Bishop Alfred Schlert has announced new clergy assignments in the Diocese of Allentown.Every year the
Bishop works with the Priest Personnel Board to make decisions on new assignments. The Board is an advisory body made up of experienced priests who are representative of the Diocese and its many regions and ministries.
New assignments are designed to meet the needs of the faithful in the Diocese’s 79 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, professional development of priests, requests from clergy members, and the need for a specific skill or talent that is a good match for a certain ministry.
The following assignments are effective June 20, 2023, unless otherwise noted.
Pastor Emeritus
Pastor Emeritus is an honorary title granted by the Bishop to a Pastor for exemplary service to the local Church.
Reverend Monsignor Vincent P. York, Pastor, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Pen Argyl to Pastor Emeritus, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Pen Argyl, effective June 27, 2023.
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 Giuseppe C. Esposito, Parochial Administrator, Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Ashland and Parochial Administrator, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville to Pastor, Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Ashland and Pastor, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville.
Reverend Joseph S. Ganser, Parochial Administrator, Sacred Heart Parish, Palmerton to Pastor, Saint Margaret Parish, Reading.
Reverend Angel L. García-Almodóvar, Pastor, Saint Margaret Parish, Reading to Pastor, Saint Paul Parish, Allentown.
Reverend Monsignor Thomas P. Koons, Pastor, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Northampton and Vicar for Religious to Pastor, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Pen Argyl; while remaining Judge, Diocesan Tribunal, effective June 27, 2023.
Reverend Patrick H. Lamb, Pastor, Queenship of Mary Parish, Northampton also to Pastor, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Northampton, effective June 27, 2023.
Reverend Michael E. Mullins, Pastor, Saint Paul Parish, Allentown to Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Palmerton.
Reverend Gregory Pendergraft, F.S.S.P., Pastor, Saint Stephen of Hungary Parish, Allentown to Pastor, Holy Ghost Parish, Bethlehem.
Very Reverend Adam C. Sedar, Having completed his service as Vicar for Clergy, Father Sedar remains Pastor, Saint Nicholas Parish, Walnutport.
Parochial Administrator
Diocesan policy states that a priest being entrusted with the pastoral care of a parish for the first time will be appointed a parochial administrator for at least one year.
Reverend Brendon M. Laroche, Parochial Vicar, Saint Thomas More Parish, Allentown to Parochial Administrator, Saint Ursula Parish, Fountain Hill.
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 Jaya K. Francis, M.S.C., Parochial Vicar, Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, Easton to service outside the Diocese of Allentown within his religious community.
Reverend David J. Kozak, Pastor, Holy Ghost Parish, Bethlehem and Pastor, Saint Ursula Parish, Fountain Hill to Parochial Vicar, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Allentown and Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Allentown.
Reverend David Lopez, F.S.S.P., Parochial Vicar, Saint Stephen of Hungary Parish, Allentown to Parochial Vicar, Holy Ghost Parish, Bethlehem.
Reverend Philip J. Maas, Parochial Vicar, Saint Ignatius Loyola Parish, Sinking Spring and Parochial Vicar, Saint Francis de Sales Parish, Robesonia to Parochial Vicar, Saint Thomas More Parish, Allentown, effective August 1, 2023.
Specialized Ministry
A priest in Specialized Ministry has entrusted to him the pastoral care, at least in part, of some community or particular group of the Christian faithful.
Reverend Remy Coly, M.S.C., Parochial Vicar, Queenship of Mary Parish, Northampton to Chaplain, Saint Luke’s University Health Network – Sacred Heart Campus, Allentown, with residence Sacred Heart of Jesus Rectory, Allentown.
Reverend John A. Hutta, Medical Leave of Absence to Catholic Chaplain, Newman Center, Muhlenberg College, Allentown.
Reverend Keith A. Mathur, Assistant in the Diocesan Curia to Diocesan Chancellor; while remaining Director, Office for Divine Worship; Episcopal Master of Ceremonies, and with residence Holy Infancy Rectory, Bethlehem.
Reverend Eugene P. Ritz, Diocesan Chancellor to Vicar for Clergy; while remaining Director, Permanent Diaconate Formation; Judge, Diocesan Tribunal, and with residence Saint Joseph the Worker Rectory, Orefield.
Reverend Jerome A. Tauber, Chaplain, Saint Luke’s University Health Network- Fountain Hill Campus and Saint Luke’s Visiting Nursing Association Hospice, Bethlehem, also to Vicar for Religious.
