Bishop Robert Announces Newly Reconstituted Pastoral Council

The Pastoral Council serves as a consultative body to the bishop, bringing together clergy, religious, and laity to support pastoral initiatives and guide important decisions for the Eparchy of Parma. Chaired by the protosyncellus, Fr. Jan Maturkanic, the council focuses on matters such as eparchial-wide pastoral action, the assembly, and the establishment or reduction of parishes.

Members also play key roles in strengthening lay participation, with designated leaders helping to foster communication and engagement in the ongoing Synod on Synodality.

This council exists to collaborate, advise, and contribute to the spiritual and communal growth of the eparchy.

Presbyteral Council members:

• Elected for Ohio region:  Fr. Robert Jager
• Elected for Great Lakes region: Fr. James Batcha
• Elected for Midwest region:  Fr. Cyril Farmer
• Elected At-large:  Fr. Andrew Summerson
• Ex officio:  Fr. Jan Maturkanic, Protosyncellus
• Ex officio:  Fr. Thomas Loya, Syncellus for Communications
• Ex officio:  Fr. Charles Strebler, Judicial Vicar
• Appointed:  Fr. Mykhailo Solianyk, Protopresbyter for Great Lakes region

Diaconal members:

• Dcn. Robert Cripps (Barberton)
• Dcn. John Harden (Sugar Creek)

Monastic member:

• Mother Natalia (CTBM)

Laity from Great Lakes region:

• Dennis Bogusky (Oregon)
• Mike Huddas (Sterling Heights)
• Jonathan Shellnut (Bay City)

Laity from Midwest region:

• Benjamin Auton (St. Louis)
• Catherine Baranko (Homer Glen)
• Andrew Hunt (Minneapolis)

Laity from Ohio region:

• Greg Chura (Cincinnati)
• Randy Saunders (Barberton)
• Reen Nemeth (Solon)

We extend our deepest gratitude to the members of the Pastoral Council for their commitment and service to the Church. Their dedication to guiding and supporting the life of the eparchy is a true blessing. May God grant them wisdom and strength in their mission.