Bishop Koenig thanks all of those accepting new assignments for their continued generosity in the service of God’s flock in the Diocese of Wilmington.
Bishop Koenig fully intends to appoint new Associate Pastors for: Holy Family, Newark; Resurrection, Wilmington; Saint John the Apostle, Milford; and Saint Luke, Ocean City by June 26, 2024 or soon thereafter. The extern priest candidates for these assignments are still completing the admission process and will be officially named and announced at the appropriate time.
As they conclude parochial ministry, the Bishop would especially like to thank:
Father Giuliano for his 30 years of priestly service and ministry in the Diocese of Wilmington, most recently as Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, Seaford.
Monsignor Russell for his 63 years of priestly service and ministry in the Diocese of Wilmington, most recently as Pastor of Saint Helena, Wilmington.
Father Wozniak for his 23 years of priestly service and ministry in the Diocese of Wilmington, most recently as Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Wilmington.
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Official Appointments
The Most Reverend William E. Koenig, D.D., Bishop of Wilmington, announces the following appointments, effective June 26, 2024 unless noted otherwise:
Retirements
The Reverend Steven B. Giuliano is granted retirement from parochial ministry.
The Reverend Monsignor Stanley J. Russell is granted retirement from parochial ministry.
The Reverend Robert A. Wozniak is granted retirement from parochial ministry.
Concluding Diocesan Ministry
The Reverend Sleeva R. Kala, O.S.F.S., concludes his service as Associate Pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua, Wilmington, and continues his ministry with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales as directed by his Provincial Superior, the Very Reverend John A. Kolodziej, O.S.F.S.
The Reverend Timothy M. McIntire, O.S.F.S., concludes his service as Pastor of Saint Thomas More Oratory, Newark, and continues his ministry with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales as directed by his Provincial Superior, the Very Reverend John A. Kolodziej, O.S.F.S.
The Reverend David Raju Nakka concludes his service as Associate Pastor of Saint John the Baptist, Newark and returns to ministry in his home Diocese of Vijayawada, India.
The Reverend Mark J. Wrightson, O.S.F.S., concludes his service as Pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua, Wilmington, and continues his ministry with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales as directed by his Provincial Superior, the Very Reverend John A. Kolodziej, O.S.F.S.
Dean
The Very Reverend Brian S. Lewis, V.F., is appointed Dean of the Ocean Deanery.
In Residence
The Reverend Gerald Dunne, O.S.F.S., concludes his service as Associate Pastor of Immaculate Conception, Elkton, but remains in residence there for part-time ministry effective June 5, 2024, upon the recommendation of his Provincial Superior, the Very Reverend John A. Kolodziej, O.S.F.S.
Pastors
The Reverend David A. Driesch, O.Praem., is appointed Pastor of Saint Paul, Delaware City, upon the recommendation of his Prior, the Right Reverend James B. Herring, O.Praem.
The Reverend James D. Hreha is reappointed Pastor of Saint Dennis, Galena. This is in addition to his appointment as Pastor of Saint Polycarp, Smyrna.
The Reverend Richard J. Jasper is appointed Pastor of both Immaculate Conception, Elkton, and Saint Thomas More Oratory, Newark. This is in addition to his appointment as Associate Director for the Office of Priestly and Religious Vocations.
The Reverend Vincent A. Kumar, O.S.F.S., is appointed Pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua, Wilmington, upon the recommendation of the Provincial Superior, the Very Reverend John A. Kolodziej, O.S.F.S. He is a priest of the Indian Region of the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales.
The Reverend David F. Murphy is appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima, New Castle.
The Very Reverend John T. Solomon, V.F., is appointed Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Wilmington.
Administrators
The Reverend Christopher P. Hanley is appointed Administrator of Saint Helena, Wilmington.
The Reverend Paul Kuzhimannil, C.Ss.R., is appointed Administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes, Seaford, with the consent of the Reverend Poly Kannampuzha, C.Ss.R., Provincial Superior of the Liguori Province of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
The Reverend Lance S. Martin is appointed Administrator of Saint Mary Star of the Sea, Ocean City.
Associate Pastors
The Reverend James M. Gebhart is appointed Associate Pastor of both Immaculate Conception, Elkton, effective June 5, 2024, and Saint Thomas More Oratory, Newark effective June 26, 2024.
The Reverend Michael A. Preston is appointed Associate Pastor of Saint John the Baptist, Newark. This is in addition to his appointment as Director of the Office of Worship.
