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Diocese of Rochester Pastoral Appointments Update – 5/18/11

May 18th, 2011, Promulgated by Dr. K

We have information about a few more “sacramental minister” appointments. More will be posted on the Fr. Auble assignment tomorrow morning.

After the latest appointments there will be two available priests and seven known openings.

Appointments known so far (to take place by the end of June):

Fr. John Yaw Afoakwah from Parochial Vicar of Blessed Trinity parish (Waverly, Newark Valley, Apalachian, Owego) to reassignment in Ghana.
Fr. Ted Auble from Sacramental Minister of St. Vincent De Paul (Churchville) to Sacramental Minister of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Brockport).
Fr. Timothy Brown from leave of absence, formerly Sacramental Minister of St. Pius X (Chili), to Parochial Vicar at Peace of Christ (E. Irondequoit/Rochester).
Ms. Charlotte Bruney from Pastoral Administrator of St. Vincent De Paul (Churchville) to Pastoral Administrator of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Brockport).
Fr. Joseph Canh from Vietnamese Ministry at St. Helen (Gates) to transfer to Boston Archdiocese.
Fr. Augustine Chumo from Sacramental Minister of St. Michael, St. John, St. Patrick (Clyde, Lyons, Savannah) to Pastor of this community. Sr. Diane Dennie, SSJ will no longer be Pastoral Administrator.
Fr. William Darling from Parochial Vicar at St. Mary (Canandaigua) to Pastor of Our Lady of the Snow (Cato, Port Byron, Weedsport).
Fr. William Donnelly from semi-retirement/Sacramental Minister of St. Mary downtown to retirement.
Fr. William Endres from Sacramental Minister of St. Mary of the Assumption (Scottsville) to Sacramental Minister of St. Mary of the Assumption/St. Vincent De Paul (Churchville)/St. Columba (Caledonia).
Fr. John Gathenya from Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of the Snow (Cato, Port Byron, Weedsport) to Parochial Administrator or Pastor of Holy Family (Auburn). Fr. Gathenya replaces Fr. Michael Conboy, presently serving as Parochial Administrator.
Ms. Irene Goodwin from Pastoral Administrator of St. Mary of the Assumption (Scottsville) to Pastoral Administrator of St. Mary of the Assumption/St. Vincent De Paul (Churchville)/St. Columba (Caledonia).
Fr. Timothy Horan from Parochial Vicar of Blessed Kateri (Irondequoit) to Pastor of Holy Trinity (Webster).
Fr. Leo Huyen to Vietnamese Ministry at St. Helen (Gates).
Fr. Robert Kennedy from Pastor of Blessed Sacrament (Rochester) to Pastor of Blessed Sacrament/St. Boniface (Rochester) and priestly duties at St. Mary downtown (Rochester).
Fr. Steven Lape from Pastor of St. Jerome (East Rochester) to Sacramental Minister of St. Mary of the Assumption (Scottsville)/St. Vincent De Paul (Churchville)/St. Columba (Caledonia).
Fr. William Leone from Parochial Vicar of Blessed Kateri (Irondequoit) to Pastor of St. Jerome (East Rochester).
Fr. Michael Mayer from temporary Sacramental Minister of St. Pius X (Chili) to at least one more year in this position.
Fr. Mickey McGrath from Pastor of St. Columba (Caledonia) to Sacramental Minister of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Rochester)
Fr. William Michatek from Pastor of Holy Trinity (Webster) to retirement.
Fr. Kevin Murphy from Pastor of St. Louis (Pittsford) to retirement.
Fr. Thomas Nellis from retirement to temporary Sacramental Minister/weekend Mass assistance at Church of the Transfiguration (Pittsford) during sabbatical of Fr. Michael Bausch.
Deacon David Palma from director of deacon personnel to Pastoral Administrator of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Rochester). This appointment may be concurrent with his duties as deacon director.
Fr. Robert Ring from Pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes (Dundee, Naples, Penn Yan, Prattsburgh, Rushville, Stanley) to Pastor of St. Louis (Pittsford).
Fr. Laurence Tracy from Sacramental Minister of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Rochester) to “official” retirement concurrent with continued assistance in this parish.
Fr. Robert Werth from Parochial Vicar of Peace of Christ (Rochester) to Sacramental Minister of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Rochester).
Ms. Damian Zynda, Th.D to temporary Pastoral Administrator of Church of the Transfiguration (Pittsford) during sabbatical of Fr. Michael Bausch.

“Free agents” – Active priests without an assignment come June, excluding those known to be on leave. Most recent assignment in parentheses.

