Msgr. Paul Litwin (left), Sister Regina Murphy, SSMN

Bishop Richard J. Malone has named longtime chancellor Msgr. Paul A. Litwin pastor of Christ the King Parish, Snyder, for a term of six years.  

Ordained by Bishop Edward D. Head in 1979, Msgr. Litwin served as parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Tonawanda, and Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Orchard Park, before being named judge and adjutant judicial vicar for the diocesan Tribunal in 1988. In 1996, Bishop Henry J. Mansell appointed him vice chancellor for the diocese and in 2006, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec named him chancellor.

In addition to his administrative and Tribunal assignments, Msgr. Litwin has taught canon law at Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, and has been involved in music ministry, providing music and choral direction for Catholic Center prayers services for many years. He also was a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus for 32 years.  
Msgr. Litwin, who was named a monsignor in 2008, will begin his new position at Christ the King Parish on April 4.  

Bishop Malone has named Sister Regina Murphy, SSMN, interim chancellor effective April 4. Sister Regina has worked at the Catholic Center since 1988. She began as assistant director of Research and Planning and was named director in 1991, facilitating several parish and diocesan strategic planning efforts over the years. She has also assisted in reorganizing the diocesan archives.  

In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI honored Sister Regina with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross, a distinction of honor.  
Sister Regina has a master's degree in modern European history and a master's degree in theology. Prior to working at the Catholic Center, she was a high school teacher and administrator.

Bishop Malone has reappointed Father Bartholomew W. Lipiec pastor of St. Martha Parish, Depew, for a second term of six years, effective Feb. 1. In 2011, Father Lipiec was named pastor of the new parish. St. Martha's was formed from the merger of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Depew, and St. Barnabas, Depew.  He had previously served as pastor of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament.  Father Lipiec's earlier assignments were as parochial vicar at Holy Trinity Parish, Dunkirk; Infant of Prague, Cheektowaga; and St. Christopher, Tonawanda.  He received his first pastorate in 1996 when he was named pastor of both St. Michael Parish, Warsaw, and St. Mary Parish, Silver Springs.  He later was pastor of Annunciation Parish, Buffalo, before being named pastor at Blessed Sacrament, Depew.

Father Walter J. Szczesny, pastor of All Saints Parish, Lockport, has been given the additional responsibility of canonical administrator of DeSales Catholic School, Lockport, for a term of three years, effective April 1.  As canonical administrator he will oversee the school's spirituality and promote an environment where the Catholic school can thrive.

Father Szczesny has served as pastor at All Saints Parish since 2015.  His previous assignments were as director of vocations; director of seminarians; and pastor of St. George Parish, West Falls. Also, he served at Immaculate Conception, East Aurora, and SS. Peter & Paul, Hamburg, in addition to teaching at Christ the King Seminary.