Bishop announces clergy appointments

Bishop Joseph Martino officially announced almost 100 appointments Thursday, many of which affect Lackawanna County parishes and programs. Many of the appointments are aligned with the reorganization and consolidation plan the Diocese of Scranton outlined at the start of February.

While the reorganizations have staggered dates for completion throughout the next three years, many of Martino's appointments begin or continue efforts to link together parishes that will eventually consolidate or share programs and personnel.

The appointments are as follows, according to the diocese:

Regional Episcopal Vicars

Reverend Mark G. Balczeniuk, from Pastor, Transfiguration Parish, West Hazleton, to Episcopal Vicar, Eastern Pastoral Region. Father Balczeniuk will reside at the Villa of Our Lady Retreat House, Mount Pocono.

Reverend John V. Polednak, from Pastor, Saint Eulalia Parish, Elmhurst, to Episcopal Vicar, Southern Pastoral Region. Father Polednak will reside at Sacred Heart of Jesus Rectory, Dupont.

Pastor Emeriti

Monsignor Francis J. Beeda, from Pastor, Saint Joseph and Saint Stanislaus Parishes, Hazleton, to Pastor Emeritus, Saint Joseph and Saint Stanislaus Parishes, Hazleton.

Reverend William R. Culnane, from Pastor, Saint Dominic Parish, Wilkes-Barre, to Pastor Emeritus, Saint Dominic Parish, Wilkes-Barre.

Monsignor Philip A. Gray, from Pastor, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Scranton, to Pastor Emeritus, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Scranton.

Reverend John J. Kilpatrick, from Pastor, Our Lady of the Abingtons Parish, Dalton, to Pastor Emeritus, Our Lady of the Abingtons Parish, Dalton.

Reverend Vincent F. Langan, from Pastor, Saint John the Evangelist Parish, South Waverly, and Saint Joseph Parish, Athens, to Pastor Emeritus, Saint John the Evangelist Parish, South Waverly, and Saint Joseph Parish, Athens.

Reverend William J. McCawley, from Pastor, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Brodheadsville, to Pastor Emeritus, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Brodheadsville.

Reverend Albert E. Oldfield, from Chaplain, Holy Family Residence, Scranton, to Pastor Emeritus, Saint Mary of Czestochowa Parish, Scranton (Greenwood).

Reverend Theodore L. Obaza, from Pastor, Holy Trinity Parish, Wilkes-Barre, and Saint Joseph Parish, Wilkes-Barre Township, to Pastor Emeritus, Holy Trinity Parish, Wilkes-Barre, and Saint Joseph Parish, Wilkes-Barre Township.

Monsignor Constantine V. Siconolfi, from Pastor, Holy Family Parish, Scranton, to Pastor Emeritus, Holy Family Parish, Scranton.

Pastors and administrators

Reverend David R. Betts, from Residence, Sacred Heart of Jesus – Saint John and Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parishes, Wilkes-Barre, to Administrator, Transfiguration and Saint Francis of Assisi Parishes, West Hazleton.

Monsignor David Bohr, to Pastor, Holy Family Parish, Scranton. Monsignor Bohr will continue as Pastor, Saint Peter Cathedral Parish, Scranton.

Reverend Martin M. Boylan, from Pastor, Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Mary Magdalen Parishes, Honesdale, to Pastor, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Towanda, Saint Michael Parish, Canton, Saint John Nepomucene Parish, Troy, and Saint Aloysius Parish, Ralston.

Reverend Michael M. Bryant, from Administrator, Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Scranton, to Pastor, Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Scranton.

Reverend John J. Chmil, from Administrator, Saint Peter Parish, Wellsboro, to Pastor, Saint Peter Parish, Wellsboro.

Reverend Richard J. Cirba, from Pastor, Holy Trinity Parish, Swoyersville, to Pastor, Saint Joseph and Saint Stanislaus Parishes, Hazleton.

