May 28, 2025 After prayerful consideration and consultation with the Priest Personnel Committee on April 24 & May 14, Bishop Terry R. LaValley announces the following assignment changes effective July 2. Prior to that assignment, he served as pastor of St. Alphonsus-Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Tupper Lake for 12 years, as pastor of St. Cecilia’s Church in Adams from 1997-2010 and as a chaplain in the United States Air Force from 1988 to 1996. Originally from Hammond, Father Decker, 74, was ordained a priest May 6, 1978, by Bishop Stanislaus J. Brzana. He served as assistant pastor at St. Patrick¹s in Watertown, St. Alexander¹s in Morrisonville, Notre Dame in Ogdensburg, St. Peter¹s in Lowville, and St. John¹s in Plattsburgh and Holy Family in Watertown before he entered the Air Force in 1986. His twin brother is also a priest of the diocese, and he is also retiring.
FATHER ROBERT L. DECKER He entered seminary at Wadhams Hall and also attended Christ the King seminary. He was ordained May 7, 1983, at St. Mary’s Cathedral by Bishop Stanislaus J. Brzana. Father Decker, pastor of St. Cecilia’s Church in Adams and Queen of Heaven Church in Henderson, began his priesthood serving as a parochial vicar at Holy Family Church in Watertown, St. Mary’s in Clayton, St. John the Evangelist in LaFargeville, Sacred Heart in Massena, and St. Agnes in Lake Placid before being named pastor at St. Therese Church Newcomb and St. Henry’s in Long Lake in January 1995. He has also served as pastor at St. Francis Solanus Church in Harrisville with St. Henry’s Oratory in Natural Bridge; St. Hubert’s Church in Star Lake with St. Michael’s Oratory in Fine and St. Anthony of Padua Oratory in Newton Falls; St. Paul’s Church in Black River and St. Rita’s Church in Deferiet. From 1998 to 2003, Father Decker served as a missionary for the Ogdensburg Peruvian Apostolate in Mollendo, Peru.
FATHER DONALD A. ROBINSON He attended both Wadhams Hall and Christ the King (Diocese of Buffalo) seminaries. He was ordained in St. Mary’s Cathedral on May 30, 1980, by Bishop Stanislaus J. Brzana. After beginning his priesthood with a temporary assignment as parochial vicar at St. Peter’s Church in Lowville, Father Robinson served as a parochial vicar at Notre Dame Church in Malone. Father Robinson then served as an instructor at Immaculate Heart Central in Watertown while serving as parochial vicar at St. Anthony’s Church in Watertown. He also served on the faculty at Wadhams Hall and as diocesan Vocations director, director of seminarians. In 1998, he was named pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Champlain, a role he held until 2001, when he became pastor of St. Anthony’s Church in Watertown. In 2009, he was given additional duties as administrator of St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown. He was later named pastor of that church, as well. From 2015-21, Father Robinson served as pastor at St. James Minor Church in Carthage and St. Mary’s Church in Copenhagen.
FATHER SONY G. PULICKAL He was ordained April 14, 1983, and he was named was parochial vicar of St. Mary’s Metropolitan Church in Changanachery, Kekala. In 1984, after studying Italian, he became parochial vicar of St. Ambrose Church in Segratte, Milan, Italy, and later served as parochial vicar of Immaculate Heart of Mary Basilica, Rome, Italy. He returned to India for one year, when he was in charge of philosophy students, and then from 1991 to 1994, in charge of Theology Study House in Shilong, India. Father Pulickal came to the United States in 1996 and has served the Diocese of Ogdensburg as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Church in Massena, St. Peter’s Church, Lowville, and also served at St. Augustine’s Church, Peru. In 2001, he was named pastor in West Leyden and Fish Creek. On July 23, 2003, Father Pulickal was incardinated into the Diocese of Ogdensburg. In 2004, he became pastor in Indian Lake and Blue Mountain Lake. In 2011, he was named pastor of St. Ann’s Church in Wells and St. James Major Church in Lake Pleasant, a role he has held since.
FATHER JAMES V. TETI Prior to arriving in the Diocese of Ogdensburg, Father Teti, 54, served as parochial vicar of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey for several months after ordination before relocating to Rome to study at the North American College. After completing his studies in Rome, Father Teti served as parochial vicar of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Verona, New Jersey; as assistant director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Newark; in residence at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart and as the archbishop’s secretary; as parochial vicar of Our Lady of the Lake Parish and St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Summit, New Jersey; as director of the Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese of Newark; as pastor of Annunciation Parish in Paramus, New Jersey; and as administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Mountainside, New Jersey. When he arrived in the diocese in 2022, Father Teti was named administrator of St. Henry’s in Long Lake and St. Therese in Newcomb. He was later named pastor of those churches and St. Alphonus-Holy Name Parish in Tupper Lake.
