The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown, has announced new clergy assignments throughout the Diocese, including several affecting parishes and ministries in Schuylkill County.
The changes are effective Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Each year, Bishop Schlert collaborates with the Diocese’s Priest Personnel Board to discern and determine priestly assignments. The Board—comprised of experienced priests from diverse regions and ministries—serves as an advisory body, ensuring pastoral needs are met across the Diocese.
Clergy assignments are shaped by various factors, including retirements, requests from clergy, professional development, and the need for specific talents or skills in certain ministries. The reassignments aim to address the spiritual and pastoral needs of the Diocese’s 78 parishes, as well as ministries at diocesan high schools, college campuses, hospitals, prisons, and nursing homes.
Schuylkill County Clergy Changes
The following clergy assignments will impact Schuylkill County parishes:
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Reverend Giuseppe C. Esposito, currently Pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Ashland, and Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville, has been appointed Pastor of Saint Anne Parish in Bethlehem.
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Reverend Robert J. George, Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Summit Hill, and Chaplain at Marian Catholic High School, Tamaqua, will become Pastor of Saint Columbkill Parish in Boyertown.
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Reverend Philip F. Rodgers, currently Pastor at Saint Patrick Parish in Pottsville, has been reassigned as Pastor of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Parish in Easton.
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Reverend Barnabas Shayo, A.J., currently Parochial Administrator of All Saints Parish in McAdoo, has been named Pastor of the same parish.
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Reverend Jason F. Stokes, Pastor of Holy Family Parish in Minersville, will now serve as Pastor of Holy Family Parish in Nazareth.
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Reverend Jojappa Adagatla, M.S.C., currently Parochial Vicar at Saint Thomas More Parish in Allentown, has been appointed Parochial Administrator of Holy Family Parish in Minersville.
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Reverend Guency Isaac, currently Chaplain at Notre Dame High School in Easton and providing Sacramental Ministry at Lafayette College, will become Parochial Administrator of both Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Ashland and Saint Joseph the Worker Parish in Frackville.
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Reverend Robert T. Finlan, currently Pastor of Saint Richard Parish, Barnesville, and Saint John XXIII Parish, Tamaqua, will also serve as Chaplain at Marian Catholic High School in Tamaqua.