Dear Parishioners of Saint Joan of Arc and Our Lady of Perpetual Help,



As we prepare to walk together into an exciting new chapter, we want to share an important update regarding our upcoming community merger. Effective January 1, 2027, our two vibrant communities will officially merge into one single parish family. To mark this new beginning, we must submit three distinct proposals for a new parish name to Bishop David J. Bonnar for his consideration. We warmly invite your prayers, your discernment, and your creative suggestions to help shape our shared identity.


Important Guidelines for Our New Name:


When merging parishes, it is important to remember that while our parish (the community and administration) will receive a brand-new name, our physical church buildings will retain their original names. We will still have the Saint Joan of Arc church building and the Our Lady of Perpetual Help church building.


In accordance with Church tradition and pastoral guidelines, any proposed name must be chosen with care and taken from one of the following categories:


  1. The Most Holy Trinity or The Holy Spirit.
  2. Our Lord Jesus Christ, invoked under a mystery of His life or under a name used in the liturgy or Scripture.
  3. The Blessed Virgin Mary, under a given title already found in the liturgy.
  4. The Holy Angels.
  5. A Canonized Saint from the Church’s calendar of memorials and feasts (we are highly encouraged to look at recent canonized saints).
  6. Those who are beatified or named “Blessed.”


Additional Rules to Keep in Mind:


  • No Hyphenated Names: Combined names of our current parishes (e.g., hyphenating our two current names together) are not permitted.
  • Diocesan Uniqueness: We cannot choose a name that is already widely used within our diocese (see the restricted list below).
  • Local Consideration: We must consider the names of other local churches—both Catholic and non-Catholic—in or near our immediate territory to completely avoid any confusion.
  • A Rationale is Required: Every suggestion must include a brief explanation or theological rationale explaining how the name reflects the pastoral needs, history, and future aspirations of our unified community.


How to Submit Your Suggestions:


Please submit your name ideas along with your brief rationale no later than Friday, November 13, 2026 in one of two ways:

  1. Email: Send your suggestions to PNparishes@gmail.com with the subject line "New Parish Name Suggestion."
  2. Mail or Drop-off: Bring a written note to either church office or drop it in the collection basket, clearly addressed to: New Parish Name Suggestion.


Thank you for your continued faith, patience, and engagement as we build the future of our parish family together.


Sincerely,


Fr Francis Katrinak, Pastor

Guidelines for Naming a new Catholic Parish when merging Parishes

We invite your assistance in choosing a new parish name. When merging parishes, it is important to remember that while the new parish receives a new name, the physical church buildings will retain their original names.


When naming a new Catholic parish from merged parishes, the following guidelines should be considered:


  • It cannot be the name of an existing parish in the Diocese of Youngstown (see list).
  • It could be a name in the Holy Trinity, like Holy Spirit Parish, a title of Christ, like Christ the Redeemer, a name for Mary, like Annunciation, or it could be the name of a Saint or Group of Saints, like St. Andre Bissette, or Holy Innocents' Parish.
  • Parishioners need to provide a rationale for their choice. For example: "Corpus Christi. It defines that Christ is the center of our lives. The name means 'Body of Christ.' Together, all four churches form the Body of Christ for Portage North. The name is Eucharistic: as Catholics, our identity evolves around the Eucharist.
  • The new parish should be named for pastoral reasons, reflecting the needs and aspirations of the community.


Canon Law: Any alteration to a parish requires preparation and adherence to Canon Law, ensuring that the decision is justifiable and in accordance with Church law. These guidelines help ensure that the new parish name is meaningful, respectful, and aligns with the values and aspirations of the community.


Suggestions may be emailed to PNparishes@gmail.com or mailed/dropped off at each church office addressed to New Parish Name Suggestion.


Please see the list of current parishes in the Diocese of Youngstown that should NOT be considered as a new parish name.