SAGINAW — The Most Rev. Walter A. Hurley, Apostolic Administrator, has appointed Rev. William J. Rutkowski, Vicar General of the Diocese of Saginaw, to Rector of the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption. Father Rutkowski most recently served as sacramental minister at St. John Vianney Parish in Saginaw. In addition to his responsibilities at the Cathedral, Father Rutkowski will continue in his role as vicar general, a position he has held since 2013, as well as director of seminarians, a position he has held since
2011.
“It is always a joy to serve as a priest in a parish,” Father Rutkowski said. “And, it is always so difficult for me to leave the parishioners, whom I have grown to love and have been a part of their spiritual lives over the years. At the same time, God always brings new blessings of people and opportunities to serve wherever God calls one to go. I look forward to serving the Cathedral Parish, getting involved in outreach to our neighbors, being part of revitalization efforts and welcoming people from all over our diocese.”
Father Rutkowski was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Saginaw on November 1, 1987. He served as assistant pastor at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Bay City, and St. Stephen Church, Saginaw. He served as pastor at the following parishes: St. Vincent de Paul Church, Shepherd, and St. Leo Church, Winn, 1992-1997; St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Bay City, 1997-2010; St. Cecilia Parish, Clare, 2010-2013; St. Henry, Rosebush/St. Charles, Leaton, and St. Philip Neri, Coleman/St. Anne, Edenville, 2011-2013; and most recently as sacramental minister at St. John Vianney Parish, Saginaw 2013-2018. Father Rutkowski received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from St. Mary’s College, Orchard Lake, in 1983, and a Master of Divinity Degree from St. John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth, in 1987.
The Rev. Richard E. Jozwiak, who was serving as sacramental minister at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw, has been appointed by Bishop Hurley to serve as sacramental minister at St. John Vianney Parish, Saginaw. Father Jozwiak is a senior priest whose continued ministry is a great service to the people of the Diocese of Saginaw. He was ordained in 1959, and has been in priestly ministry for nearly 60 years.