Reverend David W. Cramer, from Pastor, Saint Bernadette Parish, Canadensis, to Pastor, Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Susquehanna, Saint Lawrence Parish, Great Bend, and Saint Martin of Tours Parish, Jackson.

Reverend Charles J. Cummings, from Pastor, Ascension Parish, Williamsport, and Administrator, Holy Rosary Parish, Williamsport, to Pastor, Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Bastress (Williamsport), and Saint Luke Parish, Jersey Shore.

Reverend Vincent H. Dang, from Pastor, Holy Family Parish, Sugar Notch, to Pastor, Saint Frances X. Cabrini Parish, Carverton.

Reverend Joseph J. Evanko, from Pastor, Saint John Bosco, Conyngham, and Good Shepherd Parish, Drums, to Pastor, Saint Jude Parish, Mountaintop.

Reverend Gregory T. Finn, O.S.J., from Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Pittston, to Pastor, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Harleigh, Saint Gabriel Parish, Hazleton, Saint Nazarius Parish, Pardeesville, and Saint Mary Parish, Lattimer.

Reverend Paul C. Fontanella, from Administrator, Saint Ann Parish, Williamsport, to  Pastor, Saint Ann Parish, Williamsport.

Reverend Richard E. Fox, from Pastor, Holy Family Parish, Luzerne, to Pastor, Saint Eulalia, Parish, Elmhurst.

Reverend J. Duane Gavitt, from Pastor, Saint Aloysius and Saint Casimir Parishes, Wilkes-Barre, to Pastor, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Freeland.

Reverend Anthony J. Generose, from further studies, Rome, to Administrator, Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Moscow.

Reverend Dennis M. Gordon, F.S.S.P., from Assistant Pastor, Saint Michael Parish, Scranton, to Pastor, Saint Michael Parish, Scranton, effective July 1, 2009.

Reverend Louis A. Grippe, from Pastor, Holy Name/Saint Mary Parish, Swoyersville, to Pastor, Most Precious Blood Parish, Hazleton.

Reverend Joseph R. Hornick, from Administrator, Saint Basil the Great Parish, Dushore, and Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Mildred, to Pastor, Saint Basil the Great Parish, Dushore, and Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Mildred.

Reverend Andrew S. Hvozdovic, to Pastor, Saint John the Evangelist Parish, South Waverly, and Saint Joseph Parish, Athens. Father Hvozdovic continues as Pastor, Epiphany Parish, Sayre, and Saint Ann Parish, Bentley Creek.

Reverend Joseph R. Kakareka, from Administrator, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Avoca, to Pastor, Holy Family Parish, Sugar Notch.

Reverend William J. Karle, from Pastor, Holy Saviour Parish, Wilkes-Barre, to Pastor, Holy Name/Saint Mary and Holy Trinity Parishes, Swoyersville.

Reverend Joseph A. Kearney, to Pastor, Saint Dominic Parish, Wilkes-Barre. Father Kearney will continue as Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Saint Francis and Saint John the Baptist Parishes, Wilkes-Barre (Miners Mills).

Reverend Shane L. Kirby, from Administrator, Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Bastress (Williamsport), and Saint Luke Parish, Jersey Shore, to Pastor, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Williamsport. Saint Joseph the Worker Parish is a consolidation of the following parishes: Annunciation, Ascension, Holy Rosary, and Mater Dolorosa, Williamsport. Father Kirby will reside at Saint Joseph the Worker Rectory (formerly Mater Dolorosa Rectory), Williamsport.

Reverend John M. Kita, from Administrator, Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Elkland, to Pastor, Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Elkland.

Reverend Joseph R. Kopacz, V.G., to Pastor, Saint Ann Parish, Tobyhanna. Father Kopacz will continue as Pastor, Saint Mary of the Mount Parish, Mount Pocono, and Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry in Monroe County.

