10 parishes to have new associate pastors

Clergy appointments formally announced this year by the Archdiocese of Omaha make 2014 what might be called the "Year of the Associate Pastor."

Effective July 1, 10 parishes will have new associate pastors – providing opportunities for growth for the associate, pastor and parishioners, said Father Joseph Taphorn, moderator of the curia, vicar for clergy and judicial vicar.

As the primary collaborator to the pastor, associate pastors bring specific talents and interests that benefit the parish, Father Taphorn said. The associate gains pastoral leadership experience and the pastor has a sounding board and fresh set of eyes, he said.

"Everybody is enriched by each other’s gifts," Father Taphorn said.

With no priests retiring and seven reappointed pastors asking to remain in their parishes, just one pastor appointment was announced: Father James Netusil, from parochial administrator to pastor of St. Patrick Parish in O’Neill and St. Joseph Parish in Amelia.

Calling it a "great gift" that several senior priests eligible for retirement decided to continue serving, Father Taphorn said the pastor re-appointments for six-year terms create continuity that allow pastors and parishes to continue long-term projects.

Three priests have received their first assignments: Father John Norman, who was ordained last year, and Fathers Benjamin Boyd and Matthew Capadano, who were ordained earlier this month.

Returning from graduate theological studies in Rome, Father Norman has been appointed associate pastor of Christ the King Parish in Omaha.

Father Boyd has been appointed associate pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Fremont, while Father Capadano has been appointed to chaplain and teaching duties at Scotus Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School in Columbus.

Father Capadano will be in residence at St. Bonaventure Parish, with Sunday duties at St. Isidore Parish, both also in Columbus.

"I think they are looking forward to getting engaged in active ministry," Father Taphorn said.

PASTOR APPOINTMENT FOR SIX-YEAR TERM

Father James Netusil, from parochial administrator, to pastor of St. Patrick Parish in O’Neill and St. Joseph Parish in Amelia.

PASTOR REAPPOINTMENTS FOR SIX-YEAR TERM

Father Mark Beran, St. Mary Parish in Wayne.

Father Gerald Connealy, St. Peter Parish in Stanton.

Father David Fulton, St. John the Baptist Parish in Fordyce, St. Joseph Parish in Constance and St. Boniface Parish in Menominee.

Father Lloyd Gnirk, St. John the Evangelist Parish in Valley.

Father Jeffery Loseke, Holy Trinity Parish in Hartington.

Father Keith Rezac, St. Joseph Parish in Pierce and St. Paul Parish in Plainview.

Father Mark Tomasiewicz, St. Patrick Parish in Tekamah and Holy Family Parish in Decatur.

ASSOCIATE PASTORS

Father Mark Bridgman, St. Mary Parish in Bellevue, to St. Pius X Parish in Omaha.

Father Douglas Hall, Christ the King Parish in Omaha, to St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Omaha.

Father Walter Jong-a-Kiem, St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Omaha, to Mary Our Queen Parish in Omaha.

Father Kevin Joyce, St. Pius X Parish in Omaha, to St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Omaha.

Father Roger Kalscheuer, St. James Parish in Omaha, to St. Mary Parish in Bellevue.

Father John Norman, from graduate theological studies in Rome, to Christ the King Parish in Omaha.

Jesuit Father John Montag, St. Francis Cabrini Parish in Omaha, to Holy Name Parish in Omaha and remaining associate pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Omaha.

Father Andrew Roza, chaplain and teaching duties at Scotus Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School in Columbus, to St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Omaha.

Father Michael Voithofer, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Omaha, to St. James Parish in Omaha.

NEWLY ORDAINED

Father Benjamin Boyd to associate pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Fremont.

Father Matthew Capadano to chaplain and teaching duties at Scotus Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School in Columbus, with residence at St. Bonaventure Parish in Columbus and Sunday duties at St. Isidore Parish in Columbus.

RESIDENTS

Father Thomas Greisen, servant minister with residence at St. Rose Parish in Omaha, to residence at St. John Vianney Parish in Omaha.

Father Jeffrey Mollner, chaplain at V.J. and Angela Skutt Catholic High School in Omaha, with residence at St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Omaha, to residence at St. Patrick Parish in Gretna.

RELEASED FROM PARISH PASTORAL DUTIES IN ARCHDIOCESE

Father Joseph Broudou, associate pastor of Mary Our Queen Parish in Omaha, granted a leave of absence to discern religious life with the Order of St. Augustine, Our Lady of Good Counsel Province in Chicago.

Redemptorist Father Michael McAndrew, associate pastor of Holy Name Parish in Omaha, to return to duties to the Redemptorist community.

Father Oscar Pérez, associate pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Fremont, granted a six-month leave of absence to discern opportunities for priestly ministry in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Fla., and in the Archdiocese of Miami.