05/20/2026
With gratitude for the Clergy Personnel Committee’s work, I am pleased to announce the following appointments in the Archdiocese of Edmonton, effective July 15, 2026 (unless otherwise noted).
I express deep gratitude to the Clergy of the Archdiocese for their ministry, and I welcome those who will assume new responsibilities. May God bless you as you generously and joyfully carry out your vocation, and may your dedication be a witness to those discerning their vocation.
I also wish to express my profound thanks to those who will be departing our Archdiocese. You have enriched the lives of the faithful here, and we will hold you in our prayers as you begin your new pastoral assignment.
I ask the people in parishes where changes are underway to extend a warm welcome to their new clergy and to offer prayers for those who will leave the Archdiocese.
Finally, I ask the faithful to continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood.
✠ Stephen A. Hero
Archbishop of Edmonton
Changes in Pastoral Assignments
Effective on July 15, 2026, unless otherwise noted below:
Pastor:
- Rev. Patrick Baska is appointed as Rector of St. Joseph’s Basilica, Edmonton.
- Rev. Thomas Basani, SAC, is appointed Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Edmonton.
- Rev. Dean Dowle is appointed Pastor of St. Anthony Parish, Lloydminster.
- Rev. Varghese Munduvelil, CFIC, is appointed as Pastor of St. Theresa Parish, Edmonton.
- Rev. Regi Matthew, OFM, is appointed Pastor of St. Anthony & St. Agnes Parishes.
- Rev. Jan Sobkowicz is appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Edson.
- Rev. Michael Arockiasamy Pancras, SDB, is appointed as Pastor of St. Dominic Savio Parish, Edmonton.
Associate Pastor:
- Rev. Rijo Jose, CMI, is appointed as Associate Pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, effective June 1, 2026.
- Rev. Arun Malayappan Jayamary, SDB, is appointed as Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Sherwood Park, effective June 2026 (date to be determined)
- Rev. Justin Chellappan is appointed as Associate Pastor at St. Thomas More Parish, Edmonton, pending approved work permit.
- Rev. Luke Tran, from the Diocese of Saskatoon, is appointed as Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Innisfail, assisting Rev. Robert Lee, Parochial Administrator.
Additional Pastoral Assignments:
- Rev. Harrison Ayre, from the Diocese of Victoria, will provide Sunday assistance at St. Thomas More Parish, Edmonton.
- Rev. Andrew Yaremko from the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, is appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Benedict Ordinariate Community, Edmonton, by His Excellency Bishop Stephen Lopes, Ordinary of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, effective July 1, 2026.
Sabbatical Year:
- Rev. Joseph Vadassery is granted a one-year sabbatical until July 2027.
Departures:
- Rev. Arun Rodrigues, SAC, is reassigned by his Pallotine Community and concludes his service in the Archdiocese of Edmonton. I thank Fr. Arun for sharing his priestly ministry in the Archdiocese, and I wish him the very best.
- Rev. George Atok, SDB, is reassigned by his Salesian Community. I thank Fr. George for his ministry to St. Dominic Savio Parish and his Salesian confreres.
Diaconate/Vocational Synthesis for 2026/2027:
- Andrew Sheedy is appointed to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Sherwood Park, with Rev. Jim Corrigan as mentor.
- Daniel Sale is appointed to Mary’s Parish, Red Deer, with Rev. Robert Lee as mentor.
Seminarian Internships for 2026-2027:
- Marc Berube is appointed to Charles Parish, Edmonton, for his pastoral year, with Rev. Marc Cramer as mentor.
- Joseph Spiller is appointed to Holy Family Parish, Albert, for his pastoral year, with Rev. Antony Cruz Michael, SAC, as mentor.
