Recognizing our jubilarians, retirees, parish anniversaries and more.
We have a lot to celebrate this year—both as a universal Church and locally. Let’s start with the people. Three diocesan priests retired, and we are honoring the silver, gold and diamond jubilees of six priests—two are celebrating 60 years in the priesthood, two are celebrating 50 years and two are celebrating 25—though if you flip through the pages of the magazine, you’ll find many others whose parishes are also celebrating their ordination anniversaries. We also have three permanent deacons who are celebrating 25 years of service and 44 religious sisters marking 25 to 80 years.
Institutions celebrating an anniversary include St. Joseph Parish in Maximo, which turns 175 this year, and SS. Philip and James School in Canal Fulton, which turns 150.
Each of these celebrations are recognized here, in the Catholic Echo’s Celebrations Directory, but more information—including biographies and stories—is available online now at www.catholicecho.org.
Priest Retirements
Monsignor Michael Cariglio, most recently pastor at the Basilica of Mt. Carmel – St. Anthony Parish in Youngstown, retired from the priesthood after 55 years.
Father David Merzweiler, most recently pastor at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish in North Jackson and St. Mary & St. Joseph Parish in Newton Falls, retired from the priesthood after 48 years.
Father Stephen Wassie, most recently pastor at St. George Parish in Lisbon, St. John the Evangelist Parish in Summitville and St. Philip Neri Parish in Dungannon, retired from the priesthood after 45 years.
Priest Jubilarians
Monsignor David Rhodes, retired diocesan priest and pastor emeritus at St. Christine Parish in Youngstown, celebrated 60 years in the priesthood on May 29.
Father Richard Brobst, retired diocesan priest, celebrated 60 years in the priesthood on August 14.
Father James Lang, retired diocesan priest, celebrated 50 years in the priesthood on June 7.
Father Nicholas Mancini, retired diocesan priest, celebrated 50 years in the priesthood on June 3.
Father John-Michael Lavelle, pastor at St. Michael Parish in Canfield, vicar for missionary discipleship, director of diocesan communications and diocesan director of development and stewardship, celebrated 25 years in the priesthood on May 27.
Father Joseph Rudjak, retired diocesan priest and pastor emeritus at Holy Apostles Parish in Youngstown, celebrated 25 years in the priesthood on May 27.
Deacon Jubilarians
Deacon Russ O’Neill permanent deacon at Holy Spirit Parish in Uniontown, celebrated 25 years in the diaconate on January 8.
Deacon Jim Smith, retired, celebrated 25 years in the diaconate on January 8.
Deacon Paul Lisko, retired, celebrated 25 years in the diaconate on January 8.
Parish Anniversary
St. Joseph Parish in Maximo celebrating 175 years.
The first Masses of this parish were celebrated in the homes of French settlers from 1850 to 1857, when parishioners completed their first brick church.
Learn more about the parish’s history, plus anniversary celebrations, at www.CatholicEcho.org.
School Anniversary
SS. Philip and James School in Canal Fulton is celebrating 150 years. It opened in 1875, with 12 boys and 16 girls enrolled—and only one lay teacher. Today, it serves students from pre-K to eighth grade in Stark and Summit counties. Learn more about this special anniversary at www.CatholicEcho.org.
Religious Jubilarians
25 Years
Sister Gay Rowzie, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
50 Years
Sister Mary McCormick, Ursuline Sisters
60 Years
Sister Martha Cadden, Congregation of the Divine Spirit
Sister Jeanne Poulton, Congregation of the Divine Spirit
Sister Karen Bernhardt, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Sister Carolyn Capuano, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Sister Mary Pat Cook, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Sister Kathleen Myers, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Sister Kathleen Steiner, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Sister Jeanne Thurin, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Sister Mary Sally Huston, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Mary Susan Kurth, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Mary Jo Ludwig, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Mary Ann McFadden, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Joyce Marie Schreiber, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Mary Patricia Sylvester, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Maryann Weber, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Mary Elizabeth Wood, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Norma Raupple, Ursuline Sisters
65 Years
Sister Carol Joy Cincerelli, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Sister Zoe Ann Reiter, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Sister Maureen Tigue-Brown, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Sister Mary Nanette Herman, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Ann Marie Kanusek, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Agnesmarie LoPorto, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Mary Dorothy Luli, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Carol Marie McHenry, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Mary Louray Noll, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Mary Lisa Novak, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Mary Lisette Petelin, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Mary Donnalee Resar, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Mary Janeta Stamper, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Geraldine Marie Tengler, Sisters of Notre Dame
70 Years
Sister Marguerite Holz, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Sister Mary Avsec, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Rita Perl, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Joan Marie Piovarcy, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Mary Virginia Turner, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Eileen Kernan, Ursuline Sisters
Sister Janice Kusick, Ursuline Sisters
Sister Helen Nordick, Ursuline Sisters
75 Years
Sister Mary Therese Hennessey, Sisters of Notre Dame
Sister Maryann Humenik, Sisters of Notre Dame
80 Years
Sister Mary Hurley, Sisters of the Humility of Mary
