Archbishop Bernard Hebda has announced the following appointments in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis:
Effective June 13, 2018
Reverend Aric Aamodt, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Hubert in Chanhassen. Father Aamodt was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 2018.
Reverend Andrew Jaspers, appointed full time to the faculty of Saint John Vianney College Seminary in Saint Paul. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Cathedral of Saint Paul.
Reverend Joseph Kuharski, appointed full time to the faculty of Saint John Vianney College Seminary in Saint Paul. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Stephen in Anoka and as chaplain to DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis.
Reverend Toulee Peter Ly, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Saint John Neumann in Eagan. Father Ly was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 2018.
Reverend Thomas McCabe, appointed parochial vicar of the parish cluster of the Church of Saint Paul in Zumbrota, the Church of Saint Michael in Pine Island and the Church of the Holy Trinity in Goodhue. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Albert in Albertville and the Church of Saint Michael in Saint Michael.
Reverend Michael McClellan, appointed full-time chaplain to Providence Academy in Plymouth. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Therese in Deephaven.
Reverend Bruno Nwachukwu, appointed chaplain to North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale and part-time chaplain to DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Hubert in Chanhassen.
Reverend Mark Pavlak, appointed full-time chaplain to St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint John Neumann in Eagan and as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Joseph in West Saint Paul.
Reverend Matthew Shireman, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Stephen in Anoka. Father Shireman was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 2018.
Reverend James Stiles, appointed parochial vicar of the parish cluster of the Church of Saint Mary in Le Center, the Church of Saint Henry in Saint Henry, the Church of Saint Anne in LeSueur, the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Marysburg, and the Church of the Nativity in Cleveland. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Odilia in Shoreview and as chaplain of Totino-Grace High School in Fridley.
Reverend Andrew Stueve, appointed parochial vicar of the parish cluster of the Church of Saint Ignatius in Annandale and the Church of Saint Timothy in Maple Lake. This is a transfer from his previous assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Anne in LeSueur.
Reverend Joseph Zabinski, appointed parochial vicar of the parish cluster of the Church of Saint Albert in Albertville and the Church of Saint Michael in Saint Michael. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the parish cluster of the Church of Saint Paul in Zumbrota, the Church of Saint Michael in Pine Island and the Church of the Holy Trinity in Goodhue.
What’s in a name?Priests’ assignment titles circulate around the local Church in the summer months as many clergy change assignments. Each title has a unique designation, based on canon law, reflecting the role for a priest in a parish or institution such as a school or hospital. Here’s a quick look at what each of the titles mean.
Pastor: Under the bishop’s authority, the priest has responsibility for the pastoral care and governance of a particular parish — the sacraments, administration and teaching. The assignment is considered stable and long term, usually for six years or more.
Parochial administrator: A priest temporarily placed in a parish to fulfill the role of a pastor for the sacraments, administration and teaching. The bishop determines the scope and length of the assignment. In the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, some parochial administrators move on to become pastor at the same parish, while others simply care for a parish until the pastor returns or another is appointed. Locally, parochial administrators report to a supervisory pastor, a priest with experience as a pastor who can offer guidance for the parochial administrator in serving the parish.
Parochial vicar: Under the authority of the pastor or parochial administrator, the parochial vicar assists in the pastoral care of the parish. Some parishes informally call parochial vicars “associate pastors.”
Sacramental minister: A priest who helps out with the sacraments at a parish. He doesn’t need to live at the parish and typically has a full-time assignment elsewhere, such as to a school or hospital.
Chaplain: A priest assigned to provide regular pastoral care for a school, hospital or other non-parish entity, or specific Catholic groups, such as those who worship in a particular language.
Rector: A priest in charge of an institution, oftentimes a cathedral, basilica or seminary. If the cathedral or basilica has a parish, then the rector could also serve in a dual role as pastor of the parish community.
— Matthew Davis
Effective July 1, 2018
Reverend James Adams, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Anne in LeSueur. This is in addition to his current assignment as parochial vicar of the parish cluster of the Church of Saint Mary in Le Center, the Church of Saint Henry in Saint Henry, the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Marysburg and the Church of the Nativity in Cleveland.
Reverend Paul Baker, appointed part-time chaplain to Totino-Grace High School in Fridley. This is in addition to his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Vincent de Paul in Brooklyn Park.
Reverend Neil Bakker, appointed parochial administrator of the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Jordan. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Our Lady of Grace in Edina.
Reverend John J. Bauer, appointed pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minnetonka. Father Bauer has been serving as parochial administrator of the same parish.
Reverend Andrew Brinkman, appointed pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Saint Paul. Father Brinkman has been serving as parochial administrator of the same parish.
Reverend Michael Byron, appointed pastor of the Church of Pax Christi in Eden Prairie. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Pascal Baylon in Saint Paul.
Reverend James Devorak, appointed pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Watertown. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the parish cluster of the Church of Saint Rose of Lima and the Church of Corpus Christi in Roseville.
Reverend John Paul Erickson, appointed pastor of the Church of the Transfiguration in Oakdale. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Saint Paul and as Director of the Office of Worship for the Archdiocese.
Reverend Brian Fier, appointed pastor of the Church of Saint Patrick in Inver Grove Heights. This is a transfer from his previous assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Edward in Bloomington.
