Three associate pastors in the Catholic Diocese of Marquette will move to different parishes on August 1, and a priest who is new to the Upper Peninsula has already begun his first assignment. These clergy changes were recently announced by the diocesan administrator, Father Francis Dobrzenski (dob-JEN-skee).
Father Mariusz Sierhart (MAHR-ee-oosh SURE-heart), 42, began his appointment as associate pastor of St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette and St. Mary Mission in Big Bay on July 1. Born in Poland, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Legnica on May 22, 2004. He then served as associate pastor at three parishes in his native country. Fr. Sierhart came to the Diocese of Marquette in May.
The current associate pastor at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette and St. Mary Mission in Big Bay, Father Ryan Ford, 29, has been appointed associate pastor of Holy Spirit Parish and Resurrection Parish in Menominee. A native of Gladstone, Fr. Ford was ordained a priest on June 3, 2011 by Bishop Alexander Sample at St. Peter Cathedral. He is a gifted musician and plays the piano and trumpet. Fr. Ford will appear on the Claves Regni TV program, “Keys of the Kingdom,” Aug. 4 at Noon ET on WLUC-TV6 to explain the Fourth Moment in the Year of Faith that corresponds with the “Dismissal” or “Sending Forth” portion of the Mass.
Father Michael Chenier (sheh-NEER), 31, who has been serving as associate pastor of Holy Spirit Parish and Resurrection Parish in Menominee, has been appointed associate pastor of St. Michael Parish in Marquette. He also briefly served Holy Redeemer Parish of Menominee (Birch Creek) in 2010. A native of Flat Rock, Fr. Chenier was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 2009 by Bishop Sample at St. Peter Cathedral. Fr. Chenier is a talented artist and musician, who plays guitar, violin and piano.
Father Nicholas Thompson, 32, will become the associate pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in L’Anse, St. Ann Parish in Baraga and The Most Holy Name of Jesus/St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Assinins. Following his ordination to the priesthood on June 3, 2011, he was assigned as associate pastor of St. Michael Parish in Marquette, where he has served the last two years. A native of Menominee, Fr. Thompson graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in education, and was an aspiring assistant football coach at Saginaw Valley State University before deciding to enter the seminary.
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