About Us
Youngstown Vocations Support Society
The daily mission of the Youngstown Vocations Support Society is to pray "asking the Lord of the harvest to send workers into His harvest field" (Luke 10:2). Working closely with the Offices of Clergy, Vocations, and Religious Services in the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, we work to foster and promote vocations to the ministerial priesthood, religious vocations, and the diaconate of the Catholic Church and to develop appreciation of priests, seminarians, women and men religious and deacons in the Catholic Church, and to further Catholicism by encouraging its members, in fellowship and through education, to fulfill their Christian baptismal call to service.
Our group started as a local club attached to the USA Council of Serra International. Over the years our members felt we could do more to help promote and support vocations in our local diocese if we were not attached to an international organization, thus the YVSS was born. ​We continue to work closely with our local bishop, The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, and The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown to support our priests, seminarians, women and men religious, and deacons from across the diocese. We cannot continue to carry out our mission without new and dedicated members. Would you consider giving of your time, talent, or treasure to help us continue our work?
Join today! New members are always welcome at our monthly meetings. Membership is open to practicing Catholic laymen, laywomen, ordained clergy and consecrated religious. We encourage members to invite interested persons to join the YVSS, The interested person shall become a member of the YVSS upon payment to the society of dues or expressing and fulfilling the desire to be an active participating member of the society.
Our History
The Youngstown Vocations Support Society (YVSS) was established January 1, 2018 by President Joseph Nudo, along with all members of YVSS, to promote vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and the diaconate in the Diocese of Youngstown. YVSS was formed from the former St. Junipero Serra Club of Mahoning County. The first recorded meeting of the Serra Club was held on October 5, 1966, with acting chairman James Doran, and other organizers included Charles Butler, Donald Fleming, Bernard Schmalzreid and Thomas Travers. St. Junipero Serra Club become a Charter Club in 1972.
In 2017, the membership began thinking of withdrawing from the larger group due to Serra International’s requiring a greater financial commitment. YVSS wanted to support their local Diocese with prayer and financial support for the local effort. After much thought and prayer, the members received permission from then-Bishop George V. Murry, S.J. to transition to a local organization, working with the Diocese of Youngstown. The parting of the two (2) groups was amicable, with the patrons remaining the same for both groups, St. Junipero, St. John Vianney and the Blessed Mother.
A new name and Mission Statement for YVSS was then adopted in 2018, while continuing with the same work and goals of promoting and supporting vocations to the priesthood and religious life, as had been the goal of the Serra Club from which it was derived.
Our Executive Board
PRESIDENT
Mrs. Rosemarie Wilson
Saint Charles Catholic Church, Boardman, OH
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VICE PRESIDENT
Mrs. Cyndi Wainio
Saint Luke Catholic Church, Boardman Ohio
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TREASURER
Mr. Ralph Roberts
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Youngstown, Ohio
SECRETARY
Mr. Robert McGivern
Saint Christine Catholic Church, Youngstown, Ohio
