An Update on the Transition - When Fr. Ed Leaves for His New Assignment
Understanding the Role of an Interim Parochial Administrator at Saint John Vianney
When is Father Ed Kornath transferring to his new assignment?
Father Ed’s time as pastor of Saint John Vianney Parish will conclude on November 15, 2023. He will begin his new duties at his new assignment in early December.
When will a new pastor be assigned to Saint John Vianney Parish?
Now that the news of Father Ed’s transfer is public, the Archdiocese will begin the process of reviewing the roster of active priests across the entire Archdiocese to determine who can be assigned as a new pastor for the parish. The Archdiocese currently has approximately double the number of parishes as we have available pastors, meaning this process is complex and takes time. The latest that a new pastor will be assigned to Saint John Vianney Parish will be this coming June of 2024 in the usual new assignment rotation. If a new pastor can be moved earlier, then the transfer can happen at any time.
Who will lead the parish in this interim period?
Effective November 15, the Archbishop has assigned a Parochial Administrator to Saint John Vianney Parish who will oversee the community until a new pastor is appointed. Father Jerry Herda, a priest of the Archdiocese, is assuming this role.
What is the extent of Father Jerry Herda’s involvement at the parish?
Father Jerry Herda is already a pastor of an existing parish in the Archdiocese, meaning that his role as Parochial Administrator is going to be limited to the legal and canonical essential acts of administration to guide the parish until a new pastor comes. He will be relying heavily upon the parish staff, the Associate Pastor, Father Marco, and the lay leadership to maintain the daily operations of the parish. By definition, a parochial administrator in this situation is an interim figure who is not allowed to make significant adjustments to the parish’s mission or operations before a new pastor comes.
What are some of the essential acts of administration that the parochial administrator will oversee?
Father Jerry will check in on a regular basis with the key staff leaders, the trustees, and the Council leaders to help make decisions about situations that arise that ordinarily would require a pastor to settle. These will be “high-level” types of issues that Father will review to ensure that the parish remains financially stable and able to continue to fulfill its mission. He will come to Council meetings as needed and as his schedule allows. He will ultimately approve a new operations budget, and he will assist in HR or operations decisions that would ordinarily require a pastor’s intervention.
Who will be responsible for the day-to-day pastoral care and sacramental life of the parish?
Father Marco Valentini will remain at the parish during this interim period and will be responsible for much of the sacramental ministry. The parish staff has also arranged with the Archdiocese for some consistent help-out priests who will be responsible, along with Father Marco, for regular Masses and sacraments. Father Jerry Herda will also celebrate some Masses from time to time as his schedule allows so that he can be with the community.
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