Bishop David Bonnar serves communion to Sister Elaine Schindler and others at the 80-year anniversary mass.

YOUNGSTOWN — For the past 73 years, Monsignor James Kolp has served the Diocese of Youngstown, and he recalled many memories Sunday afternoon as diocesan officials and the Catholic faithful celebrated the 80th anniversary of the diocese with a special Mass and historical display at St. Columba Cathedral.

Kolp, 98, was recognized during the Mass by Bishop David Bonnar, the sixth bishop of the Diocese.

“I’m here because of God’s love. I’ve been at St. Columba Cathedral for many years, and I have always enjoyed being here,” he said, noting he has served at many other parishes and schools, including Cardinal Mooney High School and Ursuline High School.

Kolp said he will remember the friendship and good spirits of the people who came to St. Columba Cathedral, which is the mother church of the diocese. He also spent some time following the Mass playing a few songs on the church’s piano.

Bonnar said the anniversary Mass allows for the sharing of the virtues of faith, hope and love during the 80-year legacy of the Diocese. He said these three important virtues help people come to know God.

He said as people live their lives with faith, hope and love — which was the topic of his second pastoral letter — the gospel assures each of us not to be afraid.

The diocese used to be part of the Cleveland Diocese and covers Mahoning, Trumbull, Ashtabula, Columbiana, Portage and Stark counties. It was established in May 1943.

“It is important to keep telling the stories of the 80 past years and pass them on to the next generation,” he said.

Bonnar said the diocesan archive department and its staff shared the Diocese’s history with memorabilia.

“What better way to show our gratitude but to give our thanks today to God for the rich path we have had and look forward in hope to our future together,” he said.

Bonnar said Kolp is a living and walking example of its history because of his 73 years as a priest.

FIRE AT CATHEDRAL

He said the congregation faced a challenge in 1954 when a lightning bolt hit St. Columba and started a fire that caused extensive damage. A new structure was built.

Bonnar said that fire in the 1950s compares to what St. Patrick Parish in Hubbard faced when the church had a devastating fire in January 2021. Parishioners await a return to their church for worship later this year. Mass has been celebrated at the parish hall since the fire.

“They wait in hope to return to their beloved church in the aftermath of the fire,” he said.

Monsignor John Zuraw, vicar general for the diocese, said the rich history and heritage of the Diocese is remembered by many on the 80th anniversary, including all that was done by the previous bishops. He said the bishops have included Bishop James McFadden, who served 1943 to 1952; Bishop Emmett Walsh, who served 1952 to 1968; Bishop James W. Malone who served 1968 to 1995; Bishop Thomas Tobin, who served 1995 to 2005; and Bishop George Murry, who served from 2007 until his death in June of 2020.

“This is a wonderful time for the Diocese to remember all that has happened in the past 80 years,” said Monsignor Robert Siffrin, Moderator of the Curia for the Youngstown Diocese.

HISTORY DISPLAYED

Following the Mass, the public could see view history of the diocese through photos, newspaper clippings and memorabilia set up as an exhibit at the chancery offices and organized by the archives staff.

Barb Zorn, a cantor at St. Columba, and her sister, Mary Ann Bilas, who sings in the church choir, both of Youngstown, said the photos brought back memories.

“This display is amazing. I have always said the cathedral and many of the parishes have such beautiful stained glass windows, statuary and relics, that people just love to see,” Bilas said.

Zorn said the photos bring back the many stories their parents shared with them, including the fire at the cathedral in 1954.

“Our mother would cry when she told us of the fire that destroyed the cathedral” she said.

Bilas said the photos from the 1960s impressed her because they showed the beauty of the cathedral and many other churches.

“This shows the many ways that people have been churched in the six counties of the diocese. It brings back memories for many and also teaches the history to others that the may not have known,” said Joan Lawson, diocesean archivist / chancellor.

The 80th anniversary celebration will continue through next year, and already has included a diocesan pilgrimage to Scotland and Ireland in early June led by Bonnar with parishioners from throughout the diocese. The pilgrimage included Mass on the island of Iona on June 9, the Feast Day of St. Columba, patron of the diocese.