Reverend John C. Lambert, from Pastor, Saint John Parish, East Stroudsburg, to Pastor, Saint John Bosco Parish, Conyngham, and Good Shepherd Parish, Drums.

Reverend William J. P. Langan, from Pastor, Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Joseph Parishes, Nanticoke, to Pastor, Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Mary Magdalen Parishes, Honesdale.

Reverend Joseph J. Manarchuck, from Administrator, Saint Joachim Parish, Meshoppen, to Pastor, Saint Joachim Parish, Meshoppen. Father Manarchuck continues as Pastor, Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish, Wyalusing.

Reverend John K. Manno, from Pastor, Annunciation Parish, Williamsport, to Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Montoursville.

Reverend Michael H. Marchetti, from Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Montoursville, to Pastor, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, West Wyoming, and Saint Joseph Parish, Wyoming.

Monsignor Stephen D. McGough, to Pastor, Saint Lawrence Parish, South Williamsport. Monsignor McGough will continue as Pastor, Saint Boniface Parish, Williamsport.

Reverend Edward L. Michelini, from Administrator, Mater Dolorosa Parish, Williamsport, and Chaplain, Saint John Neumann Regional Academy High School, Williamsport, to Administrator, Saint Bernadette Parish, Canadensis.

Reverend Kevin P. Mulhern, from Pastor, Gate of Heaven Parish, Dallas, to Pastor, Our Lady of the Abingtons Parish, Dalton.

Reverend James R. Nash, to Pastor, Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Joseph Parishes, Nanticoke. Father Nash will continue as Pastor, Holy Trinity, Holy Child, Saint Mary of Czestochowa and Saint Stanislaus Parishes, Nanticoke.

Reverend Peter J. O’Rourke, from Pastor, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Harleigh, Saint Gabriel Parish, Hazleton, Saint Nazarius Parish, Pardeesville, and Saint Mary Parish, Lattimer, to Pastor, Saint Patrick Parish, Scranton.

Reverend Paul J. Pudhota, from Administrator, Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish, Hanover Township, to Administrator, Holy Trinity Parish, Wilkes-Barre, and Saint Joseph Parish, Wilkes-Barre Township.

Reverend Michael F. Quinnan, V.E., from Episcopal Vicar, Southern Pastoral Region, and Administrator, Saint Jude Parish, Mountaintop, to Pastor, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Brodheadsville.

Reverend John C. Ruth, from Pastor, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, West Hazleton, to Administrator, Saint Mary of the Assumption and Holy Name of Jesus Parishes, Scranton.

Reverend Daniel L. Schwebs, O.S.J., to Administrator, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Pittston. Father Schwebs will continue as Pastor, Saint Rocco Parish, Pittston.

Reverend Kenneth M. Seegar, from Pastor, Saint Martin of Tours Parish, Jackson, to Administrator, Holy Saviour Parish, Wilkes-Barre.

Reverend Andrew R. Sinnott, V.E., from Episcopal Vicar, Eastern Pastoral Region and Administrator, Saint Joseph and Saint Stanislaus Parishes, Hazleton, to Pastor, Saint Aloysius and Saint Casimir Parishes, Wilkes-Barre, and Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish, Hanover Township.

Reverend Phillip J. Sladicka, to Pastor, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Avoca. Father Sladicka will continue as Pastor, Saint Mary Parish, Avoca.

Reverend James B. Shimsky, from Administrator, Saint Frances X. Cabrini Parish, Carverton, to Pastor, Corpus Christi Parish, Montdale, and Saint Pius X Parish, Royal.

Reverend Daniel A. Toomey, from Administrator, Corpus Christi Parish, Montdale, to Pastor, Gate of Heaven Parish, Dallas, and Our Lady of Victory Parish, Harveys Lake.

Monsignor David L. Tressler, from Pastor, Saint Patrick Parish, Scranton, to Pastor, Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Carbondale.

