2026 – 2027 Clergy Assignments
Bishop Johnston has made the following clergy assignment effective May 23, 2026:
Mr. Xavier Schmidt, subsequent to his ordination to the transitional diaconate, is assigned to serve at St. John Francis Regis Parish, Kansas City.
Bishop Johnston has made the following clergy assignments effective July 1, 2026 (current assignments conclude June 30, 2026):
Rev. Anthony Pileggi, JCL has been granted retirement status. His assignment to the office of Defender of the Bond continues on a case-by-case status upon request of the Tribunal Director.
Rev. Joseph Sharbel has been granted retirement status.
Rev. Benjamin Armentrout, JCL has been appointed to be Pastor of St. Gabriel Archangel Parish, Kansas City. He retains his appointment as Defender of the Bond on the Marriage Tribunal. He concludes his service as Parochial Administrator of St. Gabriel Archangel Parish.
Rev. Jayson Becker has been appointed to be Pastor of Church of Santa Fe Parish, Buckner. He retains his assignment as Parochial Administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish, Lexington. He concludes his service as Parochial Administrator of Church of the Santa Fe Parish.
Rev. Benjamin Fenlon has been appointed to be Parochial Administrator of St. Ann Parish, Plattsburg. He has also been assigned to provide Spanish-language Masses at St. Patrick Parish on Sundays and weekdays as needed. He concludes his assignments as Parochial Vicar at Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, St. Mary, St. James, and St. Patrick Parishes in St. Joseph.
Rev. Leonard Gicheru has been appointed to be Chaplain to the Jeanne Jugan Center and priestly duties at St. Joseph Medical Center, Kansas City, and St. Mary Medical Center, Blue Springs. He retains his office as Pastor at St. Monica Parish and residence at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Rectory. He concludes his assignment as Pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Kansas City.
Rev. Timothy Leete has been appointed to be Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Trenton; Mary Immaculate Parish, Gallatin; Blessed Sacrament Parish, Bethany; and Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission, Princeton. He concludes his service as Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph, Mary Immaculate, and Blessed Sacrament Parishes as well as Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission.
Rev. Andrew Mattingly has been assigned to be Pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Kansas City. He retains his assignment as Pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Kansas City.
Rev. Carlito Saballo, SOLT has been assigned to be Pastor of Guardian Angels Parish, Kansas City. He concludes his service as Parochial Administrator of Guardian Angels Parish.
Rev. Mr. Daniel Stump has been assigned to be Parochial Vicar of St. Thomas More Parish, Kansas City. His diaconal assignment at Nativity of Mary Parish, Independence, and St. Bernadette Parish, Kansas City, will conclude May 29, 2026.
Rev. Ravindranath Jose Talari has been assigned to be Pastor of Church of the Annunciation Parish, Kearney. He concludes his service as Parochial Administrator of Church of the Annunciation Parish.
Bishop Johnston has made the following clergy assignments effective August 1, 2026 (current assignments conclude July 31, 2026):
Rev. Ethan Osborn has been assigned as the Chaplain to St. Michael the Archangel High School and to the University of Missouri – Kansas City Newman Center. He retains his office as Parochial Vicar at St. Peter Parish, Kansas City. He concludes his assignment as Assistant Vocation Director.
Rev. Nathan Rueb has been appointed as Director of Seminarians for the Vocation Office. He retains his office as Pastor at St. Peter Parish, Kansas City. He concludes his service as Vocation Director.
Rev. Paul Sappington has been appointed to be Pastor of Coronation of Our Lady Parish, Grandview, as well as Vocation Director and Chaplain to the Serra Clubs in the diocese. He concludes his service as Parochial Administrator of Coronation of Our Lady Parish. He concludes his assignment as Chaplain to St. Michael the Archangel High School and the University of Missouri – Kansas City Newman Center.
