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Diocese Restructures to Nine Vicariates

July 13, 2004
In an effort to pool resources, enhance programs for the faithful and better assist clergy and parish life coordinators, the diocese has restructured from six vicariates to nine.

The new vicariates and their designated parishes are: Alpena Vicariate – St. Anne, Alpena; St. Bernard, Alpena; St. John the Baptist, Alpena; St. Mary, Alpena; Jesus the Good Shepherd, Atlanta; St. Gabriel, Black River; St. Rose of Lima, Herron; St. Augustine, Hillman; St. Catherine, Ossineke. Cheboygan Vicariate – St. Monica, Afton; St. Mary, Burt Lake; St. Mary-St. Charles, Cheboygan; Cross in the Woods, Indian River; St. Anthony, Mackinaw City; St. Dominic, Metz; St. Paul, Onaway; St. Clement, Pellston; St. Casimir, Posen; Sacred Heart, Riggsville; St. Ignatius, Rogers City. Gaylord Vicariate – St. Luke the Evangelist, Bellaire; St. Joseph, East Jordan; St. Thomas Aquinas, Elmira; St. Mary Cathedral, Gaylord; St. Mary, Grayling; St. Francis of Assisi, Lewiston; St. Anthony, Mancelona; St. John Nepomucene, Praga; Holy Redeemer, Vanderbilt. Lake Leelanau Vicariate – Holy Rosary, Cedar; St. Philip Neri, Empire; St. Wenceslaus, Gills Pier; St. Mary, Lake Leelanau; St. Rita-St. Joseph, Maple City; St. Gertrude, Northport; Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Peshawbestown; St. Michael the Archangel, Suttons Bay. Manistee Vicariate – St. Ann, Cadillac; St. Raphael, Copemish; St. Ann, Frankfort; St. Edward, Harrietta; St. Stephen, Lake City; Guardian Angels, Manistee; St. Joseph, Manistee; St. Mary of Mt. Carmel, Manistee; St. Theresa, Manton; St. Joseph, Onekama. Petoskey Vicariate – St. Francis Solanus, Bay Shore; Holy Cross, Beaver Island; St. Matthew, Boyne City; St. Augustine, Boyne Falls; St. Mary, Charlevoix; Holy Cross, Cross Village; St. Ignatius, Good Hart; Holy Childhood of Jesus, Harbor Springs; St. Nicholas, Larks Lake; St. Francis Xavier, Petoskey. Prudenville Vicariate – St. Hubert, Higgins Lake; Holy Family, Klacking Creek; St. James, North Houghton Lake; St. Mary, Mio; Our Lady of the Lake, Prudenville; St. Michael the Archangel, Roscommon; St. Helen, St. Helen; St. Joseph, West Branch. Oscoda Vicariate – Holy Family, East Tawas; St. Pius X, Hale; St. Anne, Harrisville; St. Raphael, Mikado; Sacred Heart, Oscoda; St. Stephen of Hungary, Skidway Lake; St. James, Whittemore. Traverse City Vicariate – Christ the King, Acme; Sacred Heart, Elk Rapids; St. Aloysius, Fife Lake; St. Mary of the Woods, Kalkaska; St. Mary of Hannah, Kingsley; St. Joseph, Mapleton; Immaculate Conception, Traverse City; St. Francis of Assisi, Traverse City; St. Patrick, Traverse City.

Realizing that in a rural territory such as the Diocese of Gaylord, there are only 8-10 large parishes, Bishop Patrick R. Cooney proposed the vicariate changes in order to provide more communal programs. Some of the smaller parishes celebrate only a few marriages and baptisms per year, and may have only one or two candidates for the RCIA and a handful of people attending religious education classes. By developing one good program for all, the parishes could combine their efforts to sustain and provide instruction in these areas. Acknowledging that some of the smaller parishes are already doing well on their own, the bishop is hopeful that by sharing responsibilities and ideas, plans for more inter-parish activities will develop.

The bishop also has proposed that Mass schedules in the parishes be set up in a way that would allow priests to assist one another as needed. He has also encouraged the placement of an extra priest, active or retired, to support each vicariate with coverage.

The role of the Vicar has been modified. Priests who act as vicars will commit to serving in that capacity three days per month. Two days will be devoted to meeting with priests and parish life coordinators in their vicariate on a one-to-one basis, serving as mentor and assisting with direct care. The other day will be set aside for the vicariate meeting, where he will foster cooperation and serve as moderator. The newly ordained may also be assigned to vicars for training in becoming pastors.

The following priests have willingly agreed to serve in the role of Vicar for a five-year term beginning July 15, 2004: Alpena, Rev. Gregory P. McCallum; Cheboygan, Rev. Paul Megge; Gaylord, Rev. James K. Gardiner; Lake Leelanau, Rev. Gerard A. Hunko; Manistee, Rev. Michael P. Connor; Oscoda, Rev. Donald R. Geyman; Petoskey, Rev. Joseph P. Graff; Prudenville, Rev. Robert H. Bissot; Traverse City, Rev. Robert J. Zuhowski.

Bishop Cooney stated, “I am grateful to the priests who have served as Vicars for the past term with distinction – Rev. Charles G. Donajkowski, Rev. Anthony M. Citro, Rev. Michael P. Connor, Rev. Dennis R. Stilwell, Rev. James K. Gardiner and Rev. J. August Franczek.”

Regarding the new vicariate arrangement, he said, “I am very optimistic about this change. I feel it has great possibilities for the well being of the diocese.”