May 1, 2026
This year, Reverend Richard L. Mickey has been granted permission to retire from active ministry on May 1, 2026. Reverend Antonio Romo-Romo, SVD, ends his assignment with our Diocese on June 6 and returns to his order. We have two men being ordained to the Priesthood this year and two Parochial Administrators that will be made Pastors. Bishop David and the Clergy Personnel Board prayerfully worked to ensure the continued pastoral care for all parishes. The following Clergy appointments are effective July 1, 2026, unless otherwise indicated:
Pastors (alphabetically)
Reverend Mauricio Abeldano resigns as Pastor of Sacred Heart, Humboldt/St. Matthew, Milan, and is appointed Pastor of St. John Church, Memphis.
Very Reverend James Clark was appointed Pastor of Holy Rosary on April 24, while remaining in his current assignment as Diocesan Chancellor and Judicial Vicar.
Reverend Herbert Ene resigns as Pastor of St. Mary, Camden/Holy Family Mission, Huntingdon, and will be In-Residence at St. Philip the Apostle, Somerville.
Reverend Cain Galicia is made Pastor of St. Brigid Church.
Reverend Joseph Hastings is made Pastor of St. Anne Church, Highland.
Reverend Jesus Mata Martinez, SVD, currently Parochial Vicar is appointed Pastor of St. Joseph Church effective June 7.
Reverend Chibuike (Fausta) Odinwankpa resigns as Pastor of St. John Church, Memphis, and is appointed Pastor of Holy Cross Church, Paris.
Reverend Martin Orjianioke resigns as Pastor of Holy Cross Church, Paris, and is appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart, Humboldt/St. Matthew, Milan.
Very Reverend Keith Stewart resigns as Pastor of St. Louis Church and is appointed Pastor of The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, while remaining in his current assignment as Vicar General.
Very Reverend Mike Werkhoven resigns as Pastor of The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception as well as Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Western Deanery and is appointed Pastor of St. Louis Church.
Parochial Adminstrators/Parochial Vicars
Reverend Scott Bahrke, currently Parochial Vicar at St. Brigid Church, is appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Mary, Camden/Holy Family Mission, Huntingdon.
Reverend Gabe Bouck, currently Parochial Vicar at St. Mary Church, Jackson, is appointed Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception, Union City/St. Jude, Martin, where Very Reverend Carl Gregorich is Pastor.
Reverend Cosmas Ebebe, currently Parochial Vicar at St. Paul Church, is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Brigid Church where Reverend Cain Galicia is Pastor.
Reverend Chris Fagin, upon Ordination to the Priesthood on June 6, is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Ann Church, Bartlett, where Reverend Jacek Kowal is Pastor.
Reverend Stephen Kenny is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Louis Church where Reverend Mike Werkhoven is Pastor.
Reverend Charles Kochuchirayil, MCBS, currently Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Louis Church where Reverend Mike Werkhoven is Pastor.
Reverend Joseph Nguyen, having completed his Licentiate in Canon Law, is appointed as part-time Official of the Diocesan Tribunal and part-time Parochial Vicar at St. Francis of Assisi Church where Reverend Carl Hood is Pastor.
Reverend Michael Okata, currently Parochial Vicar at St. Mary, Camden/Holy Family Mission, Huntingdon, is appointed Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Sorrows/Ascension where Reverend Ruben Villalon is Pastor. He will reside in the Rectory at OLS.
Reverend Felix Pesce, upon Ordination to the Priesthood on June 6, is appointed Parochial Vicar at Holy Rosary Church where Very Reverend James Clark is Pastor.
Reverend Jeo Poulose, MCBS, resigned as Pastor of Holy Rosary Church on April 24 and is appointed Parochial Vicar, effective June 1, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help where Reverend Jolly Sebastian is Pastor.
Reverend Joe Sax, currently Parochial Vicar at St. Louis Church, is appointed Parochial Vicar at Holy Rosary Church where Very Reverend James Clark is Pastor. He remains Chaplain for Christian Brothers High School.
Reverend Casey Weber, currently Parochial Vicar at Holy Rosary Church with part-time duties in the Diocesan Tribunal, is appointed Adjutant Judicial Vicar and Vice Chancellor with full-time duties in the Diocesan Tribunal. He will be In-Residence at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Additional Appointments
Luiz Dutra, upon Diaconal Ordination on May 30, is assigned as Deacon to St. Francis of Assisi Church where Reverend Carl Hood is Pastor.
Reverend Gary Lamb has been granted permission to serve as Senior Priest at St. Paul Church.
Jarrett McBride, upon Diaconal Ordination on May 30, is assigned as Deacon to St. Mary Church, Jackson, where Very Reverend Dennis Schenkel is Pastor.
Reverend Andrew Raffanti, currently Chaplain at St. Benedict at Auburndale Catholic High School and In-Residence at St. Ann, Bartlett, is appointed Spiritual Director for the Diocesan SEARCH Retreat, replacing Very Reverend Mike Werkhoven, who is stepping down after 25 years of service in that role.