Priest assignments 2025

By The New Outlook
 
Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Tucson, Most. Rev. Gerald Kicanas, announced new priest assignments which are in-progress:

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.
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.
5. Rev. Luis Pablo Ochoa-Escarrega from Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Yuma to Parochial Vicar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 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 Pedrasa 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 left being Parochial Vicar at IC Yuma to return to India as requested by his Provincial.
8. Rev. Michael Burns, SDS to Parish Administrator at Most Holy Trinity replacing Rev. Thomas Tureman who was elected as Provincial of the Salvatorian Community in the USA.
9. Rev. Abraham Guerrero-Quinonez to Parochial Vicar at St. John the Evangelist Parish.
10. Rev. Binu Rathappillil to Parochial Vicar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.
11. Rev. Velangani Rao Siripuram to Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph the Worker Parish.
12. Rev. Simon Muema from Santa Cruz Catholic Church to Sacramental Minister at St. Margaret Mary.
13. Dcn. Miguel Lopez to Administrator at St. Margaret Mary.

Bishop Kicanas said: “We continue to struggle with a shortage of our own diocesan priests. I am grateful to Rev. Alan Valencia, our Vocation Director and his Associate Vocation Directors, Revs. Abundio Colazo-Lopez, Jesus Gomez, Luis Pablo Ochoa-Escarrega, Roberto Villablanca and all our parish vocation teams who are encouraging those who might be considering a call from Christ.”
 
He added:

“I can only say to those thinking of the priesthood, it can be such a blessing and gift to be called to serve as a priest. You would experience much joy and fulfillment. Not every day is perfect, no one’s life is, but you can live a life of great meaning in serving others.”