More 2024-2025 Pastoral Assignments

More 2024-2025 Pastoral Assignments

A letter published by Fr. Dominic Tran, provincial, on April 9, dated the solemnity of the Annunciation (April 8), announced almost 2 dozen assignments for the coming pastoral year.

Fr. Suarez

The responsibilities of most interest probably are those of 3 pastors or parish admininistrators.  The new pastor of St. John Bosco-St. James Parish in Chicago will be Fr. Miguel Suarez, pending the approval of Card. Cupich.  Until now Fr. Miguel has been pastor of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Orange, N.J.

Fr. Dieunel Victor, in turn, has been appointed administrator of OL of the Valley, pending the approval of Card. Tobin.  Till now he's been parochial vicar at St. John Bosco Parish in Port Chester, N.Y.

In Port Chester, Fr. Tarcisio Dos Santos, currently parochial vicar, will become administrator in place of the outgoing pastor, Fr. Pat Angelucci.

Fr. Victor

There was one more appointment of director:  Fr. John Serio has been named director of Mary Help of Christians Center in Tampa, succeeding Fr. Franco Pinto.

Fr. Franco, already vice provincial, will move to the provincial residence in New Rochelle.  So will Fr. Rich Alejunas, outgoing pastor in Chicago; he's already province treasurer.  Both confreres are ex-officio members of the provincial council.  Fr. Franco has also been appointed the province delegate for youth ministry, putting him in charge of that 5-person staff.

Also moving to New Rochelle will be Bro. Rafael Vargas, newly named associate director of vocation ministry.  He'll work with vocation director Fr. Steve DeMaio.  They're 2 of the 5 members of the YM staff (besides Fr. Franco).

Bro. Vargas

The 2 U.S. provinces, New Rochelle and San Francisco, anticipate a novitiate program in Richmond, Calif., next year.  Fr. Joseph Nguyen is expected to resume the office of master of novices.  He'll be assisted by Bro. Tom Dion, currently coordinator of the prenovitate program in Ramsey, N.J.

Fr. Tim Ploch, outgoing director of the New Rochelle community (provincial offices, Salesian HS, and Salesian Missions), has been designated a parochial vicar in Chicago.  His Spanish-language skill will be put to very good use there, along with his pastoral sensitivities.

Fr. Dominic also announced the merger of the 2 Salesian parishes in Harvey, La., as part of an archdiocesan reorganization.  St. John Bosco and St. Rosalie parishes will become Mary Help of Christians Parish.  Frs. Mark Hyde and George Hanna will continue to serve there as pastor and parochial vicar.