New Ulm Diocese announces clergy, ministerial appointments

NEW ULM -- Rev. John G. Berger, Administrator of the Diocese of New Ulm, has announced the following official clergy appointments.

Effective June 20, 2001:

Rev. John H. Brunner to serve as Parochial Administrator of the Church of St. Willibrord in Gibbon while continuing as Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew in Fairfax and the Church of the Sacred Heart in Franklin.

Rev. James W. Devorak to serve as Sacramental Minister of the Church of St. Clara in Clara City while continuing as Pastor of the Church of St. Joseph in Montevideo and Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew in Granite Falls.

Rev. Marco Antonio Elel Xoyon to serve as Associate Pastor of the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Marshall.

Rev. Francis J. Garvey to serve as Parochial Administrator of the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins while continuing as Parochial Administrator of the Church of Our Lady in Manannah and one-half time as Director of Priest Personnel and Bishop's Delegate in Matters Pertaining to Sexual Misconduct. He will no longer serve as priest/chaplain at the Willmar Regional Treatment Center.

Rev. Richard C. Gross to retire from active ministry.

Rev. Tony R. Hesse to serve as Associate Pastor of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm.

Rev. Dennis C. Labat to serve 40 percent as Supervisor of Pastoral Administrators and other diocesan duties and 60 percent as Pastor of the Church of St. Raphael in Springfield and Sacramental Minister of the Church of St. Thomas in Sanborn.

Rev. A. Melchizedech to serve as Associate Pastor of the Church of Our Lady in Manannah and the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins. He will reside in Watkins.

Rev. Sagayadasan Nicholas to serve as Associate Pastor of the Church of St. Andrew in Granite Falls and the Church of St. Joseph in Montevideo, and Sacramental Minister of the Church of St. Clara in Clara City. He will reside in Granite Falls.

Rev. Brian W. Oestreich to serve one-half time as Director of Vocations for the Diocese of New Ulm while continuing as Pastor of the Church of the Japanese Martyrs in Leavenworth and Sacramental Minister of the Church of St. Paul in Comfrey one-half time.

Rev. John A. Pearson to serve as Ecumenical Director while continuing as Pastor of the Church of St. Dionysius in Tyler and the Church of St. Genevieve in Lake Benton.

Rev. Samuel Perez to serve as Associate Pastor of the Church of St. Mary in Willmar.

Rev. Todd J. Petersen to serve as Associate Pastor of the Church of St. Mary in Sleepy Eye.

Effective June 30, 2001:

Rev. Eugene C. Hackert to retire from active ministry.

Rev. Jose Paul Pynadath, CMI to serve as Associate Pastor of the Church of St. Willibrord in Gibbon, the Church of St. Andrew in Fairfax and the Church of the Sacred Heart in Franklin. He will reside in Gibbon.

Sister Sharon Nohner, OSB to serve as Pastoral Administrator of the Church of St. Paul in Comfrey.

Sister Kathryn Schoolmeest-ers, SSND to serve as Pastoral Administrator of the Church of St. John in Hector.

Parish Cluster changes

occurring with the new

appointments

Effective June 20, 2001

St. Andrew, Granite Falls, St. Joseph, Montevideo, and St. Clara, Clara City will be clustered.