Deacon Scott Caton (ordination in June)
Fr. Peter Enyan-Boadu (Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary)

Total: About 2 free agent priests

Remaining openings – The following is a list of openings yet to be filled or about which we have little to no information

(1) Parochial Vicar at Blessed Sacrament/St. Boniface and St. Mary downtown (Believed by some to be going to Deacon Caton upon ordination)

(1-2) Parochial Vicars at Blessed Kateri (The status of Fr. Morgan Rice CSB is still uncertain. One week we hear he’s leaving, the next he’s staying. We need a clear answer on this)

(1) Pastor at Our Lady of the Lakes

(1) Parochial Vicar at Blessed Trinity

(1) Parochial Vicar at St. Mary (Canandaigua)

(1) Chaplain at Rochester Institute of Technology

Total: About 7 known openings

Difference: 5 openings remain if all priests listed above are assigned.

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34 Responses to “Diocese of Rochester Pastoral Appointments Update – 5/18/11”

  1. Bruce says:

    It is against Canon Law for lay persons (Bruney, Goodwin, and Zynda) to be pastors. Simple as that.

  2. Dr. Caton would be saying mass a couple of blocks away from his home parish(OLV)if he is part of that new cluster.

  3. Bro AJK says:

    So, why is it that the Churchville duo is going to Brockport?

  4. militia says:

    I wish that Rome would set a bishop’s retirement age at whatever he permits the priests in his diocese to retire at. Either way, it would help. We’d have been rid of Bishop Clark years ago, or we’d have a lot more priests available. It seems the height of arrogance to think he can function at 74 but not believe other priests can. And to place the good of the souls of those in his care below almost everything else. This too is a reason for low vocations…..that what they are doing is so important that it can be dispensed with by retirement. Sad. Has anybody seen a survey of retirement ages in other dioceses?

  5. annonymouse says:

    Bruce – I’m quite sure these women are not “pastors.” They are pastoral administrators, a position allowed under canon law in the event the local bishop deems there is a need. As said before, perhaps they lay claim to liturgical and sacramental responsibilities that are opposed to canon law, but their appointments are not in violation of canon law.

  6. Dr. K says:

    So, why is it that the Churchville duo is going to Brockport?

    I believe Charlotte’s appointment is based on entitlement, since she gave up her secular job to enter into lay ministry in Hartford, and then sought out a like-minded bishop in Rochester when Hartford eliminated the pastoral administrator position. Fr. Auble’s appointment is based on his 11 year track record of being a yes-man to Charlotte. The assignment of Auble is designed to make Charlotte’s job easier in a parish that is not going to welcome her with open arms.

    Bruney is also one of the bishop’s favorite lay administrators. She is the longest-tenured, having served as an administrator for more than 12 years. Don’t forget that Charlotte was one of the two laywomen sent in to hold together Corpus Christi after Callan was reassigned (how well did that turn out?). She is also a member of the bishop’s priest personnel board, which is baffling since the last time I checked, she is not a priest.

  7. Bruce says:

    Dear “annonymouse”, Here is a quote straight from Bruney’s own mouth: “There is still quite a bit of “noise” coming from small pockets in Brockport who are angry about my appointment there, feeling that a priest should have been appointed PASTOR.” Tell us again how she is not a pastor? She says she is. That makes her in violation of Church law and a heretic. Tell us again how this is okay, and try not to lie this time.

  8. Bruce says:

    Of course, continue to pray for Bishop Clark, Bruney, and the other errant folks in the DoR. But also remember to speak the truth without fear and write those letters and contact the media. Be strong in your faith and in your commitment to the truth!

  9. Bro. AJK says:

    I think it would have been best if they were split up for Brockport, Churchville, the diocese, and themselves. It would have been an opportunity for growth.

  10. Bruce says:

    I think it would have been best if they followed Church law, and priests were appointed pastors and lay persons like Bruney and the rest of us helped them out in areas that are licit for us to help. Instead, they have this steaming pile of mess.

  11. annonymouse says:

    Bruce, you are neither a canonist nor skilled in logic. Just because Ms. Bruney says that folks are upset that a priest has not been appointed as “pastor” (a canonical title to which only a priest may be appointed) does not mean that Ms. Bruney is claiming that title for herself. She is clearly a pastoral administrator, and this is not an illicit title under canon law, despite your refusal to accept it.

  12. Bruce says:

    annonymouse, where in Canon Law does it talk about “pastoral administrators” Show me the text. All we see is “pastors”, which BRUNEY AND CO. claim to be. They say they are in charge of the spiritual care/direction of their parishes. This is the role of a priest, who is the only one who can be a pastor. You’re wrong on this, and you have yet to admit it. Show me the text in Canon Law that refers specifically to “pastoral administrators” and their jobs. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

  13. Bruce says:

    What is a pastor? Well, according to Canon Law, a pastor is a priest who is required to direct a parish. “Pastoral administrator” is not found in Canon Law. The truth of the matter is that parishes require a pastor (who can ONLY be a priest) to run them. Bruney and co. are running parishes, which means they are pastors, which means they are violating Church teaching and law, because they are not priests. This isn’t really that hard to understand, unless you’re trying awfully hard to avoid the truth.

