Click on the links below to view Metropolitan Basil's Official Appointments:

• Official Appointments June/July 2008

• Official Appointments October 2006

• Officiall Appointments July 2006

• Official Appointments June 2006

• Official Appointments May 2006

• Official Appointments April 2006

• Official Appointments September 2005

• Official Appointments August 2005

• Official Appointments July 2005

• Official Appointments February 2005

• Official Appointments January 2005

• Official Appointments October 2004

• Official Appointments July 2004

• Official Appointments June 2004

• Official Appointments April 2004

• Official Appointments November 2003

• Official Appointments August 2003

• Official Appointments July 2003

• Official Appointments May 2003

• Official Appointments March 2003

Official Appointments June/July 2008

Metropolitan Basil made the following appointments:

Effective Monday, June 2, 2008

Very Reverend John J. Mihalco appointed a member of the Intereparchial Commission for Sacred Liturgy.

Effective Thursday, June 5, 2008

Reverend Elias L. Rafaj appointed protopresbyter of the Southwest Protopresbyterate.

Darlene Fejka appointed a member of the Intereparchial Commission for Sacred Music.

Effective Friday, June 6, 2008

Archpriest Dennis M. Bogda relieved as pastor of St. John the Baptist Church, Lyndora, and appointed rector of St. John Cathedral, Munhall.

Very Reverend Simeon B. Sibenik relieved as rector of St. John Cathedral, Munhall and appointed pastor, Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Punxsutawney, and administrator of St. Jude Thaddeus Church, Ernest.

Abbot Leo R. Schlosser relieved as administrator of St. Jude Thaddeus Church, Ernest and St. Anne Church, Clymer, and appointed administrator, St. John the Baptist Church, Lyndora.

Reverend Cuthbert Jack, OSB appointed administrator of St. Anne Church Clymer in addition to administrator, St. Mary Church, Homer City.

Reverend Joseph Raptosh appointed administrator of St. Mary Church, East Pittsburgh, in addition to pastor, Church of the Resurrection, Monroeville.

Very Reverend Richard J. Whetstone relieved as pastor, St. Stephen Church, North Huntingdon and administrator, St Mary Church, Herminie, and released to the Diocese of Youngstown for one year.

Reverend James Hess, O.Carm. accepted for pastoral service within the archeparchy and appointed administrator, St. Stephen Church, North Huntingdon and St. Mary Church, Herminie.

Reverend Robert K. Yetsko, TOR relieved as pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Church, Punxsutawney and recalled by his Provincial Minister to his religious community.

Reverend Philip Seeton relieved as administrator of St. Basil, Irving, Texas, and recalled by his bishop for ministry in his diocese.

Effective Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Deacon Jerome J. Wolbert relieved of diaconal ministry at Holy Ghost McKees Rocks and appointed for diaconal ministry at SS. Peter and Paul Church, Duquesne, and SS. Peter and Paul Church, Braddock, until Friday, September 12.

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Official Appointments October 2006

Metropolitan Basil made the following appointments:

Effective October 1, 2006

Reverend Father Elias L. Rafaj is relieved as Administrator of St. John the Baptist Parish in Pittsburgh, Pa. and appointed Administrator of St. John Chrysostom Parish in Houston, Texas.

Effective October 8, 2006

Reverend Father Julian Anthony is relieved as Administrator of St. John Chrysostom Parish in Houston, Texas and appointed Chaplain to the Sisters of St. Basil at Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa. and Administrator of St. Mary Parish in Morgantown, W. Va.

Reverend Father Kevin E. Marks is relieved as Chaplain to the Sisters of St. Basil at Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa. and Administrator of St. Mary Parish in Morgantown, W. Va., and appointed Administrator of St. George Parish, Aliquippa and St. Mary Parish, Ambridge - both in Pennsylvania.

Reverend Father Elias O'Brien, O.Carm. is relieved as Administrator of St. George Parish in Aliquippa, Pa. and recalled by the Prior Provincial of his religious community to serve as Chaplain at the University of York in York, England.

Reverend Father Thomas Schaefer is relieved as Administrator of St. Mary Parish in Ambridge, Pa. and appointed Administrator of St. John the Baptist Parish in Pittsburgh, Pa.

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Official Appointments July 2006

Metropolitan Basil made the following appointments:

Effective July 1, 2006

Very Reverend Eugene P. Yackanich is appointed a member of the Archieparchial Finance Council.

Reverend Father James A. Ragan is relieved as Temporary Administrator of St. Michael Parish in Donora, Pa. He continues as Administrator of Holy Ghost Parish n Charleroi, Pa.