Reverend Alfred J. Vito, from Pastor, Saint Lawrence Parish, Great Bend, to Pastor, Saint John Parish, East Stroudsburg.

Reverend James J. Walsh, from Pastor, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, West Wyoming, and Saint Joseph Parish, Wyoming, to Administrator, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Scranton.

Reverend Michael J. Zipay, from Pastor, Saint Lawrence Parish, South Williamsport, to Pastor, Holy Family Parish, Luzerne.

Assistant pastors

Reverend Wilfredo T. Comellas, from Administrator, Most Precious Blood Parish, Hazleton, to Assistant Pastor, Saint Aloysius and Saint Casimir Parishes, Wilkes-Barre, and Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish, Hanover Township.

Reverend Johnson Kochuparambil, O.S.J., from Assistant Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Pittston, to Assistant Pastor, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Harleigh, Saint Gabriel Parish, Hazleton, Saint Nazarius Parish, Pardeesville, and Saint Mary Parish, Lattimer.

Reverend Victor Leon, O.S.J., from Assistant Pastor, Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Scranton, to Assistant Pastor, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Harleigh, Saint Gabriel Parish, Hazleton, Saint Nazarius Parish, Pardeesville, Saint Mary Parish, Lattimer.

Reverend Sellam J. Paulraj, from Assistant Pastor, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Tunkhannock, and Saint Mary of the Lake Parish, Lake Winola, to Assistant Pastor, Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish, Archbald, and Saint Mary of Czestochowa Parish, Eynon.

Reverend Alfhones Perikala, from Assistant Pastor, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Towanda, Saint Michael Parish, Canton, Saint John Nepomucene Parish, Troy, and Saint Aloysius Parish, Ralston, to Assistant Pastor, Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Susquehanna, Saint Lawrence Parish, Great Bend, and Saint Martin of Tours Parish,
Jackson.

Reverend Jackson Pinhiero, O.S.J., from Vice-Rector, Oblates of Saint Joseph Seminary, Pittston, to Assistant Pastor, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Rocco Parishes, Pittston.

Reverend Balireddy Ponnapati, from Assistant Pastor, Saint Nicholas Parish, Wilkes-Barre, to Assistant Pastor, Saint Joseph and Saint Stanislaus Parishes, Hazleton.

Reverend Joseph F. Sica, from Chaplain, Mercy Hospital, Scranton, to Assistant Pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Scranton.

Reverend Gregory T. Villaescusa, from Assistant Pastor, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Harleigh, Saint Gabriel Parish, Hazleton, Saint Nazarius Parish, Pardeesville, and Saint Mary Parish, Lattimer, to Assistant Pastor, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Towanda, Saint Michael Parish, Canton, Saint John Nepomucene Parish, Troy, and Saint Aloysius
Parish, Ralston.

Reverend Bryan B. Wright, from Assistant Pastor, Saint Joseph and Saint Stanislaus Parishes, Hazleton, to Assistant Pastor, Saint Mary of the Mount Parish, Mount Pocono, and Saint Ann Parish, Tobyhanna.

Chaplains

Reverend Philip A. Altavilla, V.E., to Chaplain, Holy Cross High School, Dunmore. Father Altavilla will continue as Episcopal Vicar, Northern Pastoral Region.

Reverend David W. Bechtel, from Assistant Pastor, Saint Matthew Parish, East Stroudsburg, to Chaplain, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, and Chaplain, Saint John Neumann Regional Academy, Williamsport. Father Bechtel will reside at Saint Joseph the Worker Rectory (formerly Mater Dolorosa Rectory), Williamsport.

Reverend Eric L. Bergman, from Chaplain, Holy Cross High School, Dunmore, to Chaplain, Mercy Hospital, Scranton. Father Bergman will continue as Chaplain, Saint Thomas More Society, Scranton.

