May 18, 2007

Archbishop announces clergy, parish assignments

Effective July 3, 2007

Rev. Msgr. Bernard R. Schmitz, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Morris and administrator of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Milan and St. Pius Parish in Ripley County, to pastor emeritus of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Morris and granted permission to retire.

Rev. Gregory D. Bramlage, pastor of St. Nicholas Parish in Sunman, to administrator of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Milan and St. Pius Parish in Ripley County, and continuing as pastor of St. Nicholas Parish in Sunman.

Rev. Pascal E. Nduka, from Issele-Uku Diocese, Delta State, Nigeria, associate pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis, to administrator of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Morris.

Rev. J. Peter Gallagher, part-time associate pastor of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg, to sacramental assistant at St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis and Holy Trinity Parish in Indianapolis, and continuing as chaplain of Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School in Indianapolis, with residence at St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis.

Rev. Robert J. Robeson, sacramental assistant at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis, to sacramental assistant at St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg and continuing as rector of Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary at Marian College in Indianapolis, with residence at Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis.

Rev. Mr. Thomas G. Kovatch, to be ordained a priest on June 2, 2007, to associate pastor of Holy Family Parish, St. Andrew Parish and St. Mary Parish in Richmond, and chaplain of Seton Catholic High School in Richmond.

Rev. Eric Augenstein, associate pastor of Holy Family Parish, St. Andrew Parish and St. Mary Parish in Richmond, and chaplain of Seton Catholic High School in Richmond, to administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Albany.

Rev. Paul D. Etienne, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Albany, to vice rector of Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary at Marian College in Indianapolis and pastor of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis, with residence at St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.

Rev. Robert W. Sims, pastor of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis, to pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis.

Rev. Jeffrey H. Godecker, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis, to chaplain of the Butler University Newman Center in Indianapolis and sacramental minister at Good Shepherd Parish in Indianapolis, with residence at Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis.

Rev. Brian G. Esarey, associate pastor of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis, to administrator of St. Martin Parish in Yorkville and St. Paul Parish in New Alsace and sacramental minister at St. Mary-of-the-Rock Parish in Franklin County.

Rev. Harold W. Rightor II, pastor of St. Martin Parish in Yorkville and St. Paul Parish in New Alsace and sacramental minister at St. Mary-of-the-Rock Parish in Franklin County, to pastor of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis.

Rev. Mr. Randall R. Summers, to be ordained a priest on June 2, 2007, to associate pastor of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis.

Rev. Dominic Chukwudi, from Issele-Uku Diocese, Delta State, Nigeria, associate pastor of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis, to administrator of Annunciation Parish in Brazil and Holy Rosary Parish in Seelyville, with residence at Holy Rosary Parish in Seelyville.

Rev. Stephen T. Jarrell, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Greencastle and Annunciation Parish in Brazil, to pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Greencastle and continuing as chaplain at DePauw University in Greencastle and the Indiana State Farm in Putnamville.

Rev. Mathew Joseph Choorapanthiyil, O.C.D., from Malabar Province, Kerala, India, administrator of Holy Rosary Parish in Seelyville, to Provincial assignment.

Rev. Joseph M. Feltz, pastor of St. Lawrence Parish in Lawrenceburg and dean of the Batesville Deanery, to administrator of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Aurora and continuing as pastor of St. Lawrence Parish in Lawrenceburg and dean of the Batesville Deanery.

Rev. Michael Osemene, from Issele-Uku Diocese, Delta State, Nigeria, sacramental ministry at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis, to associate pastor of St. Lawrence Parish in Lawrenceburg and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Aurora, with residence at St. Lawrence Parish in Lawrenceburg.

Rev. Christopher A. Craig, pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Aurora, to pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Shelbyville.

Rev. Donald A. Quinn, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Shelbyville, to sacramental assistant at Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish in Greenwood and hospital ministry.

Rev. Mr. Eric Nagel, to be ordained a priest on June 2, 2007, to associate pastor of Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish in Greenwood and associate director of vocations for the archdiocese.

Rev. Jonathan P. Meyer, associate pastor of St. Luke Parish in Indianapolis and director of youth and young adult ministry for the archdiocese, to director of youth ministry for the archdiocese and continuing as associate pastor of St. Luke Parish in Indianapolis.

Rev. James R. Bonke, defender of the bond for the Metropolitan Tribunal for the archdiocese and weekend sacramental assistance at St. Luke Parish in Indianapolis and Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis, to part-time associate pastor of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis while continuing as defender of the bond for the Metropolitan Tribunal, with residence at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral rectory in Indianapolis.

Rev. Mike Onwuegbuzie, from Issele-Uku Diocese, Delta State, Nigeria, associate pastor of SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi Parish in Greenwood, to Issele-Uku diocesan assignment.

Rev. Robert J. Hankee, pastor of St. Maurice Parish in Napoleon, St. John Parish in Osgood and St. Magdalen Parish in New Marion, and sacramental minister at Immaculate Conception Parish in Millhousen and St. Denis Parish in Jennings County, to pastor of St. Maurice Parish in Napoleon and sacramental minister at Immaculate Conception Parish in Millhousen and St. Denis Parish in Jennings County.

Rev. Shaun P. Whittington, instructor at Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School in Madison, with residence and assisting at St. Lawrence Parish in Lawrenceburg, to administrator of St. John Parish in Osgood and St. Magdalen Parish in New Marion, and chaplain of Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School in Madison.

Rev. Thomas E. Clegg, pastor of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Jeffersonville, to pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Jeffersonville and Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Jeffersonville.

Sister Shirley Gerth, O.S.F., reappointed parish life coordinator of St. Rose Parish in Knightstown and St. Anne Parish in New Castle.

Rev. Wilfred E. Day, pastor of Holy Family Parish in New Albany, to dean of the New Albany Deanery and continuing as pastor of Holy Family Parish in New Albany.

Deacon John J. Chlopecki, parish deacon assignment at St. Nicholas Parish in Ripley County, to parish deacon assignment at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Morris.

Effective Sept. 5, 2007

Rev. Stephan Brown, S.V.D., pastor of St. Rita Parish in Indianapolis, to Society of Divine Word assignment.

Rev. Eusebius C. Mbidoaka, from Orlu Diocese, Nigeria, to administrator of St. Rita Parish in Indianapolis and sacramental minister at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.

Rev. Gerald J. Kirkhoff, pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis, vicar for advocacy for priests, dean of the Indianapolis North Deanery, and priest moderator and sacramental minister of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis, continuing as pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis, vicar for advocacy for priests, dean of the Indianapolis North Deanery and priest moderator of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.

Rev. Robert T. Hausladen, associate pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis, sacramental minister of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis and chaplain of Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, continuing as associate pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis and chaplain of Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis.

Effective Oct. 3, 2007

Rev. Patrick J. Beidelman, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral Parish in Indianapolis and director of liturgy for the Office of Worship for the archdiocese, granted permission to pursue graduate studies in Rome.

Rev. Julian Peters, O.S.B., Saint Meinrad Archabbey, administrator pro-tem of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral Parish in Indianapolis and interim director of liturgy for the Office of Worship for the archdiocese.

Effective Dec. 1, 2007

Sister Christine Ernstes, O.S.F., reappointed parish life coordinator of Immaculate Conception Parish in Millhousen and St. Denis Parish in Jennings County.


These appointments are from the office of the Most Rev. Daniel M. Buechlein, O.S.B., Archbishop of Indianapolis. †

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