Shock and sadness are being expressed by some in the Valley after a pastor resigned amid an investigation.

For parish members who have been baptized at Saint Patrick Church in Hubbard, attended Mass, received Holy Communion, had funerals for loved ones or were expected to be married by Father Mike it's a sad day.

For three years Father Mike Swierz led his parish members through the challenges of a blaze that destroyed the sanctuary, and conference rooms downstairs.

Masses were held next door at the Parish Center for three years, as membership grew.
 
In March the newly restored church reopened doors to a new sanctuary. But just three months later church members are facing a new challenge. Father Mike resigned as Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Hubbard.
 
The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown released a statement.
 
June 17th, 2024 Bishop J. Bonnar accepted the resignation of Father Michael A. Swierz from the pastorate of Saint Patrick Parish in Hubbard, the Presidency of Saint Joseph the Provider School, and as Dean of Trumbull County.  
 
The Catholic Diocese states Father Swierz is on administrative leave because of admitted actions that constitute violations of Diocesan policies.
 
The actions at issue occurred while he was at St. Rose Parish, Girard, Ohio in the late 1980's.
 
This means the actions would have occurred over 40 years ago while Father Mike was at Saint Rose Parish in the late 1980's. Father Mike would have been in his late 20s then.
 
An investigation into these matters is ongoing as Father Swierz is cooperating, according to the diocese.
 
The Diocese will not provide further comments on the investigation or Father's situation at this time.
 
No decision has been made yet on who will be the pastor at Saint Patrick Church in Hubbard.
 
 Father Michael Swierz was ordained in 1985 serving St. Peters in Canton then being assigned to St. Rose in Girard until 1992.
 
He was then assigned by Bishop James W. Malone to his home parish of Holy Family in Poland, for the building of a new church, and remained there until 1998.
 
Father Mike was then assigned to St. Christine's Parish in Youngstown, where he also served as a Fire Chaplain to the Youngstown Fire Dept.
 
In 2000, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin asked Father Mike to become pastor of St. Joseph the Provider Church in Campbell.  
 
He accepted additional assignments to St. Elizabeth and St. John the Baptist Churches in Campbell. 
 
In 2012, Father Mike was named President of St. Joseph the Provider School in Youngstown by Bishop George V. Murry.
 
In 2015, Bishop Murry asked Father Mike to become pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Hubbard.