoke the importance that both Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Francis have placed on God’s mercy and love expressed in liturgy, service, and through popular “Divine Mercy” devotions, the diocese said.
In a letter read to parishioners this weekend announcing the merger, Bonnar expressed his gratitude for the ways parishioners have worked together to prepare for the transition, including a meeting he held with representatives from the three parishes in June.
Mankowski, who had previously served for one year as pastor at St. Barbara, was appointed pastor of all three parishes in July.
“Since that time, your parish communities, which were already taking important steps in coming together, have moved those efforts forward with passion and commitment," Bonnar wrote in his message. "I am excited about the ways in which the Catholic community of Massillon is embracing a regionalized approach to Catholic life, with a shared Mass schedule, one school, new unfolding possibilities for creative programming and — most especially— a sense of being one family in Christ.”
Bonnar also noted that the Shrine of St. Dymphna, located in St. Mary's Church, will continue with the same name and mission under the Mankowski's direction.
St. Dymphna is the patron saint of those afflicted with mental and nervous disorders.
Learn more about St. Dymphna:Stressed about elections and COVID? Massillon's St. Dymphna a respite for the anxious
The merger is part of the diocese's years-long regional plan for its six-county area, one that began under the late Bishop George Murry, with criteria that includes the number of parishioners and worshippers, parish finances, effective use of buildings, the number of priests and use of lay ecclesial ministers.
The plan was formulated in response to a shortage of available priests, and declines in parochial student enrollment and parish membership, which have been consistent with Northeast Ohio's shrinking population.
The majority of priests in the diocese have multiple responsibilities in several parishes, diocesan leadership and schools.
In addition to serving the three parishes in Massillon, Mankowski also serves as pastor of Holy Family Parish in Brewster and Navarre.
The Massillon and Navarre-Brewster parishes, like other regions in the diocese, are also served by shared clergy and lay ecclesial ministers, including Deacon Brook Benedict (a transitional deacon in final preparation for the priesthood), Patricia Condello as diocesan pastoral associate, and additional ministry personnel.
A diocesan pastoral associate is a lay person or deacon appointed by the bishop who serves on a leadership team and shares in administrative responsibilities.
Regional planning also includes a “service needs assessment” to explore the needs for works of service and mission in each region.
This story will be updated.
A history of Catholic churches in Massillon
St. Mary: 206 Cherry Road NE. Founded by German and Irish settlers in 1839; first building, 1842, first school 1849; destroyed by arson fire, 1852 fire and rebuilt in 1853; present building constructed in 1875; Rev. Philip Foley, first resident pastor, assisted by two Canton priests, the Revs. John Luhr and John Jacomet.
St. Joseph: 323 Third St. SE. Founded in 1852 by Irish parishioners following the fire at St. Mary; first Mass celebrated at The Stone Block at Tremont and Erie Streets; building dedicated in 1854; first resident pastor, 1863; current building dedicated in 1892; added to the National Register of Historic Places, 2010.
St. Barbara: 2813 Lincoln Way NW. Founded in 1867 by 33 families from West Brookfield (incorporated into Massillon in 1927); school founded in 1866, closed in 2022; building dedicated Dec. 19, 1867; Rev. George Verlet, first pastor; Rev. John Kleekamp, first resident pastor, 1881. Present building dedicated in 1951. St. Barbara is the patron saint of miners.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Massillon's three Catholic churches will become a single parish
