PORTLAND, Maine — Bishop Robert P. Deeley has announced several priest assignments, three with Aroostook County ties, effective July 1.
Fr. Timothy J. Nadeau has been appointed as parochial vicar of Stella Maris Parish (St. Vincent de Paul Church, Bucksport; Our Lady of Holy Hope Church, Castine; St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, Stonington), St. Joseph Parish (St. Joseph Church, Ellsworth; Blue Hill Mission, Blue Hill; Our Lady of the Lake Mission, Green Lake; St. Margaret Chapel, Winter Harbor), and Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord (Holy Redeemer Church, Bar Harbor; St. Peter Church, Manset; St. Ignatius Church, Northeast Harbor).
A native of Caribou, Fr. Nadeau earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Southern Maine and completed his clerical studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. On May 18, 1991, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Joseph J. Gerry, OSB, at Holy Rosary Church in Caribou.
His first assignment was as a parochial vicar at Holy Family Parish in Lewiston, where he served until being named pastor of St. Ann Parish on Indian Island in June of 1995. In July of 1996, in addition to his duties at St. Ann, he was appointed pastor of St. Mary Parish in Orono. In June of 1997, He was named pastor of St. Ann Parish in Bradley while continuing as pastor of St. Ann on Indian Island.
In June of 2000, he was named pastor, in solidum with Fr. Claude Albert, of St. Ignatius Parish and Holy Family Parish, both in Sanford, and Notre Dame Parish in Springvale (the three churches now comprise St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford). In June of 2008, he became administrator of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Bangor and, in May of 2010, he became pastor of the parish where he served until his appointment as pastor of Prince of Peace Parish (Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Holy Cross Church, and Holy Family Church, all in Lewiston) in July of 2016.
In May of 2017, in addition to his duties at Prince of Peace, Nadeau was also appointed pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Lisbon Falls and Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Sabattus.
Fr. M. Arockia Natha Prabu, HGN, (“Fr. Prabu”) has been appointed parochial vicar of the Parish of the Precious Blood (Holy Rosary Church, Caribou; Sacred Heart Church, Caribou; Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Presque Isle; Our Lady of the Lake Church, Portage; St. Catherine Church, Washburn; St. Denis Church, Fort Fairfield; St. Joseph Church, Mars Hill; St. Louis Church, Limestone; St. Mark Church, Ashland; St. Theresa Church, Stockholm).
A native of Tiruvannamalai, India, Fr. Prabu competed his clerical studies at St. John’s Minor Seminary in Nidadavole, India, and St. Joseph’s Major Seminary in Kurnool, India. While in formation, he spent a year of pastoral ministry teaching English to sixth and seventh graders in Prathipadu, India. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 10, 2013, in Melavalady, India.
Since his ordination, Fr. Prabu served as an assistant parish priest, similar to a parochial vicar here, at five churches in four different parishes in India, before receiving his assignment in Maine.
Fr. Agustin Sebasthiyan, HGN, (“Fr. Agustin”) has been appointed parochial vicar of Holy Spirit Parish (St. Mary Church, Wells; St. Martha Church, Kennebunk; All Saints Church, Ogunquit). Fr. Agustin is currently parochial vicar of Parish of the Precious Blood (Holy Rosary Church, Caribou; Sacred Heart Church, Caribou; Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Presque Isle; Our Lady of the Lake Church, Portage; St. Catherine Church, Washburn; St. Denis Church, Fort Fairfield; St. Joseph Church, Mars Hill; St. Louis Church, Limestone; St. Mark Church, Ashland; St. Theresa Church, Stockholm).
Born in 1983, Fr. Agustin is a native of A. Kalathupatty, a town in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. He holds bachelor’s degrees from Annamalai University and Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University, both located in Tamil Nadu. He completed his clerical studies at Heralds College in Poonamallee, India (2000-2002), St. John’s Major Seminary in Kurnool, India (2002-2006), and St. Don Bosco in Hyderabad, India (2006-2007).
He was ordained to the priesthood on March 5, 2011, at the Heralds of Good News in Melavalady, India. Since his ordination, Fr. Agustin has served as an assistant parish priest in four Indian towns: Rayapeta and Ambattur (2011-2012), Christu Nagar (2012-2013), and Naduvalur (2013-2014). In 2014, he was appointed principal of Divine Mercy School in the Diocese of Nalgonda, located in the province of Hyderabad, India, where he served until arriving in Maine in June of 2017.
The bishop’s other recent assignments include the following, effective July 1 unless otherwise noted:
Fr. Benedict Olusegun Faneye, OP, has been appointed chaplain at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion, St. Mary’s Residence, and Central Maine Medical Center, all located in Lewiston.
Fr. Anthony F. Kuzia, CM, has been appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish (Our Lady of the Lakes Church, Oquossoc; St. Luke Church, Rangeley; St. John Church, Stratton; Bell Chapel, Sugarloaf Mountain).
Effective July 17, Fr. Paul G. Murray will take a medical leave of absence.
Effective July 1, Fr. Dominic Savio, HGN, has been appointed as parochial vicar at the Portland Peninsula and Island Parishes (Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Portland; Sacred Heart/St. Dominic Parish, Portland; St. Christopher Parish, Peaks Island; St. Louis Parish, Portland; St. Peter Parish, Portland).
