Twenty-six priests of the Diocese of Peoria are receiving new assignments in clergy appointments announced this month by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC.

Two priests have been granted senior status — Father Kenneth Marchulones, pastor of St. Monica’s Parish, East Peoria, and Father John Horton, pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Mahomet. (See related story.)

The complete list of assignments appears in the newsprint issue of the The Catholic Post dated May 16. (To subscribe, click the “How to Subscribe” link on the left of this page.)

In all, seven parishes and one mission are gaining new pastors, including:
— Our Lady of the Lake, Mahomet (Msgr. James Ramer)
— St. Paul’s, Odell (Father Michael Bies)
— St. Jude’s, Peoria (Father Patrick Henehan)
— St. Malachy’s, Rantoul (Father Vien Van Do)
— St. Patrick’s, Wapella (Father Peter Pilon), and
— St. Mary’s, Pesotum, St. Thomas, Philo, and Immaculate Conception Mission, Bongard (Father Bowan Schmitt).

In addition, the current administrators of St. Theresa Parish, Alexis, and St. Mary’s Parish, Moline — Father Dennis Spohrer and Father Franscio (Paco) Trujillo, respectively ?– have been named pastors of those parishes.

All appointments are effective on June 16, 2010, with the exception of a new assignment for Father James Kruse, who will return from canon law studies on Aug. 11 to become pastor of St. Monica’s Parish in East Peoria. He will also serve the Diocese of Peoria as vice chancellor and as adjutant judicial vicar with the tribunal.

Until Father Kruse’s arrival in East Peoria, Msgr. Stanley Deptula will serve as administrator of St. Monica’s Parish following Father Marchulones’ retirement.

HIGH SCHOOL, NEWMAN CHAPLAINS
Three Catholic high schools and two college Newman Centers are getting new chaplains. In Bloomington, Father Peter Pilon will become chaplain of Central Catholic High School, while in Danville, Father Geoffrey Horton has been named chaplain of Schlarman High School. Father Horton will also be administrator of St. Anthony’s Parish, Hoopeston.

In Peoria, a new chaplain of Peoria Notre Dame High School to succeed Father Ryan Bredemeyer will be announced in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Father Luke Spannagel will become chaplain-director of St. Francis of Assisi Newman Center serving Western Illinois University in Macomb, while Father Kevin Lucas has been named chaplain at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Newman Center in Normal, serving Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan universities and Heartland Community College. That Newman Center will continue to be directed by Sister Silvia Maria Tarafa, SCTJM.

SPECIAL DUTIES
In addition to other duties, several priests were given special designation by Bishop Jenky to lead diocesan efforts on his behalf in health care and rural life. Msgr. Mark Merdian, who has guided the diocesan health care committee, will become episcopal vicar for health care, while Father Spannagel has been named episcopal vicar for rural life. Since 2004, diocesan rural life efforts have been coordinated by Deacon William Gray of Hamilton.

Msgr. Stanley Deptula has been named director of a newly formed Newman Council to help oversee campus ministry, while Father Henehan will direct a new Council for High School Chaplains.

Father R. Anthony Lee, pastor of St. Jude’s Parish, Peoria, is taking a leave of absence to assist the poor in the Diocese of Tucson, Ariz. Meanwhile, Father Patrick O’Neal is returning from a leave of absence to teach at Peoria Notre Dame High School and assist at St. Bernard’s and St. Peter’s parishes, Peoria.