GAYLORD, MICHIGAN – The Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh, bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord, has announced the following appointments, effective July 1, 2026, unless otherwise stated.
Diocesan Leadership effective July 1, 2026
Reverend James P. Hayden - from Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia to Retirement.
Reverend Charles G. Donajkowski - from Pastor, St. Casimir Parish, Posen and St. Dominic Parish, Metz, and Regional Vicar (East Region) to Vicar General.
Reverend Matthew A. Furgiuele – from Tribunal Judge to Judicial Vicar. Father Furgiuele will continue as Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, East Jordan.
Reverend Joseph P. Graff - from Spiritual Director of Permanent Diaconate Formation Program to Retirement.
Reverend Michael D. Class, SJ - from Sacramental Minister, St. Wenceslaus Parish, Gills Pier and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, Peshawbestown to Spiritual Director of Permanent Diaconate Formation Program. Father Class will also serve as Administrator, St. Clement Parish, Pellston; St. Nicholas Parish, Larks Lake; and Holy Cross Parish, Cross Village.
Reverend T. Patrick Maher - to Co-coordinator, Native American Ministry. From Pastor, Cross in the Woods Parish, Indian River and National Shrine of Cross in the Woods, Indian River to Pastor, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, Peshawbestown and St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Suttons Bay.
Reverend Benjamin A. Martin - to Regional Vicar (East Vicariate). Father Martin will continue as Pastor, St. Augustine Parish, Hillman.
Deacon Curtis P. Chambers - to Co-coordinator, Native American Ministry. Deacon Chambers will continue diaconal ministry, St. Mary-St. Charles Parish, Cheboygan; Sacred Heart Parish, Riggsville; and St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Mackinaw City.
Effective December 29, 2025
Reverend Shabu P. Kunnathoor - from Diocese of Kottapuram, India, to Parochial Vicar, Divine Mercy Parish, Manistee. Effective July 1, Father Shabu will also serve as Parochial Vicar, St. Joseph Parish, Onekama.
Parish Assignments effective July 1, 2026
Reverend James M. Bearss - to Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Onekama. Father Bearss will continue as Pastor, Divine Mercy Parish, Manistee.
Reverend Emmanuel T. Finbarr - to Pastor, St. Catherine Parish, Ossineke. Father Finbarr will continue as Pastor, All Saints Parish, Alpena.
Reverend Donald R. Geyman - to Pastor, St. Casimir Parish, Posen from Pastor, St. Paul Parish, Onaway. Father Geyman will continue as Pastor, St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish, Rogers City.
Reverend Basil Lek - to Parochial Vicar, All Saints Parish, Alpena from Parochial Vicar, Sacred Heart Parish, Oscoda; St. Anne Parish, Harrisville; St. Gabriel Parish, Black River; and St. Raphael Parish, Mikado. Father Basil will continue as Parochial Vicar, St. Catherine Parish, Ossineke.
Reverend Donald L. Libby - from Pastor, Holy Rosary Parish, Cedar to Pastor, Cross in the Woods Parish, Indian River; National Shrine of Cross in the Woods, Indian River; and St. Paul Parish, Onaway.
Reverend Bradley D. Nursey - from Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Onekama and St. Raphael Parish, Copemish to Pastor, Holy Rosary Parish, Cedar.
Reverend Aloysius C. Okpala - to Parochial Vicar, St. Catherine Parish, Ossineke. Father Aloysius will continue as Parochial Vicar, All Saints Parish, Alpena.
Reverend Yakubu I. Philibus - from Parochial Vicar, St. Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral Parish, Gaylord; Holy Redeemer Parish, Vanderbilt; and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Elmira to Parochial Vicar, St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish, Rogers City and St. Casimir Parish, Posen.
Reverend Thomas Philip - to Parochial Vicar, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Mackinaw City. Father Thomas will continue as Parochial Vicar, St. Mary-St. Charles Parish, Cheboygan and Sacred Heart Parish, Riggsville.
Reverend Alfred M. Pillarelli - to Pastor, St. Stephen, King of Hungary Parish, Skidway Lake. Father Pillarelli will continue as Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, West Branch and Holy Family Parish, Klacking Creek.
Reverend Duane A. Wachowiak - to Pastor, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Mackinaw City from Sacramental Minister, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Mackinaw City and Pastor, St. Clement Parish, Pellston and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Burt Lake. Father Wachowiak will continue as Pastor, St. Mary-St. Charles Parish, Cheboygan and Sacred Heart Parish, Riggsville.
Reverend Emmanuel A. Yilar - from Parochial Vicar, Holy Family Parish, East Tawas; St. Pius X Parish, Hale; and St. Stephen, King of Hungary Parish, Skidway Lake to Parochial Vicar, Cross in the Woods Parish, Indian River; National Shrine of Cross in the Woods, Indian River; and St. Paul Parish, Onaway.
Reverend Shaphan S. Zirra - to Parochial Vicar, St. Stephen, King of Hungary Parish, Skidway Lake. Father Zirra will continue as Parochial Vicar, St. Joseph Parish, West Branch and Holy Family Parish, Klacking Creek.
Diaconal Assignments effective April 18, 2026
Deacon Jason P. Maday – to Deacon, Holy Rosary Parish, Cedar.
Deacon Kenneth J. Plude – to Deacon, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Charlevoix.
Deacon Steven H. Sandoval, Jr. – to Deacon, Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Prudenville.
Deacon Neil E. Witkowski – to Deacon, Holy Rosary Parish, Cedar.
Deacon Brian M. Wojtkowiak – to Deacon, St. Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral Parish, Gaylord.