Reverend Father Stephen J. Wahal is relieved as Temporary Administrator of St. Basil Parish in Irving, Texas, and is appointed Administrator of St. Michael Parish in Donora, Pa.

Reverend Father Philip Seeton is accepted for ministry in the Archeparchy and appointed Administrator of St. Basil Parish in Irving, Texas.

Effective July 5, 2006

Sister Susan Sisko, OSBM is is relieved as a member of the Vocation Committee of the Archeparchy.

Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick, OSBM is appointed a member of the Vocation Committee of the Archeparchy.

Effective July 7, 2006

Reverend Father Robert F. Oravetz is assigned to serve the newly formed Byzantine Catholic Community at State College, Pa.

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Official Appointments June 2006

Metropolitan Basil made the following appointments:

Effective June 30, 2006

Very Reverend Archpriest John J. Borodach is retired from active ministry.

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Official Appointments May 2006

Metropolitan Basil made the following appointments:

Effective May 1, 2006

Reverend Monsignor Nicholas X. Smiciklas is retired from active ministry.

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Official Appointments April 2006

Metropolitan Basil made the following appointments:

Effective April 1, 2006

Reverend Monsignor Nicholas X. Smiciklas is relieved as Pastor of St. Pius X Church, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Reverend Monsignor Russell A. Duker is appointed Administrator of St. Pius X Church, Pittsburgh, in addition to serving as pastor of Holy Spirit Church in Pittsburgh, Pa.

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Official Appointments September 2005

Metropolitan Basil made the following appointments:

Effective September 1, 2005

Reverend George Evancho is relieved as Pastor of St. Mary Church, East Pittsburgh, Pa. and granted retirement from active ministry.

Very Reverend Simeon B. Sibenik is appointed Administrator of St. Mary Church, East Pittsburgh, Pa. in addition to Rector of St. John Cathedral, Munhall.

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Official Appointments August 2005

Metropolitan Basil made the following appointments:

Effective August 19, 2005

Reverend Monsignor Russell A. Duker is relieved as Administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Duquesne, Pa. and Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Braddock, Pa.

Reverend David A. Bosnich is relieved as Parochial Vicar of Holy Spirit Church, Pittsburgh,  Pa., Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Duquesne, Pa., and Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Braddock, Pa.; and appointed Administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Duquesne, and Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Braddock.

Reverend Dennis Logue, S.V.D. is recalled to his religious community and relieved as Administrator of St. Michael Church, Pleasant City, Ohio .

Reverend Daniel J. Loya is relieved as Pastor of St. Mary Church, Windber, Pa. and Administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Jerome, Pa. and appointed Pastor of St. Michael Church, Pleasant City, Ohio .

Reverend Gregory J. Michalisin is relieved as Pastor of St. Stephen Church, North Huntingdon, Pa. and Administrator of St. Mary Church, Herminie, Pa. and appointed Pastor of St. Mary Church, Windber, Pa. and Administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Jerome, Pa.

Very Reverend Richard J. Whetstone is relieved as Pastor of St. Andrew Church, Gibsonia, Pa. and Administrator of Holy Ghost Church, Pittsburgh, Pa. and appointed Pastor of St. Stephen Church, North Huntingdon, Pa. and Administrator of St. Mary Church, Herminie, Pa.

Reverend D. George Gallaro is appointed Administrator of St. Andrew Church, Gibsonia, Pa.

Reverend Ronald P. Larko is appointed Administrator of Holy Ghost Church, Pittsburgh, Pa. in addition to Pastor at Holy Ghost, McKees Rocks, Pa.

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Official Appointments July 2005

Metropolitan Basil made the following appointments:

Effective July 28, 2005

• Reappointed to the Seminary Board of Directors were:

.....Reverend Monsignor Russell A. Duker
.....Very Reverend Dennis M. Bogda
.....Very Reverend Richard I. Lambert
.....Very Reverend Simeon B. Sibenik
.....Reverend James A. Spontak
.....Very Reverend Richard J. Whetstone

• Very Reverend Eugene P. Yackanich appointed to the Seminary Board of Directors.

Effective July 27, 2005

• Reverend Kevin E. Marks appointed to the Intereparchial Commission for Vocations.

Effective July 8, 2005

• Sister Seraphim Olsafsky, O.S.B.M. relieved as Archieparchial Assistance Coordinator for the Protection of Children and Youth and as a Member of the Vocations Interview Board.

• Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick, O.S.B.M. appointed Archieparchial Assistance Coordinator for the Protection of Children and Youth.

• Very Reverend Joseph J. Borodach completed his term as a member of the College of Consultors and as a member of the Board of Directors of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Seminary.

