Catholic Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee

Catholic Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee Our Diocese began on Jan. 6, 1971. The first Bishop of Memphis served until 1982 and was followed by Bishop Francis Stafford.

Bishop Stafford is credited with expanding the Diaconate program, the Catholic schools system and increasing services to refugees. He served until 1986 and was followed by Bishop Daniel Buechlein. Bishop Buechlein strengthened Catholic schools and left a strong administrative structure in place to guide the Diocese. In 1993, Bishop Terry Steib was named Bishop of Memphis. He was known for a caring

and personable approach toward those under his direction. As the first African-American Bishop in our Diocese, he was able to bring people of various backgrounds together to further Christian unity. In October 2016, Bishop Martin Holley, became Bishop of Memphis. He called on the faithful to fulfill the corporal works of mercy. In April 2019, Bishop David Talley became the sixth Bishop of Memphis. He is calling on all parishioners to follow our Lord’s Golden Rule—to love thy neighbor!

Today, May 2, is the Feast of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Catholic Church. St. Athanasius was born in Egy...
05/02/2026

Today, May 2, is the Feast of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Catholic Church. St. Athanasius was born in Egypt towards the end of the Third Century and was from his youth pious, learned and deeply versed in the sacred writings, as befitted one whom God had chosen to be the champion and defender of His Catholic Church against the A***n heresy.

Though only a Deacon, St. Athanasius was chosen by his Bishop to go with him to the Council of Nicaea in 325 and it attracted the attention of all by the learning and ability with which he defended the Catholic Faith.

A few months later, St. Athanasius became Patriarch of Alexandria and for 46 years he bore, often well-nigh alone, the whole brunt of the A***n assault. On the refusal of St. Athanasius to restore Arius to Catholic communion, the emperor ordered the Patriarch of Constantinople to do so.

The wretched heresiarch took an oath that he had always believed as the Catholic Church believes; and the patriarch, after vainly using every effort to move the emperor, had recourse to fasting and prayer, that God would avert from the Catholic Church the frightful sacrilege.

The day came for the solemn entrance of Arius into the great church of Hagia Sophia. The heresiarch and his party set out glad and in triumph. But before he reached the church, death smote him swiftly and awfully, and the dreaded sacrilege was averted.

St. Athanasius stood unmoved against four Roman emperors. He was banished five times, was the butt of every insult, calumny, and wrong the A***ns could devise, and lived in constant peril of death.

Though firm as adamant in defence of the Catholic Faith, St. Athanasius was meek and humble, pleasant and winning in converse, beloved by his flock, unwearied in labors, in prayer, in mortifications, and in zeal for souls. In the year 373 his stormy life closed in peace, rather that his people would have it so than that his enemies were weary of persecuting him.

He left to the Catholic Church the whole and ancient Faith, defended and explained in writings rich in thought and learning, clear, keen and stately in expression. He is honored as one of the greatest of the Doctors of the Catholic Church. St. Athanasius, please pray for us!

Bishop David P. Talley Announces Clergy Appointments May 1, 2026This year, Reverend Richard L. Mickey has been granted p...
05/01/2026

Bishop David P. Talley Announces Clergy Appointments

May 1, 2026

This year, Reverend Richard L. Mickey has been granted permission to retire from active ministry on May 1, 2026. Reverend Antonio Romo-Romo, SVD, ends his assignment with our Diocese on June 6 and returns to his order. We have two men being ordained to the Priesthood this year and two Parochial Administrators that will be made Pastors. Bishop David and the Clergy Personnel Board prayerfully worked to ensure the continued pastoral care for all parishes. The following Clergy appointments are effective July 1, 2026, unless otherwise indicated:

Pastors (alphabetically)

Reverend Mauricio Abeldano resigns as Pastor of Sacred Heart, Humboldt/St. Matthew, Milan, and is appointed Pastor of St. John Church, Memphis.

Very Reverend James Clark was appointed Pastor of Holy Rosary on April 24, while remaining in his current assignment as Diocesan Chancellor and Judicial Vicar.

