NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
November 24, 2025
I am pleased to announce that the Most Reverend Ralph B. O’Donnell, Bishop of Jefferson City, has recently made the following appointment to provide the most effective pastoral care of the Diocese of Jefferson City:
LAITY
- TOM VINCENT, appointed as a member of the Diocesan Finance Council for a term of three years, effective 11 November 2025.
From the Office of the Chancellor,
Mr. Ben Roodhouse, JD, JCL
Chancellor
November 10, 2025 | Appointments
I am pleased to announce that the Most Reverend Ralph B. O’Donnell, Bishop of Jefferson City, has recently made the following appointments to provide the most effective pastoral care of the Diocese of Jefferson City:
PRIESTS
REVEREND MONSIGNOR ROBERT A. KURWICKI, appointed Vicar General, effective 6 November 2025.
VERY REVEREND BRAD T. BERHORST, JCL, confirmed as Judicial Vicar, effective 5 November 2025 and until 31 October 2026.
VERY REVEREND CHRISTOPHER L. CORDES, appointed Vicar for Priests, effective 6 November 2025 for a term of one year.
LAITY
RICH ANDERSON, reappointed as a member of the Diocesan Finance Council for a term of one year, effective 6 November 2025.
BARBARA REICHART, reappointed as a member of the Diocesan Finance Council for a term of one year, effective 6 November 2025.
MATTHIAS TOLKSDORF, reappointed as a member of the Diocesan Finance Council for a term of one year, effective 6 November 2025.
From the Office of the Chancellor,
Mr. Ben Roodhouse, JD, JCL
Reverend Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki, Diocesan Administrator of Jefferson City, is pleased to announce the following recent appointments, made to provide the most effective pastoral care of the Diocese of Jefferson City:
PRIESTS
- VERY REVEREND JASON T. DOKE, STL, VF, appointed Dean of Southeast Deanery, effective 30 July 2025.
- VERY REVEREND STEPHEN W. JONES, VF, appointed Dean of See City Deanery, effective 30 July 2025.
- VERY REVEREND GREGORY P. OLIGSCHLAEGER, VF, to continue as Dean of Central Deanery.
Given at the Chancery in Jefferson City on the 30th day of July in the Jubilee Year of Our Lord 2025.
Reverend Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki, Diocesan Administrator of Jefferson City, is pleased to announce the following recent appointment, made to provide the most effective pastoral care of the Diocese of Jefferson City:
PRIEST
- REVEREND WALTER KISPOTTA, from St. Cornelius Parish, Crocker and St. Theresa Parish, Dixon, to Associate Pastor of St. Peter Parish, Jefferson City, with residence at the Cathedral rectory, effective 1 July 2025.
Given at the Chancery in Jefferson City on the 18rd day of June in the Jubilee Year of Our Lord 2025.
Reverend Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki, Diocesan Administrator of Jefferson City, is pleased to announce the following recent appointments, made to provide the most effective pastoral care of the Diocese of Jefferson City:
DEACONS
- REVEREND MISTER JACOB D. HARTMAN, newly ordained, to Spanish language immersion, effective immediately. Thereafter assigned to diaconal ministry assisting Rev. Francis Doyle at St. Peter Parish, Marshall, effective 16 July 2025 and until 4 August 2025 at which time he will return to seminary studies at Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein, IL.
- DEACON KENNETH ARTHUR, newly ordained, to diaconal ministry assisting Rev. Msgr. Gregory Higley at St. Patrick Parish, Rolla, Immaculate Conception Parish, St. James, and St. Anthony Parish, Rosati, effective 7 June 2025.
- DEACON ROBERT CZARNECKI, newly ordained, to diaconal ministry assisting Rev. Msgr. David Cox at St. Stanislaus Parish, Wardsville and St. Margaret of Antioch Parish, Osage Bend, effective 7 June 2025.
- DEACON LOUIE DELK, newly ordained, to diaconal ministry assisting Rev. Stephen Jones at the Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish, Jefferson City, effective 7 June 2025.
- DEACON MICHAEL DORRELL, newly ordained, to diaconal ministry assisting Rev. Paschal Ihediohamma at St. Bonaventure Parish, Marceline, Immaculate Conception Parish, Brookfield, St. Raphael Parish, Indian Grove, and The Mission of St. Joseph, Hurricane Branch, effective 7 June 2025.
- DEACON CHAD FREIE, newly ordained, to diaconal ministry assisting Rev. Henry Ussher at St. Clement Parish, Bowling Green, St. Joseph Parish, Louisiana, and the Mission of Mary Queen of Peace, Clarksville, effective 7 June 2025.
