Bishop Jeffery Monforton assigned Fr. Thomas Nelson and Fr. Matthew Gossett additional responsibilities to assist Fr. Mark in serving our parishes on alternating weekends, starting the weekend of September 9-10. 

Fr. Tom, the parochial vicar at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta, was ordained in 2014. Fr. Matthew, the parochial vicar at St. Joseph and St. Lawrence in Ironton, was ordained in 2016. This plan should be in place until next spring when the Diocese celebrates the ordination of transitional deacon Joshua Erickson. At that time, a new resident priest will be assigned to assist in Athens and Pomeroy.

Moreover, the bishop reiterated to Fr. Mark that there are no plans to "un-cluster" Pomeroy and Athens. Sacred Heart will remain a part of the pastoral duties of the pastor in Athens for a long time.

Currently, there are 34 active priests serving our Diocese. These are men who are not retired. We have been blessed with assistance from Fr. Don, Fr. Pat, and Fr. Marty recently, but all of them have been retired for 5+ years. Of the Diocese's active priests, eight are over the age of 70 already. Please continue to pray for all priests and for vocations, especially to the priesthood in our Diocese.