New Pastoral Assignments
2023 Pastoral Assignments Announced
Bishop Edward M. Rice announced the following clergy assignments effective Saturday, July 1, 2023, unless otherwise noted.
“Please keep these priests in your prayers as they adjust to their new assignments,” said Bishop Rice. “Please pray too, for their former parishioners and new parishioners during this time of transition.”
New Pastoral Changes
Reverend Victor Anokwute
Concluding: Assignment as Parochial Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, in Caruthersville, and Immaculate Conception Parish, in New Madrid.
Continuing: Assignment as Pastor of St. Teresa Parish, in Glennonville, and St. Ann Parish, in Malden.
Reverend Charles Dunn
New Appointment: Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Seneca.
Continuing: Assignment as Pastor of St. Canera Parish in Neosho and Nativity of Our Lord Mission Church in Noel.
Reverend Rick Jones
New Appointment: Parochial Administrator of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Fredericktown.
Continuing: Assignment as Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, in Cape Girardeau.
The Very Reverend Allan Saunders
Concluding: Assignment as Parochial Administrator of St. Denis Parish, in Benton, and St. Lawrence Parish, in New Hamburg.
Continuing: Assignment as Pastor of St. Mary of the Annunciation Cathedral, in Cape Girardeau, and historical Old St. Vincent Chapel of Ease, in Cape Girardeau.
The Very Reverend Joseph Weidenbenner
Concluding: Assignment as Pastor of St. Mary Parish, in Seneca.
Continuing: Assignment as Pastor of St. Mary Parish, in Joplin, and Chaplain at McAuley Catholic High School, in Joplin.
Named Pastor
Reverend Tuan Van Nguyen, CRM
New Appointment: Previously the Parochial Administrator, Fr. Tuan Nguyen, CRM, is now appointed Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, in El Dorado Springs, and St. Peter the Apostle Mission Church, in Stockton.
Reverend Brian Straus
New Appointment: Previously the Parochial Administrator, Fr. Brian Straus is now appointed Pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish, in Joplin.
Continuing: Role as Director/Chaplain of Catholic Campus Ministry at Missouri Southern State University, in Joplin.
Concluding: Role as Lead Chaplain of McAuley Catholic High School and as a diocesan Regional Vocation Promoter.
Reverend Tomasz Wilk, OSPPE
New Appointment: Previously the Parochial Administrator, Fr. Tomasz Wilk, OSPPE, is now appointed Pastor of St. Augustine Parish, in Kelso, and St. Joseph Parish, in Scott City.
Parochial Administrators
Reverend Daniel Belken
New Appointment: Parochial Administrator of St. Denis Parish, in Benton, and St. Lawrence Parish, in New Hamburg.
Continuing: Role as diocesan Associate Director of the Office of Worship and Liturgy.
Concluding: Assignments as a diocesan Associate Vocation Promoter and Lead Chaplain of Notre Dame Regional High School, Cape Girardeau.
Reverend Suresh Samala
New Appointment: Parochial Administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish, in New Madrid, and Sacred Heart Parish, in Caruthersville.
Concluding: Assignment as Parochial Administrator of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, in Fredericktown.
Reverend Pompeyo Tan, Jr.
New Appointment: Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, in Springfield.
Continuing: He remains Chaplain to the Filipino Community, in Springfield.
Concluding: Assignment as Parochial Vicar of Holy Trinity Parish, in Springfield. He remains Chaplain to the Filipino Community.
Reverend Timothy Tran, CRM, JCL
New Appointment: Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, in Ozark.
Concluding: Assignment as Parochial Vicar of St. Agnes Cathedral, in Springfield.
Continuing: Role as the diocesan Coordinator of the Tribunal.
Parochial Vicars
Reverend Jesse Hiett
New Appointment: Parochial Administrator of St. Mary of the Annunciation Cathedral Parish, in Cape Girardeau, Old St. Vincent Chapel of Ease, in Cape Girardeau, and Lead Chaplain of Notre Dame Regional High School, in Cape Girardeau.
Reverend Audrey Troya Toloza
New Appointment: Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Parish, in Seneca.
Continuing: Assignment as Parochial Vicar of St. Canera Parish, in Neosho, and Nativity of Our Lord Mission Church, in Noel.
Leaving the Diocese
Reverend Karl Barrman, OSB
Concluding: Assignment as Pastor at St. Joseph Parish, in Springfield, to return to his religious community, the Benedictine Fathers at Conception Abbey, in Conception, MO.
Thank you, Fr. Karl, for your service to the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, at St. Joseph in Springfield.
Reverend José Marino Novoa, CMF
Concluding: Assignment as Parochial Vicar at St. Ann Parish, in Carthage, and Sacred Heart Parish, in Webb City, to return to his religious community, the Claretian Missionaries United States-Canada Province, in Chicago.
Thank you, Fr. José, for your service to the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.
Reverend Joji Vincent
Temporary Assignment
New Appointment: Due to health reasons, Rev. Joji Vincent will take on a three-year appointment in the Diocese of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Concluding: Assignment as Pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, in Ozark.
Other
Reverend Andrew Williams
New Appointment: Sacramental Priest of Sacred Heart Parish, in Webb City; St. Ann Parish, in Carthage; faculty member and Lead Chaplain of McAuley Catholic High School, in Joplin, and as a diocesan Regional Vocation Promoter.
Continuing: Role as Chaplain of Mercy Joplin.
Concluding: Assignment as Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Parish, in Joplin, and St. Mary Parish, in Seneca.