Officials

The Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood has decreed that Reverend Robert Wullweber has been granted personal leave from assigned ministry, effective May 7, 2021.

Effective July 1, 2021, the Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood has decreed the following appointments which relieve the following priests from assigned ministry and thus permit them to retire: Reverend Jerome Kopel, from Pastor of Sacred Heart, Gettysburg and St. Pius X, Onida, to Senior Priest. Reverend Kenneth Koster, from Pastor of Holy Rosary, Kranzburg, and St John, Castlewood, to Senior Priest. Reverend Michael Schneider, from Pastor of Holy Trinity, Huron, to Retirement. Reverend Andrew Swietochowski, from Pastor of St. James, Chamberlain, and St. Margaret, Kimball, to Senior Priest. Reverend James Zimmer, from Chaplain Sanford Hospital and Health System to Senior Priest. Effective July 1, 2021, at the recommendation of the Pro Ecclesia Sancta community and the endorsement of their religious superior, the Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood has decreed…

Effective May 1, 2020, the Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood has decreed the following priest assignment change: Reverend Brian J. Eckrich, from Parochial Vicar of Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish, to Parochial Vicar, Saint Mary Parish, Dell Rapids, Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Garretson, and Saint Joseph the Workman Parish, Huntimer. Reverend Jeffrey T. Norfolk, while remaining Chaplain to the South Dakota State Penitentiary, from Pastor, Risen Savior Parish, Brandon to Parochial Vicar, Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish. Reverend Shane D. Stevens, to be relieved as the Temporary Administrator, and appointed as the Pastor, Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Garretson and Saint Joseph the Workman Parish, Huntimer while remaining Pastor at Saint Mary Parish, Dell Rapids. Reverend Andrew W. Young, after completing his service to the United States Air Force,…

Effective July 27, 2020, the Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood has decreed the following priest assignment change: Reverend Joseph Scholten, from Chaplain, O’Gorman High School, Parochial Vicar, Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish, and Discernment Assistant in the Office of Vocations to a voluntary leave of absence. Effective August 10, 2020, the Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood has decreed the following priest assignment changes: Reverend Mark Axtmann, in addition to his appointment as Chaplain, Avera St. Luke’s Hospital to Sacramental Minister at St. Mary Parish, Aberdeen Reverend Andrew Thuringer, from Parochial Vicar, St. Mary Parish, Aberdeen to Chaplain, O’Gorman High School, Sacramental Minister, Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish, and Discernment Assistant in the Office of Vocations. Thank you for holding each of these priests in prayer as they undergo these transitions…

Effective May 1, 2020 Public Masses, that is Masses prayed with congregants participating in the nave of the church or chapel, may begin on May 15, 2020 or later. Prior to their start, pastors should work to make estimates of their seating capacities so as to provide adequate spacing and introduce measures to uphold healthy social distancing. During this time, the faithful remain dispensed from the obligation to attend Holy Mass on Sunday until further notice. This measure is in place so that you can prudently discern your own attendance. If you feel unsafe, you should feel no guilt or shame in staying home. Similarly, you should feel a freedom to permit others who are comfortable attending to do so. The following measures are intended to promote social distancing, good…

Effective April 14, 2020 The Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood has decreed the following priest assignment changes to become effective on May 1, 2020: Reverend Dana CHRISTENSEN, from Pastor, St. Mary of Mercy, Alexandria, St. Stephen, Bridgewater, and St. Martin, Emery and Chaplain to Mary of Mercy and St. Joseph Monastery to Parochial Vicar, St. Mary of Mercy Parish in Alexandria. Reverend Kenneth LULF, in addition to his current assignment as Pastor, Holy Family Parish, Mitchell, to Pastor of St. Mary of Mercy, Alexandria, St. Stephen, Bridgewater, and St. Martin, Emery. Monsignor Charles MANGAN, from Director of the Marian Apostolate to Parochial Vicar, St. Mary of Mercy, Alexandria, St. Stephen, Bridgewater, and St. Martin, Emery and Chaplain to Mary of Mercy and St. Joseph Monastery. Reverend Robert WULLWEBER, from leave…