Fr. Skehan appointed to posts

PORTLAND, Maine — Bishop Robert P. Deeley, J.C.D., has announced that effective Aug. 4, Fr. John R. Skehan, who has ties to the Houlton area, has been appointed pastor of Stella Maris Parish (St. Vincent de Paul Church, Bucksport; Our Lady of Holy Hope, Castine; and St. Mary Star of the Sea, Stonington) and St. Joseph Parish (St. Joseph Church, Ellsworth; Blue Hill Mission, Blue Hill; Our Lady of the Lake Mission, Green Lake; and St. Margaret Chapel, Winter Harbor).
Effective Oct. 1, Fr. Skehan will also become pastor of the Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord (Holy Redeemer Church, Bar Harbor; St. Peter Church, Manset; and St. Ignatius Church, Northeast Harbor). Fr. John F. O’Hara, Jr., current administrator of the Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord, will retire, also effective Oct.1.
Born in Bangor, Fr. Skehan attended Hampden Academy and received his B.A. in biology from Bowdoin College. Prior to entering the priesthood, he was the educational coordinator for “Up with People” (1978-80) and a junior high science teacher in Oakland (1980-82).
Fr. Skehan completed his clerical studies at the Theological College in Washington, D.C. and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Edward C. O’Leary on May 24, 1986, at St. Matthew Church in Hampden. He has served at parishes in Waterville, Houlton, and currently, as pastor of the Parish of the Ascension of the Lord (churches comprising the parish listed above).
In addition, Fr. Skehan has served as the diocesan director for parish planning, as a hospital chaplain at Maine Medical Center, and as a campus minister at several Maine colleges.