Father Andrew Lauricella has been named Vocations Director.

Bishop Richard J. Malone announced the following clergy assignments.

A new vocations director has been named for the Diocese of Buffalo.  Father Andrew R. Lauricella, former parochial vicar at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Niagara Falls, began his five year assignment in the Vocations Office on June 16.  In his new role, he will be responsible for recruiting vocations to the diocesan priesthood.  He will collaborate with other organizations in promoting vocation awareness; help identify and select candidates for the priesthood, and work with those individuals in their initial formation.

Father Lauricella, ordained to the priesthood in 2012, is a graduate of Cardinal O'Hara High School, Tonawanda, D'Youville College, Buffalo, and Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, where he will reside during his term as vocations director.     

Father Jeffrey L. Nowak has been named parochial vicar at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Niagara Falls, for a term of three years effective July 1.   He was recently appointed canonical administrator of Mary Queen of Angels School, Cheektowaga, and will continue to fulfill those duties. 

Ordained in June 2012, Father Nowak grew up in Lackawanna and graduated from St. Francis High School, Athol Springs, and Canisius College, Buffalo, before entering Christ the King Seminary.  His first assignment as a priest was as parochial vicar at St. John Vianney Parish, Orchard Park, where he served until moving to St. Vincent de Paul Parish.

Bishop Malone also announced new appointments for Deacon Mark D. Kehl and Deacon Daniel H. Mackowiak.  Deacon Kehl was assigned to diaconal ministry at St. Joseph Parish, Holland, and Deacon Mackowiak was assigned to ministry of charity as vocations chairman for the Boy Scouts.