New clergy assignments and transfers across the archdiocese

In the document below we are publicly announcing a number of new clergy assignments and transfers of clergy across the archdiocese. Some of these assignments are made official immediately (as of July 8th) and the announced transfers of clergy will take place as of September 3rd, 2024. You can download the official list from the Office of the Vicar General/Chancellor Msgr. Charles Lavoie here or continue reading below:

NOTICE OF CLERGY ASSIGNMENTS in the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan

As of 8 July 2024

Rev. Fr. Andrew Ononiwu has been serving the Little Red River Cree Nation since November 2023.  He is officially assigned as pastor for the LRRCN, an assignment that will be reviewed annually in June.  He is in residence at John D’Or.

Rev. Fr. Leo Ene has taken possession of his assignment as parish priest at Our Lady of Good Counsel, High Level, as well as the mission of Christ the King Church in Paddle Prairie and the mission of Virgin of the Poor in Meander River as of June 9th.

Rev. Fr. Cornelius Anyanwu, SDB has taken possession of his assignment as parish priest at St. James the Major, Manning as of June 30th.

Rev. Fr. Victor Ezenwanne SMMM continues to serve St. Bernard Mission in Grouard, as well as St. Benedict, Atikameg, Saint John Bosco, Gift Lake, and Saint Agnes, Peavine.

TRANSFERS AND OFFICIAL ASSIGNMENTS

As of 3 September, 2024

Rev. Fr. Isidore Onyeka, SMMM is transferred from St. Thomas More Parish, Fairview to take possession of his new assignment as parish priest at St. Rita’s Parish, Valleyview, along with St. Francis Xavier, (Calais) Sturgeon Lake and Holy Rosary, Crooked Creek.

Rev. Fr. Michael Uso-Ereyi is transferred from St. Rita’s Parish, Valleyview to take possession of his new assignment as parish priest at Immaculate Conception Parish, Sexsmith, as well as Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bezanson.

Rev. Fr. Jeyapaul Packiasamy is transferred from Immaculate Conception Parish in Sexmith to take possession of his new assignment as parish priest at Holy Family, Grimshaw, along with St. Theresa of the Child Jesus in Whitelaw.

Rev. Fr. Eucharius Ndzefemiti is transferred from St. John the Baptist Cathedral Parish in McLennan and takes possession of his new assignment as parish priest at St. Paul’s, High Prairie.

Rev. Fr. Lawrence Odoemena is transferred from St. Paul’s Parish in High Prairie to take possession of his new assignment as parish priest at St. Mary’s Parish in Beaverlodge, along with St. Edmund Parish, Hythe; St. Patrick’s Parish, Rio Grande, and the Horse Lake First Nation Reserve. 

Rev. Fr. Michael Dias is transferred from St. Mary’s Parish in Beaverlodge and attached stations to take possession of his new assignment as parish priest at St. Thomas More Parish in Fairview, and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Hines Creek.

ASSIGNMENTS FOR PASTORAL WORKERS & SEMINARIAN

Paul Edo-Aranmude finishes a pastoral year at Our Lady of Good Counsel in High Level and its Missions and is being assigned to do a pastoral year at the Little Red River Cree Nation, under the guidance and supervision of Rev. Fr. Andrew Ononiwu.  He will reside at the rectory in John D’Or.  The official start date of this internship is 3rd of September 2024.

RJ – Rudy Jerome Mallanoa, presently assigned full-time to assist Fr. Emmanuel Ekanem at the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis is assigned to a pastoral internship year at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Peace River under the guidance and supervision of Rev. Fr. Cornelio ‘Nel’ Esguerra, parish priest.  This assignment will allow RJ to continue to assist the OEC on programs and projects he has been involved with. The official start date of this internship is 3rd of September 2024.

Brylle Buenaventura continues to assist Fr. Victor Ezenwane SMMM in his ministry to Grouard and Missions and at St. Paul’s Parish in High Prairie.

Thomas Wollis returns to St. Joseph Seminary, Edmonton at the end of August to pursue theological studies. 

REMAINING AT THEIR PRESENT ASSIGNMENTS IN 2024

Rev. Fr. Cyril Joseph   will continue to reside in St. Isidore and serve the Cadotte and Little Buffalo communities.

Rev. Fr. Julien Benedict Mary continues to reside at Lakeview in Clairmont and to offer ministry when needed.

Rev. Fr. John Manjamattathil STM continues as parish priest at St. Peter Celestin, Slave Lake, along with St. Felix de Valois, Kinuso and St. James the Major, Smith.

Rev. Fr. Arockiam Savarimuthu continues as parish priest at St. Joseph Parish, Spirit River, at Saints Peter and Paul, Rycroft, St. Patrick in Wanham, and in the region of Silver Valley.

Rev. Fr. Cornelio ‘Nel’ Esguerra remains as parish priest at Our Lady of Peace, Peace River and St. Charles, Nampa.

Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Okonkwo remains as parish priest at St. Martin, Wabasca and St. Leon le Grande, Calling Lake.

Rev. Fr. Jean Cornelis Ngoma continues as parish priest at Ste Anne, Falher, Sacre Cœur, Donnelly and St. Isidore, St. Isidore.

Rev. Fr. Hansel Nwachukwouji SMMM was assigned parish priest at Notre Dame de Lourdes,Girouxville, Saints Martyrs Canadiens, Tangent and St. Francis Xavier, Eaglesham                                 January 2024.

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ekanem continues as Director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.

The Redemptorists, Fr. Charles Duval, Ed Eherer and Joseph Horo continue their assignment at St. Joseph, Grande Prairie.

ASSIGNMENTS OUTSIDE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF GROUARD-McLENNAN

Rev. Fr. Gerald Mendoza is on loan to the Archdiocese of New Orleans, USA at his request for an  undetermined period of time.

Rev. Fr. Chukwudi JIeme, SMMM is transferred from Holy Family Parish Grimshaw to assume a College Chaplaincy position in the diocese of Peterborough, Ontario.

We thank both Fr. Gerald and Fr. Chukwudi for their dedicated ministry to the Archdiocese.  We wish them well in their new assignments.

AWAITING NEW ASSIGNMENTS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF GROUARD-McLENNAN

Rev. Fr. Jayaraju ‘Raj’ Koppula presently parish priest at St Ann, Joussard, St. Rose of Lima, Driftpile and Notre Dame de Fatima, Sucker Creek.

Rev. Fr. Clement Ugokwe is new to the archdiocese and has not yet been assigned.

PERMANENT DEACONS

I do not wish to be criticized for not mentioning our permanent deacons.

Deacon Reginald Bouchard now resides in Grande Prairie and has exercised the ministry of deacon at St. Joseph Church.

Deacon Gerald Logan resides in Grande Prairie and has exercised the ministry of deacon at St. Joseph Church.

FIDEI DONUM PRIESTS TO ARRIVE IN THE NEAR FUTURE

Fr. Innocent Nzewuji from the diocese of Owerri, Nigeria.

Fr. Polycarp Chukwu SMMM, Nigeria.

Fr. Mahesh is already in Alberta and may serve only for a short period of time.

Published by the Office of the Vicar General on the 8th day of July, 2024

Msgr Charles Lavoie PH
Vicar General/Chancellor