priest assignments 2021

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SUMMARY OF PRIESTS ASSIGNMENT CHANGES

Bishop vann is pleased to announce the following appointments, effective july 1, 2021.

PASTORS    

REV. EUGENE LEE   

From Director, Korean Martyrs Catholic Center, Westminster   

To Pastor, St. Thomas More Church, Irvine   

REV. JOSEPH SON NGUYEN   

From Censor Librorum    

To Pastor, Holy Family Church, Seal Beach   

Continuing as Censor Librorum and Theological Consultant to the Bishop   

REV. KEVIN SWEENEY    

From Active Military duty as Captain in the U.S. Navy, and Command Chaplain for Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oceanside   

To Pastor, St. Vincent de Paul Church, Huntington Beach   

PASTOR EXTENDED  

REV. JAMES RIES    

From Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima Church, San Clemente   

To Pastor Extended, Our Lady of Fatima Church, San Clemente   

ADMINISTRATORS/DIRECTORS  

REV. RANDY GUILLEN  

From Parochial Vicar, St. Joachim Church, Costa Mesa  

To Parochial Administrator, St. Angela Merici Church, Brea  

REV. ALEX HA  

From Director, Our Lady of Peace Korean Catholic Center, Irvine  

To Director, St. Thomas the Apostle Korean Catholic Center, Anaheim  

REV. DANIEL SEO  

From Parochial Vicar, Holy Family Church, Orange  

To Director, Our Lady of Peace Korean Catholic Center, Irvine  

REV. QUAN TRAN  

From Parochial Vicar, St. Bonaventure Church, Huntington Beach  

To Parochial Administrator, St. Hedwig Church, Los Alamitos  

REV. BENEDICT YANG  

From Director, St. Thomas the Apostle Korean Catholic Center, Anaheim  

To Director, Korean Martyrs Catholic Center, Westminster  

ADMINISTRATOR EXTENDED  

REV. PAUL THAI TRINH  

From Parochial Administrator, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Irvine  

To Parochial Administrator Extended, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Irvine  

PAROCHIAL VICARS    

REV. SAÚL ALBA-INFANTE    

From Parochial Vicar, St. Joseph Church, Santa Ana   

To Parochial Vicar, San Antonio de Padua del Caňon Church, Anaheim Hills   

REV. VENANCIO AMIDAR    

From Parochial Vicar, San Antonio de Padua del Caňon Church, Anaheim Hills   

To Parochial Vicar, St. Catherine of Siena Church, Laguna Beach   

REV. HECTOR BEDOYA    

From Supply Priest and In-residence, St. Mary Church, Fullerton   

To Parochial Vicar, St. Mary Church, Fullerton   

REV. MIGUEL ÁNGEL CÁRABEZ HERRERA   

From Parochial Vicar, La Purísima Church, Orange   

To Parochial Vicar, St. Joachim Church, Costa Mesa   

REV. STEVE CORREZ    

From Interim Director of the Missions Office, Pastoral Center   

To Parochial Vicar, St. Joachim Church, Costa Mesa while providing assistance in the Missions Office   

REV. JAIME HERNÁNDEZ DÍAZ, OFM    

From Parochial Vicar, St. Catherine of Siena Church, Laguna Beach   

To Parochial Vicar, St. Anthony Claret Church, Anaheim   

REV. CARLOS LEÓN    

From Parochial Vicar, St. Pius V Church, Buena Park   

To Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Santa Ana   

REV. JUAN NAVARRO SANCHEZ    

From Parochial Administrator Pro Tempore, St. Boniface Church, Anaheim   

To Parochial Vicar, La Purísima Church, Orange   

REV. JOSEPH DUNG NGUYEN    

From Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Santa Ana   

To Vietnamese Catholic Center, Santa Ana, while continuing to assist with Vietnamese ministry at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Santa Ana   

REV. MICHAEL DUC NGUYEN    

From further studies, Pontifical North American College – Casa Santa Maria, Rome, Italy   

To Parochial Vicar, St. Cecilia Church, Tustin and various   

Canonical duties, including Defender of the Bond, Pastoral Center   

REV. HOA TRAN    

From Parochial Vicar, St. Martin de Porres Church, Yorba Linda   

To Parochial Vicar, St. Bonaventure Church, Huntington Beach   

REV. MAURO TRUJILLO NOLASCO   

To Parochial Vicar, St. Irenaeus Church, Cypress   

NEWLY ORDAINED PRIESTS    

REV. MR. CHEEYOON CHUN    

From Mt. Angel Seminary, Oregon   

To Parochial Vicar, Holy Family Church, Orange   

REV. MR. MICHAEL FITZPATRICK    

From Pontifical North American College Seminary, Rome, Italy   

To Further studies, complete S.T.L., Pontifical North American College, Rome, Italy   

Summer In-residence, St. John Neumann Church, Irvine   

REV. MR. BRANDON LOPEZ    

From St. John’s Seminary, Camarillo   

To Parochial Vicar, St. Pius V Church, Buena Park   

SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT  

REV. CHRISTOPHER HEATH  

From Pastor, St. Hedwig Church, Los Alamitos  

To Director of Diocesan Archives;  

In-residence, St. Columban Church, Garden Grove  

REV. WALTER E. JENKINS, C.S.C., ED.D.  

