Bishop Alfred Schlert has announced new assignments for diocesan priests.
Every year the Bishop works with the Priest Personnel Board, an advisory body made up of experienced priests who are representative of the Diocese and its many regions and ministries, to make decisions on new assignments.
New assignments are designed to meet the needs of the faithful in the Diocese’s 80 parishes, as well as fulfilling pastoral needs at college campuses, at hospitals, at diocesan high schools, and at prisons and nursing homes.
Priests can be reassigned for a number of reasons, including openings due to retirements, requests from clergy members, professional development of priests, and the need for a specific skill or talent that is a good match for a certain ministry.
The following assignments are effective June 21, 2022, unless otherwise noted.
Pastors Emeriti
Pastor Emeritus is an honorary title granted by the Bishop to a Pastor for exemplary service to the local Church.
Reverend William T. Campion, Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Palmerton to Pastor Emeritus, Sacred Heart Parish, Palmerton.
Reverend Robert J. Potts, Pastor, Saint Ursula Parish, Fountain Hill to Pastor Emeritus, Saint Ursula Parish, Fountain Hill.
Pastors
A pastor exercises the pastoral care of the local community committed to him under the authority of the diocesan bishop in whose ministry of Christ he has been called to share.
Reverend Frans J. Berkhout, Parochial Administrator, Sacred Heart Parish, Bethlehem to Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Bethlehem.
Reverend Kevin J. Bobbin, Parochial Administrator, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Pottsville to Pastor, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Pottsville.
Reverend Monsignor Edward R. Domin, Pastor, Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Reading to Pastor, Saint Benedict Parish, Mohnton.
Reverend Andrew N. Gehringer, Pastor, Holy Infancy Parish, Bethlehem also to Pastor, Incarnation of Our Lord Parish, Bethlehem.
Reverend David J. Kozak, Pastor, Incarnation of Our Lord Parish, Bethlehem and Pastor, Holy Ghost Parish, Bethlehem to Pastor, Saint Ursula Parish, Fountain Hill; while remaining Pastor, Holy Ghost Parish, Bethlehem.
Reverend John C. Maria, Parochial Administrator, Saint Mary Parish, Kutztown to Pastor, Saint Mary Parish, Kutztown.
Reverend Brian M. Miller, Pastor, Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Ashland; Pastor, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville; and Chaplain, Marian High School, Tamaqua to Pastor, Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Reading.
Reverend Eric N. Tolentino, Parochial Administrator, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Catasauqua to Pastor, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Catasauqua.
Parochial Administrator
Diocesan policy states that a priest being entrusted with the pastoral care of a parish for the first time be appointed a parochial administrator for at least one year.
Reverend Giuseppe C. Esposito, Parochial Vicar, Saint Thomas More Parish, Allentown and Chaplain, Allentown Central Catholic High School, Allentown to Parochial Administrator, Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Ashland and Parochial Administrator, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville.
Parochial Vicars
A Parochial Vicar assists the pastor in the entire parochial ministry by reason of his office. A Parochial Vicar is commonly referred to as an Assistant Pastor.
Reverend Stephan A. Isaac, Parochial Vicar, Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Reading and Chaplain, Berks Catholic High School, Reading to Parochial Vicar, Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Allentown and Chaplain, Allentown Central Catholic High School, Allentown.
Reverend Brendon M. Laroche, Parochial Vicar, Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Allentown and Catholic Chaplain, Newman Center, Muhlenberg College, Allentown to Parochial Vicar, Saint Thomas More Parish, Allentown.
Specialized Ministry
A priest in Specialized Ministry has entrusted to him in a stable manner the pastoral care, at least in part, of some community or particular group of the Christian faithful.
Reverend George Ababio, Parochial Vicar, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading also to Chaplain, Penn State Health – Saint Joseph Medical Center, Reading.
Reverend Christopher S. Butera, Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Bath also to Chaplain, Kolbe Academy, Bath; effective 1 July 2022.
Reverend Bernard J. Ezaki, Chaplain, Kolbe Academy, Bethlehem to Chaplain, Bethlehem Catholic High School, Bethlehem; while remaining Parochial Vicar, Notre Dame of Bethlehem Parish; effective 1 July 2022.
Reverend John A. Frink, Pastor, Saint Benedict Parish, Mohnton to Specialized Diocesan Spiritual Ministry and Catholic Chaplain, Newman Center, Muhlenberg College, Allentown.
Reverend Robert J. George, Pastor, Saint Joseph Parish, Summit Hill also to Chaplain, Marian High School, Tamaqua.
Reverend Kevin M. Gualano, Sacramental and Pastoral Ministry, Schuylkill Deanery with Residence, Saint Clare of Assisi Rectory, Saint Clair to Chaplain, Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem.
Reverend Gregory R. Karpyn, Senior Priest, Diocese of Allentown with Residence, Holy Family Villa, Bethlehem to Sacramental and Pastoral Ministry, Schuylkill Deanery with Residence, Saint Patrick Rectory, Pottsville.
Reverend Simon Kimaryo, A.J., Chaplain, Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem to Chaplain, Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest, Allentown.
Reverend Odemary Bahati Kisaka, A.J., Chaplain, Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest, Allentown to service within his religious community.
Reverend Daniel E. Kravatz, Chaplain, Bethlehem Catholic High School, Bethlehem to Graduate Studies in Canon Law, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada (distance learning) while remaining Chaplain, Notre Dame High School, Easton; Sacramental Ministry, Newman Center, Lafayette College, Easton, and remaining Resident, Saint Anne Rectory, Bethlehem.
Medical Leave of Absence
Reverend John A. Hutta, Parochial Vicar, Saint Joseph Parish, Reading; Parochial Vicar, Saint Paul Parish, Reading, and Chaplain, Penn State Health – Saint Joseph Medical Center, Reading to medical leave of absence.
