Father F. Patrick Melfi (left) and Father Sebastian Pierro received new assignments.

Several diocesan priests, including the four men who were ordained in June, have received new assignments from Bishop Richard J. Malone.  

Father F. Patrick Melfi, who had been serving as a full-time member of the formation faculty at Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, was named pastor of St. John Parish, Olean, for a term of six years. Father Melfi, who was ordained in 2006, served for three years as parochial vicar at St. Christopher Parish, Tonawanda, before receiving his first pastorate at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Salamanca, in 2009.He served in Salamanca until joining the faculty at the seminary in 2015. At St. John's, he replaces Father John J. Arogyasami, who was serving as the parish's temporary administrator. Father Melfi's new assignment was effective June 19.

Father Sebastian C. Pierro will begin his new duties as pastor at St. Amelia Parish, Tonawanda, on Sept. 4. The parish's long-time pastor, Msgr. Thomas F. Maloney, retired in June. Currently, Father Pierro is assigned to St. Gregory the Great Parish, Williamsville, where he has been senior parochial vicar for five years. Father Pierro has also served as parochial vicar at Nativity of Our Lord, Orchard Park; SS. Peter & Paul, Hamburg; and Christ the King, Snyder.  He was pastor at Holy Trinity, Dunkirk, and St. Peter, Lewiston.  

Father Sean E. DiMaria was reappointed to a second term of six years as pastor at Immaculate Conception, Wellsville; SS. Brendan & Jude, Almond-Alfred; Blessed Sacrament, Andover; Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Belmont; and St. Mary, Bolivar, effective June 6. He was first assigned to SS. Brendan & Jude and Blessed Sacrament in 2008. A few years later, he was given additional responsibilities as pastor or Immaculate Conception. In 2016, the Belmont and Bolivar parishes were added to his duties as pastor.

India native Father John J. Arogyasami was named temporary administrator of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Barker, taking over duties for the pastor, Father James F. Hassett, who retired in May. Father Arogyasami previously served as temporary administrator at St. John, Olean. He came to the United States in 2003 and served in Louisiana for several years before coming to the Diocese of Buffalo.  

Father Marcin Porada was named administrator of St. Bernard Parish, Buffalo, and Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, Cheektowaga, as of Aug. 1. Father Krzysztof Frost, S.A.C., an order priest who was serving as pastor of both parishes, is returning to Poland. Father Porada, who had been serving as parochial vicar at St. John Gualbert since 2014, is a native of Poland. He came to Buffalo in November 2014, one day before Buffalo's great snowstorm.

The Diocese of Buffalo's newly-ordained priests have received their first assignments, each for three years and each effective June 17. Father Robert I. Agbo was named parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception, Wellsville; SS. Brendan & Jude, Almond-Alfred; Blessed Sacrament, Andover; Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Belmont; and St. Mary, Bolivar. Father Martin F. Gallagher was assigned to St. Stephen Parish, Grand Island, to serve as parochial vicar. Father Luke P. Uebler II, was named parochial vicar at Queen of Heaven Parish, West Seneca. Father Cole T. Webster was named parochial vicar at SS. Peter & Paul, Hamburg.

Deacon Gary P. Andelora was assigned to Canisius College, Buffalo, for both his parish assignment and his ministry of charity assignment, effective May 30. Previously, Deacon Andelora was serving at both Nativity of Our Lord, Orchard Park, and Canisius College. Since his ordination in 2008, he has also ministered at St. Mary of the Lake Parish, Hamburg, and Women and Children's Hospital, Buffalo.