Bishop Daniel Appoints Father Seth New Vicar General of Our Diocese

Please pray for Father Seth as he takes on another responsibility for our Diocese.

Dear Father Gogolin:

Greetings in our Lord, Jesus Christ. By way of this correspondence, I formally appoint you as Vicar General and Moderator of Mission Integration for the Diocese effective January 1, 2023 in addition to your assignment as Pastor of St. John Church and St. Benedict Church both in Duluth.

I thank you for your willingness to accept this added responsibility and pray that God will continue to bless you and your pastoral ministry to these parishes.
Blessings upon you and those you serve,
Most Reverend Daniel J. Felton
Bishop of Duluth

I am grateful for all of your prayers for me as I prepare for this new assignment, but many of you said to me after Masses that you did not know what I would really be doing as Vicar General and Moderator of Mission Integration, so the next part of this article is the job description given by Bishop Felton.

Vicar General and Moderator of Mission Integration General Summary:
The Vicar General collaborates with the Bishop of Duluth in the overall governance of the Diocese of Duluth. The Vicar General is appointed by the Bishop of Duluth. The length of the appointment is at the discretion of the bishop (ad nutum episcopi).

Duties and Responsibilities:
As Vicar General,
• Serves as a member (ex officio) of the Corporate Board;
• Serves as a member (ex officio) of the Presbyteral Council, College of Consultors, and the Diocesan Finance Council;
• Serves on other councils and committees as assigned by the bishop;
• Assists to ensure that discussions, decisions, decrees and policies are properly made in light of canonical, legal, financial, and charitable perspectives;
• Represents the bishop at various official, public and private, church and civil ceremonies and events;
• Authorizes visiting clergy to officiate at weddings;
• Officiates at Confirmations in the absence of the bishop;
• Performs other duties as assigned by the bishop.

As Moderator of Mission Integration,
• Oversees the integration of the ‘Mobilization to Mission’ in all the facets of the Diocese of Duluth and the Pastoral Center offices;
• Participates in strategic planning for mission integration;
• Coordinates mission integration priorities, organizational structures, and operational services throughout the Diocese and especially in relation to the Diocesan offices;
• Maintains current knowledge and skills to allow for effective participation or membership in appropriate local, regional and national associations in the area of mission integration;
• Networks with colleagues from other dioceses in the area of mission integration.

As things get closer to January I will have a better idea of what impact this will have on our parishes. I can tell you that this will not have any impact on our Mass schedule, but I do know that I will be at the diocesan offices Tuesdays and Thursdays, so it will impact my availability in the parishes themselves on those two days of the week. I am so grateful for our parish staffs, deacons, and parish leadership in helping me to make this transition smoothly by taking on more roles and responsibilities. As Bishop Felton told me when appointing me to these new positions, my parish ministry is still my main responsibility as a pastor. Therefore, even though I will have duties for the diocese, I will do all I can to make sure your faith is nurtured and the business of our parishes is still tended to. Please continue to pray for me. God Bless. – Fr. Seth