As many of you may already know, our dear Father Sebastian White, O.P. has recently been appointed as the next editor-in-chief of Magnificat, the popular monthly publication designed to help readers deepen their lives of prayer, participate more fruitfully in the holy Mass, and grow in knowledge and love of the saints. (You can learn more about Magnificat here.)

Father Sebastian’s appointment is a wonderful honor and great opportunity for him to serve the broader Church. But sadly for us, it means he’ll be concluding his ministry in the West Village over the course of the next six weeks. He’s been a great shepherd of the flock as director/chaplain of the Catholic Center at NYU and a wonderful member of our parish community at Saint Joseph’s. Please join me in thanking Father Sebastian for the gifts that he’s given to so many of us, congratulating him on his good work, and offering prayers for his next exciting assignment.

Father Sebastian’s new appointment means that our provincial had to find a replacement for him at NYU. He didn’t have to look very far. I’m pleased to announce that Father John Baptist Hoang, O.P., currently serving as our parochial vicar, will become the new director/chaplain of the Catholic Center and will continue in residence at Saint Joseph’s.

Taking Father John Baptist’s place on the parish staff will be Father Pier Giorgio Dengler, O.P. He’s currently concluding his ministry as a deacon in Charlottesville, VA and will be ordained to the priesthood on May 19th. You’ll be happy to know that Brother Pier Giorgio is a New Yorker through and through! Born in Pelham, he did his undergraduate studies at Fordham University and went on to earn a master’s degree from Columbia University. Before entering the Dominican Order, he worked for a number of years with language-impaired special education students in the Bronx. Father Pier Giorgio will be a wonderful addition to Saint Joseph’s and we can’t wait to welcome him to our community in the beginning of June.