OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS PARISH

PASTORAL TEAM

REVEREND RONALD J. BRYDA

Fr. Ronald Bryda was ordained on December 17, 1966 in Rome after completing studies there for service in the Diocese of Cleveland. He was born on August 17, 1941 and raised in Berea, Ohio. He entered Borromeo Minor Seminary High School in the fall of 1955, attended Borromeo College Seminary (both in Wickliffe, Ohio) and then the North American College (Gregorian University) in Rome.

His assignments have included:

 (1967-1972) Associate Pastor at our Lady of Mt. Carmel (E) and part time Instructor in Theology at St. John' College, both in Cleveland, Ohio  
  
(1972-1974) Further studies at the Angelicum University in Rome
In residence at Resurrection Parish in Solon, Ohio  

(1975-1982) Associate Pastor at St. Anthony in Akron, Ohio and Assistant  Chancellor in Southern Region of the Diocese

 (1982-1988) Associate Pastor at St. Hilary in Akron, Ohio

(1988…….) Coordinator of the Pastoral Team at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Litchfield, Ohio

From the first stirring of a vocation to the priesthood, Fr. Bryda's heart and soul have been in parish ministry. He is especially drawn to, and enthusiastic about the kind of parish ministry he experiences at Our Lady Help of Christians. He finds that the collaborative spirit and nature of ministry here, the warmth and personal quality of this parish's small church communities, and a close knit pastoral team and staff make for an interesting and very rewarding kind of ministry. 

His other interests include reading, different kinds of music (especially the classical sort), movies, aerobic exercise (bicycling in particular), time outdoors, family ties, and a desire for learning more about God's awesome creation.  
 

REVEREND EDWARD (NED) WEIST, MDIV., JCD

Father Ned was ordained May 31, 1969. His first assignment was as Associate Pastor of St. Charles Parish in Parma, Ohio. In June of 1974 he was assigned to studies in Rome. He obtained his doctorate in Canon Law in June 1977. His doctoral dissertation was entitled: “Alcoholism and Marriage: An Inquiry Into the Effect of Alcoholism on Matrimonial Consent.” Father Ned served in diocesan administration from 1977 to 1986. During those years he served as Chancellor, Secretary for Clergy and Religious, and Delegate for the Clergy. He was appointed pastor of St. Leo the Great Parish in Cleveland, Ohio in January 1986 and served there until July 1997 when he was assigned as Member of the Pastoral Team at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Litchfield, Ohio.

Father Ned was raised in Rocky River, Ohio as the oldest of 7 children. He was educated at St. Christopher Elementary School, Rocky River High School (1960), John Carroll University and Borromeo College (1965), St. Mary Seminary (1969), and the Pontifical Lateran University – Rome, Italy (1977).

Father Ned has found his 12 years of ministry at OLHC to be very fulfilling and rewarding. OLHC could be considered as the original cluster of the diocese.  The Team shares authority as it cooperates and collaborates in meeting the pastoral needs of the parishioner.

PASTORAL ASSOCIATE

SANDRA J. LYNN

A certified Pastoral Minister with a B.A. in Religious Studies and Psychology from the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minnesota; a M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from Ursuline College, Pepper Pike, Ohio. Ministry has included teaching bible school in the hollers of Eastern Kentucky; full time volunteer at Covenant House Crisis Shelter in New York City; worked at a home for single moms in Staten Island, New York, as well as twenty-four years of parish ministry. Sandy has served at OLHC for the past thirteen years.

DEACON

REVEREND MR. MICHAEL F. JERVIS, SR.

Mike was ordained in 2001.  He is retired Air Force and works for First Energy Corporation as a Computer Analyst.  He holds degrees with honors from the University of Texas (BA Computer Science) and the University of Illinois (MS Computer Science).  He has been married to Arline since 1970 and they have two married sons and five grandchildren.  He has been a member of the parish since 1993.

OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS STAFF

YOUTH MINISTER

JACKALYN PROSAK

Graduated from John Carroll University in 2008 with a B.A. in History and Religion and a Concentration in Catholic Studies.  Jackie comes from the parish of St. Vincent dePaul in Elyria where she has been a lifelong member and where she married her husband, Benjamin, on October 18, 2008. She has been involved in Youth Ministry, high school and junior high faith formation, bible days, retreats and diocesan activities for many years. 

COORDINATOR OF FAITH FORMATION - ELEMENTARY

FAITH FORMATION SECRETARY

BARBARA MANGES

Barb has been a member of the parish since 1976. She has worked in the area of religious formation since 1989. She has been married to her husband, Richard since 1964.  They have three children and seven grandchildren. 

PARISH SECRETARIES

      RUTH BIHN

       DARLENE FYE