September 21, 2021

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as follows:

Reverend Richard J. Cirba, to Dean, Wilkes-Barre Deanery of the Diocese of Scranton, effective September 20, 2021.  Father Cirba will continue to serve as Pastor, Saint Robert Bellarmine Parish, Wilkes-Barre, and Pastor, Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish, Hanover Township.

Reverend Joseph J. Evanko, to Episcopal Vicar, Southern Pastoral Region of the Diocese of Scranton, effective September 20, 2021.  Father Evanko will continue to serve as Pastor, Saint Jude Parish, Mountain Top, and Pastor, Saint Mary, Help of Christians Parish, Dorrance.

Priest Personnel Board:

Reverend Andrew S. Hvozdovic, Pastor, Gate of Heaven Parish, Dallas, and Our Lady of Victory Parish, Harvey’s Lake, appointed to a 3 year term, effective September 20, 2021.

Reverend Jonathan P. Kuhar, Assistant Pastor, Saint John Neumann Parish and Saint Paul of the Cross Parish, Scranton, appointed to a 3 year term, effective September 20, 2021.

Reverend John S. Terry, Pastor, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Wilkes-Barre, re-elected to a 3 year term, effective September 20, 2021.

Reverend Seth D. Wasnock, Pastor, Saint Maria Goretti Parish, Laflin, elected to a 3 year term, effective September 20, 2021.

 

September 15, 2021

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as indicated:

Reverend Charles P. Connor, from Leave of Absence,  to  Retirement for reasons of health, effective September 15, 2021. Father Connor will serve as a Sacramental Minister, as needed.

Reverend Richard G. Ghezzi, to Retirement for reasons of health, effective September 15, 2021.  Father Ghezzi will continue to serve as Sacramental Minister, Allied Services Meade Street Senior Community, Wilkes-Barre, and Allied Services Center City Senior Community, Wilkes-Barre.

 

September 3, 2021

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as follows:

Clergy Assignments:                           

Reverend Anthony Dorsa, F.S.S.P., from Assistant Pastor, Saint Michael Parish, Scranton, to Administrator Pro tem, Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Scranton, effective September 1, 2021.

Reverend Edward L Michelini, to Administrator Pro tem, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Wyalusing, effective September 1, 2021.  Father Michelini will continue to serve as Pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Towanda.

 

 

July 28, 2021

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as indicated:

Clergy Assignments: 

Reverend Robert J. Antonelli, from Senior Priest, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Williamsport, to Senior Priest, Saint Lawrence Parish, South Williamsport, and Saint Boniface Parish, Williamsport, effective August 7, 2021.

Reverend Anthony Dorsa, F.S.S.P., to Parochial Vicar, Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Scranton, effective August 1, 2021.

Reverend Simon Harkins, F.S.S.P., from Pastor, Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Scranton, effective August 1, 2021.

Reverend Sixtus Appiah Kyeremeh, to Parochial Vicar, Saint Faustina Kowalska Parish, Nanticoke, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Lake Silkworth, effective August 11, 2021.

Reverend Jonathan P. Kuhar, to Parochial Vicar, Saint Paul of the Cross Parish, Scranton, effective August 2, 2021.  Father Kuhar will continue to serve as Parochial Vicar, Saint John Neumann Parish, Scranton.

 Reverend Arun Lakra, from Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, Freeland, and Good Shepherd Parish, Drums, to Parochial Vicar, Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Carbondale, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Carbondale, effective August 2, 2021.

Reverend Christopher Mahowald, F.S.S.P., to Pastor, Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Scranton, effective August 1, 2021.

Reverend Paul McDonnell, OSJ, to Sacramental Minister, Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish, Pittston, effective August 9, 2021.  Father McDonnell will continue his duties as Rector of the religious community, Oblates of Saint Joseph Residence, Laflin.

Reverend Dominic Sabi, to Parochial Vicar, Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Honesdale, effective August 2, 2021.

