Parish communities across the diocese are bidding farewell to their current pastors and preparing to welcome new ones! Many of these changes in pastoral leadership are taking place in early July. See below for the list of all the pastoral appointments announced by Bishop Walkowiak over the last several weeks:
Looking for concrete ways to welcome and embrace your parish priest?
Read “How can we support our parish priests?” (July/August 2022 FAITHGR magazine, p.11)
Announced May 9, 2022 (effective July 1 unless otherwise noted):
Reverend Colin J. Mulhall, pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Jenison, has been assigned to canon law studies at The Catholic University of America commencing this fall toward the attainment of a licentiate in canon law. His term as pastor of Holy Redeemer will conclude effective June 30, along with his appointments as Director of Continuing Formation for Priests and Co-Chaplain of Catholic Central High School.
Reverend David A. Jameson, who was ordained a priest on June 4, is appointed parochial vicar of the Parish of the Holy Spirit in Grand Rapids, effective July 1, 2022.
Reverend David J. Sacha, who was ordained a priest on June 4, is appointed parochial vicar of the Basilica of Saint Adalbert and St. Mary Parish in Grand Rapids, effective July 1, 2022. In addition to his assignment as parochial vicar, he is appointed Co-Chaplain of West Catholic High School.
Reverend Logan C. Weber, who was ordained a priest on June 4, is appointed parochial vicar or St. Robert of Newminster Parish in Ada, effective July 1, 2022.
Click here for Ordination Mass coverage.
Announced June 6, 2022 (effective July 1 unless otherwise noted):
Reverend Aaron R. Ferris, Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Lowell and St. Anthony Parish in Saranac has requested and has been granted a leave from diocesan pastoral ministry to serve as a Chaplain Officer in the U.S. Air Force. Father Ferris will receive his orders regarding his first assignment and his schedule for Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama this month.
Reverend Michael J. Goodwin, Parochial Vicar of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Grand Rapids is appointed Administrator of St. Mary Parish in Lowell and St. Anthony Parish in Saranac.
Reverend Michael G. Hodges, pastor of St. Philip Neri Parish in Reed City is appointed Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Marne and St. Michael Parish in Coopersville.
Reverend Ayub Francis Nasar, Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Marne and St. Michael Parish in Coopersville is appointed Pastor of St. Jude Parish in Grand Rapids.
Reverend Thomas P. Page, Pastor of St. Jude Parish in Grand Rapids, is granted Senior Priest status, effective June 30, 2022. Bishop Walkowiak expresses his sincere gratitude to Father Page for 43 years of faithful priestly ministry including 26 years as Vicar for Priests.
Reverend Loc Q. Trinh, is appointed Administrator of St. Philip Neri Parish in Reed City. This appointment is in addition to his current assignment as Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish in Evart and St. Agnes Parish in Marion.
Reverend Leonard A. Sudlik, is appointed as Bishop’s Delegate for Senior Priests. As delegate to senior priests, Father Sudlik will attend to the extraordinary needs and concerns of priests of our diocese over the age of 65.
Reverend Lam T. Le, is appointed Director of Continuing Formation for Priests. This appointment is in addition to his present appointment as Pastor of St. John Paul II Parish in Cedar Springs and Mary, Queen of Apostles Parish in Sand Lake.
Announced June 13, 2022:
Reverend Stephen S. Dudek, Pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Wyoming, is granted Senior Priest status, effective July 31, 2022. Father Dudek will continue his work in the diocesan Missions Office as Director. Bishop Walkowiak expresses his sincere gratitude to Father Dudek for his 38 years of faithful priestly ministry.
Reverend Charles D. Brown, Pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Holland is appointed Pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, effective August 1, 2022.
Reverend Ron P. Floyd, Administrator of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish is appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, effective July 1, 2022.
Reverend Luis F. Garcia, Parochial vicar of St. Anthony of Padua Parish is appointed Pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Holland, effective August 1, 2022.
Very Reverend Dat Q. Tran, C.S.P., is appointed Rector/Pastor of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, effective July 1, 2022. Read more about Father Dat.
Very Reverend René I. Constanza, C.S.P., Rector/Pastor of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, was installed as the President of the Paulist Fathers on June 7, 2022. Bishop Walkowiak expresses his gratitude to Father Constanza for his pastoral ministry in the diocese. Watch video of the installation Mass here.
Also read:
New Cathedral of Saint Andrew rector announced: Meet Father Dat Q. Tran, CSP
Announced June 27, 2022:
Reverend Phong Q. Pham is appointed pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Jenison, effective Sept. 1. Father Pham is a priest of the Diocese of Thanh Hoa, Vietnam and was previously incardinated in the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
About incardination:
An ordained priest or deacon may be excardinated from one diocesan Church and incardinated into another at the judgment of the local ordinaries, i.e. the diocesan bishops. Once incardination occurred, canonically, Father Pham became a priest of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, subject to the authority of the presiding bishop and his successors. For more information, see Canons 265, 266.1, 267.1, 268.1, 269.
Please continue to pray for our retired priests, and for our priests transitioning to new appointments and leading the parish communities entrusted to their care.
View previously announced pastoral appointments.
Contact:
Annalise Laumeyer, director of communications
alaumeyer@grdiocese.org | 616-551-5629
