Bishop David P. Talley has announced Fr. Antonio Romo-Romo, SVD, as Dean of our Western Deanery, and Fr. James Martell as Dean of our Southeastern Deanery. Fr. Romo is Pastor at St. Joseph and Fr. Martell is Pastor at St. Philip-Somerville. Their Deanery duties will be effective August 1, replacing Fr. Stephen Kenny, Western Deanery (Pastor at St. Paul), and Fr. David Graham, Southeastern Deanery (Pastor at St. Mary-Jackson, St. John-Brownsville and Our Lady of Guadalupe), who have completed their three terms of service as Deans. Fr. Joey Kaump is Dean of our Central Deanery (Pastor at St. Brigid) and Fr. Robert Ballman, is Dean of our Northern Deanery (Pastor at St. Alphonsus and Ave Maria). Their terms of service as Deans will end mid-year in 2023. Many blessings to each Pastor.
Our Diocese is set up into Four Deaneries. Our Deaneries have been established to assist Bishop Talley in regional planning and decision-making, and to improve relationships between all Parishes and Missions. By design, each Deanery looks at the diversity of pastoral situations across a region, improves the efficiency and collaboration of organized pastoral initiatives and better provides for the needs of a particular area of the Diocese. Deaneries also foster support among Parishes and Missions to share talent and resources. Each Dean serves as an ex officio member of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, which advises Bishop Talley in important matters in our Diocese. The Ministry of each Dean is important for fostering greater fraternal support among Clergy, regional planning and accountability. They provide fraternal and spiritual support for our Priests, especially newly ordained and appointed Pastors, the elderly and those who may be ill or in need of special assistance. God bless our Deans and all our Priests!