- DEACON DENIS GLADBACH, newly ordained, to diaconal ministry assisting Rev. Stephen Jones at the Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish, Jefferson City, effective 7 June 2025.
- DEACON DWAYNE GOODWIN, OFS, newly ordained, to diaconal ministry assisting Rev. Gregory Meystrik at St. Joseph Parish, Palmyra and Holy Family Parish, Hannibal, effective 7 June 2025.
- DEACON KEITH HENKE, newly ordained, to diaconal ministry assisting Rev. Kelechi Uzuegbu at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Taos, effective 7 June 2025.
- DEACON BRIAN LUTZ, newly ordained, to diaconal ministry assisting Rev. Mark Smith at Ss. Peter & Paul Parish, Boonville and St. Joseph Parish, Pilot Grove, effective 7 June 2025.
- DEACON HARVEY MILLION, JR, newly ordained, to diaconal ministry assisting Rev. Michael Coleman at Holy Spirit Parish, Centralia, effective 7 June 2025.
- DEACON CHARLES OCHOA, newly ordained, to diaconal ministry assisting Rev. Daniel Merz at St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish, Columbia, effective 7 June 2025.
- DEACON JAMES RANGITSCH, JR, newly ordained, to diaconal ministry assisting Rev. Joseph Corel at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Sedalia, effective 7 June 2025.
- DEACON MARK OLIGSCHLAEGER, newly ordained, to diaconal ministry assisting Rev. Matthew Flatley at Immaculate Conception Parish, Jefferson City, effective 7 June 2025.
14 April 2025
Subsequent to the announcement of his appointment as the next Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas, Archbishop Shawn McKnight delegated to:
- REVEREND MONSIGNOR ROBERT A. KURWICKI all of the powers he previously held as Vicar General, effective immediately and until the Archbishop’s installation in his new see.
- REVEREND CHRISTOPHER L. CORDES all of the powers he previously held as Vicar for Priests, effective immediately and until the Archbishop’s installation in his new see.
- REVEREND JOSEPH S. COREL all of the powers he previously held as Vicar for Prison Ministry, effective immediately and until the Archbishop’s installation in his new see.
- REVEREND DANIEL J. MERZ all of the powers he previously held as Vicar for Permanent Deacons, effective immediately and until the Archbishop’s installation in his new see.
Prior to the announcement of his appointment as the next Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas, Archbishop Shawn McKnight made the following appointments:
DEACONS
- DEACON RICK VISE, from diaconal ministry at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, St. Robert and St. Jude Parish, Richland, to diaconal ministry at Holy Cross Parish, Cuba, St. Francis Caracciolo Parish, Bourbon, and St. Michael Parish, Steelville, effective 7 March 2025.
LAITY
- MRS. ANNE HACKMAN, appointed as Chair of the Diocesan Stewardship Council for a term of two years, effective 25 February 2025.
- MRS. ANN GRAY, appointed to the Diocesan Stewardship Council for a term of three years, effective 17 January 2025.
- LEIGH ANN GRANT, appointed to the Diocesan Stewardship Council for a term of three years, effective 17 January 2025.
From the Office of the Chancellor,
Mr. Ben Roodhouse, JD, JCL
Chancellor
The Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City, hereby makes the following appointments to provide the most effective pastoral care of the Diocese of Jefferson City:
PRIESTS
- REVEREND MONSIGNOR GREGORY L. HIGLEY, VF, from St. Patrick Parish, Rolla, Immaculate Conception Parish, St. James, and St. Anthony Parish, Rosati to Pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Lake Ozark, effective 1 July 2025.
- REVEREND MONSIGNOR MARION J. MAKAREWICZ, from residence at St. Stephen Parish, Indian Creek to residence at St. Joseph Parish, Pilot Grove, effective 1 July 2025, continuing with assistance to the pastor as able.
- VERY REVEREND JASON T. DOKE, V.F., from St. Martin Parish, St. Martins and St. Michael Parish, Russellville to Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Rolla, Immaculate Conception Parish, St. James, and St. Anthony Parish, Rosati, effective 1 July 2025, continuing as Chairman of the Diocesan Building Commission.
- VERY REVEREND P. GREGORY OLIGSCHLAEGER, V.F., from Holy Rosary Parish, Monroe City and St. Stephen Parish, Indian Creek to Pastor of Ss. Peter & Paul Parish, Boonville and St. Joseph Parish, Pilot Grove, effective 1 July 2025, continuing as Spiritual Director of the English Cursillo Secretariat.
- REVEREND CESAR A. ANICAMA, from providing Mass coverage with residence at St. Peter Parish, Marshall to Parochial Administrator of St. Mary Parish, Milan and its Mission of St. Mary, Unionville, effective 16 May 2025.
- REVEREND GREGORY J. CLEVER, from Associate Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Pettis County, to an immersion experience in Costa Rica for Hispanic ministry, effective from 23 May until 30 June, 2025; and thereafter to Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and Hispanic ministry in Columbia, effective 1 July 2025.
- REVEREND CHRISTOPHER A. HOFFMANN, from Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, Columbia to Parochial Administrator of Holy Rosary Parish, Monroe City and St. Stephen Parish, Indian Creek, effective 1 July 2025.
- REVEREND WALTER KISPOTTA, from St. Cornelius Parish, Crocker and St. Theresa Parish, Dixon, to hospital and nursing home ministry in Jefferson City and Mass coverage as assigned by the Vicar for Priests, with residence at the Cathedral rectory, effective 1 July 2025.
- REVEREND MARTIN MASIISA, from providing Mass coverage with residence at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, St. Thomas to Associate Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Pettis County, and providing Mass coverage as assigned by the Vicar for Priests, effective 16 May 2025.
- REVEREND ANTHONY N. ONYEIHE, from Holy Cross Parish, Cuba, St. Michael Parish, Steelville, and St. Francis Caracciolo Parish, Bourbon to Parochial Administrator of St. Cornelius Parish, Crocker, and St. Theresa Parish, Dixon, effective 1 July 2025.
- REVEREND NICHOLAS J. REID, returning from service for the Archdiocese for the Military Services to Pastor of St. Martin Parish, St. Martins and St. Michael Parish, Russellville, effective 1 July 2025.
- REVEREND GREIVIN F. RODRIGUEZ AGÜERO, from St. Mary Parish, Milan and its Mission of St. Mary, Unionville to Associate Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Pettis County, effective 16 May 2025.
- REVEREND MARK S. SMITH, J.C.L., from Ss. Peter & Paul Parish, Boonville and St. Joseph Parish, Pilot Grove to Pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Cuba, St. Michael Parish, Steelville, and St. Francis Caracciolo Parish, Bourbon, effective 1 July 2025, continuing as Tribunal Judge.
DEACONS
- DEACON CHAD R. LEWIS, from Holy Cross Parish, Cuba, St. Michael Parish, Steelville, and St. Francis Caracciolo Parish, Bourbon to diaconal ministry at St. Robert Bellermine Parish, St. Robert and St. Jude Parish, Richland, effective 1 June 2025.
Given at the Chancery in Jefferson City on the 3rd day of April in the Jubilee Year of Our Lord 2025.
I am announcing that the Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City, has recently made the following appointment:
PRIESTS
- Very Reverend Brad T. Berhorst, J.V., and Very Reverend R. William Peckman, V.F., appointed to fill the vacant positions on the College of Consultors created by the lawful resignation of Reverend Monsignor Marion J. Makarewicz and the death of Reverend Michael W. Penn, effective immediately.
From the Office of the Chancellor,
Mr. Ben Roodhouse, JD, JCL
Chancellor
24 February 2025
I am pleased to announce that the Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City, has recently made the following appointments to provide the most effective pastoral care of the Diocese of Jefferson City:
PRIESTS
- REVEREND MONSIGNOR MARION J. MAKAREWICZ, to residence at St. Stephen, Indian Creek, and parish ministry as he is able, effective 1 March 2025.
- VERY REVEREND BRAD T. BERHORST, JCL, to Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of the Lake, Lake Ozark, continuing as Judicial Vicar and Bishop’s Master of Ceremonies, effective 1 March 2025 and until 30 June 2025.
- REVEREND MARTIN MASIISA, newly arrived from the Diocese of Kampala, Uganda, to residence at the rectory of St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Thomas, effective 21 February 2025.
From the Office of the Chancellor,
Mr. Ben Roodhouse, JD, JCL
Chancellor
17 February 2025
I am pleased to announce that the Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City, has recently made the following appointments to provide the most effective pastoral care of the Diocese of Jefferson City:
PRIEST
- REVEREND CHARLES NWEZE to Hospital and Nursing Home Ministry in Columbia effective 22 January 2025.
From the Office of the Chancellor,
Mr. Ben Roodhouse, JD, JCL
Chancellor