Reverend Herbert Ene resigns as Pastor of St. Mary, Camden/Holy Family Mission, Huntingdon, and will be In-Residence at St. Philip the Apostle, Somerville.

Reverend Cain Galicia is made Pastor of St. Brigid Church.

Reverend Joseph Hastings is made Pastor of St. Anne Church, Highland.

Reverend Jesus Mata Martinez, SVD, currently Parochial Vicar is appointed Pastor of St. Joseph Church effective June 7.

Reverend Chibuike (Fausta) Odinwankpa resigns as Pastor of St. John Church, Memphis, and is appointed Pastor of Holy Cross Church, Paris.

Reverend Martin Orjianioke resigns as Pastor of Holy Cross Church, Paris, and is appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart, Humboldt/St. Matthew, Milan.

Very Reverend Keith Stewart resigns as Pastor of St. Louis Church and is appointed Pastor of The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, while remaining in his current assignment as Vicar General.

Very Reverend Mike Werkhoven resigns as Pastor of The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception as well as Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Western Deanery and is appointed Pastor of St. Louis Church.

Parochial Adminstrators/Parochial Vicars

Reverend Scott Bahrke, currently Parochial Vicar at St. Brigid Church, is appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Mary, Camden/Holy Family Mission, Huntingdon.

Reverend Gabe Bouck, currently Parochial Vicar at St. Mary Church, Jackson, is appointed Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception, Union City/St. Jude, Martin, where Very Reverend Carl Gregorich is Pastor.

Reverend Cosmas Ebebe, currently Parochial Vicar at St. Paul Church, is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Brigid Church where Reverend Cain Galicia is Pastor.

Reverend Chris Fagin, upon Ordination to the Priesthood on June 6, is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Ann Church, Bartlett, where Reverend Jacek Kowal is Pastor.

Reverend Stephen Kenny is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Louis Church where Reverend Mike Werkhoven is Pastor.

Reverend Charles Kochuchirayil, MCBS, currently Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, is appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Louis Church where Reverend Mike Werkhoven is Pastor.

Reverend Joseph Nguyen, having completed his Licentiate in Canon Law, is appointed as part-time Official of the Diocesan Tribunal and part-time Parochial Vicar at St. Francis of Assisi Church where Reverend Carl Hood is Pastor.

Reverend Michael Okata, currently Parochial Vicar at St. Mary, Camden/Holy Family Mission, Huntingdon, is appointed Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Sorrows/Ascension where Reverend Ruben Villalon is Pastor. He will reside in the Rectory at OLS.

Reverend Felix Pesce, upon Ordination to the Priesthood on June 6, is appointed Parochial Vicar at Holy Rosary Church where Very Reverend James Clark is Pastor.

Reverend Jeo Poulose, MCBS, resigned as Pastor of Holy Rosary Church on April 24 and is appointed Parochial Vicar, effective June 1, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help where Reverend Jolly Sebastian is Pastor.

Reverend Joe Sax, currently Parochial Vicar at St. Louis Church, is appointed Parochial Vicar at Holy Rosary Church where Very Reverend James Clark is Pastor. He remains Chaplain for Christian Brothers High School.

Reverend Casey Weber, currently Parochial Vicar at Holy Rosary Church with part-time duties in the Diocesan Tribunal, is appointed Adjutant Judicial Vicar and Vice Chancellor with full-time duties in the Diocesan Tribunal. He will be In-Residence at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Additional Appointments

Luiz Dutra, upon Diaconal Ordination on May 30, is assigned as Deacon to St. Francis of Assisi Church where Reverend Carl Hood is Pastor.

Reverend Gary Lamb has been granted permission to serve as Senior Priest at St. Paul Church.

Jarrett McBride, upon Diaconal Ordination on May 30, is assigned as Deacon to St. Mary Church, Jackson, where Very Reverend Dennis Schenkel is Pastor.

