Bishop Rice Announces 2024 Pastoral Appointments

On May 17, 2024 Bishop Edward M. Rice announced the following clergy assignments effective Monday, July 1, 2024 unless otherwise noted.

2024 Pastoral Assignments Announced

Bishop Edward M. Rice announced the following clergy assignments effective Monday, July 1, 2024, 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.”

Parochial Administrators

The Very Reverend Shoby Chettiyath, JCL, V.G.

The Very Reverend Shoby Chettiyth, JCL, V.G. is appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Springfield, effective May 18, 2024. He will continue his assignment as Vicar General of the diocese and Parochial Administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Nixa. He will conclude his assignment as Parochial Administrator of St. Leo the Great Mission Church, in Ava; St. Michael Mission Church, in Cabool; St. William Mission Church, in Gainesville; Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, in Mansfield, and Sacred Heart Parish in Mountain Grove.

Reverend Allen Kirchner

Reverend Allen Kirchner is appointed Parochial Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, in Webb City, and St. Ann Parish, in Carthage. He concludes his role as Faculty Member and Lead Chaplain at Springfield Catholic High School and of offering the Extraordinary Form of the Mass in the O’Reilly Catholic Student Center, Springfield. He continues as diocesan Regional Vocation Promoter.

Reverend Nicholas Newton

Reverend Nicholas Newton is appointed Parochial Administrator of St. John Vianney Parish, in Mountain View; St. Sylvester Mission Church, in Eminence, and Sacred Heart Parish, in Willow Springs. He concludes his role as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, in Branson, and Our Lady of the Ozarks Parish, in Forsyth.

Reverend Charles Peirano

Reverend Charles Peirano is appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Leo the Great Mission Church, in Ava; St. William Mission Church, in Gainesville; Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, in Mansfield; St. Michael Mission Church, in Cabool, and Sacred Heart Parish, in Mountain Grove. He concludes his role as Parochial Vicar of Immaculate Conception Parish, in Springfield, and Chaplain at Springfield Catholic High School. He will continue as diocesan Regional Vocation Promoter.

Reverend Joseph Stoverink

Reverend Joseph Stoverink is appointed Parochial Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, in Springfield, and diocesan Director of Vocations and Seminarians. He concludes his role as Parochial Administrator of St. John Vianney Parish, in Mountain View; St. Sylvester Mission Church, in Eminence; and Sacred Heart Parish, in Willow Springs.

Reverend Vincent Rathappillil, VC

Reverend Vincent Rathappillil, VC is appointed Parochial Administrator of St. John Parish, in Leopold, and St. Anthony Mission Church, in Glennon.

Parochial Vicars

Reverend Mathukutty Naduchirayil, VC

As previously announced, Reverend Mathukutty Naduchirayil, VC, is appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Canera Parish, in Neosho; Nativity of Our Lord Mission Church, in Noel, and St. Mary Parish, in Senceca, effective May 16, 2024.

Reverend Pompeyo Tan

Reverend Pompeyo Tan is appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Joseph Parish, in Springfield, and St. Francis of Assisi Parish, in Nixa. He concludes his role as Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, in Springfield. He continues his role as Chaplain to the Filipino Community.

Reverend Nick Zummo

Reverend Nick Zummo is appointed Parochial Vicar of Immaculate Conception Parish, in Springfield, and Lead Chaplain of Springfield Catholic High School, in Springfield.

Reverend Johny Manickathan, VC

Reverend Johny Manickathan, VC is appointed Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, in Branson, and Our Lady of the Ozarks Parish, in Forsyth.

Diocesan And Campus Ministry

Reverend Daniel Belken

Reverend Daniel Belken is appointed diocesan Director of the Office of Worship and Liturgy in addition to his responsibilities as Parochial Administrator of St. Denis Parish, in Benton, and St. Lawrence Parish, in New Hamburg.

Reverend Andrew Williams

Reverend Andrew Williams is appointed Director of Catholic Campus Ministry at the O’Reilly Catholic Student Center, in Springfield, as well as offering the Extraordinary Form of the Mass in the O’Reilly Catholic Student Center. He concludes his role as Sacramental Priest of Sacred Heart Parish, in Webb City; St. Ann Parish, in Carthage, and Faculty Member of Lead Chaplain at McAuley Catholic High School, in Joplin.

Leaving the Diocese

Reverend Jeffery Jambon

Reverend Jeffery Jambon concludes his assignment effective May 20, 2024 as Chaplain to the Benedictine Sisters of Mary, in Ava to receive a new assignment from his religious community.

Reverend Bibin Mathew, CMF

Reverend Bibin Mathew, CMF will conclude his assignment as Director of Catholic Campus Ministry in the O’Reilly Catholic Student Center, Springfield, to receive a new assignment from his religious community.

Reverend Ray Smith, CMF

Reverend Ray Smith, CMF will conclude his assignment as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, in Springfield to receive a new assignment from his religious community.

Reverend Antony Thekkanath, VC

Reverend Antony Thekkanath, VC will conclude his assignment as Pastor of St. John Parish, in Leopold, and St. Anthony Mission Church, in Glennon.

Other

Reverend David Dohogne

Reverend David Dohogne concludes his role as diocesan Director of Worship and Liturgy. He continues as Pastor of St. Henry Parish, in Charleston.

Reverend Michael Goodyear

Reverend Michael Goodyear is assigned as Chaplain to the Benedictine Sisters of Mary, in Ava.

Reverend Francisco Gordillo Villamil

Reverend Francisco Gordillo Villamil has concluded his assignment as pastor of St. Ann Parish, in Carthage, and Sacred Heart Parish, in Webb City. He will continue as Spiritual Director for the Charismatic Renewal Movement in the diocese. His future assignment will be determined at a later date.

Reverend Dominic Mary Nguyen Toan Thien, CRM

Reverend Dominic Mary Nguyen Toan Thien, CRM concludes his role as Chaplain to the Vietnamese Community in Carthage and Joplin effective July 13, 2024.

The Very Reverend Scott Sunnenberg

The Very Reverend Scott Sunnenberg concludes his role as diocesan Director of Vocations and Seminarians. He continues as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, in Bolivar, and St. Catherine of Siena Mission Church, in Humansville.

Reverend Alexander Sutachan

Reverend Alexander Sutachan concludes his role as dicoesan Regional Vocations Promoter and Chaplain of Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau. He continues as Parochial Administrator of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Fredericktown.

Reverend John Bosco Tai Van Pham, CRM

Reverend John Bosco Tai Van Pham is appointed Chaplain to the Vietnamese Community in Carthage and Joplin effective July 14, 2024.

Deacon Robert ("Tony") Peters

Deacon Robert (“Tony”) Peters will serve as Spiritual Care Minister in Saint Francis Medical Center, Cape Girardeau effective June 17, 2024. He continues to serve in St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Cape Girardeau.