Reverend Shawn M. Simchock, from Parochial Vicar, Saint Faustina Kowalska Parish, Nanticoke, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Lake Silkworth, to Parochial Vicar, Saint Ignatius Loyola Parish, Kingston, effective August 11, 2021.

Reverend Christopher S. Sahd, S.T.L., from Senior Priest, Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Honesdale, to Leave of Absence for the discernment of a vocation to Consecrated Life, effective September 7, 2021.

 Reverend Fidelis Ticona, to Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Wilkes Barre, effective August 2, 2021.  Father Ticona will continue to serve as Parochial Vicar, Saint Nicholas Parish, Wilkes Barre.

 

 

July 19, 2021

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as follows:

Clergy Assignments:

Bryant, Rev. Michael M., from Pastor, St. John Neumann Parish, Scranton, effective July 20, 2021, to Pastor, Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Duryea, effective August 2, 2021.

Mosley, Rev. Joseph J., from Assistant Pastor, St. Ignatius Loyola Parish, Kingston, to Pastor, St. Peter’s Parish, Wellsboro, effective August 11, 2021.

Sterowski, Rev. Scott P., from Pastor, St. Paul of the Cross, Scranton, to Pastor, Holy Cross Parish, Olyphant, and Blessed Sacrament Parish, Throop, effective July 20, 2021.

Toomey, Rev. Daniel A., from Pastor, Gate of Heaven Parish, Dallas, and Our Lady of Victory Parish, Harvey’s Lake, to Pastor, Epiphany Parish, Sayre, effective August 11, 2021.

 

 

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as follows:

Monsignor Thomas M. Muldowney, from Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, to Pastor, Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Moscow, effective August 9, 2021.

After serving as Vicar General of the Diocese of Scranton since May 2012, Moderator of the Curia since January 2015 and Episcopal Vicar for Clergy from 2010 to 2012, Monsignor Thomas M. Muldowney has requested to return to parish ministry following 11 years of service in diocesan leadership positions. Bishop Bambera expressed his deep gratitude for Monsignor’s willingness to share so generously of his strong faith and many talents, having dutifully and faithfully devoted over a decade to the mission of the entire Diocese.  “Monsignor Muldowney has helped our local Church in immeasurable ways to proclaim the Good News of Jesus and to continue to grow vibrant parishes and ministries. Our Diocese is most grateful to Monsignor for the tireless service that he has provided and the numerous gifts he has brought to the position of Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.  While his presence in our administrative offices will be missed, it is most gratifying to know that Monsignor’s pastoral sensitivity has prompted him to return to parish ministry in his continuing service of the People of God, a calling that lies at the heart of every diocesan priest.”

Reverend Gerald W. Shantillo, from Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, to Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, effective August 9, 2021.

Father Gerald W. Shantillo brings to his new position a wealth of experience, credentials, and proven dedication of service to the People of God. Ordained a priest in 2009, Father Shantillo served as assistant pastor of Saint Jude’s Parish, Mountain Top and then as pastor of Saint Matthew Parish, East Stroudsburg, for five years before becoming Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Sacramental Minister at Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish, Pittston. More than just being an excellent priest and a dedicated pastor, Father Shantillo brings strong organizational skills to his new role, having served as a former healthcare finance and operations executive prior to ordination. This knowledge will help in his handling of the many personnel and financial matters necessary in his new role.

Reverend John V. Polednak, from Pastor, Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Duryea, to Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, effective August 9, 2021.

Since his ordination in 1976, Father Polednak has been an outstanding servant leader who has garnered the respect of his brother priests as well as the lay faithful. Most recently having served as Pastor of Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Duryea, since 2015, Father Polednak brings more than 40 years of experience in priestly ministry – having previously served as pastor for parishes in Kingston, Roaring Brook Township, Nicholson, Wilkes-Barre and Olyphant. In addition to his pastorate, Father Polednak currently serves as Episcopal Vicar, Southern Pastoral Region, and has previously served as Diocesan Secretary for Clergy Formation, Director of the Permanent Diaconate and Director of Seminarians, Dean of the Dunmore Deanery, Director of the Fatima Center among numerous roles as Director of Religious Formation in various schools. The clergy of the Diocese of Scranton are blessed to have such a highly respected and capable priest to serve their needs as they, in turn, work to build up the Church in the Diocese of Scranton.

