Parish communities across the diocese are bidding farewell to their current pastors and preparing to welcome new ones! Some of our priests are entering senior ministry. Many of these changes in pastoral leadership are taking place in early July. Newly ordained priests, Father Christopher Epplett and Father Jacob Zemaitis will begin their first parish assignments at St. Alphonsus and St. Paul the Apostle parishes respectively. See below for the list of pastoral appointments announced by Bishop Walkowiak this spring and other assignment changes:
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 1, 2023 (effective July 1 unless otherwise noted):
Reverend Steven W. Geerling, is appointed canonical administrator of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Norton Shores and St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Muskegon.
Reverend Charles D. Hall, pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Norton Shores, and St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Muskegon, is granted senior priest status, effective June 30.
Reverend Anthony M. Pelak, pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Belmont is appointed pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Grand Rapids.
Reverend Mark C. Przybysz, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Grand Rapids, is granted senior priest status, effective June 30.
Reverend Daniel P. Schumaker, is appointed canonical administrator of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish in Grand Haven.
Reverend Charles J. Schwartz, pastor of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish in Grand Haven is appointed pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Belmont.
Reverend Noah I. Thelen, parochial vicar of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Holland is appointed canonical administrator of St. Bartholomew Parish in Newaygo and St. Joseph Parish in White Cloud.
Father Christopher T. Epplett, ordained to the priesthood on June 3, is appointed canonical administrator of St. Alphonsus Parish in Grand Rapids.
Father Jacob M. Zemaitis, ordained to the priesthood on June 3, is appointed parochial vicar of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Grand Rapids.
In addition:
Reverend Jordan DeGuire, O.P., is assigned as chaplain at Aquinas College, effective May 20, 2023.
Reverend Bill Edens, CSP, is granted senior priest status by the Paulist Fathers, effective July 30. Father Edens will remain at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Grand Rapids as a priest in senior ministry.
Father Eric Hernandez, CSP, ordained on 20, is appointed associate pastor of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Grand Rapids by the Paulist Fathers. Father Hernandez completed his internship at the cathedral in the summer of 2019. Father Hernandez will officially join the Cathedral of Saint Andrew staff on July 1.
Please continue to pray for our priests and seminarians in formation for priesthood. (Prayer for Priests, USCCB)
