OGDENSBURG — Priests within the Diocese of Ogdensburg are packing their belongings in the aftermath of new appointments assigned by Bishop Terry R. LaValley in consultation with the Priests’ Personnel Board.
“Usually on an annual basis, what we call the May Assignments because they come out in May, anyone who is newly ordained or has requested a move or somebody is retiring and we need to fill a spot, those are the May Assignments,” said the Rev. Christopher C. Carrara, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, Director of Seminarians, Director of Vocations.
“They can happen off May if they’re unusual and somebody dies in the middle of the year or something I guess it could. But typically, it’s once a year.”
The Priests’ Personnel Board consists of elected priests from within the Diocese.
“Usually in different ordination groups,” Carrara said.
“They represent a certain number of years of ordination. They are elected by their groups, and then they are part of the Priests Ordination Board and that board meets in April and meets in May. The April meeting is to kind of set up the needs and who we might think fit where, and the final recommendation happens at the May meeting to the Bishop who is the chairman of the board. Then, he makes the decision and at that meeting will call the priests and tell them of the possible move and have a conversation with the priests at that point.”
There are 101 worship sites, 77 are parishes, served by 44 active Diocesan priests.
“Nine priests belong to religious organizations like Missionaries of the Sacred Heart or the Heralds of Good News,” he said.
“Then, we have three priests that belong to other dioceses who assist us here in the parish. So, it’s 44 plus nine plus three. Then, we have 35 priests who are retired, but a number of them continue to serve past their retirement age and continue to serve the Diocese as pastors.”
Matchmaking is a key element of the May Assignments.
“The way it works, the Bishop, with the advice of the committee, tries to match up the gifts and talents of the individual priests, the needs of the individual priests, with the needs and personalities of the particular parish. So, he tries to match those up as best as possible. And, of course, all of that by the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” Carrara said.
ASSIGNMENT CHANGES
• Father Steven M. Murray, pastor of St. André Bessette Parish in Malone, retires effective July 8.
• Father Scott R. Seymour, currently pastor of The Roman Catholic Community of St. Alexander and St. Joseph in Morrisonville, St. Augustine’s Church in Peru and St. James Church in Cadyville, will become pastor of St. André Bessette Parish in Malone effective July 8.
• Father Christopher J. Looby, pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Ticonderoga and Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Schroon Lake, will become pastor of The Roman Catholic Community of St. Alexander and St. Joseph in Morrisonville, St. Augustine’s Church in Peru and St. James Church in Cadyville effective July 8.
• Father Medenel Angrand, pastor of St. Mary’s of the Fort in Fort Church in Fort Covington, The Catholic Community of Constable, Westville and Trout River, and the Catholic Community of Burke and Chateaugay, will become pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Ticonderoga and Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Schroon Lake effective July 8.
• Father Amruta Kumar Pasala, previously in residence at The Roman Catholic Community of Brownville and Dexter and St. Andrew’s Church in Sackets Harbor, will become pastor of St. Mary’s of the Fort in Fort Church in Fort Covington, The Catholic Community of Constable, Westville and Trout River, and the Catholic Community of Burke and Chateaugay effective July 8.
• Reverend Pedro Edgardo (Jay) N. Delarosa, Pastor of St. Ann’s Church — Mooers Forks and Holy Angles Church – Altona, temporarily returns to the Philippines as of June 12 pursuant to the requirements of U.S. Immigration Law.
• Father Severinus Torwoe, parochial vicar at the Catholic Community of St. Peter and St. Mary and St. Hedwig in Lowville, Glenfield and Houseville, will become temporary administrator of Holy Angels Church in Altona and St. Ann’s Church in Mooers Forks effective June 12.
• Father Leagon J. Carlin, currently parochial vicar at St. Peter’s Parish in Massena, will reside in St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish while he’s assigned to study Canon Law at St. Paul University in Ottawa effective June 26.
• Father Douglas A. Schirmer will serve as parochial vicar at Holy Cross Parish in Plattsburgh effective June 26.
• Father Carter G. Pierce will serve as parochial vicar at The Roman Catholic Community of St. Alexander and St. Joseph in Morrisonville, St. Augustine’s Church in Peru and St. James Church in Cadyville effective June 26.
• Father John Kennedy Ojuok, parochial vicar at Holy Cross Parish in Plattsburgh, will serve as parochial vicar at The Catholic Community of St. Peter and St. Mary and St. Hedwig, Lowville effective June 26.
• Father Michael H. Marzan, parochial vicar at Holy Cross Parish in Plattsburgh, will be parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish effective June 26.
• Father Jude Nnadibuagha, parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish, will be parochial vicar at Holy Cross Parish in Plattsburgh.
• Father Lukas H. Gruber, parochial vicar at The Roman Catholic Community of St. Alexander and St. Joseph in Morrisonville, St. Augustine’s Church in Peru and St. James Church in Cadyville, will become parochial vicar at St. Peter’s Parish in Massena effective June 26.