YOUNGSTOWN — Three local men have been ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Youngstown following a ordination liturgy June 17 at St. Columba Cathedral.

Bishop David Bonnar ordained the Rev. Robert England, the Rev. John Rovnak and the Rev. Frederick “Fritz” Schlueter to the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

All three were serving as transitional deacons for the Diocese of Youngstown.

Upon ordination as priests, England, Rovnak and Schlueter will be assigned to serve as a parochial vicar (associate pastor) at a parish in the Diocese of Youngstown

•   England, the son of Robert and the late Sandra England, is from Christ Our Savior Parish in Struthers. He attended Poland public schools and is a graduate of Poland Seminary High School. Before entering seminary, he worked professionally in the water treatment industry for about 20 years. England was educated at Youngstown State University and Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in Wisconsin, and he is a graduate of Cardinal Stritch University, also in Wisconsin. In 2023, he earned a Master of Divinity degree from St. Vincent Seminary in Pennsylvania. As a transitional deacon, while completing his seminary formation, England was assigned to St. Christine Parish and Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Youngstown. He will remain at both and also will be associate pastor at St. Brendan Church, Youngstown.

•   Rovnak, the son of Tom and Janice Rovnak, is from Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Youngstown. He attended St. Matthias School and Lowellville High School and graduated with a business degree from Youngstown State University. He worked for several companies before entering seminary and in 2023 earned his Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology from St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe. As a transitional deacon, while completing his seminary formation, Rovnak was assigned to St. Michael Parish in Canfield. He will be associate pastor at Holy Family Parish in Poland and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Lowellville.

•   Schlueter, the son of Frederick and Lori Schlueter, is from St. Paul Parish in Salem. He attended St. Paul School and West Branch High School and began college at the University of Dallas before transferring and graduating from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus. In 2023, he earned a Master of Divinity from St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe. As a transitional deacon, while completing his seminary formation, Schlueter was assigned to St. Anthony / All Saints Parish in Canton. He will be associate pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Canton and Holy Family Parish in Brewster and Navarre,