Hello! My name is Fr. Matthew Zwilling and I’m
very grateful to be able to serve you as your new
administrator here at St. Paul the Apostle Parish.
My previous assignment was as vice rector at St.
Columba Cathedral and associate pastor at St. Ed-
ward Parish in Youngstown. I have also been ad-
ministrator of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in
Campbell since April 2022, which I will be continu-
ing. In addition to serving St. Paul’s and Christ the
Good Shepherd, I’m pursuing an online degree in
Church Management through Villanova Universi-
ty. Just a year to go and fortunately the workload
has been pretty manageable. I like to cook, I like
playing video games, and I like to chant (you’ll
probably notice).

Many of my contemporaries have beautiful stories
of a return to faith after some years away from the
Church. In my own case, I was blessed with a
strong Catholic family and always practiced my
faith. I began discerning the priesthood in high
school. I was very moved when I first attended a
priestly ordination in 2007. Around that time I also
consecrated my life to the Blessed Virgin Mary and
she led me where I needed to go! I love Our Lady,
I love Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Mass, I love
the Gospel and I believe that it brings life to me
and to everyone who believes in it.

I’ve already had the chance of meeting many of
you briefly at a few different events. I can’t tell you
how many people at St. Columba and elsewhere
have told me, “You’ll love the people there!”, so
I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.
I hope to build upon the great work Fr. Steve has
done. He’s been so gracious getting me started
here. I know he will be really missed! I don’t know
exactly what God has in store for St. Paul’s in this
new moment, but let’s discern that together. And
please pray for your new pastor. I’ve known him
all my life and I can tell you he needs it! I will pray
for you every day and keep your needs in my
heart—along with my parishioners at Christ the
Good Shepherd, you are my first priority. May we
travel joyfully along the path God has set for us!

~~Fr. Zwilling