About St. Joseph - Divine Mercy Parish · Massillon, Ohio
Divine Mercy Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Massillon, Ohio, formed on January 1, 2023 by the merger of three historic Stark County congregations — St. Mary (founded 1839), St. Joseph (founded 1863) and St. Barbara (founded 1866). It belongs to the Diocese of Youngstown and is led by Very Rev. John E. Sheridan, J.C.L., S.T.L., V.F., with Rev. Travis Seagraves serving as Parochial Vicar and Deacon Steven Wyles assisting. The unified parish continues to worship in all three original church buildings, sharing one pastoral team, one bulletin, one calendar and one school. Its name, chosen by Bishop David J. Bonnar from a slate proposed by parishioners, reflects the parish's devotion to the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ as taught by Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Francis. Divine Mercy Parish also serves as the home of the National Shrine of Saint Dymphna, patron saint of those suffering from mental illness.
- Established
- 2023
- Patron
- Divine Mercy (of Jesus Christ)
- Rector
- Very Rev. John E. Sheridan, J.C.L., S.T.L., V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Youngstown
Why belong here
Divine Mercy Parish invites Catholics in the Massillon area into a single, vibrant community that unites three of Stark County's oldest congregations under one pastor, one staff and one school. Mass is offered in English and Spanish across three historic worship sites — including St. Mary (the 1892 church on the National Register), the Gothic-style St. Joseph Church, and St. Barbara — along with daily Eucharistic Adoration, regular Reconciliation, and devotion to the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ. Active ministries span Knights of Columbus, Hispanic Ministry, Men's Group, Christian Women, youth ministry, pro-life work, the Prayer Chain, parish school, and the National Shrine of Saint Dymphna for those suffering from mental illness.
Mass times at St. Joseph - Divine Mercy Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- St. Mary Church — Saturday 8:30–9:00 AM (or until all are heard)
- St. Joseph Church — Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM
- St. Barbara Church — None scheduled
Adoration times
- St. Mary Church — Wednesday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- St. Mary Church — Third Saturday for Vocations 8:30–9:30 AM
- St. Joseph Church — Friday 9:45 AM – 12:45 PM
- St. Barbara Church — Thursday 9:45–10:30 AM
Welcome to Divine Mercy Parish
Divine Mercy Parish is a unified Roman Catholic community of three historic Massillon congregations under one pastor and one staff. Its three churches — St. Mary, St. Joseph and St. Barbara — continue to host Mass, devotions, Adoration and parish life side-by-side, sharing a common bulletin, calendar, school and ministries.
Our History
The three Massillon parishes that became Divine Mercy Parish in 2023 trace their roots to the 1830s, when early German and Irish Catholic settlers in the area began worshipping together. St. Mary was founded in 1839, St. Joseph in 1863 (formally established 1854, resident pastor 1863) and St. Barbara in 1866 among German coal-mining families in West Brookfield. After years of collaboration and a presbyteral council review, Bishop David J. Bonnar merged them into Divine Mercy Parish effective January 1, 2023.
- St. Mary Parish founded 1839 — church completed 1847; current church completed 1892; National Register of Historic Places 1979.
- St. Joseph Parish established 1854, resident pastor 1863; Gothic church dedicated April 1, 1894; school closed 1985; National Register of Historic Places 2010.
- St. Barbara Parish founded 1866; church dedicated December 19, 1867; new church building 1952; school closed 2022.
- Rev. Maciej (Matthew) Mankowski appointed shared pastor of all three parishes in July 2022.
- Bishop David J. Bonnar announced the merger in a November 20, 2022 letter to parishioners; it took effect January 1, 2023.
Our Three Worship Sites
Divine Mercy Parish worships in three historic Massillon churches, each with its own weekday and weekend schedule but sharing one pastor, one faith-formation team and one bulletin.
- St. Mary Church — 206 Cherry Rd. NE, Massillon, OH 44646 (founded 1839)
- St. Joseph Church — 322 Third St. SE, Massillon, OH 44646 (founded 1863)
- St. Barbara Church — 2813 Lincoln Way NW, Massillon, OH 44647 (founded 1867)
- Central Parish Office — 2809 Lincoln Way NW, Massillon, OH 44647
Meet Our Staff and Clergy
Divine Mercy Parish is led by Pastor Very Rev. John E. Sheridan, J.C.L., S.T.L., V.F., with Parochial Vicar Rev. Travis Seagraves and Permanent Deacon Steven Wyles. The lay staff includes a parish school principal, two co-directors of faith formation, a bookkeeper, parish secretary, clerical assistant, receptionist and two co-directors of music.
