This morning at the Mass for the Ordination of Priests in St. Paul Cathedral (and on the diocesan email server), Bishop Zubik announced changes for the clergy serving the four parishes of New Castle. The bishop has named our parochial vicar, Father Nicholas S. Vaskov, the vice-rector of St. Paul Seminary in Crafton, and director of the pastoral year program for seminarians. He will begin his new responsibilities on Monday, July 28. At the same time Bishop Zubik has named newly ordained Father Michael Ackerman as parochial vicar to our four parishes. Father Mike begins here on Monday, July 14.
Father Nick Vaskov came to New Castle in May 2012. He was ordained a priest on June 27, 2009, and formerly served as parochial vicar at St. Charles Lwanga, Homewood, and St. Paul Cathedral, and as secretary/master of ceremonies for Biship Zubik. Father Nick's parents, Gene and Connie, are members of Our Lady of Joy Parish, Plum, and reside in Murrysville, Westmoreland County. Father Nick's uncle, John Vaskov, is a permanent deacon of the diocese and serves at Sacred Heart Parish, Shadyside. Father Nick earned an S.T.L. degree in liturgy from the Gregorianum University in Rome, Italy, where he resided at the North American College.
We will all miss Father Nick's hearty laugh, ever-present smile, excellent musical skills, and willingness to help in any way in our parishes. I'm sure the youth group members and adult leaders will especially miss him. The parish staff will also miss his ability to whip up excellent meals for lunch. We wish him all the best as he takes on important responsibilities in guiding the formation of young men who are studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, at the college, pre-theology and theologian level.
"Things do not change; we change." --Henry David Thoreau
Father Mike Ackerman is the son of Richard and Nancy Ackerman, and a member of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Blawnox/Harmar. He attended St. Scholastica grade school in Aspinwall, North Catholic High School, and graduated from Duquesne University with a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in education. For several years he was a teacher in the Riverview School District in Allegheny County. In the fall of 2008 he entered St. Paul Seminary for pre-theological studies for the priesthood. He recently graduated from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., with a Master of Divinity degree. While in Washington he resided at the Theological College, on the CUA campus. Father Mike was ordained earlier this morning, June 28, by Bishop David Zubik in St. Paul Cathedral. Father Mike is 31 years old (same age as Father Nick) and will join Father Bill Siple and me in residing at Mary Mother of Hope rectory.
"Growth is the only evidence of life." --Cardinal John Henry Newman
When I was ordained a deacon, a priest gave me a lectionary, the book of readings for Sunday and weekday Masses, as a gift. I started using the book to record all my assignments, and the priests who served and lived with me. I have now more than a dozen moves written down, and am on page three! I have learned the hard way that every diocesan priest gets moved, usually when you least expect it. (You can "bid" on a pastorship, or request a change of assignment. My pattern has been that jobs find me.)
So also Father Nick understands this. Yesterday he celebrated the fifth anniversiry of his priesthood ordination, and in a few weeks will begin his fifth priestly assignment. I hope this one brings him happiness--and stability.
All of us in New Castle will miss Father Nick dearly. But I am grateful that the bishop has sent us a replacement, an energetic and bright newly ordained one at that.
"When it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbows." --G.K. Chesterton
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