Father David Merzweiler retires from the priesthood after 48 years.
October 1, 2025
Father Merzweiler was ordained on June 18, 1977, at St. Columba Cathedral by Bishop James Malone.
Author: Catholic Echo Staff
Father Stephen Wassie retires from the priesthood after 45 years
October 1, 2025
Father Wassie was ordained to the priesthood on December 1, 1979, by Bishop Malone at St. Columba Cathedral.
Monsignor David Rhodes – 60 Years
October 1, 2025
Monsignor Rhodes was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop James Malone at St. Columba Cathedral on May 29, 1965.
Father Richard Brobst – 60 Years
October 1, 2025
He was ordained August 14, 1965, by Bishop James Malone in St. Brendan (now St. Mary Magdalene) Parish in Youngstown.
Father James Lang – 50 Years
October 1, 2025
Father Lang was ordained on June 7, 1975, by Bishop Malone at St. Columba Cathedral.
Father Nicholas Mancini – 50 Years
October 1, 2025
He was ordained at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on May 3, 1975, by Bishop James Hogan.
Father John-Michael Lavelle – 25th Jubilee
October 1, 2025
Today, Father Lavelle serves as the vicar for missionary discipleship for the Diocese of Youngstown, as well as the director of diocesan communications, the diocesan director of development and stewardship and the curator of the patrimony. He is also pastor at St. Michael Parish in Canfield.
Father Joseph Rudjak – 25th Jubilee
October 1, 2025
Congratulations to Father Joseph Rudjak, as he celebrates 25 years in the priesthood! Father Rudjak retired from active ministry in 2023, from his position as pastor at Holy Apostles (now part of St. Columba Cathedral Parish) in Youngstown.
Sister Mary Hurley – 80 Jubilee
October 1, 2025
Sister Mary Hurley (Sister Ellen Francis) began her journey as a Humility of Mary Sister in 194
Sister Mary Therese Hennessey – 75 Jubilee
October 1, 2025
In the Diocese of Youngstown, Sister Mary Therese Hennessey (Sister Mary Francis Therese) served as a teacher at St. Mary School in Warren, St. Joseph School in Youngstown, St. Joseph School in Randolph and Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Austintown.
