Allentown Diocese sets new assignments

Bishop Alfred Schlert of the Diocese of Allentown announced new assignments for diocesan priests on Sunday.

Priests are reassigned for a number of reasons, the diocese said in a news release, including openings due to retirements, requests from clergy members, professional development of priests, and the need for a specific skill or talent that is a good match for a certain ministry.

The following assignments are effective June 21, unless otherwise noted.

Pastors Emeriti

Pastor emeritus is an honorary title granted by the Bishop to a pastor for exemplary service to the local Church.

Rev. William T. Campion, pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Palmerton to pastor emeritus, Sacred Heart Parish, Palmerton.

Rev. Robert J. Potts, pastor, Saint Ursula Parish, Fountain Hill to pastor emeritus, Saint Ursula Parish, Fountain Hill.

Pastors

Rev. Frans J. Berkhout, parochial administrator, Sacred Heart Parish, Bethlehem to pastor, Sacred

Heart Parish, Bethlehem.

Rev. Kevin J. Bobbin, parochial administrator, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Pottsville to pastor, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Pottsville.

Rev. Monsignor Edward R. Domin, pastor, Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Reading to pastor, Saint Benedict Parish, Mohnton.

Rev. Andrew N. Gehringer, pastor, Holy Infancy Parish, Bethlehem also to pastor, Incarnation of Our Lord Parish, Bethlehem.

Rev. David J. Kozak, pastor, Incarnation of Our Lord Parish, Bethlehem and pastor, Holy Ghost Parish, Bethlehem to pastor, Saint Ursula Parish, Fountain Hill; while remaining pastor, Holy Ghost Parish, Bethlehem.

Rev. John C. Maria, parochial administrator, Saint Mary Parish, Kutztown to pastor, Saint Mary Parish, Kutztown.

Rev. Brian M. Miller, pastor, Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Ashland; pastor, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville; and chaplain, Marian High School, Tamaqua to pastor, Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Reading.

Rev. Eric N. Tolentino, parochial administrator, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Parish, Catasauqua to pastor, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Catasauqua.

Parochial Administrator

A position where a priest becoming a pastor for the first time be appointed a parochial administrator for at least one year.

Rev. Giuseppe C. Esposito, parochial vicar, Saint Thomas More Parish, Allentown and Chaplain, Allentown Central Catholic High School, Allentown to parochial administrator, Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Ashland and parochial administrator, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville.

Parochial Vicars

A parochial vicar serves as an assistant to the pastor.

Rev. Stephan A. Isaac, parochial vicar, Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Reading and Chaplain, Berks Catholic High School, Reading to parochial vicar, Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Allentown and chaplain, Allentown Central Catholic High School.

Rev. Brendon M. Laroche, parochial vicar, Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Allentown and Catholic chaplain, Newman Center, Muhlenberg College, Allentown to parochial vicar, Saint Thomas More Parish, Allentown.

Specialized Ministry

Rev. George Ababio, parochial vicar, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading also to chaplain, Penn State Health — Saint Joseph Medical Center, Reading.

Rev. Christopher S. Butera, pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Bath also to chaplain, Kolbe Academy, Bath; effective July 1.

Rev. Bernard J. Ezaki, chaplain, Kolbe Academy, Bethlehem to chaplain, Bethlehem Catholic High School, Bethlehem; while remaining parochial vicar, Notre Dame of Bethlehem.

Rev. John A. Frink, pastor, Saint Benedict Parish, Mohnton to specialized diocesan spiritual ministry and Catholic chaplain, Newman Center, Muhlenberg College, Allentown.

Rev. Robert J. George, pastor, Saint Joseph Parish, Summit Hill also to chaplain, Marian High School, Tamaqua.

Rev. Kevin M. Gualano, sacramental and pastoral ministry, Schuylkill Deanery with residence, Saint Clare of Assisi Rectory, Saint Clair to chaplain, Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem.

Rev. Gregory R. Karpyn, senior priest, Diocese of Allentown with residence, Holy Family Villa, Bethlehem to sacramental and pastoral ministry, Schuylkill deanery with residence, Saint Patrick Rectory, Pottsville.

Rev. Simon Kimaryo, A.J., chaplain, Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem to chaplain, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.

Rev. Odemary Bahati Kisaka, A.J., chaplain, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown to service within his religious community.

Rev. Daniel E. Kravatz, chaplain, Bethlehem Catholic High School, Bethlehem to graduate studies in canon law, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada (distance learning) while remaining chaplain, Notre Dame High School, Easton; sacramental ministry, Newman Center, Lafayette College, and remaining resident, Saint Anne Rectory, Bethlehem.

Medical Leave of Absence

Rev. John A. Hutta, parochial vicar, Saint Joseph Parish, Reading; parochial vicar, Saint Paul, Reading, and chaplain, Penn State Health-Saint Joseph Medical Center, Reading to medical leave of absence.