Recent Chancery communications
Letter from Bishop Persico regarding the Precious Blood June 2023Instruction on Reintroduction of the Precious Blood for the Faithful June 2023
Eucharistic Revivial Letter from Bishop Persico July 2022
Pastoral Planning
Click here for Parish and Church decrees.
Clergy Appointment Announcements
The Reverend Benjamin J. Daghir, Parochial Vicar of Holy Spirit Parish, DuBois, while remaining as part-time faculty member of DuBois Central Catholic School, effective December 2, 2023 and until July 30, 2025.
The Reverend Monsignor Richard R. Siefer, EV, Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, DuBois, while remaining Episcopal Vicar for the Eastern Vicariate, and a member of the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors, effective December 2, 2023 and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Edward J. Walk, Senior Associate of Holy Spirit Parish, DuBois, effective December 2, 2023 and until July 30, 2025.
Deacon Daniel F. Satterlee, Deacon Assistant of Holy Spirit Parish, DuBois, effective December 2, 2023 and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Miguel A. Alvarez, Jr., continuing as Deacon Assistant at St. Stephen of Hungary Parish, Erie, effective October 9, 2023 and until November 30, 2024
Deacon Jerry T. Sobrowski, Deacon Assistant at Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, Erie, effective immediately (September 25, 2023) and until June 30, 2024.
Deacon William Gibson, continuing as Deacon Assistant at Sacred Heart Parish, Director of Pastoral Care at Penn Highlands Health Care Elk, and Pinecrest Manor, all in Saint Marys, effective October 4, 2023 and until October 4, 2024.
Deacon Joseph R. Cicero, retired, effective immediately (September 25, 2023).
The Reverend Andrew M. Boyd, Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Sharon Deanery and member of the Presbyteral Council, effective immediately (September 6, 2023) and until June 30, 2024, to complete the terms of Father Thomas Whitman.
The Reverend Thomas P. Curry, O.S.B., Pastor of St. Marys Parish, St. Marys, while continuing as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, St. Marys, effective September 20, 2023 and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Thomas More Sikora, O.S.B., Parochial Vicar of St. Marys Parish and Sacred Heart Parish, both in St. Marys, effective September 20, 2023 and until July 31, 2026.
The Reverend Dennis J. Veltri, Chaplain to UPMC Hamot, effective August 16 and until July 31, 2026.
The Reverend Glenn R. Whitman, temporary Parochial Administrator of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Sharon, and Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Farrell, while continuing as Pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd Parish, West Middlesex, effective immediately and until further notice.
Deacon Joseph A. Yochim, resignation accepted as Deacon Assistant at Our Lady of Peace, Erie, and from all diaconal ministry in the Diocese of Erie, effective immediately (Aug. 14).
Deacon Richard D. Shewman, continuing as Deacon Assistant at St. Luke Parish, Erie, as well as in employment in the Office of Matrimonial Concerns and the Tribunal, and as Co-Director of the Deacon Formation Program, though beyond retirement age, effective immediately (Aug. 14) and until July 31, 2024.
Deacon Kenneth Reisenweber, retired, effective immediately (Aug. 14).
The Reverend Justin P. Pino, Diocesan Archivist, while continuing as Pastor of St. Leo Magnus Parish, Ridgway, effective immediately (July 24) and until July 31, 2029.
Deacon Kevin M. Harmon, Deacon Assistant at St. Titus Parish, Titusville, effective immediately (July 24) and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Gerald E. Peterson, Deacon Assistant at Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge, Erie, effective immediately (July 24) and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Paul C. Bauman, resignation accepted as Deacon Assistant at St. Joseph Parish, Force, and from all diaconal ministry in the Diocese of Erie, effective July 5, 2023.
Deacon Frank A. Luciani, continuing as Deacon Assistant at St. Michael Parish, Greenville, though beyond retirement age, effective immediately (July 24) and until July 30, 2024.
