Father James Hartwell, Father Steven Jekielek and Father Jeffrey Nowak.

Bishop Richard J. Malone has announced new assignments for several clergy members including the newly ordained permanent deacons and priests. 

Father Steven A. Jekielek, former parochial vicar at St. Gregory the Great, Williamsville, has received his first pastorate.  He will begin his new position as pastor at St. Christopher Parish, Tonawanda, on June 22.  Ordained in 2011, Father Jekielek's first assignment as a priest was as parochial vicar at St. Christopher where he served for three years before moving to St. Gregory the Great.  At St. Christopher, he takes over for Father Charles Slisz who recently retired.    

The Niagara County native graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a bachelor's degree in biological sciences and a master's degree in business administration before entering the seminary.   

Father Richard W. Blazejewski and Father Thomas D. Doyle were reappointed to an additional term at their current parishes.  Father Blazejewski will continue as pastor at St. Isidore Parish, Perry, for a second term of six years. Father Doyle will serve for a third term as pastor at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Clarence. 

Father James W. Hartwell, pastor of St. Michael Parish, Warsaw, was given the additional responsibility as vicar forane for the Genesee-Wyoming vicariate for a term of three years.  He fills the position that was previously held by Father James W. Kirkpatrick who moved to Niagara County to serve as pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish, North Tonawanda, in April. 

Father Jeffrey L. Nowak, parochial vicar at St. John Vianney Parish, Orchard Park, was given the additional responsibility as canonical administrator Mary Queen of Angels School, Cheektowaga.  As canonical administrator, Father Nowak is responsibility for the Catholicity of the school, as well as creating an environment where the school can thrive.  The position was previously held by Msgr. Kevin T. O'Neill. 

Father Dawid T. Krzeszowski was reassigned to an additional term as parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish, Kenmore.  Father Krzeszowski, a priest from the Diocese of Rzeszow, Poland, served at Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Orchard Park, before his first appointment at St. John's.

The three newly-ordained priests received their first appointments as parochial vicars.  Father Lukasz Kopala was assigned to St. John Vianney, Orchard Park, beginning July 16, and Father Thomas M. Mahoney was assigned to St. Gregory the Great, Williamsville, effective June 29.  Father Daniel E. Ogbeifun will begin his position as parochial vicar at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Harris Hill, and St. Martin de Porres and St. Lawrence parishes, Buffalo, on July 30.  Each of the assignments for the priests, who were ordained June 6, is for a three-year term. 

Two religious order priests have been granted presbyteral faculties for the Diocese of Buffalo.  Father Michael D. Calabria, OFM, was appointed by his provincial as director of the Center for Arab and Islamic studies at the Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure University.  Father David S. Ciancimino, SJ, was appointed by his provincial as president of Canisius High School, Buffalo, with residence at the Canisius Jesuit Community. 

Deacon Roy P. Dibb was assigned to diaconal ministry at Epiphany of Our Lord Parish, Langford. He previously served at SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Hamburg. 

Deacon David C. Armstrong, Deacon Peter J. Donnelly and Deacon John A. Owczarczak, ordained permanent deacons in late May, have begun their first three-year assignments as permanent deacons.  Deacon Armstrong was assigned to diaconal ministry at Christ Our Hope Parish, French Creek, and ministry of charity of visiting the homebound.  Deacon Donnelly was assigned to diaconal ministry at St. Gregory the Great, Williamsville, and ministry of charity at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Williamsville.  Deacon Owczarczak was assigned to diaconal ministry at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Lancaster, and ministry of charity at Greenfield Health and Rehabilitation Center, Lancaster.