HARRISBURG, Pa. – Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer, Bishop of Harrisburg, recently announced changes to clergy assignments. These changes will take effect October 26, 2020. Every year, Bishop Gainer, working with the Priest Personnel Board, makes assignment decision for the Diocese’s clergy in an effort to meet the needs of our parishes and fulfill the mission of the Church. Priest assignments normally occur in June. Due to the pandemic, these changes were delayed until the end of October.
Priests are selected for assignments based on a variety of factors, including local needs, their skills and experience, availability, and health. Priests within the Diocese of Harrisburg can be reassigned for a number of reasons, including a request from the clergy member, an opening due to a retirement or death, or a clergy member has the skills and talents that are considered a good match for a specific ministry need.
The following clergy changes will be effective as of October 26, 2020:
- Reverend Darius G.C. Moss – currently Pastor of Queen of Peace Parish, Millersburg, is retiring.
- Reverend Paul C.B. Schenck – currently Director of the Office of Deacon Formation and Parochial Vicar at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Mechanicsburg. He has been granted permission for assignment outside the Diocese.
- Very Reverend Francis J. Tamburro – currently Pastor of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Berwick, is retiring.
- Reverend Steven J. Arena – currently Parochial Vicar at Saint John Neumann Parish, Lancaster and Chaplain at Lancaster Catholic High School. He has been appointed Campus Minister at Millersville University and Franklin and Marshall College and will remain Chaplain at Lancaster Catholic High School, Lancaster.
- Reverend Dominic Azagbor, OP – currently Administrator at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Spring Grove. He has been appointed Pastor of Saint Rose of Lima Parish, York.
- Reverend John B. Bateman, Jr. – currently Administrator of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Lancaster. He has been appointed Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish, York and Director of the Office of Deacon Formation.
- Reverend Keith M. Carroll – currently Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish, York. He has been appointed Pastor of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, New Oxford.
- Reverend Joshua R. Cavender – currently Campus Minister at Millersville University and Franklin and Marshall College. He has been appointed Parochial Vicar at Saint John the Baptist Parish, New Freedom and Campus Minister at York College, York.
- Reverend Samuel I. Dubois – currently Parochial Vicar at Saint Theresa of the Infant Jesus Parish, New Cumberland. He has been appointed Parochial Vicar at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Mechanicsburg.
- Reverend Benjamin J. Dunkelberger – currently Parochial Vicar at Saint John the Baptist Parish, New Freedom and Campus Minister at York College, York. He has been appointed Pastor of Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, Shippensburg and Campus Minister at Shippensburg University, Shippensburg.
- Reverend Joseph R. Howard – currently Pastor of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Hanover. He has been appointed Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Lancaster.
- Reverend Matthew R. Larlick – currently Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Berwick. He has been appointed Pastor of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mother Parish, Berwick. Father Larlick remains Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Berwick.
- Reverend Michael C. Letteer – currently Pastor of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, New Oxford. He has been appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Spring Grove.
- Reverend Samuel E. Miller – currently Parochial Vicar at Church of the Good Shepherd, Camp Hill. He has been appointed Parochial Vicar at Saint Joseph Parish, Hanover and Chaplain at Delone Catholic High School, McSherrystown.
- Reverend Matthew C. Morelli – currently Parochial Vicar at Saint Joseph Parish, Hanover and Chaplain at Delone Catholic High School, McSherrystown. He has been appointed Pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Lancaster.
- Reverend Daniel P. O’Brien – currently Pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Lancaster. He has been granted permission for a medical leave of absence.
- Reverend Brian T. Olkowski – currently Parochial Vicar of Saint Joseph Parish, Lancaster. He has been appointed Pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Lancaster.
- Reverend Michael Opoki, AJ – currently Pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Lykens. He has been appointed Pastor of Queen of Peace Parish, Millersburg and will remain Pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Lykens.
- Very Reverend Luis R. Rodriguez – currently Pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, Chambersburg. He has been appointed Pastor of San Juan Bautista Parish, Lancaster.
- Reverend Dwight D. Schlaline – currently Pastor of Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, Shippensburg and Campus Minister at Shippensburg University. He has been appointed Pastor of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Hanover.
- Reverend Allan F. Wolfe – currently Pastor of San Juan Bautista Parish, Lancaster and Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Lancaster. He has been appointed Pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, Chambersburg and Our Lady of Refuge Mission, Doylesburg.
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