Diocese of Youngstown Approves Proposal to Merge Portage County Churches

Bishop David J. Bonnar has approved the merger of four parish churches in Portage County, effective January 1, 2027. Under the new structure, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Aurora will merge with Saint Joan of Arc in Streetsboro, while Saint Joseph in Mantua will merge with Saint Ambrose in Garrettsville.

The merged parishes will operate under a single name and a unified pastoral leadership team. Father Frantisek Katrinak will serve as pastor for the newly combined Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Saint Joan of Arc parishes. Although the parishes will combine their financial accounts, staff, programs, and pastoral councils, none of the church buildings will close.

The decision follows a recommendation from the Presbyteral Council on September 21. Previously, on August 23, Bishop Bonnar and his staff met with the finance and pastoral councils of each parish to discuss the transition. These four churches have functioned as a collaborative region called Portage North since May 2022.