Our Lady of Perpetual Help

About Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Aurora, Ohio, is a welcoming Roman Catholic community centered on the Eucharist and modeled after the Blessed Virgin Mary. Parishioners strive to be faithful stewards of God's gifts through worship, holiness, service, justice, and evangelization. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Youngstown and is part of the Portage Deanery.

History of the Parish

The Catholic community in Aurora traces its roots to 1955, when a group of Catholic women in the northwestern corner of Portage County approached St. Joseph Parish in Mantua about having weekly Mass celebrated locally. The first Mass was held March 13, 1955, at the Aurora Inn, after owner James Quinn agreed to host it. Property was purchased that July, and for two years Mass was offered in the living room of the house on the property. The congregation later purchased the old St. Rita Parish church in Solon for $5,000 and had it transported to the current Chillicothe Road site. Bishop Emmet Walsh of Youngstown dedicated the church on August 31, 1958, and the mission was raised to parish status on June 24, 1960. The current church was completed in 1974 and received an architectural award.

• 1955 — First Mass celebrated at the Aurora Inn (March 13)
• 1955 — Property purchased for a church
• 1958 — Church dedicated by Bishop Emmet Walsh (August 31)
• 1960 — Mission raised to parish status (June 24)
• 1974 — Current church building completed
• 2023 — Joined the Portage North collaborative of parishes

Patron and Marian Identity

Our Lady of Perpetual Help is a title associated for centuries with Mary, mother of Jesus, expressing confidence in her eagerness to pray for the welfare of human beings—especially those who seek her intercession. The parish venerates the Blessed Virgin Mary and, through her, draws closer to Jesus and God. The Legion of Mary Chapter at the parish gathers those with special devotion to Mary and provides special Marian devotions throughout the year.

Mass and Service Schedule

Weekend Mass is offered Saturday Vigil at 4:30 pm and Sunday at 11:00 am. Weekday mornings at 9:00 am include Mass on Tuesday and Thursday, and Liturgy of the Word Services with Communion on Monday (with Divine Mercy Chaplet), Wednesday (with Rosary), and Friday. Tuesday's Mass is followed by Exposition and Adoration from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Faith Formation and Youth Ministry

The parish runs a Faith Formation program coordinated by Ms. Carly Crane, with classes that began in the church hall and grew into larger venues as enrollment rose. Youth ministry includes the LifeTEEN program for high-schoolers and EDGE for middle-schoolers, helping young people make their lives meaningful through faith.

• Faith Formation (Carly Crane, Coordinator)
• LifeTEEN
• EDGE (middle-school youth)
• Religious Education

Parish Ministries and Outreach

Our Lady of Perpetual Help is known for a wide range of ministries reaching beyond the parish walls. The Legion of Mary fosters Marian devotion; the Homebound Ministry brings Holy Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass; and an annual Parish Day of Service sends parishioners into the community to help residents, agencies, and nursing homes with painting, cleaning, and organizing projects. Lenten Soup Suppers and a Parish Appreciation Dinner round out the year's community life.

• Legion of Mary
• Homebound Ministry for Holy Eucharist
• Annual Parish Day of Service
• Lenten Soup Suppers
• Parish Appreciation Dinner

Rocktember — Community Festival

Rocktember is the parish's newest and most distinctive community-outreach event, held each September. The parish band performs Rock & Roll music alongside food trucks and games and inflatables for kids. Open to the whole community, Rocktember is meant as a relaxed way for neighbors to encounter the church; 2025 marks its fifth year, and it continues to grow.

Parish Staff

The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Frantisek Katrinak, who also serves the wider Portage North collaborative. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Brian Smith and Sacramental Minister for Portage County Rev. Scott Kopp.

• Rev. Frantisek Katrinak — Pastor
• Rev. Brian Smith — Parochial Vicar
• Rev. Scott Kopp — Sacramental Minister (Portage County)
• Jeff Botos, MA Theo — Pastoral Associate and Musician
• Carly Crane — Faith Formation Coordinator
• Barbara Dzurilla — Musician
• Christine Weisenberger — Musician
• Mary Corrigan — Parish Secretary

Portage North Collaborative

In 2023, the Diocese of Youngstown announced that Our Lady of Perpetual Help would join St. Joseph in Mantua, St. Ambrose in Garrettsville, and St. Joan of Arc in Streetsboro in a collaborative unit known as Portage North, sharing a common pastor. This structure allows the parishes to combine ministerial resources while retaining their local identity and worship life.

• St. Joseph — Mantua
• St. Ambrose — Garrettsville
• St. Joan of Arc — Streetsboro
• Common Pastor: Rev. Frantisek Katrinak

Visit, Contact, and Office Hours

The parish office is open Monday–Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Visitors are warmly welcomed at 342 South Chillicothe Road in Aurora, Ohio.

• Address: 342 S. Chillicothe Rd., Aurora, OH 44202
• Phone: 330-562-8519
• Fax: 330-562-2529