St. James

History

One Body, Many Parts

As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.  Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.  (1 Corinthians, 1:12,27)

On July 1, 2012, SS. Cyril and Methodius Church, Warren, Ohio and St. James Church, Warren, Ohio, merged with a new name, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.  Currently both worship sites remain open.  SS. Cyril and Methodius Church at 185 Laird Ave NE in Warren and St. James at 2532 Burton St. SE in Warren.  This merger of the Warren churches was the final one in the Diocese of Youngstown parish reconfiguration plan, which began in 2008 and was promulgated by Bishop George V. Murry in May 2010.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (August 28, 1774 – January 4, 1821), a convert to Roman Catholicism; a wife, mother, widow, sole parent, educator, social minister, and spiritual leader.  Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first native-born resident of the United States to become a canonized saint on September 14, 1975.  She established the first Catholic school in the nation, at Emmitsburg, Maryland, where she founded the first American congregation of Religious Sisters, the Sisters of Charity. Popular devotion acclaims Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton as a patron of Catholic schools because of her pioneer role in value-based education.  A woman whose vision of faith remains relevant for all ages, Elizabeth’s journey of faith presents an outstanding model for all people.  She summarized her way of life as “Faith lifts the staggering soul on one side, hope supports it on the other, experience says it must be and love says let it be.”

The celebration of the newly formed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish was held on July 8, 2012 with Father James P. Walker, Pastor, officiating the Mass.  The Mass was a faith filled joyful celebration of our merging.

“It takes all of us, it is not about the buildings.  It is about we as the people of the church.  We have a lot a great folks who help make the church what it is.  There has been a lot of work that went into this and a lot more work to come”…Father Jeffrey Stealey, Associate Pastor

“It takes people’s big hearts and spirits to gather those who have loyalty to both churches to come together.  The people truly make the parish.”…Annette Orslene

“There will be two locations that people can attend for masses, which pleased parish members.”…Paul Layschock

The two churches had separate banners, but a new banner (pictured) was created by Bonnie Toth; a retired teacher who did research on different images of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.  “It was an honor for me to be able to use my skills and create this parish banner.”…Bonnie Toth

In going forward as a merged parish, we realize this is not an ending; but a new beginning. 

Mass Times