From President, Holy Cross High School, Queens, N.Y.  

To President of Mater Dei High School;  

In-residence, St. Bonaventure Church, Huntington Beach  

REV. TIMOTHY NGUYEN  

Notary, Canonical Services; In-residence with Bishop Brown  

REV. NICOLAUS THAI  

From Parochial Vicar, St. Cecilia Church, Tustin  

To Formation Faculty, Mt. Angel Seminary, Oregon  

REV. PAUL VU  

From Officialis , Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts & Doctoral Studies in Canon Law, Rome, Italy  

To Part-time Parochial Vicar, St. Joseph Church, Santa Ana and Adjutant Judicial Vicar, Office of Canonical Services  

FURTHER STUDIES  

REV. WILLIAM GOLDIN  

From Parochial Vicar, St. Irenaeus Church, Cypress  

To Post-graduate studies at Cambridge/Oxford University  

SABBATICAL  

REV. DAVID KLUNK  

From Administrator Extended, St. Angela Merici Church, Brea  

To Sabbatical – effective July 1, 2021  

CHAPLAINCIES  

REV. ANTHONY BAUTISTA, A.M.  

From Alagad ni Maria Religious Community, Philippines  

To Ch aplain, Mater Dei High School, Santa Ana  

Pending entry into USA from Philippines  

REV. FLORANTE MOREN, A.M.  

To Chaplain, Cal State University Fullerton  

INCARDINATION  

VERY REV. ERNEST SCOTT BORGMAN  

From In-residence, St. Columban Church, Garden Grove  

Incardinated March 19, 2021 from the Diocese of Fréjus -Toulon, France  

To In-residence, St. Martin de Porres Church, Yorba Linda  

Remaining as Judicial Vicar, Office of Canonical Services  

REV. MARCO ANTONIO HERNÁNDEZ QUINTANILLA  

From Parochial Vicar, St. Edward the Confessor Church, Dana Point  

Incardinated April 27, 2021 from the Provincia Franciscana de los Ss. Francisco y Santiago en México, A.R.  

Remaining as Parochial Vicar, St. Edward the Confessor Church, Dana Point  

REV. JUAN CABOBOY  

From Pastor, Holy Family Church, Seal Beach  

To Pastor Emeritus in current residence.  

REV. CRAIG BUTTERS  

From Faculty, Santa Margarita Catholic High School ,Rancho Santa Margarita  

To Re tired Priest Status in private residence.  

REV. JOHN JANZE  

From Pastor, St. Thomas More Church, Irvine  

To Pastor Emeritus in private residence.  

REV. JEROME KARCHER  

From Pastor, St. Vincent de Paul Church, Huntington Beach  

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2021 Priest Assignments

Please keep all our priests in your prayers. Changes will go into effect July 1, 2021.

© 2024 Catholic Diocese of Wichita

424 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202 (316) 269-3900

Priest Assignments for 2021

The priest assignments for 2021 are listed below. Please keep our priests and those they serve in prayer as these changes take place. 

Parish Pastor

Buckman, Rev. Thomas, Pastor, St. Mary Parish in Franklin and Christ the King Parish in Scottsville.  Effective June 8, 2021.

Kulathumkal, Rev. Babu, Pastor, St. Pius X Parish in Owensboro.  Effective June 8, 2021.

McCarty, Rev. Joshua, Pastor, St. Leo Parish in Murray.  Chaplain and Director of Catholic Newman Center, Murray State University. Effective June 8, 2021

Thomas, Rev. John, Pastor, St. Stephen Cathedral and Blessed Sacrament Chapel in Owensboro.  Effective July 13, 2021

Thomas, Rev. Shaiju, Pastor, St. Anthony Parish in Axtel and St. Mary of the Woods Parish in McQuady.  Effective June 8, 2021.

Thompson, Rev. William, Pastor, St. Joseph Parish in Central City.  Continuing with ministry in the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal.   Effective June 8, 2021.

Vadakumkara, Rev. Shijo, Pastor, St. William Parish in Knottsville and St. Lawrence parish in Saint Lawrence.  Effective June 8, 2021.

Valomchalil, Rev. Augusty, Pastor, St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Sorgho.  Effective June 8, 2021.

Williams, Rev. Brandon, Pastor, St. Anthony Parish in Peonia, St. Augustine Parish in Grayson Springs and St. Benedict Parish in Wax.  Continuing as Co-Director of Office of Worship.  Effective June 8, 2021.

Parochial Vicar

Abiero, Rev. Michael Charles, Parochial Vicar, St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro.  Effective June 8, 2021.

Az Cuc, Rev. Basilio, Parochial Vicar, St. Thomas More Parish in Paducah.  Effective June 8, 2021.

Bremer, Rev. Al, Parochial Vicar, Sacred Heart Parish in Russellville and Sacramental Minister at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Guthrie.  Effective June 8, 2021.

Bruns, Rev. Corey, Parochial Vicar, St. Joseph Parish in Bowling Green.  Effective June 8, 2021.

Dillard, Rev. Daniel, Parochial Vicar, Sts. Joseph & Paul Parish in Owensboro, Chaplain at Owensboro Catholic High School, and Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Owensboro.  Effective June 8, 2021.

Pynadath, Rev. Sinoj, Parochial Vicar, Sts. Peter & Paul Parish in Hopkinsville. Effective June 8, 2021.

Williams, Rev. Mike, Parochial Vicar, Sts. Joseph & Paul Parish in Owensboro, Chaplain at Brescia University.  Effective June 8, 2021.

McClure, Rev. Jason, Chaplain and Director of St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center, Bowling Green, Kentucky and ministry to Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp and Retreat Center while continuing as Vicar for Clergy effective June 8, 2021.

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Diocesan News

• Clergy Appointments 2021

Assignments are effective on June 14, 2021 unless otherwise noted

Pastor/Administrator Rev. Timothy C. Danek is appointed Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Auburn, and St. Clara Parish in Peru. He is also appointed to teach at Lourdes Central in Nebraska City.

Very Rev. Douglas D. Dietrich is appointed Pastor of St. James Parish in Cortland, Vicar for Clergy, and Director of Hospitals, Care Centers and Nursing Facilities.

Rev. Jeffrey R. Eickhoff is appointed Administrator of St. Wenceslaus Parish in Wahoo, effective May 1, 2021 and Pastor of St. Wenceslaus Parish in Wahoo, effective June 14, 2021.

Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Fucinaro is appointed Pastor of the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln. This appointment is effective February 1, 2022.

Rev. Loras K. Grell is appointed Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Wymore, St. Mary Parish in Odell, and St. Joseph Parish in Barneston.

Rev. Sean P. Kilcawley is appointed Pastor of St. Leo Parish in Palmyra and St. Martin Parish in Douglas. He retains his appointment as Director of the Family Life Office and the Freedom from Pornography apostolate.

Rev. Andrew J. Litt is appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Shelby, teacher at Aquinas High School in David City. He retains his appointment as Advocate on the Diocesan Tribunal.

Rev. Karl T. Millis is appointed Administrator of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in North Platte.

Rev. Leo V. Seiker is appointed Administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Friend.

Rev. Mark E. Seiker is appointed Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Aurora and St. Joseph Parish in Giltner.

Rev. Adam M. Sparling is appointed Pastor of St. Anne Parish in Campbell and Holy Trinity Parish in Blue Hill.

Very Rev. Joseph M. Walsh is appointed Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Lincoln and Chairman of the Bishop’s Appeal for Vocations and the Charity and Stewardship Appeal. He retains his appointment as Vicar for Development, Chairman of the Social Justice Commission, and Director of the Apostleship of Prayer and Enthronement of the Sacred Heart.

Rev. James Evan Winter is appointed Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Minden and Holy Family Parish in Heartwell. He retains his appointments as Assistant Spiritual Director for the Legion of Mary and Advocate on the Diocesan Tribunal.

Reverend Justin Wylie is appointed Parish Administrator of St. James Parish in Trenton, Holy Family Parish in Palisade, and St. John Parish in Wauneta. This assignment is effective February 1, 2022.

Parochial Vicars

Rev. Samuel P. Beardslee is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Teresa Parish in Lincoln. He retains his appointments as teacher at Pius X High School and Advocate on the Diocesan Tribunal.

Rev. Luke J. Fleck is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Michael Parish in Lincoln. He retains his appointment as teacher at Pius X High School and Advocate on the Diocesan Tribunal.

Rev. Allan N. Phan is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. James Parish/Sacred Heart Church in Crete, teacher at Pius X High School in Lincoln. He retains his appointment as Advocate on the Diocesan Tribunal.

Rev. Mark S. Pfeiffer is appointed Senior Parochial Vicar at St. Mary Parish in Nebraska City.

Rev. Shravankumar Raminedi is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Seward and Assistant Chaplain at Bryan Medical Center West.

Rev. Andrew S. Schwenka is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Wenceslaus Parish in Wahoo and teacher at Bishop Neumann High School in Wahoo. He retains his appointment as Advocate on the Diocesan Tribunal.

Rev. Brian R. Wirth is appointed Parochial Vicar at Cristo Rey Parish in Lincoln, Diocesan Moderator for Catholic Rural Life, and teacher at Pius X High School. He retains his appointment as Advocate on the Diocesan Tribunal.

Special Appointments

Rev. Christopher M. Eckrich is appointed priest secretary to Most Rev. James D. Conley in addition to his current assignments.

Rev. Caleb D. Hile is appointed Co-Chaplain for Frassati in addition to his current assignments.

Rev. Caleb J. La Rue is appointed Vice-Chancellor, Director of the Permanent Diaconate Program, and priest in residence at St. Thomas Aquinas/Newman Center in Lincoln. This appointment is effective September 1, 2021.

Rev. Steven Mills is appointed Assistant Principal at Pius X High School and Priest in Residence at St. John Parish in Lincoln.

