Bishop Checchio announces new priestly appointments

Bishop James F. Checchio has announced the following priestly appointments. Unless otherwise noted, all appointments are effective August 1, 2022.
 
We ask that you please pray for these priests and the people whom they serve. 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.
 

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• Reverend Ronal R. Vega Pastrana, newly ordained priest, to Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Bernardsville, and Theology Teacher, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison

 

• Reverend Antony Arockiadoss, from Pastor, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Hackettstown, to Pastor, Saint Philip and Saint James Parish, Philipsburg

 

• Reverend John J. Barbella, from Pastor, Saint Philip and Saint James Parish, Philipsburg, to Pastor, Saint John Vianney Parish, Colonia

 

• Reverend Keith M. Cervine, from Director of Catholic Identity, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, to Administrator, Immaculate Conception Parish, Annandale

 

• Reverend James De Fillipps, from Parochial Vicar, Saint Bartholomew Parish, East Brunswick, to Administrator, Saint Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington, while remaining as Bishop’s Delegate for the Office of Evangelization

 

• Reverend David Pekola, from Administrator, Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville, to Pastor of that same parish

 

• Reverend Leopoldo Salvania, from Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville, to Administrator, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Hackettstown

 

• Reverend Mauricio Tabera Vasquez, from Chaplain, the Catholic Center at Rutgers, New Brunswick, and Diocesan Vocations Recruiter, to Administrator, Saint Joseph Parish, North Plainfield, effective July 6, 2022

 

• Reverend Timothy M. Eck II, from advanced studies, Pontifical North American College, Rome, to Parochial Vicar, Saint Bartholomew Parish, East Brunswick, and Director, Office of Divine Worship

 

• Reverend Thomas Lanza, from Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Bernardsville, to Diocesan Vocations Recruiter and Chaplain, the Catholic Center at Rutgers, while remaining as a Theology Teacher, Immaculata High School, Somerville

 

• Reverend Michael K. Tabernero, to Director of Catholic Identity, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, while continuing as a Theology Teacher at that same school

 

• Reverend John C. Gloss, from Pastor, Saint John Vianney Parish, Colonia, to Retired Status.

 

• Reverend Wojciech Kusek, C.Ss.R, released from service as Administrator, Saint Joseph Parish, North Plainfield, to return to his religious community, effective July 6, 2022.