Reverend Richard G. Ghezzi, from Pastor, Saint Ann Parish, Tobyhanna, to Chaplain, Little Flower Manor and Saint Therese Residence, Wilkes-Barre. Father Ghezzi will reside at Holy Trinity Rectory, Wilkes-Barre.

Reverend E. Francis Kelly, from Pastor, Our Lady of Victory Parish, Harveys Lake, to Chaplain, Holy Family Residence, Scranton.

Reverend Albert P. Leonard, from Pastor, Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Susquehanna, to Chaplain, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg. Father Leonard will reside at Saint Matthew Rectory, East Stroudsburg.

Reverend John J. Victoria, from Assistant Pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Scranton, to Chaplain, Holy Redeemer High School, Wilkes-Barre, and Chaplain, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre. Father Victoria will reside at Saint Nicholas Rectory, Wilkes-Barre.

Reverend Bryan B. Wright, to Chaplain, Monsignor McHugh Elementary School, Cresco.

Special assignments

Reverend Thomas A. Cappelloni, to Director, National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Harleigh. Father Cappelloni continues as Pastor, Our Lady of Grace Parish, Hazleton.

Reverend Brian J.T. Clarke, from Chaplain, Holy Redeemer High School, Wilkes-Barre, to further studies, Lateran Pontifical University, Rome.

Reverend Brian J.W. Clarke, from further studies, Rome, to the Secretary to the Bishop and Director of the Office for Canonical Affairs. Father Clarke will continue as Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese of Scranton. Father Clarke will reside at Saint Peter’s Cathedral Rectory, Scranton.

Mr. James B. Earley, to Diocesan Secretary for Temporalities. Mr. Earley will continue as Chancellor of the Diocese.

Reverend Anthony J. Generose, to Judicial Vicar and Episcopal Vicar for Consecrated Life.

Reverend Gregory W. Kelly, from Administrator, Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Towanda, Saint Michael Parish, Canton, Saint John Nepomucene Parish, Troy, and Saint Aloysius Parish, Ralston, to further studies, Gregorian Pontifical University, Rome.

Reverend John E. Melnick, from Pastor, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Freeland, to Society of Saint Augustine, Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas.

Reverend Thomas J. Petro, to Resident, Sacred Heart – Saint John and Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parishes, Wilkes-Barre. Father Petro will return to Rome in the fall to continue graduate studies.

Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn, from Pastor, Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Carbondale, and Administrator, Saint Pius X Parish, Royal, to Vice President for University Mission and Ministry, Fordham University, New York.

Reverend Gregory A. Reichlen, from Assistant Pastor, Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish, Archbald, and Saint Mary of Czestochowa Parish, Eynon, to further studies, Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome.

Monsignor Dale R. Rupert, from Pastor, Saint Mary of the Assumption and Holy Name of Jesus Parishes, Scranton, to further studies, The Liturgical Institute, the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein, Illinois.

Reverend John C. Ruth, to Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry in Lackawanna County.

Reverend Christopher S. Sahd, from Director, Office for Divine Worship, and from Assistant Director, Office for Vocations, to further studies, Sant’ Anselmo Pontifical University, Rome.

Reverend Robert J. Simon, to further studies, The Liturgical Institute, the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein, Illinois, effective June 8, 2009. Father Simon will continue as Pastor, Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Moscow.

Reverend Christopher T. Washington, from Secretary to the Bishop and Assistant Director of the Office for Divine Worship, to Director of the Office for Divine Worship and Director of the Office for Vocations. Father Washington will continue as Vice-Chancellor pro tem until August 30.

Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh, to Diocesan Deputy Secretary for Catholic Human Services. Father Walsh will continue his studies at Marywood University, Scranton.

Newly-ordained

Reverend Sean G. Carpenter, to Assistant Pastor, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Brodheadsville.

Reverend Gerald W. Shantillo, to Assistant Pastor, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Tunkhannock, and Saint Mary of the Lake Parish, Lake Winola. Father Shantillo will return to Rome in the fall for continuing studies.