Rev. James Meysenburg has been granted his request for a sabbatical by Bishop James Conley. He will remain Priest in Residence at St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln.

Rev. Adam M. Sughroue is appointed to formation and mentoring of seminarians at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, in addition to his current assignments.

Rev. Joseph C. Wahlmeier is appointed teacher at Pius X High School and Advocate on the Diocesan Tribunal in addition to his current assignments.

Reverend Christopher Miller is relieved from his present assignments as Pastor of St. James Parish in Trenton, Holy Family Parish in Palisade, and St. John Parish in Wauneta. Father Miller is granted a short-term medical leave of absence. He will enter a renewal program to care for his physical and mental health. This assignment is effective January 10, 2022.

Reverend Lothar Gilde , in addition to his present assignments, is appointed temporary Parish Administrator of St. James Parish in Trenton, Holy Family Parish in Palisade, and St. John Parish in Wauneta. This assignment is effective January 10, 2022 – February 1, 2022.

Very Rev. Ferdinand Boehme, V.F. is appointed Dean of the Lawrence Deanery.

Very Rev. Bernard Kimminau, V.F.  is appointed Dean of the Indianola Deanery.

Very Rev. Joseph Walsh, V.F. is appointed Dean of the Lincoln West Deanery.

Rev. Msgr. Adrian F. Herbek is relieved of his appointment as Administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Friend and will retire to Bonacum House in Lincoln.

Rev. James C. Schrader is relieved of his appointment as Pastor of St. Anne Parish in Campbell and Holy Trinity Parish in Blue Hill. He has been granted early retirement to care for his mother in the family home.

Rev. Julius P. Tvrdy is relieved of his appointment as Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Minden and Holy Family Parish in Heartwell and will retire from active ministry.

Newly ordained

Rev. Dale Allder is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Patrick Parish in McCook, Sacred Heart Parish in McCook (rural Hayes Center) and St. Ann Parish in McCook and Advocate on the Diocesan Tribunal.

Rev. Matthew Kovar is appointed Parochial Vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Lincoln, teacher at Pius X High School in Lincoln, and Advocate on the Diocesan Tribunal.

Transitional Deacons

Effective June 7-July 25, 2021

Rev. Mr. Liam S. O’Shea-Creal is appointed to serve as a transitional deacon at North American Martyrs Parish in Lincoln.

Rev. Mr. Tony C. Schukei is appointed to serve as a transitional deacon at St. Peter Parish in Lincoln.

Rev. Mr. Christian T. Schwenka is appointed to serve as a transitional deacon at St. Mary Parish in David City.

Rev. Mr. Dominic I. Winter is appointed to serve as transitional deacon at St. Cecilia Parish in Hastings.

Permanent Deacon

Effective June 14, 2021

Deacon Matthew Hecker, PhD is appointed to serve as a permanent deacon at St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln.

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Bishop Stika announces priest assignments

July 2, 2021

Changes in ministry will impact seven parishes across East Tennessee

By Bill Brewer

Father Patrick Resen

Father Patrick Resen, a former lawyer and judge who has served as a priest of the Diocese of Knoxville since 2007, has announced his retirement from the active priesthood.

Father Resen’s retirement was among several moves announced by Bishop Richard F. Stika in June that take effect this summer and will impact seven diocesan parishes.

Father Resen, 75, serves at Holy Trinity Parish in Jefferson City and has been active in the pro-life ministry in East Tennessee. He was born in Walla Walla, Wash., in 1946, and has lived in more than a dozen states and overseas.

When ordained to the diaconate in 2006, his ordination took place at St. Patrick Church in Morristown, where his aunt and uncle were members. Father Resen has relocated to El Paso, Texas, where his mother lived.

Father Resen came to holy orders after a long career in the legal profession. He first studied for the priesthood with the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles and decided to become a diocesan priest in East Tennessee before his ordination. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Joseph E. Kurtz.

Father Resen has served as pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in Jefferson City since 2014. Prior to that he served as pastor of St. Catherine Labouré in Copperhill, associate pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Madisonville, associate pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville, and associate pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Alcoa.

Father Jim Harvey

Succeeding Father Resen at Holy Trinity will be Father Jim Harvey, who has been pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville since 2014. Father Harvey also served as pastor of St. Alphonsus from December 2006 to 2011.

Father Harvey was ordained to the priesthood in 1996 by Bishop Anthony J. O’Connell from his home parish, St. Dominic in Kingsport. At St. Alphonsus, Father Harvey has begun with the Crossville parishioners a project to build a new church building.

Prior to St. Alphonsus, among Father Harvey’s assignments were as pastor of Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville and as associate pastor of St. John Neumann in Farragut, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chattanooga, Notre Dame, Good Shepherd in Newport, and St. Henry in Rogersville.

Father Mark Schuster

Father Mark Schuster, who was the first priest ordained in the new Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in June 2019, will be the parochial administrator of St. Alphonsus.

Father Schuster was ordained by Bishop Stika and has served as an associate pastor of St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut since his ordination.

Father Moisés Moreno, parochial vicar and chaplain of the Hispanic community at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, will become associate pastor at St. Mary Parish in Gatlinburg and Holy Cross Parish in Pigeon Forge. He also will lead the Hispanic communities in those parishes.

