Official Announcements

After consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board and Coadjutor Bishop Jeffrey Fleming, Bishop Michael W. Warfel makes these assignments effective July 1, 2023 unless otherwise noted

Special Appointments

Rev. Oliver Doyle, The Board of Trustees of the University has renewed, and Bishop Warfel has canonically continued the appointment of Fr. Doyle the 10th President of the University of Providence in Great Falls, MT.

Reverend David Wilkins, appointed to ministry at Great Falls Central Catholic High School and Holy Spirit Parish, Great Falls, with additional ministry as Adjutant Judicial Vicar.

Pastors

Reverend Alphonsus Enelichi, MSP, reappointed Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Great Falls for a 6-year term.

Reverend Martin Ezeihuaku, MSP, Administrator of Immaculate Conception in Wolf Point and St. Ann in Vida now appointed Pastor of St. Pius X in Billings effective April 17, 2023 for a 6-year term.

Reverend Doug Krings, now past the Canonical age of retirement, reappointed Pastor of Holy Spirit in Great Falls for a 1-year term which is renewable.

Reverend Robert Oswald, returning to the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings appointed Pastor of Immaculate Conception in Forsyth, St. Margaret Mary in Colstrip, and St. Joseph in Hysham for a 6-year term.

Reverend Michael Schneider, reappointed Pastor of St. Gabriel in Chinook, St. Thomas Aquinas in Harlem and St. Thomas the Apostle in Hogeland for a 6-year appointment.

Reverend Samuel Spiering, reappointed Pastor of St. Leo in Lewistown and Holy Family in Winifred for a 6-year term.

Reverend, Monsignor Dan Wathen, VG, reappointed Pastor of St. Jude in Havre for a 6-year term

Senior Status

Reverend Greg Staudinger, until April 17, 2023 Pastor of St. Pius X in Billings, to move to Senior Priest status at St. Pius X until his retirement in February 2024 under the direction of the Pastor, Fr. Martin Ezeihuaku, MSP.

Administrators

Reverend Jijo Alapatt, a priest of the Diocese of Sagar, India until now Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart in Miles City, now appointed Administrator of St. Peter and St. Philip in Wibaux.

Reverend Kiran Kumar Bernard, ODEM, Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart in Cascade and St. Ann in Ft. Shaw now appointed Administrator of Immaculate Conception in Wolf Point and St. Ann in Vida effective April 17, 2023.

Parochial Vicars

Reverend Cornelius Okeibunor, a priest of the Diocese of Issele-Uku, Nigeria appointed Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Lourdes in Great Falls effective after the completion of his R-1 Visa and arrival into the United States.

Reverend Jose Panickomveli, a priest of the Diocese of Khandwa, India until now the Administrator of St. Peter and St. Philip in Wibaux, now appointed Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart in Miles City with special pastoral care of Sacred Heart in Terry.

Reverend Matthew Solarz, after ordination as priest on June 8, 2023, appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Matthew Sidney, St. Bernard in Charlie Creek, St. Catherine in Fairview, St. Theresa in Lambert, and St, Michael in Savage in addition to his Diocesan ministry as Assistant Vocations Director.

Deacons

Deacon Tom Miller, a Deacon from the Diocese of Yakama, WA, now in residence in the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings and is appointed Deacon at St. Ann Cathedral in Great Falls.