Helping Shepherds Serve: Catholic Charities Launches Clergy on the Move

Catholic Charities volunteers help Father Kevin Kasel (right) move to his new parish in Arvada. (Photo provided)

Every summer, priests throughout the Archdiocese of Denver receive new parish assignments, beginning a new chapter in their ministry. While these transitions bring exciting opportunities to serve new communities, they also entail a practical challenge that often goes unnoticed: the move from one rectory to another.

This year, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver launched Clergy on the Move, an effort designed to ease that burden by providing trucks, volunteers and moving assistance to priests as they transition to their new assignments.

The idea grew from a simple question posed by Catholic Charities President and CEO Darren Walsh: How can we better serve the men who spend their lives serving the Church?

Using existing Catholic Charities resources — including a moving truck donated by Catholic Charities Housing — and volunteers from multiple ministries, the inaugural effort provided practical support to priests during one of the busiest times of their year.

"As the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Denver, we're called not only to serve those in need but also to support the priests who faithfully serve our parishes every day," Walsh said. "Sometimes living out the Gospel is as simple as showing up with a truck, a few willing hands and a servant's heart. We hope this effort allows our priests to spend less time worrying about logistics and more time preparing to shepherd their new parish communities."

This year, 37 priests received new assignments throughout the Archdiocese, with 24 needing to relocate.

"Watching them go through this in the past, it occurred to us that they could really use some help because they're responsible for coordinating every aspect of their move," said Deacon A.J. Misiti, director of parish engagement for Catholic Charities. "Clergy on the Move gave these priests an extra set of hands and access to a truck to help move them from one assignment to the next."

The effort became a collaborative effort across Catholic Charities. Catholic Charities Housing donated one of its trucks, while employees from the Housing and Marketing teams volunteered their time to load furniture, transport boxes and help priests settle into their new homes.

Four priests participated during the program's inaugural year, including Father Joseph McLagan, who recently moved to St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial to begin his ministry as parochial vicar.

"Through the generosity of Catholic Charities, Deacon A.J. Misiti reached out to priests who were moving and asked if we needed help," Father McLagan said. "It was incredibly generous to provide a truck and volunteers to move everything from my former parish to my new assignment. It made a big difference during a very busy time."

The initiative was coordinated in partnership with the Archdiocese of Denver and with the support of Father Matt Book, Vicar for Clergy, ensuring the program complemented the annual clergy assignment process and provided practical assistance to priests during their transition.

The response from both the priests and the Archdiocese affirmed that the ministry met a genuine need.

"It was very well received," Deacon Misiti said. "The priests were extremely grateful. It's a wonderful gift to these men who give so much of themselves in service to others. We look forward to continuing this ministry for years to come."

While Clergy on the Move may involve boxes, furniture and moving trucks, its purpose is ultimately much deeper. By caring for the practical needs of priests during times of transition, Catholic Charities is helping strengthen the ministry of the Church throughout Northern Colorado — allowing priests to begin their new assignments focused on the people God has called them to serve.

As the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Denver, Catholic Charities is committed to supporting neighbors and transforming lives. Through initiatives like Clergy on the Move, that mission extends not only to those experiencing hardship, but also to the priests who faithfully shepherd the faithful every day.