Fr. Callistus to be temporarily transferred

 
Dear Parishioners,
 
Once again St. Mark is being called upon to assist another parish. You will recall that a few years ago, Fr. George Holley was asked to assist for about  six months at Our Mother of Sorrows parish as their parish associate took a leave of absence to attend to some personal needs.  Last spring I was asked to assist as the parish administrator at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton when Fr.  Joseph Lombard took his retirement. Fr. Joe, since his retirement, has been helping at other parishes as needed. Now, once again, we are being asked to help. Fr. Vigilio Tabo who is being reassigned effective November 3 to Douglas, AZ. There he will be responsible for three parishes. That was necessitated by the transfer of Fr. Greg Okafor to the Yuma, AZ area.  As a result, Fr. Callistus is being asked to take on sacramental and pastoral duties at St. Christopher Parish in Marana, AZ until June 2019. I anticipate that he will return to St. Mark after his service in Marana.
 
This summer, we had a few more retirements of priests. Having Fr. Callistus helping out means that the Diocese does not have to transfer a priest to St. Christopher during the beginning of an assignment but can wait until July 2019. The Diocese wanted to avoid the domino effect of priest transfers that require the transfer of other priests. Fr. Callistus will still be available at St. Mark as he is able, but first priority, of course, are the needs of the parishioners at St. Christopher.
 

This summer we hope to ordain three men to the priesthood. That will help. We all have to understand that our priestly ranks are growing thinner. Please pray for vocations. Thank you.

- Fr. John Arnold
 

—— Bishop’s announcement as follows —— 

Brothers and sisters in Christ,
 
I wish to inform you of a temporary change to priestly ministry at St. Mark’s.  Due to the unexpected retirement of one of our priests I find that I am required to make some changes to pastoral assignments of priests in order to provide coverage for all our people.  At this time I am transferring Fr. Virgilio “Jojo” Tabo, Jr., from St.  Christopher’s in Marana to Immaculate Conception Parish in Douglas.  To provide for the people of St. Christopher’s I am assigning Fr. John Arnold to be the temporary Parish Administrator but with Fr. Callistus Iyorember to reside at St. Christopher’s and to provide the majority of administrative and pastoral care for the people there.  I anticipate this situation, which will be effective as of November 3, 2018, will last until Next July - the time of year that we ordinarily transfer and assign priests.  As time allows, Fr. Callistus may still provide some pastoral care at St. Mark’s.  However, I kindly ask your understanding of the additional duties, with reduced priestly assistance, undertaken by Fr. Arnold.  We are especially fortunate that there are retired priests who are anxious to step in and assist with weekend liturgies and other pastoral duties.  Again, this situation is temporary and is necessary so that all our people may be served. 
 
I kindly ask your understanding and generous cooperation.           
   
† Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger