Bishop Richard J. Malone has announced the following clergy assignments:

Father Joseph W. Vatter was appointed pastor of St. Paul Parish in Kenmore for a term of six years, effective Feb. 12.  Father Vatter, former pastor at All Saints Parish in Lockport, takes over for Father Jay W. McGinnis who was named administrator at St. Pius X Parish, Getzville. 

A priest for more than 36 years, Father Vatter has served at several parishes throughout the diocese.  He was parochial vicar at St. Christopher, Tonawanda; SS. Peter & Paul, Jamestown; St. Martin of Tours, Buffalo; Holy Trinity, Dunkirk; and St. Barnabas, Depew. In 1998, he received his first pastorate when he was named pastor of three parishes, St. Mary, Belmont; St. Joseph, Scio; and Sacred Heart, Angelica. In 2002, Bishop Henry J. Mansell appointed him pastor of St. Mary Parish, Medina.  Bishop Edward U. Kmiec named him pastor of All Saints Parish, Lockport, in 2008. 

Father McGinnis begins his new duties as administrator at St. Pius X, Getzville, on Feb. 12.  The parish's previous pastor, Father James C. O'Connor, retired. 

Following his ordination in 1976, Father McGinnis was assigned to St. Joseph University Parish in Buffalo where he served as parochial vicar for two years.  He was later assigned to Blessed Sacrament Parish and then to St. Christopher Parish, both in Tonawanda, followed by SS. Peter & Paul Parish in Williamsville.  
Father McGinnis was named pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Randolph in 1991and went on to serve as pastor at Our Lady of Pompeii Parish in Lancaster.  In 2005, he was named pastor at St. Paul Parish in Kenmore.  In addition to his parish work, Father McGinnis was chaplain at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in Kenmore, and secretary to Bishop Donald W. Trautman, former auxiliary bishop of Buffalo. 

Bishop Malone also announced the assignment of Father Robert A. Wozniak to a full-time faculty position at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora for a term of three years.  Father Wozniak's new assignment began Jan. 1.  His most recent position was as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo.