In February 2021, it was announced the clergy of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) stationed in Hammond were to be reassigned outside of the Diocese of Baton Rouge effective July 1, 2022 at the request of the previous provincial administration of the Dominican Friars.
After careful review by the current administration of the Dominicans, and with the approval and consent of Bishop Michael G. Duca, the Dominican Friars will continue to staff Holy Ghost in Hammond. Thus, Father Cayet Mangiaracina OP, will retain his assignment as parochial vicar at Holy Ghost Church and Deacon Mauricio Salazar OP will retain his assignment as deacon assistant, also at Holy Ghost.
Father Roberto Merced OP, who has been serving as pastor at Holy Ghost, was recently elected Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Martin de Porres and will be in-residence at Holy Ghost.
Previous announcements made on May 14 regarding pastoral assignments affecting Holy Ghost and St. Albert the Great Student Center in Hammond appointing Father Jamin David as administrator, and those affecting Holy Ghost appointing Father Mathew Dunn as parochial vicar and Father Amalraj Savarimuthu as parochial vicar and Deacon Randall Waguespack as deacon assistant, are all rescinded immediately. Bishop Duca said he thanks these men for “their incredible generosity and openness to minister to the people of Hammond,” and he also thanks the Dominican Friars for their continued work and ministry at Holy Ghost.
In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca makes the following appointments effective July 1:
Pastor Appointments
Father Charles (Charlie) Johnson OP, currently director of the Catholic Newman Center at the University of Houston, is appointed pastor of Holy Ghost.
Parochial Vicar Appointments
Father Dunn, currently parochial vicar of St. John the Evangelist Church in Prairieville, is appointed parochial vicar of Christ the King Parish and Student Center in Baton Rouge.
Father Nutan Minj IMS, currently parochial vicar of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Baton Rouge, is appointed as parochial vicar of St. Aloysius Church in Baton Rouge.
Father Amalraj Savarimuthu, IMS, currently parochial vicar of St. Anne Church in Napoleonville, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Plattenville and St. Philomena Church in Labadieville, is appointed parochial vicar of Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Baton Rouge.
Chaplain Appointment
In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Duca confirms the following appointment:
Father Michael O’Rourke OP will retain his appointment as chaplain at St. Albert.
Diaconate Appointment
In consultation with the Office of the Diaconate, the Office of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate, and the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca makes the following appointment effective Aug. 15.
Deacon Randall Waguespack is appointed deacon assistant at St. Margaret Queen of Scotland Church in Albany.
Other Appointments
Father Emilio Gomez, a priest of the Diocese of Zacatecoluca in El Salvador, will serve as a visiting priest, assisting with ministry at the Diocesan Hispanic Apostolate at least through Dec. 31.
Further announcements from the bishop’s office will be forthcoming.