His new assignment is effective Aug. 1.

Father Moisés Moreno

Father Moreno, who is originally from the state of Aguascalientes, Mexico, and attended seminary at Leon Guanajuato, accepted an invitation from then-Bishop Kurtz to join the Diocese of Knoxville. He continued studies at Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, Texas, and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga to prepare for ordination in East Tennessee.

He was ordained a deacon in 2007 by Bishop Kurtz and then had to wait for nearly three years until Bishop Stika was installed as the new shepherd of the Diocese of Knoxville before he was ordained a priest in November 2010. His first assignment was as an associate priest at St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga in 2011 until he was assigned to the basilica in September 2020.

Father Bob O’Donnell, a Paulist priest who has been serving as associate director of St. John XXIII University Parish on the University of Tennessee-Knoxville campus, will be transitioning into senior ministry status on July 1, according to the Paulist Fathers.

Father Bob O’Donnell

Father O’Donnell will continue to have an office at St. John XXIII and live in Knoxville near the Paulist residence. He will fill in when needed to celebrate Mass and assist in other priest duties.

Father Richard Whitney

Succeeding Father O’Donnell at St. John XXIII is Father Richard Whitney, CSP. Father Whitney was ordained a priest on May 22 at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City, where the Paulist Fathers are based.

Sister Peter Miriam Dolan, a Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma, Mich., is the new diocesan director of Christian Formation. Sister Peter Miriam is originally from northern Illinois.

Sister Peter Miriam’s love for Christ and His Church inspired her to serve a year with NET Ministries, where she traveled around the country facilitating retreats for Catholic youth, challenging them to love Christ and embrace the life of the Church. Following her time with NET Ministries, she attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., and graduated with a degree in theology and philosophy.

Sister Peter Miriam

Sister Peter Miriam entered the Religious Sisters of Mercy in 2016. Her most recent service was in the Archdiocese of Seattle, where she served as the pastoral assistant for Faith Formation and Youth and as Young Adult minister for St. Mary Church in Anacortes, Wash., and St. Paul Church. Sister Peter Miriam also is a certified EMT.

Sister Maria Juan

Sister Maria Juan Anderson, RSM, has transitioned from serving as director of Christian Formation for the diocese to executive secretary for Bishop Stika. She succeeds Peggy Humphreys, longtime executive secretary for Bishop Stika who retired in January. Sister Maria Juan, a native of Idaho, has been a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma since 2012. She is scheduled to make her final vows in August.

Paola Wolaver

The diocesan Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Pastoral Juvenil Ministry has announced that Paola Bustos Wolaver has been named a full-time Young Adult Ministry coordinator.

Mrs. Wolaver was born in Venezuela, raised in Miami, and moved to Knoxville in 2018 to attend graduate school. She started as the full-time diocesan Young Adult Ministry coordinator on May 1. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Mrs. Wolaver said she is eager to serve the diverse Diocese of Knoxville community and accompany young adults on their journey of faith.

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Bishops come full circle 40 years after seminary in Belgium

Classmates are now episcopal colleagues as they help lead the U.S. Church By Jim Wogan Bishop Mark Beckman’s sister, Melissa, remembers the day her oldest brother left for Belgium. “When he was headed to the airport, I hid because I didn’t want him to get on the plane, and it took them a while to find me,” she said, looking back almost 40 years. “We wrote letters back and forth, and he would call every now and then. He would send us chocolates from Belgium.” In 1984, following his graduation from St. Ambrose College Seminary in Davenport, Iowa, Mark Beckman made a leap of faith—a giant step that took him 4,500 miles from his hometown of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., all the way to the small Belgian city of Leuven, also referred to as Louvain in French. “Monsignor Tracy Ellis, the dean of Catholic-American Church history, gave a lecture at St. Ambrose... Read more →

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Priest assignments june 2024 in the archdiocese.

Effective February 12, 2024

Reverend Ethan Moore appointed Parochial Vicar of C-1 Family of Parishes which includes St. John the Evangelist, New Paris, St. Mary, Camden, St. Mary, Oxford and Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Eaton.

Effective July 1, 2024

Reverend Kenneth Alt, CPPS appointed Parochial Vicar of NW-8 Family of Parishes which includes Holy Redeemer, New Bremen, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cassella, Precious Blood, Chickasaw, St. Augustine, Minster, St. John the Baptist, Maria Stein, St. Joseph, Egypt, St. Rose, St. Rose and St. Sebastian, St. Sebastian effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026.

Reverend Brice J. Berger appointed Parochial Vicar of C-3 Family of Parishes which includes St. Francis de Sales, Lebanon and St. Philip the Apostle, Morrow.

Reverend Adam C. Berning appointed Parochial Vicar of NW-2 Family of Parishes which includes Holy Rosary, St. Marys, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Montezuma, Immaculate Conception, Celina, St. Patrick, Glynwood and St. Teresa, Rockford.

