Pastoral changes for St. Joseph, St. Anthony in Saginaw

Since the death of Father Dan Alholzer, OFM Cap., Father John Celichowski, Provincial of the Capuchin Friars, and their community have deliberated prayerfully in order to present someone from their community to serve as Pastor of Saint Joseph Church, Saginaw, because of their special commitment to St. Joseph Parish. I am pleased to inform you of the following assignments, effective September 1, 2010:

• Reverend Francis Voris, OFM Cap. will serve as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Saginaw. Father Voris has served as pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Saginaw for the past nine years and has expressed his readiness to assume his new appointment as pastor of St. Joseph Parish.

• Reverend Thomas Schmied, OFM Cap. will serve as pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Saginaw. For the past two years, Father Schmied has been serving in a parish in Winnipeg, Canada. Prior to that, he served for approximately 20 years in the Diocese of Marquette in various parish and ministerial settings.

"I am grateful to the Capuchin community for their generous commitment to the Diocese of Saginaw, not only to St. Joseph and St. Anthony parishes, but also to St. Agnes Parish, Sanford, where Father Dan Fox serves as pastor" said the Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw. "I have expressed my gratitude personally to both Father Voris and Father Schmied, for their willingness to assume these new responsibilities. I ask you to keep both parish communities and their new Pastors in your prayers."