Reverend John Gallas, appointed temporary parochial administrator of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights. Father Gallas will serve in this assignment until July 27, 2018, when Reverend James Peterson begins his assignment at the parish.
Reverend John Gallas, appointed formator at the Saint Paul Seminary in Saint Paul. This is a transfer from his previous assignment as pastor of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Loretto.
Reverend Nels Gjengdahl, appointed pastor of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in Bloomington. Father Gjengdahl has been serving as parochial administrator of the same parish.
Reverend David Haschka, SJ, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Minneapolis. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Olaf in Minneapolis.
Reverend Colin Jones, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids for a summer assignment until he returns to Rome for academic studies. Father Jones was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 2018.
Reverend Jonathan Kelly, appointed sacramental minister for the parish cluster of the Church of Saint Rose of Lima in Roseville and the Church of Corpus Christi in Roseville. This is in addition to his assignment as faculty of Saint John Vianney College Seminary in Saint Paul.
Reverend Paul Kubista, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Jude of the Lake in Mahtomedi. Father Kubista has been serving as sacramental minister of the same parish.
Reverend Erik Lundgren, appointed pastor of the Church of Saints Joachim and Anne in Shakopee. Father Lundgren has been serving as parochial administrator of the same parish.
Reverend Stanley Mader, appointed pastor of the Church of Saint Joseph in Waconia. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Ambrose in Woodbury.
Reverend Thomas Margevicius, appointed Director of the Office of Worship for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Father Margevicius will continue part time in his current assignment as faculty of the Saint Paul Seminary in Saint Paul.
Reverend Thomas McKenzie, appointed pastor of the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Maplewood. Father McKenzie has been serving as parochial administrator of the same parish.
Reverend John Meyer, appointed pastor of the Church of Saint Ignatius in Annandale. Father Meyer has been serving as parochial administrator of the same parish.
This is in addition to his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Timothy in Maple Lake.
Reverend John Mitchell, appointed pastor of the Church of Saint Pascal Baylon in Saint Paul. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights.
Reverend William Murtaugh, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Pax Christi in Eden Prairie. Father Murtaugh has been serving as pastor at the same parish.
Reverend Matthew Northenscold, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Our Lady of Grace in Edina and to academic studies in canon law. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of the Divine Mercy in Faribault.
Reverend Marc Paveglio, appointed parochial administrator of the parish cluster of the Church of Saint Rose of Lima and the Church of Corpus Christi in Roseville. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of Pax Christi in Eden Prairie and as spiritual director at Saint John Vianney College Seminary in Saint Paul.
Reverend John Powers, appointed parochial vicar of the parish cluster of the Church of Saint Mary and the Church of Saint Michael in Stillwater. This is a transfer from his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Church of the Nativity of Our Lord in Saint Paul.
Reverend Cory Rohlfing, appointed minister to clergy for the Archdiocese. This is in addition to his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Jude of the Lake in Mahtomedi.
Reverend Christopher Shofner, appointed pastor of the Church of Saint Anne in LeSueur. This is in addition to his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Mary in Le Center and the Church of Saint Henry in Saint Henry. Father Shofner is also appointed pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Marysburg, and the Church of the Nativity in Cleveland, where he is currently serving as parochial administrator.
Reverend Jon Bennet Tran, appointed pastor of the Church of Saint Stephen in Anoka. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Joseph in Waconia.
Reverend Benny Mekkatt Varghese, CFIC, appointed pastor of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Saint Paul. This is in addition to his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint Mary in Saint Paul.
Reverend Nicholas VanDenBroeke, appointed pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Lonsdale. Father VanDenBroeke has been serving as parochial administrator of the same parish.
Reverend Peter Williams, appointed pastor of the Church of Saint Ambrose in Woodbury. This is a transfer from his current assignment as formator at Saint John Vianney College Seminary in Saint Paul and as minister to clergy for the Archdiocese.
Reverend Timothy Yanta, appointed pastor of the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Dayton. This is a transfer from his current assignment as pastor of the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Jordan.
Effective July 11, 2018
Reverend Timothy Wratkowski, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Joseph in West Saint Paul. Father Wratkowski is returning to the Archdiocese after completing academic studies in Rome.
Effective July 18, 2018
Reverend Nicholas Hagen, appointed parochial vicar of the Church of the Nativity of Our Lord in Saint Paul, and as chaplain to Convent of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights. Father Hagen is returning to the Archdiocese after completing academic studies in Rome.
Effective July 27, 2018
Reverend James Peterson, appointed parochial administrator of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights. This is a transfer from his previous appointment to the Archdiocesan Mission in Parroquia Jesucristo Resucitado, Puerto Ordaz, Estado, Bolivar, Venezuela.
Retirements effective July 1, 2018
Reverend Robert Fitzpatrick, currently serving as pastor of the parish cluster of the Church of Saint Rose of Lima and the Church of Corpus Christi in Roseville, has been granted the status of a retired priest. Father Fitzpatrick has served the Archdiocese since his ordination in 1973.
Reverend Robert Hart, currently serving as pastor of the Church of Saint Patrick in Inver Grove Heights, has been granted the status of a retired priest. Father Hart has served the Archdiocese since his ordination in 2000. Father Hart will continue in his role as minister to clergy for the Archdiocese.
Reverend John Long, currently serving as pastor of the Church of Saint Stephen in Anoka, has been granted the status of a retired priest. Father Long has served the Archdiocese since his ordination in 1978.
