36 priests receive assignments for coming year

June 5, 2015, (updated June 10, 2015) WORCESTER, MA –Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, S.T.D., Bishop of Worcester, announced the following 36 clergy assignments which will be effective July 1, 2015 unless otherwise noted. The assignments include six pastors who are retiring; four priests receiving their first assignments as pastors or administrators; nine priests who are moving to new parishes; one priest who will administer a second parish; and eight to be ordained on June 20, 2015 are given their first assignments.

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Retirements effective July 1, 2015
Rev. Charles R. Armey from pastor of Our Lady of Loreto in Worcester to retirement.
Rev. James Carmody from pastor of St. Peter Parish in Northbridge to retirement.
Rev. Msgr John Doran from pastor of St. Leo Parish in Leominster to retirement.
Rev. John Horgan from pastor of St, Denis and St. Anne Parishes in Ashburnham to retirement.
Rev. Robert M. Spellman from pastor of St. Joseph the Good Provider Parish in Berlin to retirement.

Retirement effective September 1, 2015
Rev. James B. O’Shea from pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes to retirement.

Transfers and Assignments effective July 1, 2015
Rev. Eric K. Asante will be the administrator of Prince of Peace Parish in Princeton, while remaining the Diocesan Director of African Ministry.
Rev. William E. Champlin from pastor of St. Edward the Confessor Parish in Westminster to pastor of St. Leo Parish in Leominster for a period of six years.
Rev. Michael Clements will go from pastor of St, Anthony of Padua Parish in Fitchburg to administrator of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Winchendon.
Rev. Lawrence J. Esposito, who has been administrator of St. Augustine Parish in Millville will now be pastor there while remaining pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Linwood for a period of six years.
Rev. John F. Hamm will be administrator of St. Denis and St. Anne Parishes in Ashburnham.
Rev. Kevin F. Hartford will be pastor of St. Edward the Confessor Parish in Westminster for a period of six years.
Rev. Joseph Jurgelonis will leave as pastor of Holy Cross Parish in East Templeton and St. Martin Mission in Otter River to become pastor of Annunciation Parish in Gardner for a period of six years.
Rev. Thomas G. Landry who has been serving as Sacramental assistant at St. Cecilia Parish in Leominster will become administrator of St. Peter Parish in Northbridge.
Rev. Leo-Paul LeBlanc will go from pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Winchendon to pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Fitchburg for a period of six years.
Rev. Jesus E. Martinez will be a part-time associate pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Parish in Worcester while remaining part-time associate pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-St. Ann Parish in Worcester and director of Prison Ministry at the Worcester County House of Correction with residence at St. Stephen Rectory.
Rev. Edward Michalski will be the part-time associate pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Worcester, while serving as Sacramental Assistant.
Rev. Thien X. Nguyen will become the administrator of St. Theresa Parish in Blackstone where he has been the associate pastor.
Rev. Marcin W. Nowicki will go from associate pastor of St. Mary Parish in Shrewsbury to pastor of Holy Cross Parish in East Templeton and St. Martin Mission, Otter River for a period of six years.
Rev. D. Timothy O’Mara will no longer be the administrator of St. Theresa Parish and will continue as pastor of St. Paul parish in Blackstone.
Rev. Msgr. F. Stephen Pedone will become pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Parish in Worcester while remaining pastor of Our Lady of Mt, Carmel-St. Ann Parish in Worcester and the Judicial Vicar for the Diocese of Worcester.
Rev. Thomas Tokarz will go from pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Gardner to pastor of St. Joseph the Good Provider Parish in Berlin for a period of six years.
Rev. Brian O’Toole will go from pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parishes in Gardner to sabbatical until January 1, 2016 when he becomes pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Worcester for a period of six years.
First Assignments for men to be ordained Priests on June 20, 2015:

Effective July 1
Rev. Donato Infante as newly ordained priest will be assigned to Christ the King Parish in Worcester for the summer with continuing studies in Rome this fall.
Rev. Stephen Lundrigan as newly ordained priest will asssit in priestly ministry for the summer at St. Cecilia Parish, Leominster followed by further studies at Boston College in September , continuing residency at St. Cecilia.

Effective Aug. 1
Rev. Andres Araque as newly ordained priest will become part-time associate pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Worcester and part-time associate pastor at St. Peter Parish in Worcester, with residence at St. Joan of Arc rectory.
Rev. Mateus Monteiro de Souza as newly ordained priest will provide priestly ministry to the Portuguese and Brazilian communities at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Milford.
Rev. Juan Escudero as newly ordained priest will be associate parosh of St. Mary Parish in Shrewsbury.
Rev. Adriano Natalino Lessa who has been ministering to the Portuguese and Brazilian Community of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Milford will provide priestly ministry to the Brazilian Community at St. Stephen Parish in Worcester, with residence at St. Stephen Parish.
Rev. Daniel Moreno as newly ordained priest will be part-time associate pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Linwood and part-time associate pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Millville.
Rev. Juan Ramirez as newly ordained priest will be associate pastor of St. John, Guardian of Our Lady Parish in Clinton.
Rev. Carlos Ruiz as newly ordained priest will be associate pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Leominster.

Effective September 1:
Rev. Anthony Mpagi will be the Catholic Chaplain of Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg while remaining pastor of St. Boniface Parish in Lunenburg.