  14. Bruce says:

    Anony17322: You missed this part: “he is to appoint some PRIEST who, provided with the powers and faculties of a pastor, is to direct the pastoral care.” Bruney does not qualify. Also, you missed this key point as well: Can. 521 §1. To become a pastor validly, one must be in the sacred order of the presbyterate.

    I’ll repeat these so you can read them again:

    1.) §2. …He is to appoint some PRIEST who, provided with the powers and faculties of a pastor, is to direct the pastoral care.

    2. ) Can. 521 §1. To become a pastor validly, one must be in the sacred order of the presbyterate.

    So, you just proved my point for me: Bruney and co. are violating Church teaching and law and it is our duty to expose their violation and stop them from destroying their own souls and the souls of the innocent parishioners in Brockport. So, thank you.

  15. Bruce says:

    Can. 521 §1. To become a pastor validly, one must be in the sacred order of the presbyterate.

    Once more, just for good measure. Priests are pastors, not Bruney. There is no such thing as a pastoral administrator anymore than there are unicorns. It is another name for pastor, and a rather transparent attempt at getting around the law to put women in priestly roles. We all hope and pray that next year, they will no longer be allowed to play priest and the Church can once again flourish in the DoR. Pray for their souls.

  16. Mary says:

    Do you know who will be Pastor of St. Cecelia or have you heard if St. Cecelia’s will be closed? I will be very sad.

  17. Bill Benton says:

    No one will be pastor there until the priestly tide turns. St. Cecelia is part of a cluster. X number of priests for X number of parishes.

  18. Dr. K says:

    Please folks, try not to post 20 comments per article. Make your point in one comment, not a cluster of 2-6 comments in a row. When a person responds, then make another comment. And so on.

    I have pruned a number of comments posted to this and the Charlotte’s Web articles.

    You’re flooding my inbox! 🙂

  19. Dr. K says:

    The official interpretation of canon 517.2 is that a lay person may be appointed to be a pastoral administrator, pastoral life coordinator (different titles used in different dioceses for the same reality) of a parish. You may not like this, but it is lawful.

    Incorrect, this is not lawful. Laypersons may collaborate with a priest in his pastoral care duties, but in no way may they direct, govern, or lead a parish. A priest must always direct the pastoral care. This is not me speaking, this is from the Vatican.

    Ecclesiae de mysterio contains the Vatican’s interpretation of Canon 517.2:

    “1. The right understanding and application of this canon, according to which “Si ob sacerdotum penuriam Episcopus dioecesanus aestimaverit participationem in exercitio curae pastoralis paroeciae concredendam esse diacono aliive personae sacerdotali charactere non insignitae aut personarum communitati, sacerdotem constituat aliquem qui, potestatibus et facultatibus parochi instructus, curam pastoralem moderetur” [“If the diocesan bishop should decide that due to a dearth of priests a participation in the exercise of the pastoral care of a parish is to be entrusted to a deacon or to some other person who is not a priest or to a community of persons, he is to appoint some priest endowed with the powers and faculties of a pastor to supervise the pastoral care”], requires that this exceptional provision be used only with strict adherence to conditions contained in it. These are:

    a) ob sacerdotum penuriam and not for reasons of convenience or ambiguous “advancement of the laity”, etc.;

    b) this is participatio in exercitio curae pastoralis and not directing, coordinating, moderating or governing the Parish; these competencies, according to the canon, are the competencies of a priest alone. [To all the pastoral administrator apologists: read this last part carefully]

    ….

    The same canon, however, reaffirms that these forms of participation in the pastoral care of parishes cannot, in any way, replace the office of Parish Priest. The same canon decrees that “Episcopus dioecesanus (…) sacerdotem constituat aliquem qui potestatibus et facultatibus parochi instructus, curam pastoralem moderetur” [The diocesan bishop … is to appoint some priest endowed with the powers and faculties of a pastor to supervise the pastoral care”]. Indeed, the office of Parish Priest can be assigned validly only to a priest (cf. Canon 521, 1) even in cases where there is a shortage of clergy.(76)”

  20. Bruce says:

    There it is! THANK YOU, Dr. K. And well-done.

  21. Louis E. says:

    I concur that “direct/moderate/supervise the pastoral care” does not leave room for the provided priest to be under the supervision of the lay administrator.

    Congratulations to Father Chumo on escaping lay supervision.

