Changes in Priest Assignments 05.27.2022

Father Jaime Chacón, pastor of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Ellensburg, was appointed pastor of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Moxee May 21, 2022, following the death May 20 of Father John Murtagh. Fr. Chacón remains pastor of St. Andrew through June 30, 2022. He was ordained a priest May 21, 2004.

Father Alejandro Trejo, pastor of Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Church in Mattawa, is appointed pastor of St. Andrew effective July 1, 2022, while remaining pastor of Our Lady of the Desert through July 31. He was ordained a priest May 23, 2003.

Father Lalo Barragán, vice rector of Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Oregon, is appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Desert effective August 1, 2022. He finishes a five-year assignment at the seminary June 30, 2022. He was ordained a priest May 23, 2014.

Father Gerardo Cisneros, who was appointed parochial vicar of St. Andrew effective April 1, is appointed parochial vicar of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Quincy effective June 1, 2022. Ordained a priest June 3, 2006, he was released from the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit in April for one year to discern diocesan priesthood.

Father Edwin Lozada, of the Diocese of Pereira, Colombia, continues as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Moses Lake, where he began service in December 2021. Ordained a priest March 3, 2013, he has been released by his bishop for up to five years of service here.

Fr. Christian Melendez, ordained a priest May 27, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wenatchee, is assigned to further studies effective July 1, 2022 while serving on weekends in parishes as needed. He is studying to complete the Washington State requirements to be a licensed clinical psychologist. He will reside in Yakima at St. Paul Cathedral.