FATHER ALBERT J. HAUSER A Rochester native, Father Hauser graduated from LeMoyne College in Syracuse and studied for the priesthood at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora (Diocese of Buffalo). He was ordained to the priesthood May 2, 1981, by Bishop Stanislaus J. Brzana. Early in his priesthood, Father Hauser served as a parochial vicar at St. Patrick’s in Watertown and Notre Dame in Ogdensburg. He also served as associate chancellor and bishop’s secretary from 1983 until 1988, when he went to Rome for advances studies in biblical theology. He was a member of the faculty of Wadhams Hall Seminary College from 1990 to 2002 and served as vice-president at the time of the seminary’s closing. He served as associate pastor and pastor of St. Lawrence Church in Louisville from 1992 through 1995. From 2002 to 2006, he was pastor of Our Lady of Victory in Plattsburgh and St. Mary’s of the Lake in Cumberland Head. He also served as pastor in Morristown, Hammond and Rossie from 2002 to 2006 and again from 2010 to 2012. Father Hauser also served the diocese as director of the Department of Worship and as dean of the Essex Deanery.
FATHER JOSEPH W. GIROUX After his ordination, he continued studies in Rome, earning a Licentiate in Sacramental Theology from the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm. Father Giroux has served as parochial vicar at Notre Dame Church, Malone; St. Bernard’s, Saranac Lake; St. Peter’s, Lowville; Sacred Heart, Massena; and St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg. While in Ogdensburg, he also served as part-time chaplain at the Ogdensburg Correctional Facility. He also served as the first director of the diocesan Program for the Ongoing Formation of Newly Ordained Priests. In 2021, Father Giroux completed his studies in Canon Law at St. Paul’s University, Ottawa. Also that year, he was named pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Potsdam and St. Patrick’s Church in Colton, a role he holds until this new assignment becomes effective.
FATHER SEVERINUS TORWOE In 2018, he received a post master’s certificate in theology from Holy Apostles. He was ordained by Bishop Terry R. LaValley on Aug. 1, 2020, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ogdensburg. He served as parochial vicar of St. Peter’s Parish in Massena immediately after his ordination. In 2023, he was named parochial vicar at the Catholic Community of St. Peter and St. Mary and St. Hedwig in Lowville. In 2024, he was named administrator of St. Ann’s Church in Mooers Forks and Holy Angels Church in Altona, a role he’ll hold until he begins his new assignment.
FATHER BRYAN D. STITT He studied for the priesthood at Wadhams Hall Seminary College and the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Father Stitt was ordained July 19, 2003, at St. Mary’s Cathedral by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito and then returned to Rome to complete a licentiate in spiritual theology. Early in his priesthood, Father Stitt served as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Church in Ticonderoga, St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake and at St. Peter’s in Plattsburgh, St. Patrick’s Church in Rouses Point and St. Mary’s Church in Champlain. He was assigned for a time as special parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Cathedral, administrator of St. Mary’s Church in Clayton, St. John the Evangelist Church in LaFargeville, St. Mary’s Church in Fort Covington, St. Joseph’s Church in Bombay, St. Mary’s Church and St. Joseph’s Church in Massena, and St. Patrick’s Church in Colton with its missions of St. Paul’s Church (Colton) and St. Michael’s Church (Parishville). From 2007-2010, he served as bishop’s secretary. In 2010, Father Stitt became diocesan Vocations director.
FATHER SHANE M. LYNCH A Watertown native, Father Lynch, 53, graduated from Wadhams Hall and later St. John’s Seminary School of Theology in Boston. Father Lynch also completed a spirituality year program sponsored by St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He was ordained by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito May 12, 2001. Early in his priesthood, Father Lynch served as parochial vicar at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake and St. John in the Wilderness Church in Lake Clear, at Notre Dame in Malone, at the Malone Catholic Parishes and at Holy Family Church in Watertown. He was also a temporary administrator at St. Stephen’s Church in Croghan. Father Lynch was appointed to serve in Wells and Lake Pleasant in 2007, first as administrator and then as pastor. He later served as pastor of St. Bartholomew’s in Old Forge, and St. Anthony of Padua Parish of Inlet and Raquette Lake, in St. James Church in Gouverneur, Sacred Heart Church in Edwards and St. Hubert’s in Star Lake, St. Paul’s in Black River and St. Mary’s in Evans Mills, and most recently in Church of the Visitation in Norfolk, St. Andrew’s Church in Norwood and St. Patrick’s Church in Brasher Falls.
