Bishop Zubik announced on Friday, July 22, that Father Michael Decewicz, pastor of SS. Peter & Paul Parish, Beaver, will become the second pastor of Saint Juan Diego Parish, Sharpsburg, effective August 15. The bishop will ceremonially install Father Decewicz at Mass on Monday, August 29, at 7:00 p.m.
Father Decewicz and I are classmates. We entered St. Paul Seminary together, and were ordained deacons (1977) and priests (1978) together. I am very happy to welcome him to Sharpsburg. I told the Mass-goers on Sunday, “Don’t hold it against Father Mike that he and I are friends.” And I got laughter!
By Catholic Church standards, this appointment was made in warp speed. It usually takes about a month or more for names to surface, either through the clergy personnel board or by a man "bidding" on a parish. At that point the clergy personnel board will review suggested names for a pastorate at its monthly meeting. Sometimes for pastoral reasons the bishop will make an appointment on his own.
Our church (at least in choosing pastors – not so for bishops) is faster than most Protestant churches, which may take 12-18 months to find a replacement pastor. Laity conduct a search, sometimes locally, sometimes nationally, with subsequent interviews and guest preaching appearances. Of course, Protestants just can’t understand how a priest can be in the bishop’s office one day, and moved and settled and working in a new parish within a month. Being celibate helps.
Anyway, I welcome Father Mike to a wonderful parish and community.
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