YOUNGSTOWN — The Diocese of Youngstown has announced three churches in Columbiana County will be merging effective Jan. 1.

Bishop David J. Bonnar said the merger of St. Jude and Our Lady of Lourdes, both in Columbiana, and St. Patrick in Leetonia will merge with the new parish name forthcoming. Bonnar said on Nov. 17, a petition from three pastoral and financial councils was presented to the Diocesan Presbyteral Council requesting a merger into “one vibrant parish.”

He said the petition cited the acute shortage of priests as well as the declining number of parishioners participating at the weekend Masses. The Presbyteral Council unanimously recommended to Bonnar that the three parishes become one.

Officials said Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Patrick will be used as sites for the celebrati

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