Vicar for Clergy
The Vicar for Clergy is responsible for all matters pertaining to clergy. These include assignments, retirements, serving outside the diocese, leave of absences or sick leave. The Vicar of Clergy serves the bishop in his relationships to the priests of the diocese. The Executive Director assists in the administration of the retired priests program and policy and attends to the needs of senior priests. He also works with the Diocese to complete the processes of Clergy being incardinated into or excardinated from.
Offices under the direction of the Vicar for Clergy include Continuing Formation of Clergy, Priest Personnel, Permanent Diaconate, Vocations and Vowed Religious.
For More Information, Contact:
Rev. Michael Balash
Vicar For Clergy & Religious
To request a letter of suitability
(Priests/Deacons/Seminarians only):
Vicar for Clergy
The Vicar for Clergy is responsible for all matters pertaining to clergy. These include assignments, retirements, serving outside the diocese, leave of absences or sick leave. The Vicar of Clergy serves the bishop in his relationships to the priests of the diocese. The Executive Director assists in the administration of the retired priests program and policy and attends to the needs of senior priests. He also works with the Diocese to complete the processes of Clergy being incardinated into or excardinated from.
Offices under the direction of the Vicar for Clergy include Continuing Formation of Clergy, Priest Personnel, Permanent Diaconate, Vocations and Vowed Religious.
For More Information, Contact:
Rev. Michael Balash
Vicar For Clergy & Religious
To request a letter of suitability
(Priests/Deacons/Seminarians only):
Director of Continuing Formation
The Director of Continuing Formation of clergy presents opportunities for clergy to develop holistically. He offers opportunities to celebrate and develop together, and affirms and encourages clergy to continue to grow in their ministry. The office provides opportunities such as the diocesan celebration of ordination anniversaries, days of recollection, retreats and convocations.
Announcements
SAVE THE DATES! Priest Events in 2025
Ongoing Education & Formation: “Putting the Heart of Christ in the Ministry of the Priest” – October 28, 1:00 p.m. via WebEx. Advent Day of Recollection on December 16, 2025 (dinner included).
Resources
New Ritual Book – The Order of the Anointing of the Sick and of Their Pastoral Care – Revised Edition
A timeline of implementation has been announced by the USCCB along with publishers who will be offering the new ritual book. The book is currently available for pre-order and may be shipped beginning January 1, 2026.
New Mass Texts for September 5 – Optional Memorial for Saint Teresa of Calcutta
The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, by a decree issued June 24, 2025, has confirmed the English and Spanish translations of the Collect and suggested Lectionary readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Teresa of Calcutta on September 5th.
Catholic Leadership Institute Update
As part of a grant to the Catholic Leadership Institute for this initiative, personal coaching is available to all clergy. All priests and deacons are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.
Letters of Suitability Required – Request Now Online
Letters of suitability are to be sent from one bishop/superior to another. An electronic form is now available online for diocesan priests to request a letter of suitability from Bishop Bonnar.
New Ritual Book – Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside of Mass
Deacons, Diocesan Pastoral Associates, and Lay Leaders of Prayer should familiarize themselves with the new “The Order of Distributing Holy Communion Outside of Mass” with implementation of the new service no later than December 1, 2024.
Priest Policy Handbook
Bishop Bonnar has promulgated the revised Priest Policy Handbook.
