Bishop Checchio announces new priestly appointments

METUCHEN – Bishop James F. Checchio has announced the following priestly appointments. Unless otherwise noted, all appointments are effective September 1, 2023.

May God continue to grant these priests and all clergy in our diocese the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, the words needed to proclaim the Gospel, and joy in their hearts as they minister to His people.

Newly ordained:

• Reverend Jose M. Lim, newly ordained priest, to Parochial Vicar, Saint Joseph Parish, Hillsborough, from July 6 through September 6, 2023, and then returning to Rome for further studies.

 Pastors:

• Reverend Krzysztof Kaczynski, from Pastor of Our Lady of Victories Parish, Baptistown, and Saint Edward the Confessor Parish, Milford, to Pastor of Saint John Neumann Parish, Califon, and Saint Joseph Parish, High Bridge.
• Reverend Bede Kim, from Parochial Vicar of Saint John Vianney Parish, Colonia, to Pastor of Our Lady of Victories Parish, Baptistown, and Saint Edward the Confessor Parish, Milford.
• Reverend James Kyrpczak, from Administrator of Saint Joseph Parish, High Bridge, to Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Washington.
• Reverend Edmund A. Luciano, from Parochial Vicar of the Parish of the Visitation, New Brunswick, to Pastor of the Church of the Sacred Heart, South Plainfield.
• Reverend Ronald Machado, from Administrator of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Perth Amboy, to Pastor of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Perth Amboy, effective July 16.
• Reverend Guy Selvester, from Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Washington, to Pastor of Saint Mary Parish, South Amboy.
• Reverend Mauricio Tabera-Vasquez, from Administrator of Saint Joseph Parish, North Plainfield, to Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, North Plainfield, effective April 3, while remaining Pastor of Saint Luke Parish, North Plainfield. 

 Parochial Vicars:

• Reverend Ariel Bautista, from Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, Annandale, to Parochial Vicar, Saint James Parish, Basking Ridge.
• Reverend Frank Fellrath, to Parochial Vicar, Parish of the Visitation, New Brunswick, effective July 12.
• Reverend Wilson Jerusalem, to Parochial Vicar, Saint Philip and Saint James Parish, Philipsburg.
• Reverend Edgar Madarang, from Parochial Vicar, Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi, to Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, Annandale.
• Reverend Lancelot McGrath, from Parochial Vicar, Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Monroe Township, to Parochial Vicar, Saint Matthias Parish, Somerset.
• Reverend Robert Pinnisi, from Saint James the Less Parish, Jamesburg, and Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Plainsboro Township, to Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway, effective July 17.
• Reverend Gustavo Rodriguez Perez, from Parochial Vicar, Saint Joseph Parish, North Plainfield, and Saint Luke Parish, North Plainfield, to Parochial Vicar, Parish of the Visitation, New Brunswick, while continuing as Diocesan Coordinator of Hispanic Lay Formation
• Reverend Gilbert Starcher, from Parochial Vicar, Saint Philip and Saint James Parish, Philipsburg, to Parochial Vicar, Saint Joseph Parish, North Plainfield, and Saint Luke Parish, North Plainfield.
• Reverend Tholitho, from Parochial Vicar, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater, to Parochial Vicar, Saint Ambrose Parish, Old Bridge.
• Reverend Gregory Zannetti, from Parochial Vicar, Saint James Parish, Basking Ridge, to Parochial Vicar, Saint John Vianney Parish, Colonia.

 Educational Ministry:

• Reverend David Keyes, from Parochial Vicar, Saint Ambrose Parish, Old Bridge, to Theology Teacher, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, while assisting at Saint Luke Parish, North Plainfield, and Saint Joseph Parish, North Plainfield
• Reverend Thomas Lanza, from Theology Teacher, Immaculata High School, Somerville, to School Chaplain, Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen, while remaining Vocation Recruiter and Chaplain at the Catholic Center at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, while residing at St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish, New Brunswick, effective August 15.
• Reverend Ronal Vega Pastrana, from Theology Teacher, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, to Theology Teacher, Immaculata High School, Somerville, while remaining as Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Bernardsville, effective August 15.

• Very Reverend Michael J. Gromadzki, Pastor of St. Mary of Ostrabrama Parish, South River, has been named the Dean of Raritan Bay Deanery, effective July 21.  
• Very Reverend Charles Sabella, Pastor of St. Patrick and St. Rose of Lima Parish, Belvidere, has been named the Dean of Morris Canal Deanery, effective July 21.
• Very Reverend Thomas Serafin, Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Three Bridges, has been named the Dean of Round Valley Deanery, effective July 21.

• Reverend Monsignor Seamus F. Brennan, from Senior Priest, Saint Matthias Parish, Somerset, to retired status, effective July 1, 2023.
• Reverend John Alvarado, from Pastor, Parish of the Sacred Heart, South Plainfield, to retired status.
• Reverend Richard Rusk, from Pastor, Saint John Neumann Parish, Califon, to retired status.
• Reverend Dennis Weezorak, from Pastor, Saint Mary Parish, South Amboy, to retired status.