May 22, 2026 Clergy Official

Bishop Mark A. Eckman, Bishop of Pittsburgh, is making the announcement of the following clergy appointments: 
 
All appointments effective Monday, July 13, 2026, unless otherwise noted.
 
SPECIAL MINISTRY
 
Very Reverend Joseph R. McCaffrey to Regional Vicar of the South Vicariate.  Father McCaffrey maintains his responsibilities as Regional Vicar of the North Vicariate.
 
PASTOR
 
The Reverend Matthew R. McClain from Pastor of Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, Carbon Center/Chicora/Herman, and Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Cabot/Coylesville/North Oakland, to Pastor of the newly established Saints Francis and Clare Parish, Cabot/Carbon Center/Chicora/Coylesville/ Herman/North Oakland for a term of six (6) years effective July 1, 2026.
 
PAROCHIAL VICARS
 
The Reverend Jack E. Demnyan from leave of absence for personal reasons to Parochial Vicar at Mary, Queen of Saints Parish, Aliquippa/Center/Hopewell/Monaca.
 
The Reverend Michael J. Faix from Parochial Vicar at Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Duquesne/Homestead/Munhall/West Mifflin/Whitaker and part-time chaplain at Serra Catholic High School, to Parochial Vicar at Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Dormont/Mount Lebanon/Scott.
 
The Reverend John F. Ferguson from Parochial Vicar at Saint Isidore the Farmer Parish, Avella/Burgettstown/Fort Cherry Area/West Allegheny Area, to Parochial Vicar at Holy Spirit Parish, Lawrence County, and part-time chaplain at Westminster College.
 
The Reverend John E. Forbidussi from Senior Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Allison Park/Glenshaw, to Senior Parochial Vicar at Mary, Mother of God Parish, McKeesport/North Versailles/Versailles/White Oak.
 
The Reverend John E. Hissrich from Parish Chaplain at Our Lady of Hope Parish, Bethel Park/South Park/Whitehall, to Senior Parochial Vicar at Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Duquesne/Homestead/Munhall/West Mifflin/Whitaker, as well as part-time chaplain at Serra Catholic High School.
 
The Reverend Kenneth E. Kezmarsky from Chaplain at Forbes and UPMC East Hospitals to Senior Parochial Vicar at Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Coraopolis/Crescent/Moon.
 
The Reverend Aaron J. Kriss from Senior Parochial Vicar at Holy Spirit Parish, Lawrence County, to Senior Parochial Vicar at Regina Coeli Parish, Bellevue/Emsworth/Franklin Park.
 
The Reverend Daniel T. Kushner from Parochial Vicar at Divine Grace Parish, Cranberry/Ellwood City/Zelienople, to Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Hope Parish, Bethel Park/South Park/Whitehall.
 
The Reverend Alan E Morris from Senior Parochial Vicar at Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, Carbon Center/Chicora/North Oakland and Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Cabot/Coylesville/Herman, to Senior Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Beaver/Freedom/New Brighton/Rochester.
 
 
BENEDICTINE PRIESTS
 
At the presentation of the Right Reverend Martin R. Bartel, OSB, Archabbot of Saint Vincent Archabbey, 
 
Reverend Gilbert Heater, OSB, is relieved of his diocesan assignment as Parochial Vicar at Mary, Queen of Saints Parish, Aliquippa/Center/Hopewell/Monaca, to pursue graduate studies.
 
Reverend Boniface Hicks, OSB to Parochial Vicar at Divine Grace Parish, Cranberry/Ellwood City/Zelienople.
 
Following his priesthood ordination on May 23, 2026, Reverend José Rosa, OSB to Parochial Vicar at Holy Family Parish, Oakmont/Plum/Verona.
 
Reverend Celestine Xu, OSB from Parochial Vicar at Mary, Queen of Saints Parish, Aliquippa/Center/Hopewell/Monaca to Parochial Vicar at Holy Family Parish, Oakmont/ Plum/Verona.
CAPUCHIN PRIESTS
 
At the presentation of the Very Reverend Robert Marvra, OFM Cap, Provincial Minister of the Province of Saint Augustine:
 
The Reverend John Harvey, OFM Cap. is relieved of his diocesan assignment as Senior Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Beaver/Freedom/New Brighton/Rochester, with continued residence at Saint Fidelis Friary.
 
