32 priests receive new assignments and appointments

June 10, 2022, WORCESTER, MA -- Bishop McManus has announced the following 32 assignments and appointments for priests in the Diocese of Worcester which will go into effect on July 1 unless otherwise noted.
Twelve priests are being named pastors. Some of them have been administrators and are being appointed pastor while others are being assigned as pastor to new parishes. One is ending his role as administrator of multiple parishes. A pastor is a canonical appointment which carries with it certain responsibilities and protections beyond that of an administrator.
Rev. Diego Buritica will become pastor of St. Luke Parish, Westborough with continued ministry as episcopal liaison to diocesan Charismatic Renewal communities. He has been associate pastor at St. Paul Cathedral Parish, Worcester.
Rev. David Cotter is being appointed pastor of St. Columba Parish, Paxton where he has been the administrator.
Rev. Nicholas Desimone will remain pastor, St. Mary Parish, Uxbridge in its new configuration including Linwood as of July 1. He has been the administrator of St. Paul Parish, Blackstone; St. Augustine Parish, Millville; and Good Shepherd Parish, Linwood.
Rev. Javier Julio is being appointed pastor of St. Louis Parish, Webster where he has been serving as administrator.
Rev. Thomas G. Landry will become pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Worcester. He has been the pastor of St. Peter Parish, Northbridge.
Rev. John L. Larochelle will be the pastor of the newly formed Divine Mercy Parish, Blackstone and Millville. He has been associate pastor of St. Mary Parish, Uxbridge; St. Paul Parish, Blackstone; St. Augustine Parish, Millville; and Good Shepherd Parish, Linwood.
Rev. Michael N. Lavallee will be the pastor of St. Peter Parish, Northbridge. He has been pastor of St. Ann Parish, North Oxford.
Rev. Anthony Mpagi will be the pastor of the newly erected Our Lady of Hope Parish, Grafton. He has been pastor of St. James Parish, South Grafton which will be part of Divine Mercy Parish effective July 1.
Rev. Mark S. Rainville will become the pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Worcester. He has been the pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Fitchburg.
Rev. Walter J. Riley will be the pastor of St. Anne Parish, Shrewsbury. He has been pastor of St. Luke Parish, Westborough.
Rev. Michael J. Roy will become the pastor of St. Ann Parish, North Oxford while continuing to be the pastor of St. Roch Parish, Oxford.
Rev. Mateus Souza is being appointed pastor of Our Lady Immaculate and St. Francis of Assisi Parishes, Athol, and St. Peter Parish, Petersham. He has been the administrator of those parishes.

Two priests are being appointed administrators of parishes.
Rev. Dario Acevedo, who has been serving as a sacramental minister at St. Peter Parish, Worcester, will become the administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Fitchburg, while continuing as chaplain to the Brazilian Catholic Community at St. Anna Parish, Leominster.
Rev. J. Sebastian Sanchez will be the administrator of St. Richard of Chichester Parish, Sterling. He has been the associate pastor of St. John, Guardian of Our Lady Parish, Clinton.

Two associate pastors have received new assignments.
Lucas M. LaRoche has been assigned to graduate studies in Rome, Italy. He has been associate pastor of St. Mary Parish, Uxbridge; St. Paul Parish, Blackstone; St. Augustine Parish, Millville; and Good Shepherd Parish, Linwood.
Rev. Miguel Pagan will be associate pastor, St. George Parish, Worcester having been associate pastor of Annunciation Parish, Gardner.

On June 18, Bishop McManus will ordain seven new priests. Their assignments effective July 1 will be as follows.
Rev. Cleber de Paula will be associate pastor at Holy Family Parish and St. Stephen Parish, Worcester.
Rev. Julio Granados will be associate pastor at St. John, Guardian of Our Lady Parish, Clinton.
Rev. Michael D. Hoye will be temporary associate pastor at St. Mary Parish, Uxbridge.
Rev. Juan Parra will be associate pastor at St. Paul Cathedral Parish, Worcester.
Rev. Derek A. Mobilio will be associate pastor at the newly erected Our Lady of Hope Parish in Grafton.
Rev. James J. Boulette will be associate pastor at St. Ann Parish, North Oxford, and St. Roch Parish, Oxford.
Rev. Thiago Ibiapina will be associate pastor at Annunciation Parish, Gardner.

Three priests are assigned to specialized ministry and two of them will have new residences.
Rev. Enoch K. Kyeremateng will continue as director of African Ministry, with residence at St. Anne Parish, Shrewsbury.
Rev. Andres A. Araque is being assigned as chaplain at UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, with continued residence at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Worcester.
Rev. Richard F. Trainor will continue as Minister to Priests with residence at St. Ann Parish, North Oxford. He has also been pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Worcester.

One priest will go on sabbatical. Rev. Thien X. Nguyen is being assigned to sabbatical studies from September to November 2022. He has been pastor of St. Theresa Parish, Blackstone.

One priest returns to senior priest status. Rev. Joseph A. Marcotte will no longer be temporary administrator of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Worcester and will continue as senior priest in residence at, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Worcester.

Three priests are retiring or returning to retirement.
Rev. Leo-Paul J. LeBlanc, will retire from having been pastor of St. Philip Parish, Grafton, and St. Mary Parish, North Grafton.
Rev. William F. Sanders will return to retirement after providing sacramental ministry at St. Anne Parish, Shrewsbury.
Rev. James M. Steuterman will retire from being pastor of St. Richard of Chichester, Sterling.

One priest is going on a medical leave of absence. Rev. Edward J. Hanlon has been associate pastor of St. Leo Parish, Leominster.

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