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. Bala Prasad Marneni
Parochial Vicar

Comes from the Diocese of Nalgonda in Southern India. His parents Bartholomew and Martha and his two brothers Vijay and Joseph married with two boys each; are all devout Catholics.

Rev. Marneni joined Seminary after high school to pursue seminary studies in Philosophy and Theology under Franciscan Capuchins and Jesuits, respectively.
Rev. Marneni also completed his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Master’s degree in English Literature in the Indian Universities.

Rev. Marneni, during his 23 years of priestly ministry has served at various capacities besides being a pastor, including professor at a Minor Seminary and Director of the Scholarship Office in the diocese of Nalgonda. In Australia, he worked as a supply priest on various occasions. He also worked as pastor in the Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota, in the United States of America for five years.

Rev. Marneni is committed to bringing the message of Christ closer to people with his humble and compassionate ministry. He also strongly believes in Divine Mercy and its Grace working in the modern church and that everyone needs to be open and receptive to it.

Choosing to work in the Diocese of Youngstown, OH, since June 2024, Rev. Marneni was appointed as the Parochial Vicar at St. Columba Cathedral, Holy Apostles and St. Edward Parish, Youngstown.

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 proud Youngstown State University Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts. Being a life long learner, 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 instructor and English as a second language teacher to students in China. With the help of the Ministry of Education, she attained a second Bachelor of Arts degree in ESL. 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.