The Reverend William R. Barron, Pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Frenchville, while remaining Pastor of St. Agnes Parish, Morrisdale, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Christopher A. Beran, Parochial Vicar of St. George Parish, Erie, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2026.
The Reverend Joseph R. Czarkowski, Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Erie, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Joseph V. Dougherty, Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Smethport, and St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, Port Allegany, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2029.
The Very Reverend V. David Foradori, EV, Pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Emlenton, while remaining Pastor of Beloved Disciple Parish, Grove City, and Episcopal Vicar for the Western Vicariate, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Daniel R. Hoffman, JCL, Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Erie, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2026.
The Reverend Ian R. McElrath, to Sacramental Ministry at Mercyhurst University, Erie, effective July 11 for one year, and Assistant Episcopal Master of Ceremonies, effective July 11 for three years, with residence at St. Luke Rectory, Erie, while remaining Chaplain of Mercyhurst Preparatory School and Chaplain of the Extraordinary Form Mass communities.
The Reverend Joseph A. Petrone, to graduate studies at the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, to obtain a Licentiate in Canon Law, effective July 11.
The Reverend James E. Piszker, Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish and St. John the Baptist Parish, both in Erie, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Cory Lee Pius, Parochial Vicar of St. Joseph Parish, Lucinda, St. Michael Parish, Fryburg, and St. Mary Parish, Crown, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2026.
The Reverend Michael C. Polinek, Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Crown, as well as to chaplaincy duties at SCI-Forest in Marienville, while remaining Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Lucinda, and St. Michael Parish, Fryburg, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend James P. Power, Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Sharon, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend David M. Renne, STD, Associate Director of Seminarians, while remaining Vice-Rector of St. Mark Seminary and a member of the faculty of Gannon University, effective immediately and until June 30, 2027.
The Very Reverend Nicholas J. Rouch, STD, EV, Pastor of St. Julia Parish, Erie, coinciding with the appointment to Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, effective July 19 and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Johnathan P. Schmolt¸ Pastor of Christ the King Parish, Houtzdale, and Immaculate Conception Parish, Osceola Mills, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Kyle A. Seyler, Parochial Vicar of The Epiphany of the Lord Parish, Meadville, and St. Hippolyte Parish, Frenchtown, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2026.
The Reverend Dennis J. Veltri, to full-time Hospital Ministry in the Erie area, with residence at the rectory of St. Patrick Parish, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2026.
The Reverend Christopher A. Wheeler, Pastor of St. Eulalia Parish, Coudersport, and St. Bibiana Parish, Galeton, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2029.
The Very Reverend Thomas J. Whitman, VF, Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Corry, and St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Union City, effective July 11 and until July 31, 2029.
Deacon Denis J. Coan, Deacon Assistant to Holy Rosary Parish, Erie, while continuing as Deacon Assistant at St. John the Baptist Parish, Erie, effective July 11 and until August 8, 2028.
Deacon Daniel F. Satterlee, Deacon Assistant to St. Bernard Parish, Falls Creek, St. Mary Parish, Reynoldsville, and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Sykesville, and re-appointed Deacon Assistant to St. Catherine of Siena Parish and St. Michael the Archangel Parish, DuBois, effective July 1 and until August 1, 2028.
The Reverend Vincent P. Cieslewicz, retired effective July 11, 2023.
The Reverend G. William Fischer, OSFS, retired effective June 30, 2023.
Deacon Ronald F. Fronzaglia, retired effective June 1, 2023.
Deacon Stephen D. Rowan, retired effective May 14, 2023.
Deacon James L. DiSimoni, moved to the Diocese of Scranton, effective June 14.
The Reverend David A. Whiteford, on leave of absence, effective immediately (July 19) and until December 31, 2023.
