Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Saint John, N.B. Staff photo.

Changes announced by the Bishop for Saint John include clergy taking on new roles, a church closure and the formation of a new parish.

In a letter released on November 28th, Christian Riesbeck announced Reverend Douglas McNeill was appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish beginning on February 15th, 2023.

This new parish brings Stella Maris church in Saint John together with St. Joseph’s on Loch Lomond Road and St. William’s in Bains Corner, N.B.

A new priest will take over at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Bishop Riesbeck has appointed Reverend Ralph McRae the rector of the Cathedral starting February 15, 2023.

Fredericton’s Our Lady of Fatima Parish will merge in “an extinctive union” with Our Lady of Peace Parish, also in Fredericton.

Our Lady of Fatima Church will close after a final Mass on January 8, 2023.

Three other churches, St. Anthony’s and St. Theresa’s in Fredericton and St. Patrick’s of Stanley will remain.

An announcement on Our Lady of Hope Parish in Miramichi will be forthcoming.

In other changes, Reverend Dr. Michael McGowan was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese of Saint John starting January 1, 2023.

Reverend Douglas McNeill will complete his term as Episcopal Vicar for Temporal Affairs on December 9th.

It will now become the responsibility of the Vicar General, Monsignor Brian Henneberry.