St. Francis de Sales

Meet Our Staff Members

St. Francis de Sales Staff Members are listed below. For those of you
that are new to the parish and would like to know a little about the
personnel of the parish, and information about them, and where they came
from before coming over to St. Francis de Sales.

Rev. Robert L. Hoban ( Pastor )

I was Ordained as a Deacon on December 16, 1978 by Bishop
Sheldon. On June 9, 1979 I became a priest for the Diocese of
Cleveland and was Ordained by now Cardinal James A. Hickey.
My first assignment was at St. Martin of Tours in Maple Heights,
Ohio from 1979 through 1984. In June of 1984 I was assigned to
Immaculate Conception and was also chaplin of Lake County West Hospital
and was the Master of Ceremonies for Bishop Edward Pevec.
I became the Associate Pastor of St. Angela Merici in June of 1989 and
held that position until 1996. I became the Associate Pastor of St Francis de Sales
in June of 1996 until July 29,1998.
I was named the Sixth Pastor of St. Francis de Sales on July 29th, 1998 by
Bishop Anthony M. Pilla and installed as the Sixth Pastor of St. Francis de Sales
on October 25th, 1998 by Bishop Edward Pevec.

Rev. John G. Vrana (Associate Pastor )

Fr. John Vrana, the new Associate Pastor here at St. Francis. I'm familiar
with the Parma area since my family moved here in 1953 and I attended
St. Charles school for the seventh and eighth grade. Both of my parents
are now deceased but I do have two sisters living in Brookpark and
Strongsville. Between them I have eight nephews and nieces whom I Love
dearly.
I entered the seminary in the first year high school as was the custom in 1955. I was
ordained for the Diocese of Cleveland in 1967 and have enjoyed my thirty-eight years
as a priest. My first assignment was at St. John Nepomucene Church on Fleet Ave.
Unfortunately that assignment was cut short after two years and to my surprise I was
sent to graduate school to prepair to teach at Saint Mary Seminary. My graduate schooling
included a year at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada and two years at the Catholic
University of Louvain in Belgium. My teaching career lasted until the end of 1989. During
that time I taught moral theology and served as spiritual director for seminarians. Those
years gave me an opportunity to engage in some ecumenical work with our Protestant
brothers and sisters, to serve the Diocese in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, and to
spend summers directing retreats at the Jesuit Retreat House here in Parma.
After leaving the seminary I served at various parishes including being pastor at St.
Martins of Tours parish in Maple Heights for six years and most recently as Associate
Pastor for six years at St. Gabriel Parish in Concord Township in Lake County. In
addition to my parish work I served on the Presbyteral Council ( the priest' consultative
body for the bishop ) and served as spiritual director for a number of priest, nuns, and
lay people.
For relaxation I enjoy the outdoors, ( hiking and bicycling), cooking from time to time,
reading mystery novels,and listening to opera and classical music.
I look forward to renewing my Parma past and to serving here at St. Francis. I ask your
patience and indulgence to adjust to this parish's life and try to remember your names. at
my age the memory is not always up to par.

Rev. Robert Piskach ( Permanent Deacon )

After three years of classes, on June 1, 1985 I was ordained to
the Deaconate by Bishop Anthony M. Pilla. I have been a member
of St. Francis de Sales since 1959.
I also married my wife Maureen at St.Francis de Sales on February, 15,
1958. We have four adopted children and seven grand children. I am
retired from the Cleveland Fire Department.
As a Deacon at St. Francis de Sales I am involved in the Pre-Cana Program
with my wife and also preach at masses, do baptism, funerals, weddings, help in the
RCIA program and the PSR program. I am also the Spiritual Director for the Holy
Name Society and a Friar for the Arch-Bishop Hoban 4th degree Knights of Columbus
Assembly.

Miss Anne Sweeney ( Principal )

I arrived at St. Francis de Sales School in the fall of 1977 so I have
been here for 23 years. I taught 8th grade English and Social Studies
for 11 years until I became the principal in 1988. Father Donald Balogh
hired me following the completion of my Master's Degree from Ursuline
College.
There are many things I like about being the principal. I enjoy planning new activities
for the teachers and the children, organizing the details of the project and seeing it
carried through. I like to work with the teachers to help them improve their instruction
and consequently improve student learning. I like to talk to the kids and listen to their
ideals even if I am not always able to give them everything they want. Most especially
I want to share my faith and beliefs with the teachers, students and staff so they truly
understand that God loves them.
Most of my "other" activities at St. Francis de Sales center around the school. I meet
with the PTU and other adult committees and serve on the Finance Board. I am a
Eucharistic minister at school Masses and frequently lector.

Gerry Mass ( Director of Music ) 

"After a thirty-year absence, I was delighted to return to my home parish of
St. Francis de Sales in October of 2002 (I served as organist here from
1968-1972 when I was in music school at Baldwin-Wallace College).
I attended our Parish school in the 1950's and 1960's and, since my return
to St. Francis de Sales, have been so happy to see so many familiar faces
(and friends) once again. This has been a very happy re-uniting for me!