The Reverend Paul M. Kuppe, OFM Cap. is relieved of his diocesan assignment as Senior Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Beaver/Freedom/New Brighton/Rochester, with continued residence at Saint Fidelis Friary.
 
 
The Reverend James Kurtz, OFM Cap from Parochial Vicar at Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, Carbon Center/Chicora/Herman and Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Cabot/Coylesville/North Oakland to Parochial Vicar at the newly established Saints Francis and Clare Parish, Cabot/Carbon Center/Chicora/Coylesville/Herman/North Oakland, effective July 1, 2026.
 
The Reverend Joseph Pham, OFM Cap to Parochial Vicar at Saint Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Bloomfield/Garfield/Lawrenceville, with residence at Saint Augustine Friary in Lawrenceville.
 
The Reverend Ward Stakem, OFM Cap from Parochial Vicar at Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, Carbon Center/Chicora/Herman and Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Cabot/Coylesville/North Oakland to Parochial Vicar at the newly established Saints Francis and Clare Parish, Cabot/Carbon Center/Chicora/Coylesville/Herman/North Oakland, effective July 1, 2026.
 
 
 
NEWLY ORDAINED
Effective July 13, 2026 following Priesthood Ordination on June 27, 2026
 
The Reverend Brian M. Myler to Parochial Vicar at Saint Paul Cathedral Parish, Greenfield/ Hazelwood/Oakland, and Co-Chaplain (Part-time) at Central Catholic High School, Oakland Catholic High School, and Carlow University.
 
The Reverend Erik L. Pintar to Parochial Vicar at Corpus Christi Parish, Bridgeville/Cecil in addition to co-chaplain (part-time) to the Deaf Community of Pittsburgh.
 
The Reverend Matthew S. Selzer to Parochial Vicar at the newly established Saints Francis and Clare Parish, Cabot/Carbon Center/Chicora/Coylesville/Herman/North Oakland.
 
The Reverend Loc Van Tran to Parochial Vicar at Saint Isidore the Farmer Parish, Avella/ Burgettstown/Fort Cherry Area/West Allegheny Area.
 
The Reverend Nicholas P. Wytiaz to Parochial Vicar at Resurrection Parish, Bethel Park/Upper Saint Clair.
 
 
TRANSITIONAL DEACONS
Effective June 1, 2026, following Diaconate Ordination on May 30, 2026
 
Deacon Christopher R. Baker to Divine Grace Parish, Cranberry/Ellwood City/Zelienople, with responsibility for diaconal ministry of service and charity, under the direction of the pastor in collaboration with the Department for Pre-Ordination Formation, effective June 1, 2026.
 
Deacon Xavier J. Engle to Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Duquesne/Homestead/Munhall/ West Mifflin/Whitaker, with responsibility for diaconal ministry of service and charity, under the direction of the pastor in collaboration with the Department for Pre-Ordination Formation, effective June 1, 2026.
 
 
 
 
 
Deacon Peter D. Henkels to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Bloomfield/Garfield/Lawrenceville, with responsibility for diaconal ministry of service and charity, under the direction of the pastor in collaboration with the Department for Pre-Ordination Formation, effective June 1, 2026 until July 12, 2026, and Saint John XXIII Parish from July 13, 2026, until priesthood ordination.
 
Deacon Thong Van Le to Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish, Clairton/Jefferson Hills/Pleasant Hills/West Mifflin, with responsibility for diaconal ministry of service and charity, under the direction of the pastor in collaboration with the department of Pre-Ordination Formation, effective June 1, 2026.
 
Deacon Christopher T. McMullen to Divine Redeemer Parish, Aleppo/Sewickley, with responsibility for diaconal ministry of service and charity, under the direction of the pastor in collaboration with the Department for Pre-Ordination Formation, effective June 1, 2026.
 
Deacon Gabriel R. Schoone to Saint Jude Parish, Morningside/Shadyside/Stanton Heights, with  responsibility for diaconal ministry of service and charity, under the direction of the pastor in collaboration with the Department for Pre-Ordination Formation, effective June 1, 2026.
 
PERMANENT DEACONS
 
Deacon Bruce D. Beaver, Ph.D from Ministry of Sacrament and Ministry of Word at Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, Carbon Center/Chicora/Herman and Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Cabot/Coylesville/North Oakland to the Ministry of Sacrament and the Ministry of Word at the newly established Saints Francis and Clare Parish, Cabot/Carbon Center/Chicora/Coylesville/ Herman/North Oakland, effective July 1, 2026.