From the Pastor's Desk
Since the arrival of Fr. John Connell in 2023 he has communicated to the parish through a series of Pastoral Desk Issues. If you would like to read and discover his thoughts look below :
2025, current issue
Diocesan Assignment Changes
Release Date: Friday, April 25, 2025
Every year for about the last 10 years or so, Bishop Taylor releases upcoming pastoral assignments (changes) via an announcement from his office. It is sent out at the end of the day on the Friday after Easter Sunday, this year, April 25th. Our bishop makes assignment changes whenever there is a need, but the annual ones take effect in mid-June this year.
The assignment changes reflect 3 different realities. First, there are priests that after a certain time in their parishes are ready for a change and ask the Bishop to accommodate that desire. Secondly, there are vacancies and the bishop need to assign priests to these parishes. Many times, these are our younger priests who are associates and are assigned as administrators to parishes for the first time or older priests who just fit the need of the vacancy. Finally, new priests who receive their first assignments such as our newly ordained priest, Dc Joel Brackett or new missionary priests coming from other countries.
This year the list is long. There are a lot of changes in our diocese and a lot of parishes and communities will be affected by them. St Joseph in Conway has a change. Dc Joel Bracket will become associate pastor of St Edward in Texarkana and his pastor, Father William Burmester, known to all of us, will be his mentoring pastor effective, June 11th.
I am pleased to inform you that both Father Daniel and I will continue serving St Joseph for another year together. I know that Father Daniel is pleased to be staying on with us and of course, you have me for at least another 10 years. I am pleased because with my extra responsibilities at the diocese and working on plans there, I wanted stability here in Conway.
Please pray for all priests involved in this year’s assignment changes. I believe you can go out to the diocesan site or Facebook page and see the entire list. Pray for Dc Joel whose last day with us is Sunday, May 11th and will be ordained on Saturday, May 31st. I invite you to join us for a farewell reception for Dc Joel on Wednesday, May 14th at 6:30pm in Spiritan Center Room 116. Pray for all priests serving in our diocese. This time of year can be stressful and difficult for communities losing their priest. May God bless our diocese with peace in this time of transitions
Father John
