SAGINAW — Joseph R. Cistone recently made clerical and parish assignments, effective July 1.
In announcing these appointments, Bishop Cistone indicated that, due to the pastoral planning process currently under way, as few changes as possible have been made so parishes may benefit from their current leaders during the planning process. A number of priests and pastoral administrators have agreed to remain in their present assignments for an additional year, even though their terms have come to an end or they are eligible for retirement. Furthermore, any assignments at this time will be temporary, contingent upon the results of the planning process.
Resignations
Fr. William Prospero, .S.J., pastor of St. Mary University Parish in Mount Pleasant. Fr. Prospero is a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and will be reassigned by his provincial.
Fr. Reginaldo Daza Salcedo, from priest administrator of SS. Casimir and George Parish in Saginaw and sacramental minister to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Bay City. Fr. Salcedo does not possess faculties for the Diocese of Saginaw.
Fr. Jose Parra, from leave of absence to departure from active ministry. He does not possess faculties.
Retirements
Maria Cepeda, from pastoral administrator at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Bay City and director of Hispanic Ministry. She will continue to work with and assist the Office for Hispanic Ministry for a brief transition period.
Parochial Administrators
Fr. Jose Maria Cabrera, from graduate studies in Rome to parochial administrator of SS. Casimir and George Parish in Saginaw and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Bay City.
Fr. Denis M. Heames, from graduate studies in Rome to parochial administrator of St. Mary University Parish in Mount Pleasant.
Diocesan Offices
Fr. James W. Bessert, from chaplain of St. Francis Home in Shields and part-time ministry in the Office for Liturgy to director of the Office for Liturgy.
Fr. Jose Maria Cabrera, as vicar for Hispanic Ministry for a term of five years. He is also to serve as parochial administrator to SS. Casimir and George Parish in Saginaw and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Bay City,.
Fr. Denis M. Heames, as adjutant judicial vicar, for a term of five years. He is also to serve as parochial administrator to St. Mary University Parish in Mount Pleasant.
Newly Ordained
Fr. Thomas R. Held, to parochial vicar at Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Mount Pleasant. He also will assist part time in ministry to Sacred Heart Academy.
Fr. Alberto E. Vargas, to parochial vicar at SS. Casimir and George Parish in Saginaw and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Bay City.
Sacramental Ministry
Fr. James W. Bessert, to sacramental minister at St. Mary Parish in Alma and Mount St. Joseph Parish in St. Louis.
Fr. Richard E. Jozwiak, senior priest, to sacramental minister at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish in Vassar.
Chaplaincies
Fr. Thai Hung Nguyen, from sacramental minister-pro tem at St. Mary Parish in Alma and Mount St. Joseph Parish in St. Louis to chaplain at St. Francis Home in Shields.
Renewal of Terms
The terms of the following priests and pastoral administrators have been extended for the benefit of parish planning:
Priests
Fr. Richard Bokinskie, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Chesaning, St. Michael Parish in Oakley and St. Cyril Parish in Bannister, renewed for one year.
Fr. Andrzej Boroch, pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish in Marlette and sacramental minister at St. Michael Parish in Wilmot, renewed for one year.
Fr. John F. Cotter, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Gladwin, renewed for one year.
Fr. James E. Falsey, pastor of St. Mark Parish in AuGres and St. Joseph Parish in Alger, renewed for one year.
Fr. James G. Heller, pastor of St. Stephen Parish in Saginaw, renewed for one year.
Fr. Edward J. Konieczka, pastor of St. Hyacinth Parish in Bay City, renewed for one year.
Fr. Thomas J. McNamara, rector of Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption Parish in Saginaw, renewed for one year.
Fr. Robert J. Meissner, pastor of St. Vincent DePaul Parish in Bay City, renewed for one year.
Fr. Joseph K. Miller, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Pinconning and sacramental minister for St. Michael Parish in Pinconning, renewed for one year.
Fr. Dale A. Orlik, pastor of St. Boniface Parish in Bay City and sacramental minister for St. Joseph Parish in Bay City, renewed for one year.
Fr. David L. Parsch, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Shields, renewed for one year.
Fr. John S. Sarge, pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Bridgeport and Sacred Heart Parish in Birch Run, renewed for one year.
Fr. Thomas E. Sutton, pastor of St. Anthony/St. Joseph Parish in Auburn, renewed for one year.
Fr. John Weis, administrator of Holy Family Parish in Sebewaing, and St. Francis Borgia Parish in Pigeon, renewed for one year.
Pastoral Administrators
Sr. Jean Baumann, O.S.F., pastoral administrator of St. Athanasius Parish in Harrison. In October, her appointment was renewed until June 2013
Sr. Maria Dina Puddu, M.C., parochial administrator of St. Pancratius Parish in Cass City, renewed for one year.
Deacon Aloysius Oliver, pastoral administrator of St. Mary Parish in Alma and Mount St. Joseph Parish in St. Louis, renewed for one year.