Bishop Richard F. Stika has announced that two priests will be joining the Diocese of Knoxville for positions in Union and Grainger counties and in Chattanooga.
Father Aaron Wessman has been assigned by the Glenmary Home Missioners to assist Father Steve Pawelk in ministering to the faithful in Union and Grainger counties.
Father Wessman will be serving as an associate pastor at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Mission in Maynardville and Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission in Rutledge.
Father Bartholomew Okere has joined Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga as a chaplain, with faculties approved by Bishop Stika to celebrate the Eucharist at Memorial Hospital Chapel, administer the sacrament of reconciliation to patients and family members within the hospital, and administer the sacrament of anointing of the sick within Memorial.
Al Forsythe, director of the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry will direct the new Christ Prince of Peace Retreat Center.
Eddie Cabrera has been named associate coordinator and Hispanic youth and young adult lay minister with the Office of Hispanic Ministry and Youth and Young Adult Ministry. He began Aug. 27.
In addition, Bishop Stika announced two diocesan appointments to fill existing positions recently vacated.
Chris Kite joined the diocesan staff as an administrative assistant for the offices of Christian Formation and the Diaconate on Aug. 28. She previously was a teacher at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preschool. She and husband Charlie Kite are parishioners at All Saints Church.
Marie Garvey will join the diocese on Sept. 4 as an administrative assistant with the diocesan Schools Office and the Office of Worship and Liturgy. She formerly was with the Pasco County School Board in Land O’ Lakes, Fla.
