Second Priest assigned to Saint Andrew Parish

Last week, Bishop McFadden temporarily assigned a second priest to Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish: Father Jeff Thoms.  Fr. Thoms is joining the parish as a parochial vicar to assist in providing coverage for the times when Father Bateman must be away for military duty.  At this point, his assignment does not have a term associated with it, so his assignment is temporary.  Besides duties at St. Andrew parish, he will be providing replacement coverage for various parishes throughout the Diocese when he is not needed here at our parish.  This temporary assignment was a very pleasant surprise!  Fr. Thoms has been my parochial vicar before, so we have a good rapport and he will be a wonderful addition to our parish staff.  Father Letteer, who has been providing coverage during Father Bateman’s Air Force chaplain training, has also been reassigned by the Diocese as the parochial vicar at St. John Neumann in Lancaster.  Father Thoms will be arriving at the parish on June 8^th to allow Father Letteer to begin preparations for his move to Lancaster.  Although I am not there to welcome Father Thoms personally, I know that you will offer him a wonderful welcome next weekend.