The Priest Shuffle

June is a very active time of year for dioceses all over. A majority of priests celebrate their anniversaries and some get shuffled. For those of you who hadn’t been checking the Diocese website obsessively the past month or so (like me), the Bishop has announced the priests’ reassignments for this year for our diocese. Effective July 1 they are:

Pastors

• Rev. Joy Adimakkeel, administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Waco, elevated to the office of pastor.
• Rev. Mark Hamlet, administrator of Sacred Heart Parish in Austin, elevated to the office of pastor.
• Rev. Aloysius Nzekwe, MSP, administrator of St. Stephen Parish in Salado, elevated to the office of pastor.
• Rev. Celso Yu, MF, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Franklin in addition to his current assignment as pastor of St. Mary Parish in Bremond.
• Rev. Anthony Alphonse, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Kingsland and Our Lady of the Lake Mission in Sunrise Beach
• Rev. Bernard Hung, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Caldwell and Holy Rosary Mission in  Frenstat
• Rev. Stephen Nesrsta, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Corn Hill and Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Granger
• Rev. Joseph Nisari, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Dime Box and Holy Family Mission in Lexington
• Very Rev. Michael O’Connor, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Hutto in addition to his current assignment as pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Round Rock
• Rev. Efrain Villanueva, pastor of Santa Teresa Parish in Bryan
• Rev. Brion Zarsky, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Martindale and St. Michael Parish in Uhland

Administrators

• Rev. Jairo Sandoval Pliego, OP, administrator of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Taylor.
• Rev. Steve Sauser, administrator of St. John the Baptist Parish in Fayetteville and St. Mary Mission in Ellinger/Hostyn Hill
• Rev. Will Straten, administrator of Our Lady of Wisdom Parish in San Marcos

Parochial Vicars

• Rev. Augustine Ariwaodo, to be ordained June 8, 2013, parochial vicar of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin.
• Rev. Jason Bonifazi, to be ordained June 8, 2013, parochial vicar of St. Anthony Marie de Claret Parish in Kyle.
• Rev. Alex Caudillo, to be ordained June 8, 2013, parochial vicar of St. William Parish in Round Rock.
• Rev. Barry Cuba, to be ordained June 8, 2013, parochial vicar of St. Mary Catholic Center in College Station.
• Rev. Richard Dee Du, MF, parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish in Bremond and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Franklin.
• Rev. Sushil Ekka, IMS, parochial vicar of St. Thomas More Parish in Austin.
• Rev. Ron Feather, parochial vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Austin.
• Rev. Alirio Fernandez-Bueno, parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Parish in Austin.
• Rev. Joseph Sae Eul Kim, parochial vicar of St. Paul Chong Hasang Parish in Harker Heights.
• Rev. Matthew Kinney, parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish in Killeen.
• Rev. Tim Nolt, to be ordained June 8, 2013, parochial vicar of St. Helen Parish in Georgetown.
• Rev. Jonathan Raia, parochial vicar of St. Mary Catholic Center in College Station.
• Rev. Vincent Romuald, SRC, parochial vicar of St. Louis Parish in Austin.
• Rev. Wade Russell, parochial vicar of St. Theresa Parish in Austin.
• Rev. Jim Deaconson, parochial vicar of St. Patrick Parish in Hutto

Source: Part 1 Part 2

A lot of people (youth especially) have trouble with the reassignments – or really just change in general.  It’s hard to let go of a pastor you’ve built a relationship with, just like with any other friend. However, as in all things, we must trust the Holy Spirit’s guidance and respect the authority of the Bishop. Not only are the reassignments good for the priests and for the parishes, but its a very special opportunity for the priests to live out their vocations by fulfilling their vows of obedience.

We the laity can also take this time of change as an opportunity for spiritual growth. Change and the unknown that it brings with it can be exciting. If we recognize that we are not truly in control and that it is God who leads us, we can reflect on the gifts He gives us, the people whose love He’s shown us, and the lessons He’s taught us — all manifestations of His infinite love for us. We don’t quite know what’s waiting for us around the corner, but in contemplating the unknown, we should turn to the Holy Spirit be in awe of that love.

We should also recognize the authority of God and that we are subject to his will. The job you have, the home you live in, the family you love, is all out of God’s will. Thankfully, God only wants what’s best for us in order for us to join us in heaven. So if we just trust in Him and his guidance we can be confident in His love for us and its heavenly reward.

In the meantime, let us pray for all priests that they may be fruitful in their vocations and in responding to God’s will.