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 C. CALLISTUS OKOROJI, to Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Edina, effective 27 August 2024, and continuing as Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Canton and Queen of Peace Parish, Ewing.
- REVEREND BONIFACE K. NZABONIMPA, temporary leave from Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Edina to temporary Parochial Administrator of Mary Immaculate Parish, Kirksville and the Mission of St. Rose of Lima, Novinger, effective 27 August 2024, continuing as Chaplain of the Kirksville Newman Center.
Given at the Chancery in Jefferson City this 20th day of August in the Year of Our Lord 2024.
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 MARION J. MAKAREWICZ, granted medical leave of absence, effective 9 August 2024.
- REVEREND SIMEON ETONU, to temporary Parochial Administrator of Mary Immaculate Parish, Kirksville, and the Mission of St. Rose of Lima, Novinger, effective 13 August 2024.
Given at the Chancery in Jefferson City this 9th day of August in the Year of Our Lord 2024.
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:
DEACONS
- DEACON STEPHAN J. KLIETHERMES, reappointed as Coordinator for Marriage Preparation Programs for a term of three years, effective 31 July 2024.
- DEACON ROBERT W. REINKEMEYER, reappointed as Coordinator for Natural Family Planning for a term of three years, effective 31 July 2024.
LAITY
- MRS. CHERYL KELLY, appointed as a member of the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri for a term of three years, effective 2 August 2024.
- MR. MATTHIAS TOLKSDORF, reappointed as a member of the Diocesan Finance Council for a term of one year, effective 31 July 2024.
- MR. CHRIS YARNELL, appointed as a member of the Diocesan Building Commission for a term of three years, effective 1 August 2024.
From the Office of the Chancellor,
Mr. Ben Roodhouse, JD, JCL
Chancellor
I am pleased to announce that the Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, STD, 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 CHRISTOPHER A. HOFFMANN, newly ordained, to Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Columbia and to assist Hispanic Ministry at Sacred Heart Parish, Columbia, effective 1 July 2024.
DEACONS
- REVEREND MISTER GREGORY J. CLEVER, newly ordained, to the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, effective immediately until 31 July 2024. Thereafter, to Helias Catholic High School, Jefferson City, effective 1 August 2024 until 30 June 2025. Furthermore, to Assistant Master of Ceremonies for the Diocesan Bishop, effective immediately. Residence assigned at St. Peter Parish, Jefferson City, effective immediately.
- DEACON CHRISTOPHER KORTE, of Mary Immaculate Parish, Kirksville, re-appointed to the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri for a term of three years, effective 1 July 2024.
LAITY
- MS. MEGAN BRUCE, of Immaculate Conception Parish, Jefferson City, appointed to Youth Council of the Diocese of Jefferson City as a representative of the See City Deanery, effective immediately.
- MS. SOPHIA FENNEWALD, of St. Joseph Parish, Martinsburg, appointed to Youth Council of the Diocese of Jefferson City as a representative of the Central Deanery, effective immediately.
- MR. KAYL GOUGH, of St. Mary Parish, Shelbina, appointed to Youth Council of the Diocese of Jefferson City as a representative of the North Deanery, effective immediately.
- MRS. JAN HECKEMEYER, of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, St. Thomas, re-appointed to the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri for a term of three years, effective 1 July 2024.
- MS. ELLISE KIRCHNER, of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Boonville, appointed to Youth Council of the Diocese of Jefferson City as a representative of the Southwest Deanery, effective immediately.
- MS. PAOLA PACHECO, of St. Peter Parish, Marshall, appointed to Youth Council of the Diocese of Jefferson City as a representative of the Central Deanery, effective immediately.
- MS. LILLIAN PETERS, of St. Peter Parish, Jefferson City, appointed to Youth Council of the Diocese of Jefferson City as a representative of the See City Deanery, effective immediately.
- MR. SCOTT THRASHER, of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Columbia, re-appointed to the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri for a term of three years, effective 1 July 2024.
- MR. LUKE WOLF, of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Lake Ozark, appointed to Youth Council of the Diocese of Jefferson City as a representative of the Southwest Deanery, effective immediately.
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, from Sacred Heart Parish, Columbia to Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Rolla, and as Dean of the Southeast Deanery, effective 1 July 2024.
- VERY REVEREND DANIEL J. MERZ, SLD, to Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Columbia, effective 1 July 2024, to continue as Pastor of St. Thomas More Newman Center, Columbia, Vicar for Deacons, and Chair of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
- REVEREND JOSEPH A. ABAH, Ph.D., from St. Peter Parish, Fulton and St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, Mokane to ministry outside the Diocese of Jefferson City, effective 1 July 2024.
