Bishop Edward Kmiec names pastor of Hamburg parish

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Bishop Edward Kmiec names pastor of Hamburg parish
7/9/2012 8:00:00 AM by KRISTINA M. CONNELL

Father Arthur Mattulke

The recently ordained priests and permanent deacons are among the local clergy who have received new appointments from Bishop Edward U. Kmiec.

Father Arthur E. Mattulke was named pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Hamburg, for a term of six years. He previously served as pastor at St. Padre Pio, Oakfield.

Ordained in 1997, Father Mattulke is a graduate of Canislus College, Buffalo, and Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora. His past assignments have been as parochial vicar at St. Gabriel Parish, Elma; St. Margaret Parish, Buffalo; and St. Bernadette Parish, Orchard Park.

In 2006, he was named pastor of St. Cecilia Parish, Oakfield, and St. Patrick Parish, Wheatville. In 2008, St. Patrick merged into St. Cecilia and about one year later, St. Cecilia merged with Our Lady of Fatima, Elba, to form the new parish of St. Padre Pio.

Several other priests have new assignments as parochial vicars, each for a term of three years. Father Patrick T. O’Keefe, who will continue his work as campus minister at D’Youville College, Buffalo, has joined Father Mattulke at SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Hamburg. Father Sebastian C. Pierro has been assigned to St. Gregory the Great Parish, Williamsville. Father David E. Tourville, has moved to the Southern Tier where he now serves at St. Mary of the Angels Parish, Olean, and Father Robert A. Wozniak’s new assignment is at St. Andrew Parish, Kenmore.

Father Seán Paul Fleming, Father Andrew R. Lauricella and Father Jeffrey L. Nowak, who were ordained on June 2, received their first positions as priests. Father Fleming is at St. John the Baptist, Kenmore; Father Lauricella is in Niagara County at St. Vincent de Paul, Niagara Falls, and Father Nowak is in Orchard Park at St. John Vianney.

On June 9, five married men were ordained permanent deacons in the Diocese of Buffalo. Many permanent deacons retain secular jobs in addition to their diocesan positions, often in parish, hospital, nursing homes or prison ministry.

The new deacons and their assignments are: Deacon David E. Clabeaux, Queen of Heaven Parish, West Seneca, and Absolut Care of Orchard Brooke, Orchard Park; Deacon John H. Hendricks, St. Martha Parish, Depew, and Harris Hill Nursing Home, Lancaster; Deacon Alejandro D. Manunta, St. Christopher, Tonawanda, and Beechwood Continuing Care Facility, Getzville; Deacon Richard R. Stachura Jr., St. Mary, Swormville, and The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehab Center, Albion; and Deacon Edward M. Zablocki, Blessed Sacrament, Tonawanda, and the diocesan office of Pro-Life Activities.