Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Buffalo, has appointed Deacon Richard R. Stachura temporary pastoral administrator, effective May 2, and Father Michael Uebler will serve as priest moderator at St. Mary Parish, Swormville.

Father Sean Paul Fleming has been appointed rector of St. Joseph Cathedral with the additional duties as director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Buffalo. This appointment is effective May 1 for a term of six years.

Father Donald Watkins became the parochial vicar at St. Christopher Parish in Tonawanda on June 1, for a term of three years. Ordained in 2019, he spent his first year of ministry at St. Joseph Cathedral.

Father James Waite, currently the pastor of St. John the Baptist, Lockport, took on the additional responsibility as canonical administrator of DeSales Catholic School, Lockport.  This is a three-year term effective May 19.

Father  Jerome Kopec will take on the role of  administrator of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Cheektowaga effective July 1,  for a term of six years. He has been pastor of SS. Peter & Paul, Williamsville.

 Bishop Scharfenberger has also appointed Father Martin F. Gallagher as temporary administrator of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Cheektowaga, effective June 1. Father Gallagher has been serving at St. Stephen Parish in Grand Island. 

Effective July 1,  Father Richard Jedrzejewski  will retire from the role as pastor of Assumption Parish, Buffalo.

Father Jay McGinnis will retire from St. Pius X Parish in Getzville on Aug. 9.

Father David J. Borowiak has retired as pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Parish effective April 27 and will reside at the Msgr. John J. Conniff Priest Retirement Home in Depew.

Father Paul L. Varuvel, a former faculty of Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, retired June 1.

Father Robert Schober, chaplain at  Kenmore Mercy Hospital, will also retire, effective  June 15.