On July 1, during an all-staff Mass in the Chapel of Mary, Mother of the Church, in the McRaith Catholic Center, Julie Garvin signs her Oath of Fidelity, Oath of Office, and Profession of Faith as the new Chief Financial Officer. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Diocese announces new administrative roles, assignments
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
This summer, several appointments and changes were made within the McRaith Catholic Center, which is the pastoral center for the Diocese of Owensboro, and in several parishes and diocesan organizations.
On June 30, Raymond T. Purk retired as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the diocese. He was succeeded by Julie Garvin, who signed her Oath of Fidelity, Oath of Office, and Profession of Faith as the new CFO on July 1. Garvin previously served as the director of finance for the Owensboro Catholic School System.
Also on June 30, Tom Lilly retired as Chancellor and Chief of Staff for the diocese. As of July 7, he was succeeded by Martha Hagan as the new Chancellor. Previously, Hagan served as Vice-Chancellor and administrative assistant to the Office of the Bishop. She will continue her role with the bishop’s office in addition to serving as Chancellor.
Fr. Jason McClure, Vicar for Clergy and chaplain for the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center at Western Kentucky University, was appointed by Bishop Medley to serve as the Moderator of the Curia, effective July 7. In accord with Canon 473 §2, the Moderator of the Curia is a priest who assists the bishop in the governance and administration of the diocese by coordinating the work of diocesan offices, promoting effective collaboration among curial staff, and ensuring that diocesan administrative activities are carried out in a manner that serves the mission of the Church and the pastoral needs of the People of God. The Moderator of the Curia works in close collaboration with the Chancellor in supporting the bishop’s governance and administration of the diocese. Fr. McClure will continue to serve as the Vicar for Clergy.
Fr. McClure will also serve as pastor of Precious Blood Parish in Owensboro beginning Dec. 10, 2026. Fr. John Vaughan began serving as parish administrator of Precious Blood Parish on July 1, 2026 and will continue to serve in that capacity until Fr. McClure begins his assignment as pastor. (Fr. Vaughan retired from active ministry in June 2025.)
Fr. Corey D. Bruns, diocesan vocations director, will fill Fr. McClure’s role as chaplain at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center effective Dec. 10. Fr. Bruns will continue his role as vocations director.
This summer, Susana Solorza transitioned from her role as coordinator of Hispanic/Latino youth and young adult ministry for the diocese, and took on the new responsibility as a Spanish teacher and campus minister for Holy Name of Jesus School in Henderson, effective this fall semester.
Originally printed in the August 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
