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Madeleine DiSalvatore appointed to Catholic Diocese of Youngstown leadership role

By Kelcey Norris Mahoning Matters

Updated August 29, 2023 2:31 PM

A new director of young adult ministry is coming in to work at the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.

Rev. David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown, appointed Madeleine DiSalvatore to join the leadership team at the diocese.

Meet Maddie DiSalvatore

Starting in September, DiSalvatore will be the next director of youth and young adult accompaniment, discernment, formation and missionary discipleship for the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.

“I am excited and honored to be in a position where I can both learn from and be of assistance to other youth and young adult ministers from every corner of the diocese,” DiSalvatore said.

A significant component of her job will be coordinating outreach and networking with high school youth and young adults in their twenties and thirties. She’ll also oversee the diocese’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry Council.

“My goal is to not only help kindle the fire of love that the Holy Spirit has already set within the hearts of our young people but also help inspire and be inspired as together we provide the space to reach those on the peripheries of society and on the peripheries of our wonderful faith,” DiSalvatore said. “Together, set aflame with God’s love, we can help our youth and young adults come to the fullness of truth of their identity as beloved children of God.”

She graduated from Walsh University in North Canton. DiSalvatore recently worked as a campus minister at John F. Kennedy Upper School.

In her position, she’ll work closely with Rev. John-Michael Lavelle and the department of missionary discipleship.

“I am excited to welcome Maddie to our team. Her passion, energy and experience will serve us well in programming but, more importantly, in accompanying young people, leading them to an encounter with Jesus Christ and helping them embrace their part in the Church’s mission,” Bonnar said.

Supporting Young Adult missionary

Bonnar also appointed Ryan Furlong and Matthew Zwilling as chaplains for youth and young adult missionary discipleship.

They’ll support the work of Rev. Lavelle and Ms. DiSalvatore while working in other parishes.

Furlong is pastor at St. Robert in Cortland, St. Thomas the Apostle in Vienna and St. William in Champion. He’s also a chaplain at John F. Kennedy Upper Campus in Warren.

Zwilling will continue serving as administrator of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Campbell and St. Paul the Apostle Parish in New Middletown.

“This is what Pope Francis has challenged us to do... honoring the unfolding story and discipleship of each young person,” Bonnar said.