Reverend Andrew Raffanti, currently Chaplain at St. Benedict at Auburndale Catholic High School and In-Residence at St. Ann, Bartlett, is appointed Spiritual Director for the Diocesan SEARCH Retreat, replacing Very Reverend Mike Werkhoven, who is stepping down after 25 years of service in that role.

• Clergy Appts. (Eng) - https://cdom.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CDOMClergyAppointmentsFinalEngMay0126.pdf.

• Clergy Appts. (Esp) - https://cdom.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CDOMClergyAppointmentsFinalSpMay0126.pdf.

He is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! All Glory to God!

Living the anointed life!

Our Diocese consists of 46 beautiful parishes, 13 outstanding schools, and many excellent ministries in four Deaneries a...
05/01/2026

Our Diocese consists of 46 beautiful parishes, 13 outstanding schools, and many excellent ministries in four Deaneries across 21 Counties in West Tennessee.

Led by Bishop David P. Talley, more than 70,000 Catholics make our diverse, vibrant and faith-filled Diocese their home.

As One, we are transforming lives, spreading hope, and building up the Kingdom of God in West Tennessee.

Enjoy the Map and please continue to visit our Social Media platform—and Website at: cdom.org.

He is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! All Glory to God!

Living the anointed life!

May is the month of Mary, a time to honor the Mother of Jesus and our spiritual Mother. Let us turn to our Mother Mary f...
05/01/2026

May is the month of Mary, a time to honor the Mother of Jesus and our spiritual Mother.

Let us turn to our Mother Mary for great guidance and strength as we strive to always follow her Son.

Through her intercession, may we grow in holiness and draw closer to God.

He is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! All Glory to God!

Living the anointed life!

Today, May 1, is Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. St. Joseph has two Feast Days on the Liturgical Calendar, March 19: J...
05/01/2026

Today, May 1, is Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. St. Joseph has two Feast Days on the Liturgical Calendar, March 19: Joseph, the Husband of Mary, and today, May 1: Joseph, the Worker.

We can see from Scripture that St. Joseph was compassionate and obedient to the will of God. He loved Mary and Jesus and wanted to protect and provide for them.

"Saint Joseph is a man of great spirit. He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words, but above all because he listens to the words of the Living God. He listens in silence. And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in the readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God.” ~ Pope Saint John Paul II

St. Joseph, please pray for us!

Once again, it was a joyful and full Holy Mass and the Sacrament of Confirmation, this evening, on the Fourth Thursday o...
05/01/2026

Once again, it was a joyful and full Holy Mass and the Sacrament of Confirmation, this evening, on the Fourth Thursday of Easter, April 30, at our beautiful St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 8151 Chimneyrock Blvd.

Bishop David P. Talley was the Celebrant and Homilist, with Father Carl Hood, Pastor, Father Christopher Rusin, Parochial Vicar, and Father Horst Lorenz, Parochial Vicar, as the Concelebrants. Deacons, Altar Servers, and Lectors provided the best support, and the Cantor and Music were amazing.

In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is sealed with “the Gift of the Holy Spirit” and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ.

Many blessings and congratulations to the 54 St. Francis of Assisi Confirmands this evening. The total from last week (57) and this week is 111 St. Francis of Assisi Confirmands for the year.

Last year, in 2025, across our Diocese, more than 1,000 junior high school students and some adults received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Talley at more than 50 Holy Masses.

He is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! All Glory to God!
Living the anointed life!

All are invited with family, friends, and many others! Please join the Respect Life Committee at our beautiful Holy Rosa...
05/01/2026

All are invited with family, friends, and many others! Please join the Respect Life Committee at our beautiful Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 4851 Park Ave., Saturday morning, May 16, 10am-11am, to pray the Rosary for Life with Our Lady of Fatima in front of our Holy Rosary Parish for an end to abortion and all attacks against the Sanctity of Life. The group will especially pray for the conversion of those who perform abortions.

Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, three Portuguese children, Francisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin Lucia dos Santos, received apparitions of Our Lady at Cova da Iria near Fatima. At the first apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, on May 13, 1917, the three children were playing when they saw two flashes like lightning, after which they saw the Mother of God above an oak tree. She was, according to the description of Lucia, "a Lady dressed in white, more brilliant than the sun…" Her face was indescribably beautiful and a Rosary hung from her right hand. She told the children, "Pray the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war."