  22. Ben Anderson says:

    and that’s not just DrK’s interpretation, but also Fr. John Trigilio’s. I’ve got an audio clip here:
    http://www.fallaciesandfashions.com/2009/07/spx-model-parish-for-diocese.html

  23. awb says:

    As members of Nativity parish for 38 years, we are saddened and angry by whats happening. We are loosing our wonderful and spirit filled pastor, Father Peter(who is still unassigned). Only to be replaced with one of Bishops Clark’s illicit lay administraors and her part time side kick Father Auble, who would rather run his dog and pony show business than preside over the sacrafice of the Mass 5 days a week. How dare Burney equate a communion service to the Mass! A communion service is NOT and should not be a replacement for the Mass. As much as we love this parish, we will not be a part of this charade. Iam sure others here feel the same way. We will pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance to lead us to a new place to celebrate the Eucharist, even if it means out of this Diocese. Bishop Clarks’ legacy will be one of doom and destruction of the Rochester Diocese.

  24. Diane Harris says:

    For those from Brockport seeking to attend faithful, faith-filled Masses, Hilton is only about 10 miles away. Fr. Joe Catanise, in my experience, is a “by-the-book” Vatican faithful priest. When he came to St. Leo’s the Blessed Sacrament was reserved on a side altar near the back. He would stop the processional at Mass to have all the procession genuflect before the tabernacle on his way in. It wasn’t long before he had restored Christ to His Rightful position in the center of the Sanctuary. I travelled on a pilgrimage to Poland with Fr. Joe, and he celebrated Mass every single day for our group. Many would have used travel as an excuse NOT to say a Mass. I think you would find a welcoming heart in Fr. Joe.

  25. Bro AJK says:

    Dear Bruce,

    I’ve seen pastoral associates (what the role ought to be). I’ve also seen pastoral administrators when the priest in residence is past retirement age but still offers the sacraments. Both of these are very different from what is going on in much of Rochester. In these situations, the layman is subordinate to the priest in terms of sacraments, but does have influence in temporal aspects of the parish (i.e., helps with the money, assists with pastoral care, e.g., counseling or spiritual direction [not Reconciliation] as needed).

  26. Bro AJK says:

    Dear Diane and awb,

    St. Mary in Holley (Buffalo Diocese) is closer.

  27. Bro AJK says:

    As an addendum, the First Communion photos do not reflect the current (incoming?) pastor, who is younger.

  28. Choir says:

    DEar Diane, awb and Bro. AJK – I can readily attest to the orthodoxy of the priest that pastors both St. Mary in Holley and St. Mark’s in Kendall. I hope this helps.

  29. Chris says:

    A quick note about Fr. Tracy. At the end of Mass this morning he said that Fr. Hart asked him to retire “officially” so that he would not be a financial burden to the parish. By retiring, the diocese pays for his benefits such as health insurance instead of the parish. He still intends to work “full time” at the parish if the new administrator wants him. Also, he said that he will continue to work with Hispanic outreaches and ministries until the diocese gets someone to do that.

  30. Chris-What you have stated confirms my earlier post regarding Fr. Tracy -Shearing of the Sheep, now Shearing of the Pastor. I do not think it is right to force technical retirement on a priest who will still be working full-time to say the parish money.in effect, it adds to the priest shortage.
    This Sunday, we learned it was our Deacon’s last day. Deacon Bob Meyer and his wife Barb who have been so devoted and who have worked so hard for St. Andrew Church and Annunciation are being kicked out by the D.o.R. Deacon Bob and his wife Barb ran the Beacon of Hope Clothing Boutique. Deacon Bob encountered much grief and opposition politically from the D.o.R. after the administrative team of Deb Housel and Fr. Paul Gitau took over our church.Parishioners were stunned by the sudden departure and no time to plan a thank you reception.Reasons circulating for his departure are: that he does not speak Spanish, and that the D.o.R. is trying to remove any remnant of Fr. Michael Mayer.
    This evening at Annunciation (Hall),at 7 P.M., there is a meeting regarding the future of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Parish at Annunciation.We have heard that the D.o.R. is entertaining the thought of not renovating Annunciation and just shutting down both St. Andrew Church and Annunciation.

  31. In the previous post -“to save the parish money.”

  32. Dr. K says:

    Reasons circulating for his departure are: that he does not speak Spanish

    Do the new priests?

    We have heard that the D.o.R. is entertaining the thought of not renovating Annunciation and just shutting down both St. Andrew Church and Annunciation.

    How about close Annunciation and keep open St. Andrew? Maintaining Annunciation is not a good idea. The church is way too small, requires too much work and a significant upgrade in seating, and has an older population that [frankly] may not be around in another decade. The only reason the DoR would pump money into this tiny church is to make it marketable for sale the second repairs are finished.

  33. Dr. K – I agree wholeheartedly with closing Annunciation and keeping St. Andrew Church open!

  34. Dr. K says:

    Not that I want to see any church close, but if it’s between Annunciation or St. Andrew, the decision is pretty much a slam dunk in favor of keeping open St. Andrew.

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