Bishop Duca Announces Additional Clergy Appointments

In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca makes the following appointments effective 01 July 2024:

Conclusion of Assignments

Father Reuben Dykes has concluded his assignment as Secretary for Evangelization.  He will retain his assignments as Pastor of Mater Dolorosa in Independence and St. Helena in Amite and as dean of the Northeast Deanery.  

Father Paul Yi has concluded his assignment as Secretary for Catholic Schools.  He will retain his assignment as Pastor of St. George in Baton Rouge.

Father Jason Palermo has concluded his assignment as canonical Administrator of Our Lady of Pompeii in Tickfaw.  He will retain his assignment as Pastor of St. Alphonsus Liguori in Greenwell Springs.    

Deacon John Veron has concluded his assignment as Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate.  He will retain his assignment as deacon assistant at St. Gabriel the Archangel in St. Gabriel.  

Deacon Tommy Benoit has concluded his assignment as Associate Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate.  He will retain his assignment as deacon assistant at St. Isidore the Farmer in Baker.  

The Diocese of Baton Rouge thanks these priests and deacons for their many years of service in diocesan ministry.

Diocesan Appointments

Deacon Paul Soileau, currently Deacon Assistant at St. Thomas More in Baton Rouge and Associate Director of the Office of the Diaconate, is appointed Director of the Office of the Diaconate.  

Dr. Patricia Davis is appointed Secretary for Catholic Schools.  This appointment is in addition to her role as Superintendent of Schools.

Dina Dow is appointed Secretary of Evangelization.  This appointment is in addition to her role as Director of Evangelization.  

Reassignments Outside of Baton Rouge

Father Mariano Veliz, OP, currently Parochial Vicar of Holy Ghost in Hammond, is assuming an assignment in another diocese.  The Diocese of Baton Rouge thanks Father Veliz for his service in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

Parochial Vicar Appointments

Father Carlos Salas, OP, is appointed Parochial Vicar of Holy Ghost in Hammond.

Administrator Appointments

Father Jamin David is appointed Priest Administrator of Our Lady of Pompeii in Tickfaw, working with Deacon Al Levey, the Parish Life Coordinator of the parish.  This is in addition to his assignment as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.

Chaplain Appointments

Bishop Michael Duca makes the following appointments effective at the beginning of the school year 2024:

Fathers Michael Alello and Trey Nelson are reappointed as Chaplains to Catholic High School in Baton Rouge. This appointment is in addition to their other assignments:  Father Alello as pastor of St. Aloysius in Baton Rouge and as Dean of the Baton Rouge Deanery; Father Nelson as pastor of St. Jude the Apostle in Baton Rouge.  They will assist Br. Ray Hebert, SC, who also serves as Chaplain.  

Father Chris Decker is reappointed Chaplain to Catholic Interparochial of Pointe Coupee in New Roads.  This appointment is in addition to his other assignments as pastor of St. Mary of False River in New Roads and as Secretary for Communications for the Diocese.  

Father Mathew Dunn is reappointed Chaplain to St. Joseph Academy in Baton Rouge. This appointment is in addition to his other assignment as pastor of Christ the King at LSU in Baton Rouge.  

Father Matthew Dupre is reappointed Chaplain to Ascension Catholic Diocesan Regional School in Donaldsonville.  This appointment is in addition to his other assignments as pastor of Ascension of Our Lord and St. Francis of Assisi in Donaldsonville and as Dean of the South Deanery.   

Father Paul Gros is appointed Chaplain to St. Thomas Aquinas Diocesan Regional High School in Hammond. This appointment is in addition to his other assignment as pastor of St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland in Albany. 

Fathers Albert Blount and Joseph Bresowar and Deacon Michael Parker are reappointed as Chaplains to St. Michael the Archangel in Baton Rouge. This appointment is in addition to their other assignments:  Father Blount as parochial vicar of St. John the Evangelist in Prairieville; Father Bresowar as parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception in Denham Springs; Deacon Parker as deacon assistant at Our Lady of the Rosary in St. Amant.

Congratulations to all these men and women on their new appointments!

Given at the Chancery of Baton Rouge
 Tuesday, 25 June 2024 – Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time