Reverend Alex Biryomumeisho appointed Parochial Vicar of NW-7 Family of Parishes which includes Holy Angels, Sidney, Sacred Heart of Jesus, McCartyville, St. Michael, Fort Loramie and Sts. Peter & Paul, Newport.

Reverend James Gaynor, CPPS appointed Parochial Vicar of NE-6 Family of Parishes which includes Emmanuel, Dayton, Holy Trinity, Dayton, Precious Blood, Dayton, St. Joseph Dayton, St. Paul, Englewood and St. Rita, Dayton effective July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026.

Reverend John P. Grusenmeyer appointed Parochial Vicar of NW-3 Family of Parishes which includes St. Aloysius, Carthagena, St. Bernard, Burkettsville, St. Francis, Cranberry Prairie, St. Henry, St. Henry and St. Wendelin, St. Wendelin.

Reverend Aaron Hess appointed Parochial Vicar of S-3 Family of Parishes which includes Guardian Angels, Mt. Washington, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Anderson Township, St. Jerome Mission Church, Cincinnati and St. John Fisher, Newtown.

Reverend Edward J. Hoffmann will be released from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for extended Active Duty as a chaplain in the United States military.

Reverend Mark Hoying, CPPS appointed Parochial Vicar of NW-8 Family of Parishes which includes Holy Redeemer, New Bremen, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cassella, Precious Blood, Chickasaw, St. Augustine, Minster, St. John the Baptist, Maria Stein, St. Joseph, Egypt, St. Rose, St. Rose and St. Sebastian, St. Sebastian effective July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027.

Reverend Louis Jacquemin appointed Parochial Vicar of SW-7 Family of Parishes which includes Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Antoninus, St. Catharine of Siena and St. Martin of Tours, Cincinnati.

Reverend Michael Kapolka will be released from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for extended Active Duty as a chaplain in the United States military.

Reverend Jarred Kohn appointed Parochial Vicar of NE-1 Family of Parishes which includes Immaculate, Conception, North Lewisburg, Sacred Heart, St. Paris, St. Mary, Urbana, St. Mary of the Woods, Russells Point, St. Michael, Mechanicsburg and St. Patrick, Bellefontaine.

Reverend Christopher Komoroski appointed Pastor of NE-2 Family of Parishes which includes St. Bernard, Springfield, St. Charles Borromeo, South Charleston, St. Joseph, Springfield, St. Raphael, Springfield and St. Teresa of the Child Jesus, Springfield.

Reverend Benson Lokidiriyo appointed Parochial Vicar of SW-7 Family of Parishes which includes Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Antoninus, St. Catharine of Siena and St. Martin of Tours, Cincinnati.

Reverend Benjamin S. Mersch appointed Parochial Vicar of C-2 Family of Parishes which includes Holy Family, Middletown, Holy Name of Jesus, Trenton, and Our Lady of Sorrows, Monroe.

Reverend Matthew E. Montag appointed Parochial Vicar of C-7 Family of Parishes which includes St. Maximilian Kolbe, Liberty Township.

Reverend Ethan Moore appointed Parochial Vicar of NW-1 Family of Parishes which includes Holy Trinity, Coldwater, Mary Help of Christians, Ft. Recovery, St. Anthony, St. Anthony, St. Joseph, St. Joseph, St. Mary, Philothea, St. Paul, Sharpsburg and St. Peter, St. Peter.

Reverend Robert K. Muhlenkamp appointed Pastor of NW-2 Family of Parishes which includes Holy Rosary, St. Marys, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Montezuma, Immaculate Conception, Celina, St. Patrick, Glynwood, and St. Teresa, Rockford.

Reverend Thomas Nevels appointed Pastor of NE-5 Family of Parishes which includes St. Charles Borromeo, St. Albert the Great and Ascension, Kettering.

Reverend Edward Pratt appointed Parochial Vicar of SE-7 Family of Parishes which includes St. Andrew, Milford, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Milford and St. Veronica, Mt. Carmel.

Reverend James Riehle reappointed to another 6-year term as Pastor of C-7 Family of Parishes which includes St. Maximilian Kolbe, Liberty Township.

Reverend Anthony J. Sanitato appointed Parochial Vicar of NE-5 Family of Parishes which includes Ascension, St. Albert the Great, and St. Charles Borromeo, Kettering.

Reverend Jeremy S. Stubbs appointed Parochial Vicar of S-8 Family of Parishes which includes Holy Cross-Immaculata, Our Lord Christ the King, St. Rose and St. Stephen, Cincinnati.

Reverend John Tonkin appointed Pastor of NW-7 Family of Parishes which includes Holy Angels, Sidney, Sacred Heart of Jesus, McCartyville, St. Michael, Fort Loramie and Sts. Peter and Paul, Newport.

Reverend Nam Quoc Vu, SVD , appointed Parochial Vicar of C-6 Family of Parishes which includes Queen of Peace, Hamilton, St. Aloysius, Shandon, St. Joseph, Hamilton, St. Julie Billiart, Hamilton, and St. Peter in Chains, Hamilton.

Reverend Michael Willig appointed Parochial Vicar of Holy Face of Jesus Parish, Wapakoneta.

Reverend Sean Wilson appointed Pastor of Holy Face of Jesus Parish, Wapakoneta.

Retirement from active ministry

Reverend Anthony Dattilo, Parochial Vicar of SW-7, effective July 1, 2024

Reverend Robert Farrell, Parochial Vicar of C-3, effective July 1, 2024

Reverend John MacQuarrie, Pastor of NE-2, effective July 1, 2024

Effective August 1, 2024

Reverend Alan Hirt, OFM, appointed Pastor of S-14 Family of Parishes which includes St. Clement, St. Bernard and St. Francis Seraph, Cincinnati.

Reverend William (Jud) Weiksnar, OFM , appointed Parochial Vicar of S-14 Family of Parishes which includes St. Clement, St. Bernard and St. Francis Seraph, Cincinnati.

Effective Fall of 2024

Reverend Jacob B. Lindle assigned to graduate studies in Rome.

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Bishop Schlert Announces New Assignments for Diocesan Priests

Bishop Alfred Schlert has announced new assignments for diocesan priests.

Every year the Bishop works with the Priest Personnel Board, an advisory body made up of experienced priests who are representative of the Diocese and its many regions and ministries, to make decisions on new assignments.

New assignments are designed to meet the needs of the faithful in the Diocese’s 80 parishes, as well as fulfilling pastoral needs at college campuses, at hospitals, at diocesan high schools, and at prisons and nursing homes.

Priests can be reassigned for a number of reasons, including openings due to retirements, requests from clergy members, professional development of priests, and the need for a specific skill or talent that is a good match for a certain ministry.

The following assignments are effective June 21, 2022, unless otherwise noted.

Pastors Emeriti

Pastor Emeritus is an honorary title granted by the Bishop to a Pastor for exemplary service to the local Church.

Reverend William T. Campion,  Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Palmerton to Pastor  Emeritus , Sacred Heart Parish, Palmerton.

Reverend Robert J. Potts,  Pastor, Saint Ursula Parish, Fountain Hill to Pastor  Emeritus , Saint Ursula Parish, Fountain Hill.

A pastor exercises the pastoral care of the local community committed to him under the authority of the diocesan bishop in whose ministry of Christ he has been called to share.

Reverend Frans J. Berkhout,  Parochial Administrator, Sacred Heart Parish, Bethlehem to Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Bethlehem.

Reverend Kevin J. Bobbin,  Parochial Administrator, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Pottsville to Pastor, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Pottsville.

Reverend Monsignor Edward R. Domin,  Pastor, Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Reading to Pastor, Saint Benedict Parish, Mohnton.

Reverend Andrew N. Gehringer,  Pastor, Holy Infancy Parish, Bethlehem also to Pastor, Incarnation of Our Lord Parish, Bethlehem.

Reverend David J. Kozak,  Pastor, Incarnation of Our Lord Parish, Bethlehem and Pastor, Holy Ghost Parish, Bethlehem to Pastor, Saint Ursula Parish, Fountain Hill; while remaining Pastor, Holy Ghost Parish, Bethlehem.

Reverend John C. Maria,  Parochial Administrator, Saint Mary Parish, Kutztown to Pastor, Saint Mary Parish, Kutztown.

Reverend Brian M. Miller,  Pastor, Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Ashland; Pastor, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville; and Chaplain, Marian High School, Tamaqua to Pastor, Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Reading.

Reverend Eric N. Tolentino,  Parochial Administrator, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Catasauqua to Pastor, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Catasauqua.

Parochial Administrator

Diocesan policy states that a priest being entrusted with the pastoral care of a parish for the first time be appointed a parochial administrator for at least one year.

Reverend Giuseppe C. Esposito,  Parochial Vicar, Saint Thomas More Parish, Allentown and Chaplain, Allentown Central Catholic High School, Allentown to Parochial Administrator, Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Ashland and Parochial Administrator, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville.

Parochial Vicars

A Parochial Vicar assists the pastor in the entire parochial ministry by reason of his office. A Parochial Vicar is commonly referred to as an Assistant Pastor.

Reverend Stephan A. Isaac,  Parochial Vicar, Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Reading and Chaplain, Berks Catholic High School, Reading to Parochial Vicar, Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Allentown and Chaplain, Allentown Central Catholic High School, Allentown.

Reverend Brendon M. Laroche,  Parochial Vicar, Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Allentown and Catholic Chaplain, Newman Center, Muhlenberg College, Allentown to Parochial Vicar, Saint Thomas More Parish, Allentown.

Specialized Ministry

A priest in Specialized Ministry has entrusted to him in a stable manner the pastoral care, at least in part, of some community or particular group of the Christian faithful.

Reverend George Ababio,  Parochial Vicar, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading also to Chaplain, Penn State Health – Saint Joseph Medical Center, Reading.

Reverend Christopher S. Butera,  Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Bath also to Chaplain, Kolbe Academy, Bath; effective 1 July 2022.

Reverend Bernard J. Ezaki,  Chaplain, Kolbe Academy, Bethlehem to Chaplain, Bethlehem Catholic High School, Bethlehem; while remaining Parochial Vicar, Notre Dame of Bethlehem Parish; effective 1 July 2022.