 

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as indicated:

Bechtel, Rev. David W., from Pastor, St. Peter Parish, Wellsboro, and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Elkland, to Pastor, St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Williamsport, effective August 11, 2021.

Delaney, Msgr. Michael J., from Pastor, Holy Cross Parish, Olyphant, and Blessed Sacrament Parish, Throop, to Pastor, Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, effective July 20, 2021.

Hvozdovic, Rev. Andrew S., from Pastor, Epiphany Parish, Sayre, to Pastor, Gate of Heaven Parish, Dallas, and Our Lady of Victory Parish, Harvey’s Lake, effective August 11, 2021.

Miller, Rev. Kevin M., from Assistant Pastor, St. Rose of Lima Parish, Carbondale, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Carbondale, to Pastor, St. Brigid Parish, Friendsville, effective August 2, 2021.

Quinnan, Rev. Michael F., to Pastor, St. Luke Parish, Stroudsburg, effective July 20, 2021. Father Quinnan will serve as Administrator Pro Tem, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Brodheadsville.

Simon, Rev. Robert J., from Pastor, St. Catherine of Siena, Moscow, to Pastor, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Brodheadsville, effective August 9, 2021.

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective as follows:

Clergy Assignments: 

Reverend Mark J. DeCelles, to Assistant Pastor, St. Nicholas Parish and Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Wilkes-Barre, effective July 20, 2021.

Reverend J. Duane Gavitt, from Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Wilkes Barre to Pastor St. Elizabeth’s Parish, Bear Creek, and St. Rita Parish, Gouldsboro, effective July 20, 2021.

Reverend Thomas J. Maloney, from Sacramental Minister, St. Elizabeth’s Parish, Bear Creek, effective July 20, 2021.

Reverend Patrick D. McDowell, from Pastor, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Weston, to Pastor Emeritus, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Weston, effective June 30, 2021.

Reverend James R. Nash, from Pastor, St. Faustina Kowalska Parish, Nanticoke and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Lake Silkworth, to Pastor Emeritus, St. Faustina Kowalska Parish, Nanticoke and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Lake Silkworth, effective August 11, 2021

Reverend Carmen J. Perry, from Pastor, St. Luke Parish, Stroudsburg, to Chaplain, Mercy Center, Dallas, effective July 20, 2021.

Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn, J.D., J.C.L., from Pastor Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, to Pastor, St. John Neumann Parish, Scranton and St. Paul of the Cross Parish, Scranton, effective July 20, 2021.

Reverend Brian F. Van Fossen, from Pastor, St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Williamsport, to Pastor, St. Faustina Kowalska Parish, Nanticoke and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Lake Silkworth, effective August 11, 2021.

Reverend Joseph D. Verespy, to Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Wilkes Barre, effective July 20, 2021.  Father Verespy will continue to serve as Pastor, St. Nicholas Parish, Wilkes Barre.

Reverend John J. Victoria, from Chaplain, Mercy Center, Dallas, to retirement for reasons of health, effective July 20, 2021.

Parish Life Coordinator Assignment:

Mr. Anthony Butel,  from Parish Life Coordinator, St. Elizabeth’s Parish, Bear Creek and St. Rita Parish, Gouldsboro, effective July 20, 2021.

 

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective June 1, 2021:

Reverend Robert J. Antonelli, to Senior Priest Pro Tem, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Williamsport.

Reverend Brian Van Fossen, to further studies at Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, this summer.  Father Van Fossen will continue to serve as Pastor, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Williamsport.

 

January 4, 2021

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointment, effective as follows:

Deacon Stephen B. Frye, from diaconal ministry, St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Williamsport, to diaconal ministry, St. Ann Parish, Williamsport, effective January 4, 2021.