Bishop assigns nine priests to new roles in Biloxi Diocese

Bishop Louis F. Kihneman has made the following appointments of priests to new parishes within the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi. The first re-assignments will be effective starting June 4, with the last of them taking place in August.

Ref. Sergio Balderas will join Sacred Heart Parish in Hattiesburg as pastor, effective June 4.

Rev. Daniel Martinez Patiño will join St. Alphonsus Parish in Ocean Springs to shepherd the Hispanic community there. His new role is effective June 4.

Rev. Jeyanthan Jordan will join St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Ocean Springs as parochial administrator, effective June 4.

Rev. James Smith will become chaplain of De L’Epee Deaf Center, Tabitha Project and Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, effective June 4.

Rev. Charles Arthur will join St. Clare Parish in Waveland as parochial administrator, effective June 27.

Rev. Braxton Necaise will joing St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Long Beach as parochial vicar, effective June 27.

Rev. Vincent Ajayi will join Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Biloxi and parochial vicar, effective June 27.

Rev. Jacob Matthew Smith, OFM, will join St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Picayune as parochial vicar, effective June 27.

Rev. Thomasz Powroznik will join Immaculate Conception Parish in Laurel as parochial vicar, effective August 19.