Bishop of Fall River Diocese announces 6 reassignments involving Bristol County, Cape Cod, Rhode Island

Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., Bishop of Fall River, has made the following appointments:

Reverend Peter R. Scheffer, Jr., from Pastor of Our Lady of Grace, Saint George and Saint John the Baptist Parishes in Westport, to Pastor of Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Orleans

Reverend Dariusz Kalinowski, from Parochial Vicar of Santo Christo Parish in Fall River, to Pastor of Our Lady of Grace, Saint George and Saint John the Baptist Parishes in Westport

Effective:  June 5, 2024

Reverend Steven A. Booth, from Pastor of Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Orleans, to begin Naval Chaplaincy training in Newport, Rhode Island

Effective: June 10, 2024

Reverend John P. Garabedian, from Parochial Vicar of Corpus Christi Parish in East Sandwich, to Parochial Administrator of Saint John Neumann Parish in East Freetown, while remaining Associate Director of Vocations of the Diocese of Fall River

Reverend Matthew F. Laird, from Parochial Vicar of Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish in East Falmouth, to Parochial Administrator of Saint Ann Parish in Raynham

Effective:  June 19, 2024

Reverend David A. Pignato, from Pastor of Saint Ann Parish in Raynham, to Chaplain and Associate Dean of Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Florida

Effective July 1, 2024

Every few years reassignments typically take place for several reasons. According to the Catholic News Agency, a priest might be moved because the priest has requested a change of assignment or to deal with a health problem he or a member of his family is experiencing or to meet the specific ministerial needs of a parish.