The Reverend Richard J. Allen, Pastor of Notre Dame Parish, Hermitage, while continuing as Pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish, Sharpsville, and as a member of the College of Consultors, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Thomas M. Brooks, Pastor of St. Gregory Thaumaturgus Parish, North East, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Thomas E. Brown, Pastor of St. Raphael Parish, Eldred, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Samuel G. Bungo, Pastor of St. Charles Parish, New Bethlehem, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Stephen L. Collins, Pastor of St. Timothy Parish, Curwensville, and St. Bonaventure Parish, Grampian, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Very Reverend Michael P. Ferrick, VF, Rector of St. Peter Cathedral Parish, Erie, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend William M. Laska, Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Brookville, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Robert A. Manning, Pastor of St. Columbkille Parish, Stoneboro, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Mark J. Mastrian, Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Force, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend John L. Miller, Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Oil City, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Very Reverend Jeffery J. Noble, VF, Pastor of Queen of the World Parish, St. Marys, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend William J. O’Brien, Pastor of St. Callistus Parish, Kane, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Mark A. O’Hern, Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, St. Andrew Parish and St. Paul Parish, all in Erie, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Philip A. Pinczewski, Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Erie, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Justin P. Pino, Pastor of St. Leo Magnus Parish, Ridgway, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Matthew J. Ruyechan, Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Farrell, and St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Sharon, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Paul S. Siebert, Pastor of St. Mark Parish, Emporium, effective immediately and until July 31, 2024.
The Reverend Monsignor Richard R. Siefer, EV, Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, DuBois, and St. Michael the Archangel Parish, DuBois, while continuing as Pastor of St. Bernard Parish, Falls Creek, St. Mary Parish, Reynoldsville and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Sykesville, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Very Reverend Marc A. Stockton, JCL, Pastor of St. Boniface Parish, Erie, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Very Reverend Richard C. Tomasone, VF, Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Warren, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Richard J. Toohey, Pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Erie, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Brian E. Vossler, Pastor of St. George Parish, Erie, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend Glenn R. Whitman, Pastor of Good Shepherd Parish, West Middlesex, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Reverend David J. Wilson, Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish, Johnsonburg, effective immediately and until July 31, 2029.
The Very Reverend Nicholas J. Rouch, STD, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Erie, while remaining Acting Vicar for Clergy, effective July 19, 2023.
The Reverend Christopher J. Singer, JCL, Director of the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth, member of the Clergy Personnel Board, member of the College of Consultors, member of the Pastoral Planning Committee, and ordinary Confessor to the seminarians of St. Mark Seminary, while continuing as Chancellor, Promoter of Justice, Episcopal Master of Ceremonies and member of the Presbyteral Council, effective July 19, 2023.
The Reverend Matthew J. Kujawinski, Director of the Office for Divine Worship, while remaining Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Harborcreek, a member of the Presbyteral Council and a member of the College of Consultors, effective July 19 until July 31, 2028.
The Reverend Christopher A. Beran, Parochial Vicar pro tempore of St. Eulalia Parish, Coudersport; St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, Port Allegany; and St. Bibiana Parish, Galeton, with its secondary churches of Sacred Heart Church, Genesee, and St. Augustine Church, Austin, effective May 31, 2023.
The Reverend Cory L. Pius, Parochial Vicar pro tempore of St. Peter Cathedral, Erie, effective May 31, 2023.
Father David Perry was released from ministry in the Diocese of Erie by Bishop Lawrence Persico, effective March 17, 2023. Father Perry has been accepted by Bishop David Zubik for priestly ministry in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, effective March 17, 2023.
Deacon Charles E. Adamczyk, Deacon Assistant at Saint James Parish, Erie, while continuing in Pastoral Ministry at Brevillier Village, Harborcreek, effective immediately (March 6, 2023) and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Richard C. Brogden, Deacon Assistant at St. Jude the Apostle Parish, effective immediately and until March 15, 2025.
