Parish Appointments coming in July

April 28, 2025
Dear Sisters and Brothers In Christ Jesus,

I am pleased to make public the following Priest Assignment changes beginning on July 1, 2025.

1. Rev. Francisco Maldonado from Pastor of Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in Sierra Vista to Pastor of St. Cyril Parish in Tucson replacing the Carmelite Fathers who have served the community recently. I am grateful to Fr. Ron Oakham O.Carm for stepping in from retirement to serve as Administrator of St. Cyril.
2. Rev. Richard Awange from Pastor of St. Margaret Mary in Tucson to Pastor of Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in Sierra Vista.
3. Rev. Richard Rivera from Parochial Vicar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Tucson to Administrator of St. Pius X Parish in Tucson, while retaining his service as part-time Associate Vocation Director. Rev. Dennis Bosse, OFM has been transferred by his Provincial to another Diocese.
4. Rev. Bardo Antunez from Parochial Vicar at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Tucson to Pastor of Our Lady, Queen of All Saints in Tucson. Rev. Marco Carrasco will be on leave from the Diocese for six months.
5. Rev.Luis Pablo Ochoa-Escarrega from Parochial  Vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Yuma to Parochial Vicar at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Tucson while retaining his service as a part-time Associate Vocation Director.
6. Rev. Alan Soto Hopkins from Canon Law studies and part time Parochial Vicar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton to full time Parochial Vicar at St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson
7. Rev. Peter Pedraza from part time study in Canon Law and Parochial Vicar at St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson to full time Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Yuma. Rev. James Macarenas MSFS formerly Parochial Vicar at IC Yuma, is returning to India by decision of his Provincial.
8. Rev. Michael Burns, SDS will be Parish Administrator at Most Holy Trinity replacing Rev. Thomas Tureman who has been elected as Provincial of the Salvatorian Community in the USA beginning on May 24.

Additional assignments will be announced as soon as finalized. We are expecting several priests to be returning or beginning in the Diocese prior to July and their assignments will be announced when they arrive.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas
Apostolic Administrator in the Diocese of Tucson