By Father James Maciejewski

Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan has announced the appointment of four archdiocesan priests to the post of dean. Each will assist the archbishop in the pastoral care of a specific group of parishes.

Appointed dean of the North Metro deanery was Father Noel Burtenshaw. Appointed from the South Metro deanery was Father Richard Morrow; from the East Rural deanery, Father Thomas Kenny; from the West Rural deanery, Monsignor Michael Regan. They will serve for two years.

These appointments come as the result of a study undertaken by the Ministry and Life Committee of the priests’ senate to find ways of improving the effectiveness of priestly ministry in the archdiocese. The results of the study formed the core of a resolution that has passed by the senate and approved by the archbishop.

The priests of the archdiocese had a voice in the selection of the new deans. The priests in each deanery voted for three nominees, from whom the archbishop selected one man.

Under the resolution of the senate, the archdiocese has been redistricted into four deaneries. The number of the deaneries remains the same, but the realignment of parishes reflects the senate’s concern that, wherever possible, parishes that demand similar ministries be grouped together.

The duties of the newly appointed deans will be these:

1) To arrange for and preside over meetings of the priests of the deanery at which the archbishop would attend. It is suggested that these meetings be held quarterly.

2) To provide spiritual and material assistance to any priest in the deanery that is seriously ill and to notify the archbishop of such illness. In case of death, to arrange, with the chancellor, for the proper disposition of parochial and personal papers.

3) To discuss with the priests of the deanery special needs, such as spiritual service to hospitals, nursing homes, colleges and prisons; to discuss with the priests the need for establishing new parishes in the deanery and the possible location of such parishes; and to make recommendations to the archbishop regarding special ministerial needs and the need for new parishes.

4) To visit each person in the deanery on an annual basis for the purpose of inspecting various aspects of the church’s operation, such as the physical condition of the church and other buildings, the presence of accessories needed for the celebration of the sacraments and the standard of maintenance of the parish records and sacramental registers.

5) To install extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist in each parish at a Sunday Mass.

6) To report to the archbishop what has been done well in the parishes and to report what could cause general harm or scandal and to suggest how this might best be dealt with.

7) To look after the spiritual well being of the priests within the deanery by calling them together for common celebration of the Eucharist, for prayer and other spiritual exercises.

8) To supervise efforts in the deanery to deal with mutual problems affecting the whole deanery or any significant sector. Such supervision may involve meeting not only with the priests but also with parish staff members, school principals, et al.