EMBARGO: June 7, 2008, 4:00 p.m.

Bishop Announces Pastoral Appointments

Bishop Raymond Lahey of the Diocese of Antigonish today announced the following pastoral appointments for the Diocese. These appointments will take effect at various times over the summer months, as noted below.

Reverend Lester Marchand, until now Pastor of St. Leonard Parish, New Waterford and area, will have sabbatical leave for a one year period, effective June 25.

Reverend Paul MacNeil, until now on sabbatical leave, is appointed Pastor of St. Leonard Parish, New Waterford and area, effective June 25.

Reverend Daniel J. MacDonald, until now Associate Pastor, St. Leonard Parish, New Waterford and area, is appointed Pastor of St. Peter Parish, Ingonish, St. Joseph Parish, Dingwall, St. Margaret Parish, St. Margaret’s Village, and St. Francis, Smelt Brook, effective August 2.

Reverend Douglas MacDonald, newly ordained, is appointed Associate Pastor, St. Leonard Parish, New Waterford and area, effective August 2.

Reverend William MacPherson, now Pastor of St. Peter Parish, Ingonish, St. Joseph Parish, Dingwall, St. Margaret Parish, St. Margaret’s Village, and St. Francis, Smelt Brook, is appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Sydney, effective August 27.

Reverend Ray Huntley, currently on sabbatical leave, is appointed Pastor of St. Columba Parish, Iona, Sacred Heart, MacKinnon’s Harbour, Holy Rosary, Washabuck, and St. Barra Parish, Christmas Island, effective June 25.

Reverend Charles Donovan, o.m.i., until now Pastor of St. Columba Parish, Iona, Sacred Heart, MacKinnon’s Harbour, Holy Rosary, Washabuck, and St. Barra Parish, Christmas Island, will take temporary leave of absence from regular parish ministry, effective June 25.

Reverend Robert MacNeil, until now Pastor of St. Paul Parish, Harbour Boucher, St. Lawrence Parish, Mulgrave and St. Francis, St. Francis Harbour, will become Pastor of the newly-formed Pastoral Grouping for Holy Trinity, Waycobah, and Mary Queen of the World, Wagmatcook, effective July 2.

Reverend Bedford Doucette, until now Pastor, St. Margaret Parish, Grand Mira, and Sacred Heart, Marion Bridge, will leave regular parish ministry, but will continue as Director of the Diocesan Faith Formation and Ministry Program, effective August 27.

Reverend Paul MacGillivray, until now Pastor, St. Michael Parish, Baddeck and Mary Queen of the World, Wagmatcook, will become Pastor, St. Margaret Parish, Grand Mira, and Sacred Heart, Marion Bridge, effective August 27.

Reverend Norman MacPhee, until now Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Sydney, is appointed Pastor of St. Michael Parish, Baddeck, effective August 27.

Reverend Donald Boudreau, until now Pastor of Holy Name Parish, Westville, will retire from that appointment, effective June 8.

Bishop Lahey also noted that Reverend Clarke Hudson, who has been temporarily acting as Chaplain to the Augustinian Sisters at Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Monastery, will be continuing in that appointment.

Newly-ordained Deacon Dennis Lamey will be appointed to Our Lady of Lourdes, Stellarton for the summer months before returning to St. Joseph’s Seminary, Edmonton for his final year of theology.

Newly-ordained Deacon Evo Dipierro is appointed to Stella Maris Pastoral Grouping, Isle Madame and Louisdale for the summer months before returning to St. Joseph’s Seminary, Edmonton for his final year of theology.

Bishop Lahey said that an announcement will be made very shortly regarding appointments to Stella Maris Parish, Pictou, and Holy Name Parish, Westville, and that an announcement will be made later in the summer regarding St. Paul Parish, Harbour Boucher, St. Lawrence Parish, Mulgrave and St. Francis, St. Francis Harbour, which will be served during the month of July by Reverend Douglas MacDonald.

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