Bishop announces several priest changes for fall 2020

Newly ordained priests to join Fort Smith, Morrilton parishes in September

Published: July 6, 2020

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This aerial view shows the campus of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith, where Daniel Velasco will become an associate pastor Sept. 1 after his August ordination to the priesthood. He will also become chaplain of Trinity Junior High School.

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Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments effective Sept. 1.

NEW PRIESTS

Deacon Daniel Velasco appointed associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith and chaplain of Trinity Junior High School in Fort Smith following his ordination to the priesthood. He is relieved of his responsibilities as deacon of St. John Church in Russellville, St. Augustine Church in Dardanelle and St. Andrew Church in Danville.

Deacon Joseph Friend appointed from deacon to associate pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton and St. Joseph Church in Center Ridge following his ordination to the priesthood. He remains associate campus minister of Catholic Campus Ministry in Conway.

NEW PASTORS

Rev. Thomas J. Hart appointed pastor of St. Boniface Church in New Dixie (Bigelow), St. Francis of Assisi Church in Little Italy (Roland), and St. Elizabeth Church in Oppelo. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Blytheville and St. Matthew Church in Osceola.

Rev. Alphonse Gollapalli appointed pastor of St. John Newman University Parish in Jonesboro. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro.

Rev. Jason Tyler, STL, appointed from pastor to oversee Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln, and St. John the Evangelist Church in Huntsville. He remains pastor of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville.

Rev. Mauricio Carrasco appointed from associate pastor for Hispanic ministry to pastor of St. John Church in Russellville. He remains pastor of St. Augustine Church in Dardanelle and St. Andrew Church in Danville.

NEW ADMINSTRATORS

Rev. Francis Madanu appointed administrator of Immaculate Conception Church in Blytheville and St. Matthew Church in Osceola. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as administrator of St. Norbert Church in Marked Tree. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro and administrator of St. John Newman University Parish in Jonesboro.

Rev. Chandra Kodavatikanti appointed administrator of St. John the Evangelist Church in Huntsville and associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville. He will be residing at St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway, St. Oscar Romero Catholic Community in Greenbrier and campus ministry in Conway.

Deacon Marcelino Vázquez appointed administrator and preacher of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as deacon of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville.

NEW ASSOCIATE PASTORS

Rev. Martín Amaro appointed associate pastor of St. John Church in Russellville, St. Augustine Church in Dardanelle and St. Andrew Church in Danville. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith and chaplain of Trinity Junior High School in Fort Smith.

Rev. Tuyen Ngoc Do appointed associate pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church and St. John Newman University Parish in Jonesboro and administrator of St. Anthony Church in Weiner. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Christ the King Church in Little Rock.

Rev. Jules Norbert Njopmo appointed associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway and St. Oscar Romero Catholic Community in Greenbrier. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville, St. John the Evangelist in Huntsville and Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln.

Rev. Jack Sidler appointed associate pastor of Christ the King Church in Fort Smith. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. John Church in Russellville.

Rev. Chandra Ery appointed associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway and St. Oscar Romero Catholic Community in Greenbrier. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Christ the King Church in Fort Smith.

Rev. Bhaskararao Malapolu appointed associate pastor of Christ the King Church in Little Rock. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton and St. Joseph Church in Center Ridge.

NEW SACRAMENTAL MINISTER

Rev. Jayaraju Sure appointed sacramental minister of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln. He remains associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville, where he will be residing. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Huntsville.

NEW CHAPLAIN

Rev. Benignus “Beni” Wego, SVD, a priest of the Society of Divine Word, appointed chaplain of St. Bernards Medical Center and Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro.

SENIOR PRIEST

Rev. Michael Sinkler relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Anthony Church in Weiner, chaplain of St. Bernards Medical Center and Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro to become senior priest.

ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENT

Rev. Anthony Robbins relieved of his responsibilities of campus ministry in Conway. He remains pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway and St. Oscar Romero Catholic Community in Greenbrier.

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