Author: nhigham

MEET THE STAFF OF BLESSED SACRAMENT PARISH

MEET THE STAFF OF BLESSED SACRAMENT PARISH

Deacon Edward J Kleese
Deacon Ed Kleese is a 62-year-old permanent deacon in the Diocese of Youngstown , Ohio. He and his wife, Diane M. Kleese, are members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (SEAS), Roman Catholic parish in Warren, Ohio. Children include 4 married daughters, 1 married son, 5 granddaughters and 5 grandsons. Ed is a petroleum engineer and a union member of Operating Engineers Local #66. Hobbies include taking autumn vacations with wife Diane up to New England, being with the children and grandchildren, raising sweet corn, and gardening. Deacon Ed felt a call to the diaconate in 2013 and was blessed to be ordained a permanent deacon on August 31st of 2019 at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown , Ohio. He currently diaconates (along with brother deacons Robert Sirnmerly and Joseph Toth) at both sites of SEAS (St. James and SS. Cyril and Methodius) and also Blessed Sacrament parish. Ministries include funeral and prison ministry , and the altar server instructor for SEAS. Special spiritual devotions include those to the Sacred Heart and Blood of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Ever Virgin Mary (along with the Rosary, Brown Scapular and Miraculous Medal), St. Joseph, and St. Edward.

Nancy Higham-Administrative Assistant
Nancy is in her 6th year as the Administrative Assistant. She manages the front office, maintains the database, creates the bulletin and much more. Prior to this position, Nancy worked as Secretary of JFK Lower Campus for many years.
She and her husband Marty together have 5 children and 9 grandchildren. Nancy was born and raised in Warren and is a member of St. John Paul II. Nancy is certified as a Master Gardener Volunteer and loves to sew. She lives by this simple concept, “Wake up everyday to serve God and others”. When you do this, everything else falls into place.

Darla Plant-DRE K-8, Adults
Darla is the new Director of Religious Education. Darla is a member of St. John Paul II Parish. She is married and has 3 grown children. Darla enjoys reading, exercising and spending time outdoors. At St. John Paul II, Darla was the director of CCD, and facilitated Children’s Liturgy. She is also a lector and a Eucharistic Minister. Before taking the position of DRE, Darla was an elementary school teacher in Warren and Youngstown. She looks forward to not only passing on knowledge of the Catholic Faith, but also helping to create true encounters with Jesus Christ for children and adults.

Daniel LaPolla-Youth Minister
Daniel is the Youth Minister for both Blessed Sacrament Parish and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. He is 23 years old, lives in Howland Ohio, has 3 older siblings and 1 younger brother. He is a 2019 graduate from the University of Dayton with a B.S in Biology and a minor in Religious Studies. He has been a part of the Blessed Sacrament Community since his earliest day, having completed his Sacraments there. Before he started his ministry, he was a permanent substitute teacher, for a majority of the 2019-2020 school year, at Warren John F. Kennedy Upper Campus teaching 6th grade Science and 7th grade Religion. When Daniel is not enjoying his work at the parish office to prepare for his ministry, you can find him either at home spending time with his family or at the golf course working on his game. Some of his favorite activities include reading books and articles on faith, theology, or the Church, with the occasional play or fiction. He also enjoys staying active or being outdoors such as playing golf, jogging, hiking, working-out or enjoying the things of nature. One fun fact about him is that he enjoys singing in church and did not find that out until he signed up to sing for the University of Dayton choir on Sunday mornings.

Lisa Hosack-Bookkeeper
Lisa is a lifelong Hubbard resident and parishioner at St. Patrick Parish. She attended St. Patrick Elementary School until 8th grade and completed her high school education at Hubbard. Lisa received her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with a major in accounting and minors in management and economics from Youngstown State University in 1992.
Lisa devoted her career to the Catholic Church and continues working at several parishes. She is the accountant and Director of Operations at St. Patrick Parish since August of 1998. She is also the accountant at St. Maron Church in Youngstown since 2006 and is the accountant at St. Joseph the Provider Catholic School in Youngstown. Lisa is very excited to be at Blessed Sacrament continuing to serve the church. Lisa resides in Hubbard with her family and enjoys teaching her three daughters, Gabriella and twins, Giavanna and Daniella the Italian family traditions that were passed down to her.

Kathryn Miller-Director of Sacred Music
Kathryn is Director of Sacred Music/Organist at Blessed Sacrament Parish. She is Limited Service Faculty at Youngstown State University working in the choral and opera departments. She is organist at Congregation Rodef Sholom in Youngstown, serves as assistant director and pianist/organist for Warren Civic Chorus performing annually in Messiah concerts, pianist/organist and section leader for Stambaugh Chorus and New Castle Music Club. She maintains a private piano and organ studio. Most recently she was Director of Music/Organist at Westminster Presbyterian in Boardman and on faculty at Westminster College in New Wilmington. Kathryn received her Bachelor of Music Degree in organ performance from The Ohio State University and her Master of Music degree in organ performance from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. She also holds an Industrial Engineering degree from Youngstown State University. Kathryn is a member of the American Guild of Organists, Youngstown Chapter and resides in Kent, within proximity to her family.