• Reappointed to the College of Consultors were:

.....Reverend Monsignor Russell A. Duker
.....Very Reverend Dennis M. Bogda
.....Very Reverend Richard I. Lambert
.....Very Reverend Simeon B. Sibenik
.....Reverend James A. Spontak
.....Very Reverend Richard J. Whetston

• Very Reverend Eugene P. Yackanich appointed a member of the College of Consultors .

Effective July 5, 2005

• Reverend Michael O'Loughlin of the Eparchy of Van Nuys appointed to the Intereparchial Commission for Vocations.

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Official Appointments February 2005

Metropolitan Basil made the following appointments, effective February 3, 2005.

Rev. James. A. Spontak is relieved as pastor of Holy Ghost Church, Charleroi, Pa. and is appointed pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Portage and as administrator of St. Michael Church, South Fork, both in Pennsylvania.

Rev. James A. Ragan is relieved as administrator of St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Ernest and St. Anne Church in Clymer, both in Pennsylvania, and is appointed administrator of Holy Ghost Church in Charleroi, Pa.

The Very Rev. Leo S. Schlosser, OSB is appointed administrator of St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Ernest and St. Anne Church in Clymer, both in Pennsylvania.

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Official Appointments January 2005

Metropolitan Basil made the following recent appointments.

Rev. George D. Gallaro, a priest of the Melkite Eparchy of Newton, Massachusetts and Professor at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, is accepted for ministry in the Archeparchy, effective December 7, 2004, and appointed Pro-Synodal Judge for the Archieparchial Matrimonial Tribunal, effective December 13, 2004.

The Very Rev. Dennis M. Bogda is appointed Syncellus for Deacons, effective December 22, 2004.

Rev. Kevin E. Marks is appointed Associate Vocation Director, effective January 1, 2005, and is appointed to the Seminary Advisory Council, effective January 3, 2005.

Deacon Paul Simko, Jr. is appointed Assistant to the Office of Diaconate and is appointed to the Seminary Advisory Council, both effective January 3, 2005.

Darlene Fejka is appointed Administrative Coordinator of the Vocation Office and Assistant Communications Director, effective January 3, 2005.

The following individuals were reappointed to the Seminary Advisory Council, effective January 3, 2005: Dr. Betty Radvak Shovlin and Dr. Patricia A. Kupec of the Archeparchy; the Very Rev. Gerald N. Dino , Rev. Edward G. Cimbala , Deacon Nicholas A. Daddona, and Kenneth M. Krenicky, J.D. of the Eparchy of Passaic; the Very Rev. Dennis M. Hrubiak , John Danovich , and Madeline Zaworski of the Eparchy of Parma; and the Right Rev. Mitred Archpriest Wesley Izer, S.D.B. and Rev. Robert M. Pipta of the Eparchy of Van Nuys.

Also appointed to the Seminary Advisory Council for the first time, effective January 3, 2005: Rev. Joseph Repko of the Eparchy of Parma; and Sister Joanne Lickvar, OSBM and Cathy Tkacs , both of the Eparchy of Van Nuys.

Father Jason Dolan is relieved of his present assignments as administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Portage, and St. Michael Church, South Fork, both in Pennsylvania, at his request due to personal reasons and has been placed on administrative leave, effective January 10, 2005.

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Official Appointments October 2004

Metropolitan Basil made the following recent appointments around the Archeparchy.

 Rev. John Kasarda is relieved as pastor of St. Michael Church, Newton Falls, Ohio, and at his own request is retired from active ministry, effective October 18, 2004.

The Very Rev. Richard I. Lambert , in addition to his responsibilities as pastor of St. Mary Church, Youngstown, Ohio, is appointed administrator of St. Michael Church, Newton Falls, Ohio, effective October 18, 2004.

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Official Appointments July 2004

Metropolitan Basil made the following appointments throughout the Archeparchy.

Rev. Thomas J. Wesdock is relieved as administrator of St. Mary Church in Morgantown, W.V., effective July 1, 2004.

Rev. Innokentij Stikhin is relieved as chaplain to the Sisters of St. Basil the Great at Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa. and as associate pastor of St. John Church, Uniontown, Pa. and St. Mary Church in Morgantown, W.V., effective July 1, 2004.

Rev. Kevin E. Marks is appointed chaplain to the Sisters of St. Basil the Great at Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa. and administrator of St. Mary Church in Morgantown, W.V., effective July 1, 2004.

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Official Appointments June 2004

Metropolitan Basil made the following appointments throughout the Archeparchy.

Msgr. Edward V. Rosack retired as pastor of St. Mary Church, Ambridge, Pa., effective June 9, 2004.

