our staff

Very Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Siffrin

Rector, Saint Columba Cathedral

Monsignor Robert Siffrin was born and raised in Massillon, Ohio; he attended and graduated from Central High School in 1971. He attended St. Gregory College Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. There he majored in Philosophy and received a BA in Liberal Arts in 1975.

Graduate studies at Mt. St. Mary Seminary began in 1975. He received an MA in Sacred Scripture Studies. During the years of Theology, he tutored and taught part-time at St. Rita School for the Deaf. He was ordained a priest on June 23, 1979, in Youngstown, by Bishop James W. Malone. His first assignment was at Ursuline High School. He was then appointed associate principal at John F. Kennedy High School in Warren. For many years he has served as chaplain for the hearing impaired.

He served the Diocese of Youngstown in a number of capacities: as the Director of Planning for the Diocese of Youngstown, and then Chancellor/Vicar for Clergy. In 1996, Bishop Tobin appointed him to his present position of Vicar General/Moderator of the Curia. He is also pastor of St. Edward Church on the Northside.

He is also involved in numerous Church and civic organizations: a past president of Youngstown Rotary served on the Youngstown Symphony Board and is one of the Youngstown Police Chaplains.

Fr. Edward Brienz

Vice-Rector

Fr. Brienz also serves as:

Parochial Vicar, Holy Apostles Parish (Youngstown)
Diocesan Director of Propagation of the Faith and Missions

Rev. Robert Lanterman

Reverend Robert M. Lanterman proudly serves the people of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, as an Archives Clerk, and most recently named, as the Curator of Patrimony. I have served as the associate pastor and administrator of Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Canton, Ohio while working as a member of the Pastoral Care Department at Aultman Hospital as Chaplain, as well as the Associate Pastor of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, also in Canton. My zeal for parish life in ministry can readily be seen when preaching, visiting the sick and homebound, where I utilize my creativity and pastoral skills.

In addition to my pastoral work, my interest and education in art are also serving the diocese. Before entering seminary, I earned an undergraduate degree in Fine Art from Youngstown State University. I have designed logos, provided drawings and sketches for renovations, and designed stationery and devotional art that are still in use in the parishes that I have been part of throughout my priesthood and prior. In addition to parish art, I have designed other ecclesiastical and liturgical items, including Bishop Murry's pectoral cross and crozier. Art and design have always been an important part of my life, especially now, working within the archives department, with Mrs. Joan Lawson, Diocesan Archivist and Chancellor, and Ms. Hannah Klacik, Assistant Archivist. I am sincerely grateful to be part of this important ministry within the Diocese and to all of the parishes that we serve. Most among these are people of Saint Columba Cathedral, Saint Edward, and Holy Apostles Parishes here in Youngstown. I look forward to meeting you and learning how I can be of service to your community.

Ralph Holtzhauser

Music Director

As Cathedral Musician, Mr. Holtzhauser will serve as the principal musician, organist, and choir director for cathedral and diocesan liturgies. Additionally, in an expansion of the position, Mr. Holtzhauser will serve as Diocesan Director of Music, providing guidance and support for liturgical music throughout the diocese. This includes formation and training programs for parish musicians, assistance to pastors in recruitment and hiring of musicians, and acting as a resource for pastors and parish musicians on issues related to liturgical music and the development of parish music programs. The Diocesan Director of Music serves within the Office of Worship and as an ex officio member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and as a member of the music subcommittee.

Ralph Holtzhauser grew up in Rocky River, Ohio, and has been a liturgical musician from a young age. Having started playing the piano at the age of two, Holtzhauser was accompanying the entire Mass on organ beginning in the second grade and had served three parishes by the end of high school. Mr. Holzhauser is a 2016 graduate of Baldwin Wallace University, with majors in organ performance and composition, and is currently completing his master’s degree in organ performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Holtzhauser has served as a liturgical musician for 21 years at parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland, most recently as Director of Music at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Chagrin Falls. His parish music ministry has included service as a music teacher in Catholic schools, with success in growing choir participation and in facilitating his choir’s participation in outside events, award competitions, and The Christmas Carol at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square. Since 2020, Mr. Holtzhauser has served on the Board of the Cleveland Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, as Parochial School Liaison.

Sr. Martha Reed

Director of Religious Education

Sr. Martha is an Ursuline Sister serving at the Cathedral of Saint Columba as Pastoral Minister/Director of Religious Education. She has been an active member of the parish since 1999. After teaching special education for 27 years, Sister Martha joined the staff here at the Cathedral in September 2017.

Besides providing outreach to the poor and the homebound, Sr. Martha coordinates the altar servers, ushers, children’s liturgy of the word leaders, and catechist for religious education classes. Sister Martha also prepares youth and families for the reception of the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation.

Nikki Morris

Administrative Assistant

Nikki Morris spent her formative years in the Steubenville Diocese. She graduated with an Associate Degree with a Business Concentration from Eastern Gateway Community College. She is a pround Youngstown State University Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts. Being a life long learne, she attained concentrations in English, Sociology, and Psychology. While she was at Youngstown State, she took minor classes in violin and viola. After graduation, she was a violin instrucotor and English as a second language teacher to student in China. With the help of the ministry of education, she attained a second Bachelor of Arts degree in ESL. Her love of writing led her to work as a journalist. Later on, she felt led to assist the Dominian Friars and become coordinator of their religious education program. She is currently serving the Diocese of Youngstown as an administrative assistant.