Two weeks ago Fr. Mark was elected by the priests of the NW Deanery [the counties of Cherokee, northern part of Ida, Plymouth, Sioux, Lyon, Osecola, and western part of O’Brien] to the Presbyteral Council, the advisory board to the bishop, as one of the two priest representatives for the NW Deanery [which has eight [8] pastors, one parochial vicar, eight [8] deacons, four [4] retired priests, seventeen [17] parishes, three [3] secondary church buildings, one [1] worship site, three [3] Catholic schools].

Last week he was appointed by the bishop as the Dean [Vicar Forane (VF)] for the NW Deanery to assist with the bishop’s care of the clergy and parishes in this area of the Diocese of Sioux City.  This new appointment does not add any pay, only more responsibilities [including an annual visit to the parishes of the NW Deanery, installing new pastors], a new title: “Very Reverend,” and the initials VF after the current initials JCL [which stands for Judicial Canonical Licentiate due the Canon Law degree I have (just as some people might have PhD after their name)].  You may continue to call me “Fr. Mark.”