Clergy Assignments

The Most Reverend Robert W. Marshall, Jr., Bishop of Alexandria, has made the following clergy appointments, to be effective on July 1, 2023:

Father Wade DeCoste, presently Pastor or Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Winnfield, is appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Anthony of Padua Church, Natchitoches, with availability to provide sacramental assistance to the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Natchitoches.

Father Dwight DeJesus is re-appointed Pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church, Echo, and St. Joseph Church, Cheneyville.  He remains Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Avoyelles Deanery.

Father Derek Ducote, presently Parochial Vicar of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Natchitoches, is appointed Pastoral Administrator of St. Alphonsus Church, Hessmer.

Father William Gearheard, presently Parochial Vicar of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Chaplain of Holy Savior Menard Central High School, and Chaplain at Rapides Regional Medical Center, is appointed Pastor of St. Augustine Church, Isle Brevelle, and St. Anne Chapel, Old River.

Father Daniel Hart, presently Pastoral Administrator of St. Mary Church, Jena and St. Edward Church, Fishville, is appointed Pastor of those churches.

Father Paul Kunnumpuram, MSFS, presently Pastor of Christ the King Church, Simmesport, is appointed Pastor of St. Peter Church, Bordelonville and St. Michael Church, Rexmere.

Father Luke LaFleur, presently Pastoral Administrator of St. Juliana Church, Alexandria, is appointed Pastor of that church and Chaplain of Holy Savior Menard Central High School.  He retains his position as Director of Vocations.

Father Kenneth Obiekwe, presently Pastor of St. Louis Church, Glenmora, St. Peter Mission, Elmer, and St. Jude Mission, Sieper, is appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Fifth Ward, and St. Martin of Tours Church, Belledeau.

Father Remigius Owuamanam, SMMM, will return to the Diocese of Alexandria and is appointed Chaplain at Rapides Regional Medical Center.

Father John Pardue is re-appointed Pastor of St. Patrick Church, Ferriday and St. Gerard Church, Jonesville.  He remains Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Eastern Deanery.

Father Charles Ray, presently Pastor of St. Augustine Church, Isle Brevelle, and St. Anne Chapel, Old River, is appointed Pastor of St. Mary’s Assumption Church, Cottonport.

Father Edwin Rodriguez-Hernandez, presently Pastor of St. Alphonsus Church, Hessmer, is appointed Pastor of St. Louis Church, Glenmora, St. Peter Mission, Elmer, and St. Jude Mission, Sieper.

Father Louis Sklar, presently Pastor of St. Peter Church, Bordelonville, and St. Michael Church, Rexmere, is appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Winnfield.  In addition, pastoral care of St. William Chapel, Olla, will be transferred to Father Sklar from Father Jason Gootee.

Father John Wiltse, presently Pastor of St. Mary’s Assumption Church, Cottonport, is granted a personal leave of absence for one year.

Father Kurian Zachariah, presently Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Fifth Ward, and St. Martin of Tours Church, Belledeau, is appointed Pastor of Christ the King Church, Simmesport.

In addition, Deacon Joshua Burch will be ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 2023.  His appointment as a Parochial Vicar will be announced at a future date.