The Rosary for Life event is being sponsored by the Respect Life Committee at our Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

He is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! All Glory to God!

Living the anointed life!

As the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, tomorrow, May 1, let’s remember these words: “If...
05/01/2026

As the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, tomorrow, May 1, let’s remember these words: “If You Want to Change the World, Go Home and Love Your Family!” ~ St. Mother Teresa

He is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! All Glory to God!

Living the anointed life!

At our beautiful, 140-acre Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat Center, 3630 Dancyville Rd., Stanton, only two weekends remai...
05/01/2026

At our beautiful, 140-acre Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat Center, 3630 Dancyville Rd., Stanton, only two weekends remain in 2026 to enjoy Silence!

These weekends are joyful opportunities to Be Still and simply Listen to the Holy Spirit. All are welcome to begin on a Thursday or Friday, and stay in Silence until late morning on Sunday.

Enjoy delicious meals and the wonderful benefits of our Queen of Peace. Register: https://www.olqpretreats.com/events-calendar. See you soon!

He is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! All Glory to God!

Living the anointed life!

Today, April 30, is the Feast of Pope Saint Pius V, a defender of Catholic doctrine and faith during the turbulent war-t...
04/30/2026

Today, April 30, is the Feast of Pope Saint Pius V, a defender of Catholic doctrine and faith during the turbulent war-torn 16th Century. He was born in 1504 and joined the Dominicans at the age of 14.

Once elected Pope in 1566, at age 62, St. Pius V began his plans for reform: removing extravagant luxuries in his court, raising the standard of morality, reforming the clergy, and supporting foreign missions.

St. Pius V personally cared for the poor, washing their feet and tending to the lepers and the sick. His reign as Pope, though short, was one of the most fruitful of the 16th Century.

To Protestantism, which had proclaimed the Reformation, St. Pius V replied by applying the decrees of the Council of Trent for the reform of the Church. He led the return of the Clergy to ecclesiastical discipline.

Against Islam, which threatened the West, St. Pius V succeeded in forming a coalition of Christian forces and, along with public prayers and organized everywhere at his request, St. Puis V was instrumental in obtaining the decisive victory of Lepanto in 1571. He died the following year on May 1.

We also owe to St. Pius V the reformation of the liturgical books of the Roman Rite. Pope St. Pius V, thank you for your compassion and resolve. Please, pray for us!

All are invited with family, friends, and many more! Let’s make sure our calendars are marked for:• The Ordination of Tw...
04/30/2026

All are invited with family, friends, and many more! Let’s make sure our calendars are marked for:

• The Ordination of Two Deacons, Jarrett McBride and Luiz Dutra, on Saturday morning, May 30, 10:00am.
• The Ordination to the Priesthood, Deacon Felix Pesce and Deacon Chris Fagin, on Saturday morning, June 6, 10:00am.

Both Ordinations will take place at our magnificent and historic Mother Church, The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1695 Central Ave., Memphis.

Please see the flyers below for a few more details. Additional information on each of these two Seminarians and two Transitional Deacons will be in the official 2026 Clergy Announcement to be released tomorrow morning, Friday, May 1, at 8:00am. In the meantime, let’s keep these four extraordinary men in our prayers!

He is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! All Glory to God!

Living the anointed life!

It was a joyful and full Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School Mass this morning, Wednesday, April 29, with student...
04/30/2026

It was a joyful and full Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School Mass this morning, Wednesday, April 29, with students, parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends at our beautiful Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.

Bishop David P. Talley was the Celebrant and Homilist, with Monsignor Victor Ciaramitaro as the Concelebrant. Deacons, Altar Servers, student Lectors, and the Cantor provided great support and the Music was excellent.

Go Owls…and many blessings to all our Catholic students.

He is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! All Glory to God!

Living the anointed life!

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Memphis, TN

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Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

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+19015734002

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