Dear Parishioners of St. Mary’s Visitation, St. Stanislaus, and Sacred Heart Parishes,
The Most Rev. Edward M. Lohse has made Pastoral Appointments for the Diocese of Kalamazoo effective September 1, 2025:
The Reverend James Adams has been appointed Pastor of Saint Mary’s Assumption Parish in Bronson with Saint Barbara in Colon and Pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Coldwater with Our Lady of Fatima in Union City, effective September 1, 2025, and continuing until June 30, 2031.The Reverend Al Jorgensen has been appointed Parochial Vicar of Saint Mary’s Visitation Parish, Byron Center and St. Stanislaus Parish in Dorr with residence in Dorr, effective September 1, 2025, until further notice.
Fr. Christopher Derda will serve as the Pastor for the three parishes of St. Mary’s Visitation, St. Stanislaus, and Sacred Heart Parishes. The number of priests in the diocese is particularly low at this time because three priests from other dioceses/religious orders were called back to service in their home dioceses/religious orders in June. This left open several parishes without pastors/priests. We will welcome Fr. Jorgensen who was pastor in Allegan and then in Paw Paw for many years, but who continues to recover from major surgery and will assist as a parochial vicar (assistant priest) with limited duties as he continues to recover. Considering the situation of fewer priests, we were fortunate to have another priest assigned to help us. We have some great young priests and seminarians but we just don’t have enough pastors/priests in our diocese at this point. Please keep praying for vocations!
We will miss Fr. Adams very much! He has a big job to do for the Lord! There will be an opportunity to greet Fr. Adams and wish him well during refreshments after Mass during the last few weekends of August. Please pray for our priests and fellow parishioners as the Lord asks us to serve Him in new ways. More to follow……… In Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Derda and Fr. Adams
We are Hiring!
Click the button to see the full description for our Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation position.