In April 2024, Bishop Walkowiak launched a diocesan-wide prayer initiative to help parishioners better understand the gravity of the priest shortage in West Michigan. There was one ordination to the priesthood in 2024 and there are none in 2025. The effects of this shortage are being felt by many parish communities as Bishop Walkowiak announces pastoral appointments. The diocese is losing seven pastors this summer through either retirement or reassignment. Please pray in a special way for the priests who are receiving a new assignment, for the faith communities impacted by these appointments, and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood.
All are effective July 1, 2025, unless noted differently.
Reverend Thomas F. Boufford
Pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Remus, is granted senior priest status, effective June 30, 2025.
Reverend Thomas J. Brown
Presently pastor of SS Peter and Paul Parish in Ionia and St. Edward Parish in Lake Odessa has been granted senior priest status, effective June 30, 2025.
Reverend James A. Chelich
Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids, is granted senior priest status, effective June 30, 2025.
Reverend Daniel R. DePew
Pastor of St. Mary-St. Jerome Parish, Custer, and St. John Cantius Parish, Free Soil, is granted senior priest status, effective July 31, 2025.
Reverend Peter Omogo
Father Peter Omogo has resigned as administrator of St. James Parish, Montague, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Rothbury, and St. John the Baptist Mission, Claybanks, effective May 2, 2025. Father Omogo has been recalled to his diocese by his bishop.
Reverend Phong Q. Pham
In response to the pastoral needs of the Diocese of Thanh Hoa, and especially to accompany priests and seminarians studying in the United States, Father Phong Pham’s bishop has appointed him to a new assignment outside the Diocese of Grand Rapids, effective July 1, 2025. Consequently, Father Phong’s appointment as pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish, Jenison, will conclude on June 30, 2025. We thank Father Phong for his three years of service as pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish and pray for God’s blessings in his new ministry.
Reverend Loc Q. Trinh
Father Loc Trinh will conclude his assignment as administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, Evart, St. Agnes Parish, Marion, and St. Philip Neri Parish, Reed City, effective June 30, 2025. Please keep Fr. Trinh in your prayers as he awaits his next assignment.
Reverend Michael J. Alber
Presently pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Portland, is appointed pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Remus.
Reverend Eugene T. Batungbacal
Presently Assistant Director for Youth and Young Adult Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, is appointed canonical administrator of SS Peter and Paul Parish in Ionia and St. Edward Parish in Lake Odessa.
Reverend Douglas A. Braun
Presently pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Muskegon Twp., is appointed pastor of St. Pius X Parish, Grandville.
Reverend Stephen J. Durkee
Presently pastor of St. Pius X Parish, Grandville, is appointed pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids.
Very Reverend Ronald D. Hutchinson
Presently rector of the Basilica of Saint Adalbert, Grand Rapids, and pastor of St. Mary Parish, Grand Rapids, is appointed pastor of St. James Parish, Montague, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Rothbury, and St. John the Baptist Mission, Claybanks.
Reverend David A. Jameson
Presently parochial vicar of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish is appointed administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, Evart, St. Agnes Parish, Marion, and St. Philip Neri Parish, Reed City.
Reverend Kyle J. Kilpatrick
Presently pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Muskegon, is appointed pastor of the Basilica of Saint Adalbert, Grand Rapids, and St. Mary Parish, Grand Rapids.
Reverend Victor Kynam
Presently pastor of Our Lady of La-Vang Parish, Wyoming is appointed pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish, Jenison.
Reverend David J. Sacha
Presently parochial vicar of the Basilica of Saint Adalbert, Grand Rapids, and St. Mary Parish, Grand Rapids, is appointed administrator of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Muskegon.
Reverend Logan C. Weber
Presently parochial vicar of St. Robert of Newminster Parish, Ada, is appointed administrator of St. Patrick Parish, Portland.
Reverend Jacob M. Zemaitis
Presently parochial vicar of St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Grand Rapids, is appointed administrator of St. Mary-St. Jerome Parish, Custer, and St. John Cantius, Free Soil, effective August 1, 2025.
