Following Christ's Call: New Assignments Reflect a Life of Service
By Allison Mosier07/20/2026
Every priest enters ministry knowing that one day he may be called to leave the people and places he has come to love. It is one of the unique realities of diocesan priesthood, answering God's call not only to become a priest, but continually going wherever the Church needs him most.
With recent clergy assignments announced by Bishop Lawrence T. Persico, several parishes across the Diocese of Erie will prepare to say goodbye to familiar pastors while welcoming new shepherds who will continue the mission of proclaiming the Gospel.
For Father Kevin Holland, whose new assignment begins July 29 as pastor of St. Charles Parish in New Bethlehem, St. Nicholas Mission Church in Crates, St. Eusebius Parish in East Brady and St. Richard Mission Church in Rimersburg, the transition is bittersweet.
"When learning that I would be moving, there was a moment of sudden sadness," Father Holland said. "It's hard to enter a community and have to leave within a year, but I am extremely thankful for my time serving at the churches of St. Jude, St. Andrew, and St. Stephen. I will always be grateful for the parishioners welcoming me with open arms, the chance to improve my Spanish and also the chance to be an assistant track and field coach at Cathedral Prep."
Though saying goodbye is never easy, Father Holland views every assignment as another opportunity to discover how God is already working in people's lives.
"As I move to southern Clarion County, I look forward to seeing the ways that Christ is already present in the lives of my parishioners and to see what continually draws them back to Mass and to the faith," he said.
His hopes for his new parish communities are rooted in helping others deepen their relationship with Christ.
"As I start my assignment, my prayer for our communities is to encounter Christ in a new way and to further their relationship with Jesus," Father Holland said. "Through our prayer and time together, I desire that we encounter Jesus in the Eucharist, create opportunities to learn more about faith and then show His love to our family and friends."
Reflecting on his own vocation, Father Holland believes each assignment is part of God's ongoing work.
"I believe that God continues to prepare you for the future even when you don't always realize it," he said. "I look forward to learning the stories of my parishioners and to seeing how we can work together to make Christ's presence known and experienced in our lives."
Father Joseph Petrone also begins a new chapter on July 29 as pastor of St. Stephen of Hungary Parish in Erie while continuing his diocesan responsibilities as assistant chancellor, judge and defender of the bond in the Marriage Tribunal and assistant episcopal master of ceremonies.
Although his responsibilities extend beyond parish ministry, Father Petrone says serving a parish community remains at the heart of his priesthood.
"Being in the parish is life-giving for a priest," he said. "I recognize the importance of the work we do in the Chancery and the Tribunal, but a priest is ordained to serve as a bridge between God and the people. I anticipate that my time in the parish will help keep me grounded in my priesthood so that I can better serve in my jobs in the Chancery and Tribunal."
Having celebrated Mass at St. Stephen's over the past several years, Father Petrone is eager to become part of the parish family.
"I had the privilege of covering Masses at St. Stephen's the past several years," he said. "I have always felt so welcomed by the community there. I look forward to being a part of that myself now. I am also excited to learn more about the different cultures that make up the parish community."
Looking ahead, Father Petrone hopes to build upon the parish's vibrant faith community and continue its outreach to others.
"I hope we can continue to grow the community," he said. "Before Covid, the Masses were standing room only. Being the only Spanish-speaking parish in the diocese, we have a lot of opportunity for evangelization and outreach!"
As these transitions unfold, parishioners have an opportunity to accompany their priests in a special way. A heartfelt thank you, a prayer for those moving to new assignments and a warm welcome for those arriving can make a lasting difference. In supporting their priests through these moments of transition, the faithful help strengthen the bonds that unite the Church and share in the mission of bringing Christ to every community.
Effective July 29, Father Kevin Holland will become pastor of St. Charles Parish, New Bethlehem, with its secondary mission church, St. Nicholas in Crates, and St. Eusebius Parish, East Brady, with its secondary mission church of St. Richard in Rimersburg. Father Joseph Petrone will become pastor of St. Stephen of Hungary Parish in Erie while continuing his roles as assistant chancellor, judge and defender of the bond in the Marriage Tribunal and assuming the additional responsibility of assistant episcopal master of ceremonies. Monsignor David Rubino has been reappointed parochial administrator of All Saints Parish in Waterford through July 31, 2027. Father Samuel Bungo will retire effective July 29 after many years of faithful priestly ministry. The Diocese of Erie asks the faithful to keep each of these priests in prayer as they begin new chapters of service to the Church.
-