MEET THE STAFF OF BLESSED SACRAMENT PARISH

MEET THE STAFF OF BLESSED SACRAMENT PARISH

Brenda Antenucci-Director of Apostolates and Evangelization
Brenda is as Director of Apostolates and Evangelization. She taught Language Arts, Religion and computer in both public and Catholic Schools for a total of 20 years. She was Director of Religious Education at Blessed Sacrament for 10 years. She currently helps organize and recruit volunteers for the Nursing Home and Homebound Ministry, card writing , phone ministry, consolation ministry, and is the staff contact/liaison for the St. Vincent dePaul Society, Woman’s and Men’s Prayer Groups, Boy Scouts, AA, and other parish outreach and evangelization efforts. She is also commissioned as a Lay leader of Prayer. Some other parish responsibilities include facilitating the child protection policy, VIRTUS, and registering new parishioners. She has been a member of Blessed Sacrament for 35 years, grew up in Warren, and converted from the Methodist faith to Catholicism in 1985. She has her Masters Degree in Religion and Pastoral Ministry from the Loyola in New Orleans extension program, LIMEX. She is happy to be a member of this staff and supports parishioners and their families as they journey in their faith.

Sal Ciferno-Head of Maintenance
Sal is the head of Maintenance. He comes to us from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish where he is employed in their maintenance program. He also serves on SEAS Pastoral Council along with Usher and Money Counting Ministries.
Sal has an Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering and is a Journeyman Machine Repairman. He is a former Sergeant in the US Marine Corps, Retired Captain from Howland Fire Department and currently is a member of the Howland Township Zoning Commission.
Sal is married and together with Patty have 3 Daughters and 5 Grandchildren.
Sal loves projects and woodworking and is thrilled to share his time and talent with the Blessed Sacrament Parish.

Fr. Christopher Cicero-Pastor
Father Cicero became the pastor of Blessed Sacrament and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parishes on August 22, 2020. Born and raised in Warren, Ohio he attend Catholic schools at St. James, St. Mary’s, and John F. Kennedy Catholic High School, class of 2001. After one year of college at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., he entered the seminary for the Diocese of Youngstown. In 2005, he earned a Bachelor of Philosophy and History from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. As a seminarian at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, he received a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 2008. He continued his studies at the Pontifical Saint John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and Family. Bishop George V. Murry, S.J. ordained him to the priesthood on July 18th, 2010. As his first priestly assignment, completed a License of Sacred Theology at the John Paul II Institute in Rome. In 2011 he was appointed parochial vicar of St. Christine Parish in Youngstown. On February 1st 2014, he became the pastor of St. Jude, Columbiana, and Our Lady of Lourdes East Palestine where he served until coming to Warren. Father’s mother and father live in Singer Island, Florida and Warren. He has an older brother and younger sister and brother-in-law. Father loves parish ministry. He asks for prayers for vocations to the priesthood.

Deacon Robert Simmerly
Deacon Bob Simmerly has been a member at SEAS for over 30 years. He was born and raised in Fairview Park, Ohio in the Cleveland Diocese and was a member of St. Angela Merici Parish. He is one of eight children, 5 boys and 3 girls to Herb and Carol Simmerly. All of them went to catholic school from grade school through high school. As you can see, handing on the faith was important. Mom and Dad had a deep faith and love for the Catholic Church. He graduated from St.Edward High School in 1977. He wrestled in high school, was in the high school play and was a member of the religious retreat team throughout high school. After graduation he coached C.Y.O. wrestling at our parish for 4 years. College did not start for me until 1983. He graduated from Borromeo Seminary College in 1987, then attended St. Mary's Major Seminary in Cleveland for one year, leaving in 1988. Eight months later he was working as a medical courier and his job brought him to the Warren area. One of his clients is now the love of his life for 30 years. Deb and her two girls and himself became a family May 18,1991. The Church was always important to him and with Fr. Crumbley's guidance and blessings and his wife's support, he entered the permanent diaconate program in 2004. September 13, 2020 he celebrated 12 years as a permanent deacon. His first love is his family. He feels very lucky to have both.

Deacon Joseph P. Toth
Deacon Joseph Toth was born on 11/19/39 and become a Catholic Christian with Baptism at St. Cyril and Methodius Church on Dec. 18, 1939 and attended church there with his family until 1942. Due to WWII, rationing of gas and tires, it was necessary to transfer to St. James Church on Burton St., because his home was the 6th house from the church and a very short walk. At this church he received the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. In 1957 he graduated from Harding High School and entered the USA Army basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Upon discharge, he returned home and enrolled in college at YSU. He graduated from YSU and received a Bachelor of Science degree in education. He spent 52 years as a teacher, principal, and university instructor in education. In 1963, he and his wife were married at St. James church and have three daughters and four grandchildren. Bonnie and Joseph have enjoyed 57 wonderful years together as a married couple. In 1989 he answered the Lord' s call and became an ordained deacon. As a deacon his service to people of our church has been in hospitals, nursing homes, RCIA. CCD; and in all three parishes which include, Blessed Sacrament, St. James and St. Cyril’s.