Local

Diocese of Youngstown announces closing Masses for three area churches

By Staff Report
Bishop David J. Bonnar will celebrate closing Masses: Saint Brendan, Saint Matthias in Youngstown and Saint Joseph in Ashtabula.
Bishop David J. Bonnar will celebrate closing Masses: Saint Brendan, Saint Matthias in Youngstown and Saint Joseph in Ashtabula. Courtesy

Bishop David J. Bonnar, Bishop Youngstown will celebrate closing Mass for three churches in May and June:

  • Saint Brendan Church (2800 Oakwood Ave, Youngstown) on Monday May 4, 5:00 p.m.
  • Saint Matthias Church (915 Cornell St, Youngstown) on Monday May 18, 5:00 p.m.
  • Saint Joseph Church (3312 Lake Ave, Ashtabula) on Thursday June 18, 6:30 p.m.

In March, Bishop Bonnar accepted the recommendation of parish leadership to close Saint Brendan and Saint Matthias churches. The eventual sale of the church buildings and other buildings on the property would prevent the parish from incurring debt and enable the parish to carry out its apostolic mission.

In November, Saint Joseph Church in Ashtabula was relegated to profane but not sordid use due to financial issues impeding ministerial outreach and a need of major repairs.