The Archdiocese of Denver has released its list of new priest assignments, which will take effect on July 1, 2025. This comprehensive list includes changes for pastors, parochial vicars, parish administrators, chaplains, and retirements.
Among the pastors renewing for an additional six years at their current parishes are several familiar names within the community. These include Father James Crisman at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Longmont and Lyons Community Church, as well as Father Nicholas Larkin, IV at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Denver. Other notable renewals include Father Felix Medina-Algaba at Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora, Father Tomasz Strzebonski at St. Peter Parish in Greeley, and Father Timothy Gaines at Our Lady of the Pines Parish in Conifer and St. Elizabeth Mission Church in Buffalo Creek, who will be serving for an additional one year.
Additionally, Father John Hilton will continue his service at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Denver for one more year. The Archdiocese has outlined several new parochial administrator and pastor assignments that will see priests stepping into new roles across various parishes.
Father Matthias Bayiha has been named the parochial administrator for St. Anne Parish in Grand Lake, along with St. Ignatius Parish in Walden, St. Peter Parish in Kremmling, Our Lady of the Snow Mission Church in Granby, and St. Bernard Mission Church in Fraser, under the terms of ‘ad nutum archiepiscopi.’ Similarly, Father Michael Bodzioch will serve at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver and St. Elizabeth of Hungary Mission Church in Denver, also under ‘ad nutum archiepiscopi.’
Other new appointments include Father Daniel Cardó at Holy Trinity Parish in Westminster and Our Lady of Visitation Mission Church in Denver, along with Father Hector Chiapa-Villareal at Guardian Angels Parish in Denver. Father Luis Guilherme da Silva Mendes will be assigned to St. John the Baptist Parish in Johnstown and St. Nicholas Parish in Platteville. Notably, Monsignor Emile Dibongue has become the parochial administrator at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denver, also designated ‘ad nutum archiepiscopi.’
Further assignments include Father Timothy Hjelstrom at St. Anthony Parish in Sterling, Sacred Heart Parish in Peetz, and St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Iliff, as well as Father Christopher Marbury at Good Shepherd Parish in Denver. Father Miguel Nahu Mendoza will serve at Presentation of Our Lady Parish in Denver, while Father Samuel Morehead will oversee Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Windsor and St. Mary Parish in Ault.
The list continues with Father Gregg Pedersen at Light of the World Parish in Littleton and Father Angel Perez-Brown at St. James Parish in Denver. Father Michael Rapp will also serve at St. Joseph Parish in Denver, while Father Enrique Salazar will cover multiple locations including St. Patrick Parish in Holyoke and Christ the King Mission Church in Haxtun.
New parochial vicar assignments have also been detailed in this announcement. Father Anthony Arniello, C.B., will take on duties at St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Littleton. Father Gustavo A. Becerra Mendez is headed to St. Cajetan Parish in Denver, and Father Carlos Wilson Bello-Ayala will serve at Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora. Other parochial vicars include Father Julius Lule at Christ the King Parish in Denver and Formation Advisor at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, along with Father Martin Latiff, M.C., at Spirit of Christ Parish in Arvada.
Several other assignments and departures have also been noted. Father Jose de Jesus Garcia will embark on itinerancy with the Neocatechumenal Way, while Father Geronimo Gonzalez has been appointed as chaplain for the Spiritual Motherhood for Priests Apostolate while continuing as a parochial vicar.
The Archdiocese also acknowledges two retirements: Father James E. Fox and Father Sean McGrath are stepping back from their roles.
This reshuffling of priest assignments is aimed at enhancing pastoral leadership across the Archdiocese, ensuring that the spiritual needs of the community are well-served moving forward.
image source from：https://www.denvercatholic.org/official-priest-appointments-july-2025