Deacon Denis J. Coan, Deacon Assistant at Saint John the Baptist Parish, Erie, while continuing as Temporal Administrator of Stephen of Hungary Parish, Erie, effective immediately and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Ralph A. DeCecco, Deacon Assistant at Saint Andrew Parish, Erie, Chaplaincy Ministry at the State Correctional Institution at Albion and Coordinator of Prison Ministry for the Diocese of Erie, effective immediately and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Raymond A. Ehrensberger, Deacon Assistant at Saint Mary Parish, St. Marys, effective immediately and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Timothy G. Good, Deacon Assistant at Saint Boniface Parish, Wattsburg, effective immediately and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Douglas N. Konzel, Deacon Assistant at Saint Joseph/Bread of Life Community Parish, Erie, effective immediately and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Dennis M. Kudlak, Deacon Assistant to Erie Presbyterian Lodge, Erie, effective March 1, 2023 and until July 23, 2024.
Deacon Kevin J. Kunik, Deacon Assistant at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Erie, while continuing to serve as Coordinator of Pastoral Formation for the Diaconal Formation Program, effective immediately and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon John D. Mang, Deacon Assistant at Our Lady of Peace Parish, effective immediately and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Richard P. O’Polka, Deacon Assistant at Saint Patrick Parish, Franklin, effective immediately and until October 9, 2025.
Deacon Jerome P. Peterson, Deacon Assistant at Saint Julia Parish, Erie, effective immediately and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Frank C. Pregler, Deacon Assistant at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Erie, effective immediately and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Richard D. Shewman, JCL, Deacon Assistant at Saint Luke Parish, Erie, and Judge in the Office of Matrimonial Concerns and the Tribunal, while continuing as Co-Director of the Diaconal Formation Program, effective immediately and until January 1, 2024.
Deacon Dennis J. Socash, Deacon Assistant at Saint Agnes Parish, Morrisdale, effective immediately and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Jeffrey D. Swanson, Deacon Assistant at Saint Peter Cathedral, Erie, effective immediately and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Stephen J. Washek, Deacon Assistant at Saint George Parish, Erie, effective immediately and until August 1, 2028.
Deacon Raymond L. Wiehagen, Deacon Assistant at Holy Redeemer Parish, Warren, and Chaplain at Warren General Hospital, effective immediately and until August 1, 2025.
Deacon Glenn P. Kuzma, retired, effective immediately (March 6, 2023).
Deacon Richard J. Rueberger, resigned from his appointment as Deacon Assistant at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Sharon, and from all diaconal ministry, effective February 24, 2023.
The Reverend Dennis J. Veltri, Sacramental Assistant to St. George Parish, Erie, with continued residence at St. Mark Catholic Center, effective February 9.
The Reverend Nicholas Fratus, granted a leave of absence from active ministry as Parochial Vicar at St. George Parish, Erie, due to health reasons, effective February 6.
Deacon Kenneth Reisenweber, granted a leave of absence from active ministry as Deacon Assistant at The Epiphany of the Lord Parish, Meadville, due to health reasons, effective immediately (January 30, 2023) for a period of six months.
Deacon Francis Lombardo, retired, effective immediately (January 30, 2023).
Due to the fact that The Reverend Matthew Strickenberger has, of his own volition, resigned as Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Corry, and St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Union City, Bishop Persico has made the following clergy appointment:
The Reverend Gregory P. Passauer, temporary Parochial Administrator of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Corry, and St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Union City, including its mission of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Canadohta Lake, while continuing as Pastor of All Saints Parish, Waterford, effective January 5, 2023.
The Reverend Jason Mitchell, faculty of Gannon University, requested and was granted by Bishop Lawrence Persico a six-month leave of absence for health reasons, effective January 1, 2023.
The Reverend T. Shane Mathew, faculty of Gannon University, effective January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2029, while continuing in residence at Our Lady of Peace Parish rectory, Erie, membership on the Presbyteral Council and service as Ecumenical Officer of the Diocese.
Deacon G. Franklin Hannah, Deacon Assistant at St. Bartholomew Parish, Sharpsville, while continuing as Deacon Assistant at Notre Dame Parish, Hermitage, and as Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese of Erie, effective immediately, until June 30, 2027.
Deacon Lawrence A. Tyers, Chaplaincy Ministry at Warren State Hospital, while continuing as Deacon Assistant at St. Joseph Parish, Warren, effective January 1, 2023, until January 1, 2026.