During this week just passed, Bishop Michael has announced the following clergy moves and appointments, all of which will take effect no later than 31 January 2024:
Appointment of Parish Priests and Administrators
- Fr Gerard Mackie has been (re)appointed as Parish Priest for East Lake Macquarie Parish, effective 1 January 2024 until 1 January 2030.
- Fr James Lunn has been (re)appointed as Parish Priest for Cessnock Parish and Kurri Kurri Parish, effective 1 January 2024 until 1 January 2030.
- Fr Anthony Potts has been (re)appointed as Parish Priest for MacKillop Parish,effective 30 April 2024 until 30 April 2030.
- Fr John Vo as Administrator for Forster Tuncurry Parish, effective 31 January 2024 until further notice.
City Pastoral Region
- Fr Anil Kuchipudi has been appointed Assistant Priest to Inner Newcastle Parish, Stockton Parish, and Mayfield Parish, effective 31 January 2024 until further notice.
- Fr Anthony Coloma has been appointed Assistant Priest to Inner Newcastle Parish, Stockton Parish, and Mayfield Parish, effective 31 January 2024 until further notice, in addition to his current school chaplaincy roles.
Macquarie Pastoral Region
- Fr Greg Barker VG has been appointed Administrator of Toronto Parish, while it discerns its future governance arrangements (following the appointment of the current lay Parish Leader as Manager, Bishop's Office).
- Fr Raphael Madukwe has been appointed Assistant Priest to Booragul Parish, Boolaroo-Warners Bay Parish, and Toronto Parish, effective 31 January 2024 until further notice.
- Fr Darryl Mackie has been appointed Assistant Priest to Booragul Parish, Boolaroo-Warners Bay Parish, and Toronto Parish, effective 31 January 2024 until further notice, in addition to his new role with the Inter-Diocesan Tribunal.
- Deacon Naveen Susainathan is also appointed to the Macquarie Pastoral Region, as he continues his discernment and formation towards ordination as priest.
Chisholm Pastoral Region
- Fr Priyantha Fernando has been appointed Assistant Priest to the six parishes of the Chisholm Pastoral Region, effective 31 Januar 2024 until further notice.
- Deacon Solomon Okovido has been appointed to the Chisholm Pastoral Region, as he continues his discernment and formation towards ordination as priest.
Taree Parish
- Mr Anton Perera has been appointed to the Taree Parish, as he continues his discernment for ordination.