Pastor's Page |
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| Rev. Michael D. Balash | ||||
. In
1982, he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
English. Later that year, he entered Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary of
the Athenaeum of Ohio where he pursued his graduate studies. He
graduated in October 1987 with a Master of Divinity and a Master of
Arts in Biblical Studies from the Athenaeum of Ohio. |
Weekly Homily
Today's Readings Click here to access the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website where a daily list of Readings and Psalms are available in written, audio, or video format.
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On December 27, 1986 he was ordained to the Diaconate by Auxiliary Bishop Benedict C. Franzetta at Saint Columba Cathedral and six months later, on June 20, 1987, he was ordained to the Priesthood of the Catholic Church by Bishop James W. Malone at Saint Columba Cathedral. . After ordination, Fr. Balash served as Associate Pastor at Saint Michael Parish in Canton from 1987-1992 and at Saint Patrick Parish in Kent from 1992-1995. In 1995, Fr. Balash attended the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, where he earned a Master of Theology in Liturgy degree in 1996. He returned to the diocese and served as pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Ashtabula, Ohio, from 1996-2003. . In 2003 he became pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Mantua, Ohio, until becoming pastor of Saint William Parish in July 2008. Over the years, in addition to his parish duties, Fr. Balash has also served as Dean of Ashtabula County, Vice-Chair of the Youngstown Diocese Priests’ Council, and has been a board member of the Board of Religious Education, Catholic Charities of Portage County, Priest Advisory Council for Diocesan Capital Campaign, and the Youngstown Diocese Pastoral Council. . Currently he serves as Executive Secretary of the Youngstown Diocesan Liturgical Commission and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions representing Region VI. Fr. Balash has also been an adjunct faculty member of the Ursuline College Religious Studies Extension Program and a frequent presenter of workshops and seminars at various Diocesan study days and workshops. He is a yearly presenter at the Diocesan Winter Liturgy Workshop and has recently been a yearly instructor in the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program for the Diocese. |
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| The Pastor’s Companion – “Alex” | ||||
 “Alex” was born on March 23, 1997 and is a Schipperke. Originating in Belgium, the breed is a unique, friendly and loyal companion. In fact, the breed’s trademark characteristic is the “ever faithful companion.” The Schipperke is an agile, active watchdog and hunter of vermin. In appearance they are a small, thickset, cobby, black, tailless dog, with a fox-like face. The breed is square in profile and possesses a distinctive coat. The breed is curious, interested in everything around them, and is an excellent and faithful little watchdog. They are reserved with strangers and ready to protect his family and property if necessary. He displays a confident and independent personality, reflecting the breed's original purpose as watchdog and hunter of vermin.The breed name of "Schipperke," officially taken in 1888, is traditionally thought to mean "little captain.” Schipperkes are widely known as "Belgian barge dogs." Some reports say they were found frequently as working dogs aboard barges in the canals of Belgium, with three jobs onboard: security (barking vigorously when anyone approached the barge), keeping the barges free of vermin, and nipping at the towing horses' heels to get them moving to tow the barge. To this day, Schipperkes are known as excellent boat dogs and are often found cruising the world aboard sailing yachts and powerboats. They are fearless, aloof around strangers, independent, smart and willful. They are a high-energy dog with an intense curiosity about everything and therefore require a great deal of attention and stimulation. Schipperkes, like many small breeds, seem not to realize that they are small dogs and behave as if they are much larger than they actually are. They are often quoted as being a "90-pound dog in a 9-pound body!" |
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Parish Prayer
Loving God,
Through the waters of baptism
you have called us by name,
and invited us to share
in the ministry of Jesus.
In our human weakness,
help us to respond
in prayer and thanksgiving,
to your call
to be a light to each other
and to the world.
Continue to form us in your body
centered in your Eucharist.
We ask you,
to give us the vision
to know your mission,
and to make it visible
in our parish of St. William
and our sister parish Saint Anthony,
and to the world.
~Amen~