Fr. Paul A. Noble is the Pastor of St. Matthew the Apostle Church.  He is from Detroit, Michigan, and is the fifth child in a family of 4 girls and 3 boys.

Fr. Noble received his calling early in life.  At the age of 11, he attended a summer camp run by the PIME (Pontifical Institute of Foreign Missions) Missionaries.  Through the years and into high school, PIME continued to influence him.  He attended the PIME High School, located in Newark, Ohio.  He also attended University of Detroit. He studied theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he received a Masters of Arts Degree in Spirituality.  In 1981 He was ordained a priest through PIME Missionaries. 

Fr. Noble's first assignment was as a principal of a high school seminary.   Later, he received his Master of Arts in Education Administration at the Ohio State University.

He completed four years of high school work and decided to join the Diocese of Columbus.  He was assigned a short term associate pastor of St. Paul's in Westerville.  From there, he became principal at William Fisher Catholic High School in Lancaster, Ohio.  Soon, Fr. Noble earned a Ph.D. in Education Administration at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.  Afterwards, he served as superintendent-vicar of education in the Columbus Diocese from 1991 to 1998.

Fr. Noble became associate pastor to St. Matthew the Apostle Church in July 1998.  In April of 1999, after the retirement of Msgr. Edward McFarland, Fr. Noble became the pastor of St. Matthew.  He began the construction for the new church in September of 2003 with the demolition of the previous church to make way for the new church which was dedicated on December 20, 2004.

Father's favorite part of being a priest is working with people. He feels being a part of people's lives at this time is rich and rewarding.


Fr. Anthony Lonzo, is the Associate Pastor of St. Matthew Church. He is from Mount Vernon, Ohio  and is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Lonzo.  Fr. Lonzo has a sister who is a kindergarten teacher at Holy Spirit, here in Columbus, Ohio. 

Fr. Lonzo knew he wanted to be a priest from a very young age.  He said somewhere between the 1st and 4th grades he knew that his calling was to the priesthood. 

"I guess that what may have helped me think about a vocation to the priesthood was the influence of a holy priest while I was growing up and the influence of my family, especially my great aunt, who was a very devout member of my home parish:  St. Vincent's in Mt. Vernon."

Fr. Lonzo grew up in Mount Vernon with his mother, father and younger sister, who is a kindergarten teacher.  He attended St. Vincent de Paul grade school and Mount Vernon high school.  When looking into colleges, thoughts of the priesthood crept back into his mind and he chose to attend the Josephinum.  After completing his four years there he headed to Rome to attend the North American College.

Fr. Lonzo was ordained a deacon in Rome in October of 2004.  He had the privilege of being in St. Peter's Square at the election of Pope Benedict XVI and watched him appear to the crowd after the announcement was made.  "I was very thankful that I could be in Rome as history was being made for the Church and the world.  It was an amazing experience to be present as Pope Benedict XVI was announced to the Church and the world after such a great pope as John Paul II.  It was an experience that I will always remember and one that strengthened my own faith in how the Holy Spirit works and guides the Church."   

Fr. Lonzo returned to the States on June 7th, 2005.  He was ordained a priest at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Columbus on June 25th 2005 by Bishop Frederick F. Campbell. St. Matthew's parish is the first assignment for Fr. Lonzo following his ordination. 

As the newest addition to St. Matthew's, Fr. Lonzo hopes to "serve the people of the parish through the sacraments and assisting them with their relationships with God the best that I can."  He is looking forward to learning and meeting the needs of the parishioners as well as learning from Fr. Noble and Msgr. Maloney.  

"I am very happy to be here, the people are so welcoming.  I look forward to getting to know the parishioners."

So, if you see Fr. Lonzo, stop and say hello and welcome.


Monsignor Stephan J. Moloney, Vicar General and Chancellor of the Columbus Diocese works closely with the diocesan bishop in the governance of the diocese.  As such, he oversees the operation of the Chancery.  The Vicar General also fulfills a wide variety of administrative duties, including overseeing priest personnel issues; clergy communications; diocesan policies and procedures; and overseeing offices in the diocesan Administration Vicariate, which includes the Building Superintendent, Catholic Cemeteries, The Catholic Times, Department of Communications, Technology Office, Development Office, Finance Office, Foundation of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus, Personnel Services Office, and Printing Services.  As Chancellor, he is responsible for all official diocesan documentation and records. 

Msgr. Moloney was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 1982, at St. Joseph Cathedral, Columbus.  His first assignment was as an Associate Pastor at St. Peter Church in Columbus, where he served from 1982-86. In July, 1988, he was named Vice Chancellor of the Diocese of Columbus.  In January 1996, he was named Episcopal Vicar for Spiritual Life, and in November of 1997 was named Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese of Columbus.  In September of 1998, he was named Episcopal Vicar for Administration.

Msgr. holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English from the Pontifical College Josephinum, and a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts degrees from Mount Saint Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  He holds a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. 

In September of 1992, Msgr. Moloney was named a Chaplain of His Holiness by Pope John Paul II and accorded the title Reverend Monsignor.  In November of 1999, he was named a Prelate of Honor of His Holiness.

Msgr. Moloney joined St. Matthew Parish in July 1988 in Residence.  He assists the St. Matthew community with Masses, sacramental needs, and religious education.  He is always willing to speak to the  children who attend St. Matthew School and Religious Education classes.

 
 
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