Appointmentpalooza 2009

Bishop Gregory M. Aymond announced an incredible list of appointments today for the Diocese of Austin. I can’t remember a list being quite so long. In bold are appointments of particular note to me (via vocations, campus ministry, Paulists in some shape or another).

In order to provide pastoral care for the people of God in Central Texas, Bishop Aymond has made the following appointments:

Pastors and Directors

• Rev. Rick Aguilar, pastor, Ascension Parish, Bastrop, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Pedro Garcia, pastor, St. Elizabeth Parish, Pflugerville, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Kirby Garner, pastor, Santa Cruz Parish, Buda, effective July 1, 2009.
• Rev. Cesar Guzman Diaz, pastor, San Franciso Javier Parish, Austin
(Creedmoor) and San Juan Diego Parish, Stony Point, effective July 15,
2009.
• Rev. Gilber Ibarguen Gomez, pastor, St. Mary Parish, San Saba and St. Peter Parish, Goldthwaite, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. John Kelley, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Marlin and Sacred Heart Parish, Lott, effective July 15, 2009.

• Rev. Jayme Mathias, OFMConv., pastor, Cristo Rey Parish, Austin, effective immediately. [Fr. Jayme was the associate under Fr. Jesse who was murdered last month.]
• Rev. Fulgencio Mayorga, pastor, St. Mary Parish, Wimberley, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Anthony Mbanefo, MSP, pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish,
Gatesville and St. Thomas Parish, Hamilton, effective July 1, 2009.

• Rev. Ruben Patino, CSP, pastor, St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Horseshoe Bay, effective July 15, 2009. [Fr. Ruben, a Paulist, is currently at The Paulist Center in Boston. Previous to that assignment, he was Director of the University Catholic Center (2000-2004).]
• Rev. Melesio Peter Espinoza, pastor, Santa Barbara Parish, Austin, effective July 15, 2009.

• Rev. Albert Ruiz, pastor, Dolores Parish, Austin, effective July 15, 2009. [Where’s Fr. John going?]

• Rev. Mike Sis, pastor, St. Thomas More Parish, Austin, effective July 15, 2009. [Currently, Fr. Mike is the Vocations Director for Austin.]
• Rev. Efrain Villanueva, pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Taylor, effective July 15, 2009.

• Rev. William Wack, CSC, pastor, St. Ignatius, Martyr Parish, Austin, effective July 15, 2009. [Fr. Bill will be pastor at my territorial parish. Heard good things.]
• Rev. Dean Wilhelm, pastor, St. William Parish, Round Rock, effective July 15, 2009. [Where’s Fr. McNeil going?]

• Rev. Brian McMaster, Director of the Vocation Office and Director of Seminarians, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Brian Eilers, Director of Campus Ministry, Catholic Student
Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. John Guzaldo, Professor of Theology and Campus Minister, St.
Dominic Savio Catholic High School, Austin, effective July 15, 2009.

Parochial Vicars (Associate Pastors)

• Deacon Chris Downey, to be ordained a priest June 6, parochial vicar,
St. Mary Catholic Center, College Station, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Facundo Medina Blanco, parochial vicar, Cristo Rey Parish, Austin, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Manuel Montenegro Calero, parochial vicar, Sacred Heart Parish, Austin, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Francisco Morales, parochial vicar, St. Anthony Marie de Claret Parish, Kyle, effective July 15, 2009.
• Deacon Justin Nguyen, to be ordained a priest June 6, parochial vicar, St. Luke Parish, Temple, effective July 15, 2009.
• Deacon Uche Obikwelu, to be ordained a priest June 6, parochial
vicar, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Austin, effective July 15, 2009.
• Deacon Jonathan Raia, to be ordained a priest June 6, parochial
vicar, St. William Parish, Round Rock, effective July 15, 2009.
• Deacon Will Straten, to be ordained a priest June 6, parochial vicar, St. Helen Parish, Georgetown, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Filadelfo Viloria, parochial vicar, Santa Cruz Parish, Buda, effective July 15, 2009.
• Rev. Brion Zarsky, parochial vicar, St. Jerome Parish, Waco, effective July 15, 2009.

Retirement

• Msgr. Joseph Deane will retire as pastor and continue in priestly ministry effective July 1, 2009.
• Rev. Gonzalo Ferrer, TOR will retire as pastor and continue in priestly ministry effective July 15, 2009.
• Msgr. Elmer Holtman will retire as pastor and continue in priestly ministry effective July 15, 2009.