Staff photo / Bob Coupland St Brendan Church hosted its final Sunday Mass Dec. 28 as the church, along with St. Christine and St. Matthias, are merging as St. Mary Magdalene Parish in 2026. Taking part in the Mass are, from left, Deacon Mark Kiraly, Rev. Paul Marich, who grew up at the church and is now a pastor in Columbus, and the Rev. John Jerek, church pastor.

YOUNGSTOWN — Members of St. Brendan and Our Lady of Sorrows Parish-St. Matthias Church gathered Dec. 28 to celebrate their last Sunday Masses as the two will be combining with St. Christine Church to become St. Mary Magdalene Parish in 2026.

The three parishes will celebrate Mass at the St. Christine site on the West Side while the two other locations will continue to be used for funerals, weddings, baptisms and other special events.

The Diocese of Youngstown announced the merger in the fall.

Visiting priest, the Rev. Paul Marich, who grew up at St. Brendan and now serves as pastor of St Patrick Parish in Columbus, spoke at the final Mass.

“This is the last regular Sunday Mass here. While we are all grateful for the time we have had here, there is sadness we won’t be gathering here next week. Many other parishes have had to merge and go through the same process,” Marich said to a filled church of about 500 people with many people standing at the back of the church, which was founded 102 years ago.

Marich said Jesus will be with everyone no matter where people worship. He said it was an honor to be able to speak at the final Mass.

“It was bittersweet to be here. It was a time for thanksgiving mixed with sadness; I grew up here and was baptized here,” he said.

The Rev. John Jerek, who will serve as pastor of St. Mary Magdalene after serving as pastor at all three parishes for more than three years, said many people started their families at the two churches and made many new friendships.

Congregation members said it was like years ago when the church was filled for Mass.

“We have a whole generation of talent and generosity with the three parishes coming together. We will all be worshipping under one roof and one house,” Jerek said.

The final song by the congregation was “Joy to the World.”

During the Mass, Marich’s mother, Rosie Marich and sister, Jamie Marich, brought flowers and gifts to the front of the church.

“I was glad my son did the final Mass. It is sad that the church is closing but I am glad my son was able to be here with us,” Rosie said.

Deb Flora, a 31-year member of St. Brendan, said the final Mass was special having Marich return to be with the congregation.

“It was very meaningful for him to be here. I have many mixed emotions. I love it here and am sorry to see it go away. I have appreciated the history of this parish and what has been done here over the years,” Flora said.

OUR LADY OF SORROWS

After being part of the Mass at St. Brendan, Jerek then met with the congregation of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Matthias, where they also were gathered for the final Sunday Mass. Juliann McLennan of Youngstown said she grew up at St. Matthias, where she was baptized, had her first Communion and confirmation, and worked at the school and church for 44 years.

“This church is my roots. I love it here. I was baptized at the old church on Homewood Avenue and then came to the new church here. I am sad about what is happening. I enjoyed my time here. I want to cry when I think of the memories,” said McLennan, who said she now attends St. Columba Cathedral after Our Lady of Sorrows resulted from a merger between St. Matthias, Holy Name of Jesus and SS. Cyril and Methodius, which all served the city’s Slovak population.

Her husband, Frank McLennan, said he became Catholic and married his wife in the church in 1979. Their children, Jonathan and Mary, attended school at St. Matthias.

“I have been a parishioner here for a very long time. I grew up here and got married here. My uncle was a priest here. To me it is like coming home when I am here. This is a very special place for me,” said Stephanie Seikel of Warren.

She said while it is sad the church is closing, she was glad to be with so many people one last time in the church.

“It is nice to be able to share memories of our time here. It is sad that the parishes are closing but a reality of the times we are living in with less priests and less parishioners. It is unfortunate that this is the way things have been going,” Seikel said.

Rick Csernik of Boardman said many generations of his family came to the church. Csernik said he will always have good memories of the parish with weddings and special events over the years.

Jerek said St. Matthias has been at the current location off Cornell Street since 1973, with the parish established in 1914 on Homewood Avenue.

“It is our final liturgy. It is sad, but people are very grateful for the good outreach and ministry that was here. People have many good memories,” Jerek said.

“I am a son of this parish. My family has been here for many years. I have many memories, which keeps me and my family strong. There is a lot tied to our Slovak traditions. We are one of the few ethnic parishes left in this area,” he said.

He said the three churches knew the merger was coming and are looking forward to being part of Mary Magdalene Parish.

“The people are resilient and determined to continue to be the best Catholics they can,” Jerek said.

He expects the two church sites will be used for a time and within a year, they likely will be closed permanently.