Clergy and Parish Announcement

GAYLORD, MICHIGAN – The Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh, bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord, has announced the following appointments effective July 1, 2023 (unless otherwise noted):

Reverend Tyler A. Bischoff – from Administrator, All Saints Parish, Alpena, to Pastor, All Saints Parish, Alpena. Father Bischoff will continue to serve as Vicar for the East Region.

Reverend Nicholas J. Cooper – from Administrator, Holy Family Parish, East Tawas, to Pastor, Holy Family Parish, East Tawas.

Reverend Matthew J. Cowan – from release for priestly ministry in the Diocese of Salina, to Administrator, St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Bellaire; St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Mancelona.

Reverend Charles G. Donajkowski – from Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Oscoda, to Pastor, St. Casimir Parish, Posen; St. Dominic Parish, Metz. Father Donajkowski will cease serving as Vicar for the Southeast Region.

Reverend Artur F. Duchnowicz – from Pastor, St. Casimir Parish, Posen; St. Dominic Parish, Metz, to Pastor, St. James Parish, Whittemore; St. Pius X Parish, Hale; St. Stephen, King of Hungary, Parish, Skidway Lake. Father Duchnowicz will also serve as Vicar for the Southeast Region.

Deacon Kevin L. Endres – to diaconal ministry Sacred Heart Parish, Elk Rapids. Deacon Endres will continue to provide diaconal ministry at Christ the King Parish, Acme.

Reverend Matthew A. Furgiuele – from Administrator, St. Joseph Parish, East Jordan, to Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, East Jordan.

Reverend Zeljko J. Guberovic – from Pastor, Divine Mercy Parish, Manistee, to Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Oscoda; St. Anne Parish, Harrisville; St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, Ossineke; St. Gabriel Parish, Black River; St. Raphael Parish, Mikado.

Deacon Brent H. Hemker – from Director of Parish Life, St. James Parish, Whittemore; St. Pius X Parish, Hale; St. Stephen, King of Hungary, Parish, Skidway Lake. Deacon Hemker will continue to provide diaconal ministry for this cluster of parishes.

Reverend Christopher A. Jarvis – from Administrator, Christ the King Parish, Acme, to Pastor, Christ the King Parish, Acme. Father Jarvis will also serve as Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Elk Rapids.

Reverend Scott J. Lawler – from Administrator, St. Paul Parish, Onaway; St. Monica Parish, Afton, to Pastor, St. Paul Parish, Onaway; St. Monica Parish, Afton.

Reverend Basil Lek – from Parochial Vicar, Divine Mercy Parish, Manistee, to Parochial Vicar, Sacred Heart Parish, Oscoda; St. Anne Parish, Harrisville; St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, Ossineke; St. Gabriel Parish, Black River; St. Raphael Parish, Mikado.

Reverend Michael A. Lingaur – from Parochial Vicar, All Saints Parish, Alpena, to Parochial Vicar, Divine Mercy Parish, Manistee.

Reverend Benjamin A. Martin – from Administrator, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Lake Leelanau, to Pastor, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Lake Leelanau.

Reverend Benjamin G. Rexroat – from Administrator, St. Joseph Parish, Mapleton, to Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Mapleton.

Deacon Robert H. Richardson - to diaconal ministry Sacred Heart Parish, Elk Rapids. Deacon Richardson will continue to provide diaconal ministry at Christ the King Parish, Acme.

Reverend Mitchel E. Roman – from Parochial Vicar, St. Mary, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral, Gaylord, to Administrator, Divine Mercy Parish, Manistee.

Reverend John H. William – from Administrator, St. Anne Parish, Harrisville; St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, Ossineke; St. Gabriel Parish, Black River; St. Raphael Parish, Mikado, to return to priestly ministry in the Diocese of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Reverend Innocent J. Zambua – from Parochial Vicar, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Traverse City, to return to priestly ministry in the Diocese of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Reverend Robert J. Zuchowski – from Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Elk Rapids, to retirement. Effective date August 2023.

International Priests to be assigned Parochial Vicar at:

  • Christ the King Parish, Acme; Sacred Heart Parish, Elk Rapids. Effective date August 2023.  
  • St. Mary, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral, Gaylord. Effective date August 2023.
  • St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Traverse City.
  • All Saints Parish, Alpena.

Parish

St. John Nepomucene Parish, Praga – from pastoral care under St. Matthew Parish, Boyne City; St. Augustine Parish, Boyne Falls, to pastoral care under St. Joseph Parish, East Jordan.