Evangelism director

Evangelism director

YOUNGSTOWN

Bishop George V. Murry of the Diocese of Youngstown appointed Peter J. Schafer as director of Evangelization and Pastoral Planning. Schafer will continue his role as director of Lay Ministry and Leadership Formation in the diocese.

A doctoral candidate at the Catholic University of America, Schafer earned a master’s degree in theological studies from the University of Dayton and a bachelor’s degree in theology with a minor in business administration from Ohio Dominican College.

He has served as a religious studies teacher at Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron. He also held various ministerial positions at Sacred Heart Parish in Wadsworth, Sts. Philip and James Parish in Canal Fulton, and St. Catharine Parish in Columbus. A member of Christ the Servant Parish in Canton, Schafer and his wife, Elise, are parents of four sons.

Schafer will assist parishes and pastors in their efforts to deepen the faith of those participating in Church life and to reach out to those not engaged in church activities. The Diocese Plan promulgated in 2015 is the primary tool in this effort. The Director of Evangelization and Pastoral Planning is charged with working with parishes and diocesan departments to implement the plan.

Degree recipient

LAKE MILTON

At commencement May 21, Loyola University New Orleans recognized Gerard Land, a graduate from the Diocese of Youngstown, who completed a master’s degree in pastoral studies through the Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension (LIMEX) program. He serves as parish director of religious education at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish in Lake Milton.

Land took most of his courses with a learning group sponsored by the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Religious Education and hosted by Our Lady of the Lakes Parish and the Rev. Dave Merzweiler, pastor, in the St. James Church Hall.

Carlette Chordas MRE, a graduate of the Loyola University New Orleans Institute for Ministry, facilitated his learning group courses.

For information about the LIMEX program, contact the diocese’s Office of Religious Education at 330-744-8451 or visit www.lim.loyno.edu/lim-flex.