Father James McKarns- 62nd Jubilee

Father James McKarns, pastor emeritus of St. Paul Parish in North Canton, was ordained a priest of the Youngstown Diocese May 26, 1962, by Bishop Emmet Walsh in St. Columba Cathedral. In addition to his serving at many parishes and in other roles, he is known for his books, Scripture columns and other writings, and as a retreat master.

A native of the Hanoverton, Ohio, area, he attended local public schools as well as the Benet Lake Latin School in Benet Lake, Wisconsin, for Latin prior to studies at St. Gregory and Mount St. Mary of the West seminaries in Cincinnati. He earned a bachelor of arts and a master of divinity in addition to pursuing graduate study at Xavier University in Cincinnati over the summers.

His first assignment following ordination was as associate pastor at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Boardman, serving until 1967.

He was transferred to St. Joseph Church (now Our Lady of Peace Parish) in Ashtabula, where he remained until 1972. From 1972 to 1974, he served as associate pastor of St. Nicholas Parish in Struthers.

Father McKarns was appointed to his first pastorate, Christ Our King Church (now St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish) in Warren, in 1974, serving until accepting the pastorate of St. Barbara Church (now Divine Mercy Parish) in Massillon in 1984. He was named pastor of St. Paul Parish in North Canton in 1993, where he remained until his retirement in 2000.

Along with his parish assignments, Father McKarns was a member of the diocesan school board the Priests Personnel Committee, the Priests Council, and the College of Consultors. In addition, he served as Scouting chaplain for Ashtabula County, as Ashtabula Deanery Cana coordinator and as chaplain at Kent State University Ashtabula campus.

For a number of years, Father McKarns wrote a Scripture reflection column, “The Word,” for the Catholic Exponent. He had seven books published, including Lean Against the Wind. He has also written for more than 30 years for the devotional publication, Living Faith—including a blog—as well as for other publications. In addition, Father McKarns for a time was a well-known retreat master at parishes in the diocese and beyond. 

Father McKarns helps out at local parishes and at the St. Joseph Senior Living Center in Louisville. He is a frequent contributor to The Catholic Echo.

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