Reverend John A. Frink,  Pastor, Saint Benedict Parish, Mohnton to Specialized Diocesan Spiritual Ministry and Catholic Chaplain, Newman Center, Muhlenberg College, Allentown.

Reverend Robert J. George,  Pastor, Saint Joseph Parish, Summit Hill also to Chaplain, Marian High School, Tamaqua.

Reverend Kevin M. Gualano,  Sacramental and Pastoral Ministry, Schuylkill Deanery with Residence, Saint Clare of Assisi Rectory, Saint Clair to Chaplain, Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem.

Reverend Gregory R. Karpyn,  Senior Priest, Diocese of Allentown with Residence, Holy Family Villa, Bethlehem to Sacramental and Pastoral Ministry, Schuylkill Deanery with Residence, Saint Patrick Rectory, Pottsville.

Reverend Simon Kimaryo,  A.J., Chaplain, Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem to Chaplain, Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest, Allentown.

Reverend Odemary Bahati Kisaka,  A.J., Chaplain, Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest, Allentown to service within his religious community.

Reverend Daniel E. Kravatz,  Chaplain, Bethlehem Catholic High School, Bethlehem to Graduate Studies in Canon Law, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada ( distance learning ) while remaining Chaplain, Notre Dame High School, Easton; Sacramental Ministry, Newman Center, Lafayette College, Easton, and remaining Resident, Saint Anne Rectory, Bethlehem.

Medical Leave of Absence

Reverend John A. Hutta,  Parochial Vicar, Saint Joseph Parish, Reading; Parochial Vicar, Saint Paul Parish, Reading, and Chaplain, Penn State Health – Saint Joseph Medical Center, Reading to medical leave of absence.

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Afghan judge and family find new home at St. Mary’s

Home » Gold & Blue Magazine » Afghan judge and family find new home at St. Mary’s

Dangerous Work

by Nathaniel Miller  

You wouldn’t know it at first glance, but the Hon. Samea Hassas has helped sentence some of the most violent criminals in Afghanistan. 

As one of the hundreds of female judges who sentenced members of the Taliban in the two decades after they were removed from power, Hassas would regularly receive threats from those imprisoned and their families simply for being a woman enforcing the law.  

When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Hassas and her family fled Kabul and took refuge in South Korea before finding a new home in San Antonio and with the St. Mary’s University School of Law . 

“I really love the University, and when I’m there, the people make me feel very good,” Hassas said.  

Escape from Afghanistan 

When the Taliban first took control in 1996, Hassas was a law student at Kabal University with a year left in her law studies. She was forced to stop due to the group’s refusal to allow women to get an education.  

Unable to attend classes, she continued learning other subjects through an underground network in her spare time. It wasn’t until 2001, when the U.S.-led coalition expelled the Taliban, that she was able to return to the university, picking up where she left off. 

After graduating and working with the court system, Hassas was appointed to a judgeship where she oversaw criminal cases, including those of former Taliban members. 

“I knew about the dangers and challenges, knowing I could be killed,” she said. “They would ask me, ‘How can a woman judge me?’ because of their stance against women.” 

After the withdrawal of American troops from the country in 2021 and as the Taliban began to retake control of the country, many of those prisoners were released, looking for retribution.  

Using local connections to help them get past security checkpoints, Hassas, her husband Ramish Noori, and their three children left their home, possessions and family behind to seek asylum in another country. It took them three weeks before finally securing a flight out of the country with the help of South Korean officials.  

The couple was soon put into contact with St. Mary’s University School of Law Dean Patricia Roberts, J.D . However, a months-long vetting process stymied their travel to the United States. 

“When we arrived in Korea, we had to stay in a camp for five months,” said Noori, who was president of Edrak Institute of Higher Learning in Kabul when they fled. “We received some contacts from the International Association of Women Judges in Washington, D.C., who introduced us to Patricia Roberts.” 

Sharing her story 

Now, as a Visiting Scholar at the School of Law, Hassas gives guest lectures and presentations, sharing her experiences with students and the public. The program also allows Visiting Scholars to conduct research and build connections in the local and state legal communities.  

The family has been settling into life in San Antonio. Hassas said their three children speak Persian, Korean and English and have enjoyed attending school.  

“I knew about the dangers and challenges, knowing I could be killed. They would ask me, ‘How can a woman judge me?’ because of their stance against women.” — The Hon. Samea Hassas

Hassas has also been working with Associate Director of the Intensive English Program Catherine Whitlow to improve her English. Whitlow said Hassas is an inspiration who continues to find new ways to move forward. 

“Samea has faced unbelievable, life-threatening challenges over the last few years, but she has not surrendered to sorrow,” Whitlow said. “Instead, she has become a beacon of justice and hope for those privileged to know her.” 

The couple has continued with the asylum process, noting they cannot return home because they are deemed enemies of the state by the Taliban. They hope to keep building their new life in San Antonio.  

“The children enjoy spending time with their classmates and teachers, and the people in the city have been so kind,” Hassas said. “The University staff members and leadership are so kind, and we love being with them and working with them.” 

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