Portage North Merger Announcement

A letter from Fr Francis Katrinak, Pastor

Dear Parishioners,


A year ago, I informed you in a letter about a plan to merge our four parishes into one parish. The plan was postponed at that time by the Diocese, but was once again revisited by the Presbyteral Council Board in March of this year. Seeing the acute shortage of priests that is currently facing the Diocese of Youngstown the members of the Council recommended to Bishop Bonnar the merging of our four parishes into one combined parish, beginning January 1, 2027.


We will still have ALL four churches, each keeping their current name, their own community, and just as vibrant as they are today. Each church community will continue to operate just as they do today with regards to worship, community events, and outreach. The main change will be in the way the four are administered by combining the four Pastoral Councils into one and the four Finance Councils into one, which will streamline how the parishes are operated from a back-office perspective. We will keep one set of books and have one set of meetings to discuss the operational and spiritual workings of the four church communities of our one combined parish.


I know you all love your parishes. Now, I am asking you to open your hearts even more and extend your love to all four parishes. As the united parish of Portage North Roman Catholics, we will be stronger as we face whatever the future brings. This merger would foster a stronger sense of community and shared purpose, allowing us to work more effectively toward our missing of spreading the Gospel and serving those in need.


I welcome your assistance in choosing a new name for our merged parish. Please submit any name suggestion(s) to your parish office no later than June 1, 2026, via a typed letter, explaining why you believe your suggestion would be appropriate for our new parish. (Please see below for more information).


In the meantime, I ask that you pray for our four parishes that we may have the courage, strength, and energy to make our combined parish even better in the future. I appreciate your understanding and I thank you for your support.


May God Bless You All,



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.