Bishop Alfred A. Schlert announced the changes this week following recommendations made with the Diocese’s Priest Personnel Board. The assignments are part of the Diocese’s annual process to address pastoral needs across its 78 parishes, schools, hospitals, prisons, and nursing homes.
Among the changes impacting Schuylkill County, Reverend John S. Pendzick will become Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Pottsville. Pendzick currently serves as Parochial Vicar at Saint Ignatius Loyola Parish in Sinking Spring.
In northern Schuylkill County, Reverend Christopher M. Zelonis was appointed Pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Ashland and Saint Joseph the Worker Parish in Frackville. He previously served as Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Lehighton.
Reverend Jojappa Adagatla, M.S.C., who has been serving as Parochial Administrator at Holy Family Parish, in Minersville, was officially named Pastor of the parish.
Additional assignments include Reverend Thomas Osei Gyau, who currently serves at Saint Ambrose Parish, and in healthcare ministry within the South Schuylkill Deanery. He was appointed Parochial Administrator of Saint Joseph Parish in Summit Hill and Rector of the Shrine of Saint Therese of Lisieux in Nesquehoning.
The Diocese also announced that Reverend Gregory R. Karpyn, who has served in sacramental and pastoral ministry throughout the Schuylkill Deanery while residing at Saint Patrick Parish in Pottsville, will retire.
Other Schuylkill-related appointments include:
- Reverend Monsignor William F. Glosser, V.F., Pastor of Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, Saint Clair, and Holy Cross Parish, New Philadelphia, will also serve as Canonical Pastor of Saint John XXIII Parish, Tamaqua.
- Deacon Edward J. Girard was appointed Parish Life Collaborator at Saint John XXIII Parish, in Tamaqua while continuing his duties as a permanent deacon there.
- Reverend Richard Kwaku Boateng, coming from the Diocese of Sunyani in Ghana, was assigned to prison and nursing home ministry within the Schuylkill Deanery and will reside at Saint Patrick Parish in Pottsville.
- Reverend Guency Isaac, who has served as Parochial Administrator in Ashland and Frackville, was reassigned as Parochial Vicar at Saint Ignatius Loyola Parish in Sinking Spring.
- Very Reverend Eugene P. Ritz, Judicial Vicar and Vicar for Clergy, also to Weekend Assistance at Saint John XXIII Parish, Tamaqua, while remaining in residence at Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Orefield.
The Diocese said the assignments are made for a variety of reasons, including retirements, professional development, clergy requests, and matching priests’ talents and experience with parish needs.
All assignments are scheduled to take effect June 16, 2026, unless otherwise noted.