February 6, 2006

Area Parishes Receive New Pastors

Three area priests have received new assignments as pastors at parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo. Bishop Edward U. Kmiec made these appointments, as well as reappointing a handful of other pastors, over the past few weeks.

Father John S. Kwiecien, who had been on sabbatical, has been named pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in North Collins for a term of six years. The former pastor, Father James G. Judge, was transferred to St. Martin of Tours Parish, Buffalo. Ordained in 1975, Father Kwiecien brings several years of experience as pastor to his new parish. In 1990, he received his first pastorate at not one, but three parishes, St. John Fisher, South Dayton; St. Joan of Arc, Perrysburg; and St. Elizabeth, Cherry Creek. He served at St. Aloysius, Springville, from 1999 to 2004. Father Kwiecien has also served as assistant pastor at St. Joseph, Gowanda; Annunciation and St. Ambrose, both in Buffalo; and St. Paul, Kenmore. In addition to his parish work, he taught at Archbishop Walsh High School, Olean, served with the Glenmary Home Missions, and served at Collins Correctional Facility.

After more than seven years in Lockport, Father Joseph S. Rogliano left two parishes, St. Anthony and St. Joseph, to take over as pastor at Fourteen Holy Helpers Parish in West Seneca where he replaces Msgr. David Slubecky who was named vicar general and moderator of the curia. Father Rogliano’s previous assignments have been as parochial vicar at St. Bernadette, Orchard Park; St. Teresa, Buffalo; and St. Gregory the Great, Williamsville. In 1998, he was named pastor of St. Anthony, Lockport, and in 2000, he was given the additional responsibility of pastor at St. Joseph, Lockport. He was ordained in 1985. His position at Fourteen Holy Helpers is for a term of six years.

Father Ivan Skenderovic, who had been serving as administrator of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Elba, was named pastor of that parish as well as pastor of St. Anthony Parish, Batavia. This assignment is for a term of six years. Following his ordination in 1976, Father Skenderovic was named parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish, Niagara Falls. He went on to serve at St. Christopher, Tonawanda; Our Lady Help of Christians, Cheektowaga; St. Martin, Buffalo; and St. John the Baptist, Alden. In 2003, he was named administrator of Our Lady of Fatima. At St. Anthony Parish, he takes over for Father Joseph S. Spatorico who passed away in September 2005.

The following clergy have been reappointed to their positions as pastors at the parishes they had been serving at, Father Mark J. Wolski, SS. Peter and Paul, Hamburg; Msgr. Albert W. Clody, All Saints, Buffalo; and Msgr. James G. Kelly, St. Margaret, Buffalo. All terms are for six years.

Father Stanislaw Dudek, a native of Poland, has been incardinated into the Diocese of Buffalo. He had been serving as administrator at St. Joan of Arc Parish, Perrysburg, and St. John Fisher, South Dayton, and now serves in those parishes as pastor. Father Dudek came in the diocese in 1998.

-30-