Rev. Thomas Schaefer was appointed administrator of St. Mary Church, Ambridge, Pa., effective June 9, 2004.

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Official Appointments April 2004

Metropolitan Basil made the following appointments throughout the Archeparchy.

Msgr. Sylvester Hladky retired as pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Warren, Ohio, effective March 29, 2004.

Rev. Robert J. Karl was relieved as pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Portage, Pa. and Administrator of St. Michael Church, South Fork, Pa. and appointed pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Warren, Ohio, effective April 26, 2004.

Rev. Jason R. Dolan was relieved as parochial vicar of Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks, Pa. and appointed Administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Portage, Pa. and of St. Michael Church, South Fork, Pa., effective April 26, 2004.

Rev. Leo R. Schlosser, OSB was relieved as administrator of St. Michael Church, Scheffield, Pa., effective May 1, 2004.

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Official Appointments November 2003

Metropolitan Basil made the following appointments throughout the Archeparchy.

Msgr. Sylvester Hladky was relieved as protopresbyter of the Youngstown Protopresbytery, effective August 8, 2003.

Very Rev. Richard I. Lambert was appointed protopresbyter of the Youngstown Protopresbytery, effective August 8, 2003.

Sister Celeste Strohmeyer, OSBM was appointed Director of the Office for Youth, effective September 1, 2003 and the Archeparchy’s representative on the Intereparchial Youth Commission, effective October 13, 2003.

Sister Susan Sisko, OSBM was appointed Director of the Office for Young Adults, effective September 1, 2003 and the Archeparchy’s representative on the Intereparchial Sub-Committee for Young Adults, effective October 13, 2003.

Msgr. Nicholas X. Smiciklas was relieved, at his own request, as protopresbyter of the Greater Pittsburgh Protopresbytery, effective October 1, 2003.

Very Rev. Eugene P. Yackanich was appointed protopresbyter of the Greater Pittsburgh Protopresbytery, effective October 1, 2003.

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Official Appointments August 2003

Metropolitan Basil announced the following clergy appointments, effective August 1, 2003:

Father Seraphim Chewning was relieved as pastor of St. Michael Church in Pleasant City, Ohio and retired from active ministry.

Father Dennis Logue, SVD was appointed administrator of St. Michael Church in Pleasant City, Ohio.

Father Thomas Schaefer was relieved as temporary administrator of St. John Chrysostom Church and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, both in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Father John Cuccaro was relieved as pastor of St. Nicholas Church and administrator of Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, both in McKeesport, Pa., and appointed pastor of St. John Chrysostom Church and administrator of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, both in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Father Donald Voss was relieved as administrator of St. John the Baptist Church in Hawk Run, Pa. and Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Clarence, Pa., and appointed administrator of St. Nicholas Church and Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, both in McKeesport, Pa.

Father Robert Oravetz was relieved as administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Tarentum, Pa. and appointed administrator of St. John the Baptist Church in Hawk Run, Pa. and Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Clarence, Pa. He also will minister to Byzantine Catholic students at the main campus of Penn State University.

Father Wesley Mash was appointed administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Tarentum, Pa.

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Official Appointments July 2003

Metropolitan Basil announced the following clergy appointments effective July 25, 2003:

Father Dennis Logue, SVD was relieved as pastor of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Girard, Pa.

Father Andrew Deskesvich was appointed administrator of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Girard, Pa. in addition to continuing as administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul in Erie, Pa.

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Official Appointments May 2003

Metropolitan Basil announced the following clergy appointments, effective May 9, 2003.

Father Julius Kubinyi was relieved as pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Erie, Pa., and retired from active ministry.

Father Andrew Deskevich is relieved as administrator of both St. Andrew Church in Gibsonia, Pa., and Holy Ghost Church on the North Side of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Father Richard Whetstone is relieved of In Residence at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Warren, Ohio, and appointed pastor of St. Andrew Church in Gibsonia, Pa., and administrator of Holy Ghost Church on the North Side of Pittsburgh, Pa.

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Official Appointments March 2003

Metropolitan Basil announced the following clergy appointments, effective March 14, 2003.

Rev. Msgr. Russell A. Duker, in addition to pastor of Holy Spirit Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., and appointed administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Duquesne, Pa., and Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Braddock, Pa.

Father Stephen J. Wahal is relieved as administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Duquesne, Pa., and Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Braddock, Pa., and appointed administrator of St. Basil the Great Church in Irving, Texas.

Father David A. Bosnich is relieved as administrator of St. Basil the Great Church in Irving, Texas, and appointed parochial vicar at Holy Spirit Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Duquesne, Pa., and Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Braddock, Pa.