May 22, 2009
The Question Series: Parish staffing announcement expected soon
Several questions asked in preparation for the Bishop’s Town Hall Meetings last fall dealt with clergy availability and appointments. Following is a brief report on one new appointment and what is expected in the near future.
Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger has appointed Father John Silva, 31, as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Daylight, effective May 14.
Father Silva was ordained June 5, 2004. His first assignment was to Holy Redeemer Church in Evansville as associate pastor. He also served as associate pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Newburgh from July 2006 to June 2007, and of St. Joseph Church in Jasper from June 2007 to July 2008.
Creative parish staffing
In decades past, almost all parishes had pastors and some larger ones had associate pastors. In recent times, various means have been devised to provide pastoral leadership with fewer priests than there are parishes in the diocese.
For example, permanent deacons and vowed religious women have served the diocese as pastoral life coordinators of parishes, with priests providing sacramental ministry.
Father Silva’s previous position is another example of recent parish staffing by which parish priests share multiple responsibilities. When Father Silva was first assigned to St. John the Evangelist in July 2008, it was as associate pastor, with Father Tony Ernst serving as pastor.
Since July 2003, Father Ernst has served as pastor of three parishes in Gibson County: Sts. Peter and Paul in Haubstadt, Holy Cross in Fort Branch and St. Bernard in Snake Run. Father Gary Kaiser, who was ordained in June 2006, was assigned as associate pastor with Father Ernst at the three Gibson Coun-ty parishes; Father Kaiser continues in that assignment.
St. John in Daylight was the fourth parish added to the list of responsibilities for Father Ernst — with Father Silva assigned as his associate.
In an e-mail announcement of the new pastoral assignment, Bishop Gettelfinger said, “I wish to thank Father Tony Ernst for all his work as the Pastor of St. John this past year. He has done yeoman’s work while pastoring three other parishes.”
Bishop Gettelfinger added, “Let us pray for Father John as he is now pastor of his very first parish.”
What’s next
Bishop Gettelfinger has stated that the next clergy appointments will be effective June 24. No appointments — other than that of Father Silva — have been announced.
On June 6, Bishop Gettelfinger will ordain Father Ryan Hilderbrand. His parish assignment — and any others — will be announced in the near future.
Your turn
Questions from Message readers are encouraged. E-mail them to message@evansville-diocese.org or send them to the Message, P.O. Box 4169, Evansville, IN 47724-0169.