Late last year, Bishop David P. Talley appointed Father Jacek Kowal as the Director of Office of Vocations for the next two-three years. As announced, Father Kowal has lead responsibility for encouraging Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life, and to facilitate communications with and provide guidance to those whose formation has been entrusted to the Office of Vocations.
The Office of Vocations also includes Father Dennis Schenkel and Father Scott Bahrke as Assistant Directors, along with Lyssette Candia, Administrative Assistant. Effective July 1, Father Andrew Raffanti and Father Horst Lorenz will join the Office of Vocations, too. Father Joseph Hastings will do the same, effective Sept. 1, as he returns home from studying for his Licentiate in Rome.
Let’s take a moment to hear from Bishop Talley in the video link about our Diocese’s Office of Vocations and their work moving forward: https://vimeo.com/1084114463.
The Role of Each Priest Along with their Office of Vocations Assignment:
• Father Kowal is the Pastor of our St. Ann Catholic Church, Bartlett.
• Also, effective July 1…
— Father Schenkel will be the Pastor of our St. Mary Catholic Church, Jackson.
— Father Bahrke will be the Parochial Vicar of our St. Brigid Catholic Church.
— Father Raffanti will be the Chaplain of our St. Benedict at Auburndale High School.
— Father Lorenz will be the Chaplain of the Serra Club and will remain in his current assignment as Parochial Vicar at our St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
• Also, effective Sept. 1…
Father Hastings will be the Parochial Administrator of our St. Anne Catholic Church, Memphis, and Chaplain to Campus Ministries at University of Memphis and Rhodes College.
Note: Father Raffanti (2014) and Father Hastings (2005) are both alumni of our exceptional St. Benedict at Auburndale Catholic High School.