- REVEREND CHRISTOPHER M. AUBUCHON, from Parochial Administrator of St. Lawrence Parish, St. Elizabeth to Pastor of St. Lawrence Parish, St. Elizabeth, effective 1 July 2024, to continue as Parochial Administrator of St. Anthony Parish, St. Anthony.
- REVEREND ALEXIUS EKKA, from Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Mary’s Home and Sacred Heart Parish, Eldon, pending further ministerial assignment, effective 1 July 2024.
- REVEREND ALEXANDER GABRIEL, from Holy Family Parish, Hannibal and St. Joseph, Palmyra to Pastor of St. Peter, Fulton and Parochial Administrator of St. Jude Thaddeus, Mokane, effective 1 July 2024.
- REVEREND PASCHAL C. IHEDIOHAMMA, from Sacramental Minister of Immaculate Conception Parish, Brookfield to Parochial Administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish, Brookfield, effective 1 July 2024, and to continue as Parochial Administrator of St. Bonaventure Parish, Marceline, St. Raphael Parish, Indian Grove, and the Mission of St. Joseph, Hurricane Branch.
- REVEREND SIMON JUDE KANYIKE, from Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Columbia to Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of Snows Parish, Mary’s Home and Parochial Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, Eldon, with residence at Our Lady of the Snows, Mary’s Home, effective 1 July 2024.
- REVEREND WALTER KISPOTTA, from temporary Sacramental Ministry at St. Mary, Milan and the Mission of St. Mary, Unionville, to Hospital and Nursing Home Ministry in Columbia, with residence at Our Lady of Lourdes, effective 1 July 2024.
- VERY REVEREND GREGORY C. MEYSTRIK, from St. Patrick Parish, Rolla to Pastor of Holy Family Parish, Hannibal and Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Palmyra, and acceptance of resignation as Dean of Southeast Deanery, effective 1 July 2024.
- REVEREND IGNITIUS NIMWESIGA, from Full-Time Chaplain of Fr. Tolton Catholic High School, Columbia, to Part-Time Associate Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Columbia and Part-Time Chaplain of Fr. Tolton Catholic High School, Columbia, with residence at Sacred Heart Parish, effective 1 July 2024.
- REVEREND GREIVIN RODRIGUEZ, to Parochial Administrator of St. Mary Parish, Milan and the Mission of St. Mary, Unionville, with residence at St. Mary Parish, Milan, effective 1 July 2024.
DEACONS
- DEACON JOHN D. WEAVER, from Parish Life Collaborator of St. Mary Parish, Milan and the Mission of St. Mary, Unionville to diaconal ministry at St. Mary Parish, Milan and the Mission of St. Mary, Unionville, effective 1 July 2024.
RELIGIOUS
- SISTER MARY ROST, SSND, from Parish Life Collaborator of Immaculate Conception Parish, Brookfield to Pastoral Associate of Immaculate Conception Parish, Brookfield, effective 1 July 2024.
Given at the Chancery in Jefferson City this 10th day of May in the Year of Our Lord 2024.
I am pleased to announce that the Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, STD, Bishop of Jefferson City, has recently made the following appointments to provide the most effective pastoral care of the Diocese of Jefferson City:
PRIESTS
- VERY REVEREND CHRISTOPHER L. CORDES, appointed to the Helias Catholic High School Board of Directors for a term of two years, effective 3 May 2024.
- VERY REVEREND ROBERTO M. IKE, PhD, appointed to the Fr. Augustine Tolton Regional Catholic High School Board of Directors for a term of two years, effective 30 April 2024.
SISTERS
- SR. RUTH ANN KLAUSER, SSND, of Mary Immaculate Parish in Kirksville, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as the Consecrated Religious representative for a term of three years, effective 1 May 2024.
LAITY
- MR. JUSTIN FRANCKA, of St. Thomas More Newman Center in Columbia, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as the Newman Center representative for a term of two years, effective 4 May 2024.
- MRS. RUTH HUGHES, of Immaculate Conception Parish in Macon, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the North Deanery for a term of three years, effective 1 July 2024.
- MR. CRAIG HUSTING, appointed as a board member of the Preservation Fund of St. Joseph Cathedral for a term of three years, effective 21 March 2024.
- MRS. ELIZABETH JAMES, of St. Martin Parish in St. Martins, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the See City Deanery for a term of three years, effective 1 July 2024.
- MR. KENT KORTHAS, of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Pettis County, reappointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the Southwest Deanery for an additional term of three years, effective 1 May 2024.
