Bishop announces local pastoral, administrative appointments
A new partner parish is being created between Fairchance and Point Marion and three other Fayette County parishes will receive new pastors as part of a series of pastoral and administrative appointments recently made by Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg. All appointments, according to a news release from the diocese, go into effect July 5.
The Rev. Andrew M. Kawecki, pastor of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Fairchance, becomes administrator of St. Hubert Parish in Point Marion as the Rev. Joseph L. Sredzinski, current pastor of St. Hubert, is appointed to chaplain duties in Greensburg at St. Emma Monastery, the state Correctional Institution at Greensburg and Westmoreland Manor.
“We are working with the diocesan leadership on a Mass schedule that is workable for both parishes,’ said Kawecki. “It will probably be announced shortly.’
The Rev. Robert T. Lubic, a Connellsville native, is assigned to his first pastorate at St. John the Baptist Parish in Perryopolis. Lubic is currently parochial vicar of Holy Family Parish in Latrobe and has been a diocesan priest since 1996. He replaces the Rev. John T. Euker who becomes the pastor of St. Mary Parish in Freeport. Euker has served as pastor of St. John the Baptist since 1991.
The Rev. Peter L. Peretti, a Brownsville native, becomes pastor of St. Procopius Parish in New Salem and administrator of St. Thomas Parish in Footedale. He previously served as pastor of St. Ambrose Parish in Avonmore and administrator of St. Matthew Parish in Saltsburg since 2003.
Peretti replaces the Rev. James L. Popochock who becomes pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Farmington after serving as pastor of St. Procopius Parish, New Salem, from 1986 through this year and administrator of St. Thomas Parish, Footedale, from 1994-2007. Popochock replaces the Rev. Salvatore R. Lamendola who becomes pastor of St. Ambrose Parish, Avonmore, and administrator of St. Matthew Parish in Saltsburg while continuing as director of the Office for Continuing Clergy Formation. He became pastor of St. Joan in 2006.
In addition, the Rev. Thomas S. Trupkovich, a Uniontown native and pastor of St. Edward Parish in Herminie, will become the new co-director of the Office for Clergy Vocations with primary responsibility for recruitment. He also will be coordinator of Episcopal ceremonies and will live at St. Boniface Parish, Penn. Trupkovich has been a diocesan priest since 1997.
The Rev. Anthony W. Ditto, a Connellsville native, becomes pastor of St. Raymond Parish in Donegal and chaplain of Harmon House in Mount Pleasant. He previously served as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Brady’s Bend and administrator of St. Mary, Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Parker from 2002-07. He was ordained in 1990.
The Rev. Douglas E. Dorula, another Uniontown native, becomes parochial vicar at St. Barbara Parish in Harrison City after serving as parochial vicar of Church of the Resurrection Parish in Northern Indiana County. He was ordained in 2002.
Other appointments with local connections include:
? The Rev. Joseph E. Bonafed, who served as parochial vicar at St. Therese, Little Flower of Jesus parish in Uniontown from 1995-98, has been appointed pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Brady’s Bend and administrator of St. Mary, Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Parker.
? The Rev. Thomas A. Federline becomes pastor of St. Paul Parish in Greensburg after serving as pastor of St. Mary Parish in Freeport since 2002. Federline’s previous appointments include serving as parochial vicar at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Uniontown and its chapel in Farmington from 1985-88, Immaculate Conception Parish in Connellsville from 1988-93 and St. Sebastian Parish in Belle Vernon from 1993-96.
? The Rev. John J. Harrold has been appointed pastor of St. Edward Parish in Herminie after serving as pastor of St. Raymond Parish in Donegal from 1999-2007 and chaplain of Harmon House in Mount Pleasant from 2005-07. His previous appointments include serving as parochial vicar of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Uniontown from 1996-98.
? The Rev. Daniel C. Mahoney becomes pastor of Holy Family Parish in Latrobe after serving as pastor of St. Paul Parish in Greensburg since 2000. His previous appointments include serving as parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish in Scottdale from 1972-75.
? The Rev. Stephen C. West becomes administrator of St. Martin Parish in New Derry while continuing as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Derry. His previous appointments include serving as parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception Parish in Connellsville and its former chapel in Dawson from 1983-86.
? Monsignor Richard G. Curci becomes vicar forane of Deanery III, Westmoreland West. He is currently pastor of Mother of Sorrow Parish in Murrysville. His previous assignments include serving as principal of Geibel Catholic High School in Connellsville from 1986-90 and pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Connellsville, 1989-92.
? Monsignor Robert J. Shuda, a diocesan priest since 1959, will retire from Greensburg-based chaplain duties at St. Emma Monastery, Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital and Westmoreland Manor and move to Neumann House, the residence for retired priests at the Bishop William G. Connare Center in Greensburg. His previous assignments include serving as parochial vicar at All Saints Parish in Masontown, 1959-60; and pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Connellsville, and its former chapel in Dawson, 1978-83.