Father DeLucia returns to pastoral work after four years as president of Cardinal Mooney High School
Board Chairman Dan Landers will be interim president until completion of nationwide search for next president.
YOUNGSTOWN – On July 15, Rev. Gerald DeLucia, president, Cardinal Mooney High School will return to pastoral work after four years guiding the Catholic preparatory school.
“The entire Cardinal Mooney family – students, parents, alumni, faculty, administrator, employees and the Board – owes Father DeLucia a great debt,” Board Chairman Dan Landers said. “During these last four years, Father worked with the City of Youngstown to secure adjoining properties in Mooney’s neighborhood and plans for the expansion of the campus have begun. We secured the largest single donation in the school’s history. Denise DeBartolo York and family and Edward DeBartolo, Jr. and family are funding a multi-million dollar renovation of the entire school building, as well as enlarging the school’s endowment for student scholarships. A new state-of-the-art Computer Lab has become a reality and Chrome Books have been provided to all of the faculty members.”
“I have decided to return full time to parish ministry,” DeLucia said. “I am deeply grateful for the support of the administration and faculty over these years and I am especially grateful for having had the opportunity to become a member of the Mooney Family with its strong traditions and bonds of love. I have considered it a great honor to hold this position and to be a part of the Catholic Education of so many young people.”
Susan Trewella, Campus Minister, noted the impact Fr. DeLucia’s spiritual guidance made on the students, faculty, and staff during his tenure as president. “Fr. DeLucia was a powerfully spiritual and prophetic presence in our school. His homilies challenged us to live the gospel message. He called us to celebrate diversity and to respect all as brothers and sisters in Christ. God be with you good and faithful servant,” Trewella said.
In addition to his duties as Mooney president, DeLucia also serves as associate pastor of St. Charles Parish and provides sacramental coverage for St. Luke Parish due to the illness of its pastor.
“It is time for me to return my full efforts to parish work.” DeLucia said.
Assistant Principal Teresa Yarger added, “as the inaugural president of Cardinal Mooney High School, Father DeLucia was a strong guiding force for all of the Mooney Family. His powerful spoken words and his daily example of Christian service motivated us all to be stewards of the Gospel message. Thank you, Father DeLucia, for leading us in ways of sanctity, scholarship and discipline.”
Mark Vollmer, Principal, states, “I wish Fr. DeLucia well in his new role and thank him for his guidance over the past few years. He certainly will be missed. We all owe him a great deal of gratitude as we transition to a new president. The Mooney Family thanks you! We look forward to working with Dan Landers in the interim to advance Cardinal Mooney High School, and then the new president after the search process is complete.”
Landers will serve as interim president of Cardinal Mooney during a nationwide search for DeLucia’s replacement.
Landers, 58, who is a 1975 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School, has been chairman of the Mooney board since 2014. He is president of Landers-Lewis Insurance Agency & Consulting Services, LLC.