His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective January 8, 2025: 

SENIOR PRIEST 

Reverend Binesh Joseph Kanjirakattu, from Parochial Vicar, Good Shepherd Parish Drums, and Immaculate Conception Parish, Freeland, to Senior Priest, St. Ann Parish, Shohola, St. John Neumann Parish, Hawley, and St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Milford. 

Reverend Kenneth M. Seegar, from Sacramental Minister, Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish, Pittston, to Senior Priest, Good Shepherd Parish Drums, and Immaculate Conception Parish, Freeland. 

SACRAMENTAL MINISTER 

Reverend Joseph P. Elston, V.F., to Sacramental Minister, Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish, Pittston. Fr. Elston will remain Pastor, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Pittston, and St. Joseph Marello Parish, Pittston. 

Reverend Jackson Pinhero, O.S.J., to Sacramental Minister, Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish, Pittston. Fr. Pinhero will remain Assistant Pastor, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Pittston, and St. Joseph Marello Parish, Pittston.

 

December 3, 2024 

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective January 8, 2025: 

Reverend Benito Hierro Aquino, CSMA, from Parochial Vicar, St. Nicholas-St. Mary Parish, Wilkes-Barre, to Parochial Vicar, Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton and Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton.  Fr. Hierro Aquino will reside at Annunciation Rectory, Hazleton.

Reverend Sergio Leon Pamplona Henao, from Parochial Vicar, Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton and Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton to Parochial Vicar, St. Matthew Parish, East Stroudsburg and Most Holy Trinity Parish, Cresco.  Fr. Pamplona Henao will reside at St. Matthew’s Rectory, East Stroudsburg.

Reverend Jaime Perez Restrepo, from Parochial Vicar, St. Matthew Parish, East Stroudsburg and Most Holy Trinity Parish, Cresco, to Senior Priest, St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Scranton and Hispanic Ministry Coordinator for Northern Pastoral Region and Western Pastoral Region.

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

Reverend Sudhir Toppo, from Parochial Vicar, Saint Ann Parish, Shohola; Saint John Neumann Parish, Hawley; and Saint Vincent DePaul Parish, Milford; to Administrator, Most Holy Trinity Parish, Susquehanna, effective September 11, 2024. 

Reverend John C. Ruth, from Pastor, Most Holy Trinity Parish, Susquehanna, to Administrative Leave of Absence, effective September 5, 2024.

 

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

Reverend Scott P. Sterowski, to Diocesan Coordinator for Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, effective September 1, 2024.  Father Sterowski will continue to serve as Pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Throop, and Holy Cross Parish, Olyphant.

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective August 8, 2024:

Reverend Christopher Mahowald, FSSP, from Pastor, Saint Michael the Archangel Church, Scranton to ministry with the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter North American Province. 

Reverend Anthony Dorsa, FSSP, from Parochial Vicar, Saint Michael the Archangel Church, Scranton, to Pastor, Saint Michael the Archangel Church, Scranton. 

Reverend Matthew Kane, FSSP, from ministry with the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter North American Province, to, Parochial Vicar, Saint Michael the Archangel Church, Scranton.

 

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointment, effective July 5, 2024:

Reverend William A. Asinari, to Parochial Vicar, Saint Jude Parish, Mountain Top, and Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Dorrance.

 

His Excellency, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, announces the following appointments, effective July 1, 2024:

Retirement

Monsignor David A. Bohr, from Secretary for Clergy Formation and Rector, Villa St. Joseph, Dunmore, to Retirement.

Reverend Louis T. Kaminski, from Pastor, Holy Spirit Parish, Mocanaqua, to Retirement for Reasons of Health.

Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn, from Senior Priest, Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, and St. Gregory Parish, Clarks Green, to Retirement for Reasons of Health.

Administrator

Reverend Philbert Takyi-Nketiah, from Parochial Vicar, St. Jude Parish, Mountain Top, and St. Mary Parish, Dorrance, to Administrator, Holy Spirit Parish, Mocanaqua.  Father will continue as Chaplain, Holy Redeemer High School, Wilkes-Barre.

Special Assignment

Reverend Mark J. DeCelles, to Director of the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program.  Father will remain Parochial Vicar, St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Scranton. 

Reverend Ryan P. Glenn, to Director of Continuing Formation of Priests.  Father will remain Pastor, Christ the King Parish, Archbald, and Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Jermyn.

Rev. Alex J. Roche, to Secretary for Clergy Formation.  Father will remain Director of Vocations and Pastor, St. Maria Goretti Parish, Laflin.

 

June 25, 2024

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

Reverend Ryan P. Glenn, to Pastor of the newly consolidated parish of Christ the King Parish, Archbald, effective July 1, 2024.

Reverend Michael Amo Gyau, to Parochial Vicar of the newly consolidated parish of Christ the King Parish, Archbald, effective July 1, 2024.

Monsignor John J. Sempa, to Pastor of the newly consolidated parish of Corpus Christi Parish, West Pittston, effective July 1, 2024.

Reverend Michael S. Drevitch, to Parochial Vicar of the newly consolidated parish of Corpus Christi Parish, West Pittston, effective July 1, 2024.

Deacon William A. Dervinis, to Diaconal Ministry at the newly consolidated parish of Corpus Christi Parish, West Pittston, effective July 1, 2024.

Deacon Walter G. Janoski, to Diaconal Ministry at the newly consolidated parish of Corpus Christi Parish, West Pittston, effective July 1, 2024.

Deacon James R. Meizanis, to Diaconal Ministry at the newly consolidated parish of Corpus Christi Parish, West Pittston, effective July 1, 2024.

Reverend Seth D. Wasnock, V.F., to Pastor of the newly consolidated parish of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Carbondale, effective July 1, 2024.

Reverend Joseph J. Mosley, to Parochial Vicar of the newly consolidated parish of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Carbondale, effective July 1, 2024.

Deacon Patrick J. Massino, to Diaconal Ministry at the newly consolidated parish of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Carbondale, effective July 1, 2024.

Reverend Christian Ekeh, to Parochial Vicar, Saint John Bosco Parish, Conyngham, effective July 1, 2024.

Deacon William F. Behm,  to Diaconal Ministry, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Wilkes-Barre, effective July 1, 2024.

 

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

Reverend Duane J. Gavitt, from Pastor, Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton, and Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton, to Retirement, due to Reasons of Health, effective January 27, 2024.

PARISH LIFE COORDINATOR

Deacon Vincent M. Oberto, to Parish Life Coordinator, Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton, and Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton.  As Parish Life Coordinator, Deacon Oberto will provide on-site pastoral care in the absence of a pastor.  Reverend Connell A. McHugh, will serve as Sacramental Minister providing Mass and the other sacraments on a regular basis.  Reverend Michael J. Piccola,  Dean of the Hazleton Deanery, will serve as Priest Moderator.  Effective January 27, 2024.

 

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

Reverend Sergio Leon Pamplona Henao, from ministry in the Diocese of Medellin, Colombia, currently in residence at St. Matthew Parish, East Stroudsburg, to Parochial Vicar, Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton, and Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton, effective January 8, 2024.  Father will reside at Annunciation Parish, Hazleton.

Reverend Wilfredo Milan Mamani Cusicanqui, from Parochial Vicar, Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton, and Holy Rosary Parish, Hazleton, effective January 15, 2024.  Father will return to ministry in the Diocese of Corocoro, Bolivia.