- Very Rev. John E. Sheridan, J.C.L., S.T.L., V.F. — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Travis Seagraves — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Steven Wyles — Permanent Deacon
- Danielle Williams — Parish School Principal ([email protected])
- Amy Davis — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Cara Lipinski — Director of Faith Formation / Youth Ministry ([email protected])
- Stephanie Nikishin — Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Jeanne Ryder — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Stephany Rose — Receptionist ([email protected])
- Mary Kring — Clerical Assistant ([email protected])
- Kevin Kutz — Music Co-Director
- Mark Thewes — Music Co-Director
Parish School — Saint Mary School
The parish school of Divine Mercy Parish is Saint Mary School, part of the Stark County Catholic School System. Students and staff place Prayer Boxes in the churches so they can pray for parishioners' intentions. The school community also supports parish life through Birthday Boxes, sending cards to community members celebrating 90 or more years of age.
- Saint Mary School is the parish school, part of the Stark County Catholic School System.
- Prayer Boxes placed in the churches link students and parishioners in prayer.
- Birthday Boxes honor community members celebrating 90+ years of age.
- School principal: Danielle Williams.
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Faith Formation at Divine Mercy Parish is led by co-directors Amy Davis and Cara Lipinski, with Lipinski coordinating youth ministry (Ignite YMO). Sacramental preparation resources such as Confirmation Information are published on the parish website. An Adult Faith Formation page is also available for ongoing catechesis.
- Confirmation preparation resources listed on the parish site.
- Adult Faith Formation page (information continually being added).
- Youth ministry — Ignite YMO led by Cara Lipinski ([email protected]).
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners are invited to serve at the altar and in the assembly through a variety of liturgical ministries. The parish website explains each role and invites interested adults and children (4th grade and above for altar service) to sign up.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Altar Servers (4th grade and above, plus adults)
- Greeters
- Music Ministry (Sacred Music — co-directed by Kevin Kutz and Mark Thewes)
Parish Ministries and Outreach
Divine Mercy Parish carries on the active ministries of its three founding communities, organized around prayer, fellowship, service and the protection of life.
- Knights of Columbus
- Hispanic Ministry
- Men's Group
- Christian Women
- Pro-Life Ministries
- Prayer Chain Team (online prayer requests)
- Birthday Boxes (community outreach)
The National Shrine of Saint Dymphna
Within St. Mary Church, Divine Mercy Parish hosts the National Shrine of Saint Dymphna, patron saint of those suffering from mental illness. The shrine continues its name and mission under the direction of the parish pastor and is a regional spiritual destination for those seeking intercession for mental and nervous disorders.
- Located inside St. Mary Church, 206 Cherry Rd. NE, Massillon.
- Patron saint of those afflicted with mental and nervous disorders.
- Continues under the direction of the pastor of Divine Mercy Parish.
Parish Life and Festivities
Fellowship and fundraisers are woven into the parish calendar. The parish celebrates 'Divine Time' monthly with Donut Sundays, prays the Rosary together, and supports community-based organizations and seasonal events as advertised in the bulletin.
- Monthly 'Divine Time' Donut Sundays and fellowship.
- Rosary prayer opportunities.
- Bingo Tuesday evenings at St. Mary Church.
- Seasonal events and fundraisers announced in the bulletin.
Giving, Bulletins and Online Resources
The parish supports its mission through online giving platforms, a printed bulletin, and an online calendar of events. A prayer-request form on the website routes intentions to the Prayer Chain Team.
- Online giving via OSV Online Giving and WeShare.
- Parish bulletins available online.
- Online parish calendar for weekly meetings and events.
- Prayer Request form for the Prayer Chain Team.
- Catholic Connection links for faith formation online.
Visiting and Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the Divine Mercy Parish central office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The unified parish office serves all three worship sites, and the parish is part of the Stark 2 Deanery of the Diocese of Youngstown.
- Central Offices: 2809 Lincoln Way Northwest, Massillon, OH 44647.
- Phone: 330-833-6898.
- Email: [email protected].
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.
- Deanery: Stark 2 (Diocese of Youngstown).
- Parish Code: 523.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Maciej (Matthew) Mankowski2022–2023
Appointed pastor of all three Massillon parishes in July 2022 by Bishop Bonnar; led them into the January 1, 2023 merger creating Divine Mercy Parish.