Bishop Paul J. Bradley has announced the following priest assignments.

August 15, 2011

Changes become effective August 31st unless noted otherwise.

Pastor Appointments:

Rev. Christopher Ankley has been appointed Pastor of St. Martin Parish, Vicksburg. Fr. Ankley is currently pro-tem Parochial Administrator of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Portage.

Rev. Robert Creagan has been appointed Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Portage. Fr. Creagan is currently the Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Battle Creek.  

Rev. Robert Johansen has been appointed Administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish, Three Rivers and its mission parish, St. Clare, Centreville. Fr. Johansen has most recently been continuing his studies at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, Ill., and is scheduled to receive a licentiate in Sacred Theology-Sacramental Theology and Liturgical Preparation next month.

Very Rev. Mark Vyverman has been appointed Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Battle Creek. Fr. Vyverman is currently the Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Three Rivers. Additionally Fr. Vyverman has been appointed the Dean of the East Deanery, a position previously held by Fr. Creagan.

Additional Appointments:

Very Rev. John Fleckenstein has been appointed Pastor Administrator of the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools effective immediately. Fr. Fleckenstein is the Pastor of St. Philip Parish, Battle Creek and also the Vicar for Education for the Diocese of Kalamazoo.

Rev. German Perez-Diaz has been appointed Dean of the Southeast Deanery, a position previously held by Fr. Vyverman. Fr. Perez-Diaz is the Pastor of Holy Angels Parish, Sturgis and its mission parish, St. Joseph, White Pigeon.

Catholic bishops urge immigration reform and call for humane and dignified treatment of immigrants and undocumented persons

(KALAMAZOO, Mich.) August 3, 2011 –Calling for state legislators to protect the dignity of all persons and recognize the contributions to the common good of immigrants and undocumented persons  in any potential state immigration policies, the seven diocesan Catholic Bishops of Michigan, including Most Reverend Paul J. Bradley, bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, have composed a statement on the public policy issue of immigration that is now being sent to Catholics across the state, to members of the Michigan Legislature and to the Michigan congressional delegation. 

The statement was coordinated by the Michigan Catholic Conference, the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Michigan. Written in both English and Spanish, the statement may be found online at: micatholicconference.org/welcomingthestranger

view news release

Bishop Paul J. Bradley has announced the following priest assignments for the Diocese of Kalamazoo

Assignments become effective July 5th unless noted otherwise.

Rev. Charles Fischer has been appointed Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, Bangor. Fr. Fischer is currently Pastor of St. Philip Parish, Battle Creek.

Very Rev. John Fleckenstein has been appointed Pastor of St. Philip Parish, Battle Creek. Fr. Fleckenstein will continue in his role as Vicar for Education. He is currently the pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Portage and St. Martin Parish, Vicksburg.  To ensure pastoral care and administrative oversight of the parish Rev. Christopher Ankley has been appointed as the pro-tem Parochial Administrator of St. Catherine of Siena and St. Martin Parish, Vicksburg until a permanent pastor is appointed.

Rev. Joseph Gray has been appointed Pastor of St. John Parish, Albion. Fr. Gray is currently Pastor of St. Anthony Parish, Buchanan.

Rev. Gordon Greene has been appointed the Pastor of St. Margaret Parish, Otsego. Fr. Greene is currently the Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Bangor.

Rev. Carl Peltz has been appointed Pastor of St. Anthony Parish, Buchanan. Fr. Peltz is currently Pastor of St. John Parish, Albion.

Rev. Harold Potter has been appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Philip Parish, Battle Creek. Additionally Fr. Potter will serve as the Catholic Chaplain for Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. Fr. Potter is currently the Parochial Vicar of St. Augustine Cathedral Parish, Kalamazoo.

Retirement:

Rev. Donald Klingler will retire as pastor of St. Margaret Parish, Otsego. Fr. Klinger, who recently celebrated his 50th anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood, will remain active in ministry and reside in Southwest Michigan.

Rev. Leo Taubitz has retired as pastor of Holy Maternity of Mary Parish, Dowagiac. Fr. Taubitz resides in the Taubitz family home in Gaines.