FATHER MATTHEW S. CONGER He was ordained at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ogdensburg, by Bishop Terry R. LaValley on May 29, 2021. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Watertown.
FATHER JUDE NNADIBUAGHA Father Nnadibuagha obtained a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Dominican Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Samonda Ibadan, Nigeria in 2013 and a bachelor’s degree in theology from Collegio Pontificio Teologico Internazionale in Rome, Italy in 2017. His first assignment after ordination was as parochial vicar of the Catholic Community of St. Peter and St. Mary and St. Hedwig in Lowville, Glenfield and Houseville. In 2021, he began serving as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish.
FATHER JOSE JOHN KANYIANKUNNEL, HGN Father Kanyiankunnel’s first assignment was at a retreat center that focused on the Heralds’ ministry of preaching retreats. Father Kanyiankunnel then earned his master’s degree in theology. Moved to Italy in 2009, he served various parishes there for six years before returning to India. Father Kanyiankunnel has served as headmaster and teacher in a parish school. He was later appointed to a house of the HGN in his home state of Kerala to promote vocations, continue the work of preaching and oversee construction. He arrived in the United States in February of 2024 and has served as parochial vicar at St. André Bessette Parish in Malone since his arrival.
FATHER SCOTT A. BELINA He received a bachelor’s degree from Clarkson University before attending St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Pennsylvania. Bishop Terry R. LaValley ordained Deacon Scott Anthony Belina to the priesthood Saturday, May 25, 2013, at St. Mary’s Cathedral. His first assignment after ordination was as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Cathedral with additional responsibilities in the Chancery Office, assisting Bishop LaValley. He also served as parochial vicar at St. André Bessette Parish in Malone and St. Peter’s Parish in Massena. He then served as administrator of the Catholic Community of St. Peter and St. Mary and St. Hedwig in Lowville, Glenfield and Houseville, later serving as pastor in those communities. He was appointed parochial vicar in The Roman Catholic Community of Brownville and Dexter, St. Andrew’s Church in Sackets Harbor, St. Cecilia’s Church in Adams, and Queen of Heaven Church in Henderson in late 2024. |
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Father Decker has served as pastor of pastor of The Catholic Community of St. Peter and St. Mary and St. Hedwig in Lowville, Glenfield and Houseville since 2022.
After growing up in Hammond, Father Decker, 74, first attended Oswego State University, where he earned a degree in elementary education. Working as a teacher, he earned a master’s degree in education from Potsdam State University.
Originally from Watertown, Father Robinson, 74, completed a bachelor’s degree in social sciences and elementary education at SUNY Oswego and was completing a master’s degree in reading education when he began studies for the priesthood.
A native of Kerpla, India, Father Pulickal, 68, completed his priestly studies in Bancalore, India.
A priest of the Archdiocese of Newark in New Jersey, Father Teti was ordained May 24, 1997, in that archdiocese. He is serving in the Diocese of Ogdensburg until 2028.
Father Albert J. Hauser, 71, has served in his current role since 2014.
A native of Plattsburgh, Father Giroux, 50, studied for the priesthood at Wadhams Hall and the Pontifical North American College in Rome Italy before his ordination Aug. 12, 2000, by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito.
Father Torwoe, 55, was born in Hlefi, Ghana. He received a bachelor’s degree in education at University of Cape Coast, Ghana, in 2008. He then studied philosophy and theology at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut, where he obtained a master’s degree in theology in 2017. 
Originally from Crown Point, Father Stitt, 47, has served as pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Canton and diocesan director of Worship since 2017.
Father Shane Lynch has concluded his studies in canon law at St. Paul University in Ottawa.
Originally from Ogdensurg, Father Conger, 33, attended St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Pennsylvania and Christ the King Seminary in the Diocese of Buffalo.
Born in Ideato North Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria, Father Jude Nnadibuagha, 41, was ordained by Bishop Terry R. LaValley on Aug. 1, 2020, at St. Mary’s Cathedral. 
From Kerala State in India, Father Kanyiankunnel, 45, made his first profession with the Heralds of Good News in May of 2001. He made his final profession in July of 2004, and was ordained in May of the following year.
Born in Germany, Father Belina, 40, grew up in Watertown.