- MR. RUSSELL KREMER, of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Frankenstein, reappointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the Southeast Deanery for an additional term of one year, effective 30 April 2024.
- MR. LUKE PRENGER, appointed as a board member of the Preservation Fund of St. Joseph Cathedral for a term of three years, effective 21 March 2024.
- MR. JONATHAN PUND, of the Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish in Jefferson City, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the See City Deanery for a term of three years, effective 30 April 2024.
- MRS. SHERI STORMER, of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Vienna, reappointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the Southeast Deanery for an additional term of one year, effective 30 April 2024.
- MRS. KELLY WHEELER, of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Columbia, reappointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council as a representative of the Central Deanery for an additional term of three years, effective 30 April 2024.
From the Office of the Chancellor,
Mr. Benjamin Roodhouse, JD, JCL
Chancellor
The Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, STD, Bishop of Jefferson City, has recently made the following appointments to provide the most effective pastoral care of the Diocese of Jefferson City:
PRIESTS
- VERY REVEREND CHRISTOPHER L. CORDES, appointed as a Trustee of the Priests’ Mutual Benefit Society for a three-year term, effective 13 February 2024.
DEACONS
- DEACON ENRIQUE CASTRO, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council for a term of three years, effective 1 July 2024.
LAITY
- MRS. CRISTHIA CASTRO-GUZMAN, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council for a term of three years, effective 1 July 2024.
- MRS. SARAH ROBINSON, reappointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council for a term of three years, effective 24 February 2024.
Chancellor Benjamin Roodhouse, JD, JCL, has announced that the Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight, STD, 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 GREGORY L. HIGLEY, appointed to the Fr. Augustine Tolton Regional Catholic High School Board of Directors for a term of two years, effective January 25, 2024.
- VERY REVEREND CHRISTOPHER L. CORDES, Vicar for Clergy, appointed to the Diocesan Pastoral Council for a term of three years, effective January 17, 2024.
- REVEREND SIMEON A. ETONU, JCL, appointed to the office of Judge for the Matrimonial Tribunal for a term of five years, effective January 25, 2024.
LAITY
- MR. KEVIN DEHAAN, of St. Joseph Parish in Palmyra, appointed as a North Deanery Representative of the Diocesan Pastoral Council for a term of three years, effective January 16, 2024.
- MR. JIM GERKE, appointed to the National Shrine of Mary Mother of the Church Board of Directors for a term of three years, effective January 1, 2024.
- MRS. CHERYL HERTFELDER, Executive Director of Human Resources, appointed to the Priests’ Mutual Benefit Society Board for a term of three years, effective January 1, 2024.
- MR. JERRY KING, appointed to the National Shrine of Mary Mother of the Church Board of Directors for a term of three years, effective January 1, 2024.
- MR. ANDREW MEAGHER, of the Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish, appointed to the Diocesan Liturgical Commission for a term of three years, effective December 11, 2023.
- MR. CHRIS MUELLER, appointed to the National Shrine of Mary Mother of the Church Board of Directors for a term of three years, effective January 1, 2024.
- MR. JAMES REINERT, appointed to the National Shrine of Mary Mother of the Church Board of Directors for a term of three years, effective January 1, 2024.
- MR. MIKE SHEPHERD, appointed to the National Shrine of Mary Mother of the Church Board of Directors for a term of three years, effective January 1, 2024.
- MR. GARY SLATER, appointed to the National Shrine of Mary Mother of the Church Board of Directors for a term of three years, effective January 1, 2024.
- MRS. MICHELLE TRUESDALE, appointed to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Child Development Center Board of Directors for a term of three years, effective January 12, 2024.
- MR. TOM VINCENT, appointed to the National Shrine of Mary Mother of the Church Board of Directors for a term of three years, effective January 1, 2024.
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:
DEACONS
- DEACON MICHAEL S. BROOKS, to Temporary Administrator of St. Patrick Parish, Rolla, at the request ofthe Pastor, effective immediately; continuing diaconal ministry at St. Aloysius, Argyle, Holy Angels Parish, Brinktown, and Visitation Parish, Vienna.
Given at the Chancery in Jefferson City this 3rd day of January in the Year of our Lord 2024.
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 ANTHONY N. ONYEIHE, from associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Jefferson City to parochial administrator of Holy Cross Parish, Cuba, St. Francis Caracciolo Parish, Bourbon, and St. Michael Parish, Steelville, effective 5 January 2024. Given at the Chancery in Jefferson City this 23rd day of December in the Year of our Lord 2023.
