Father Johnston retires; pastors appointed

Bishop Joseph Galante announced the retirement of Father Kenneth J. Johnston, pastor of Incarnation, Mantua, effective August 1.

He also announced two pastor appointments:

— Father Joseph F. Ganiel, who had been serving as parochial vicar of Holy Child, Runnemede, took over as pastor for a six-year term, effective Aug. 13.

— Father Raymond P. Gormley left his position as pastor of Holy Child, Runnemede, to serve as pastor, Incarnation, Mantua, for a six-year term, effective Aug. 13.

Father Johnston, 71, spent 44 years in ministry at schools and parishes.

He has been pastor of three parishes: St. Teresa, Runnemede (1999-2004); St. Mary, Williamstown (2004-09); and Incarnation, Mantua (2009-12).

He was principal of two high schools,

St. James High School, Carneys Point (1984-89) and Gloucester Catholic (1989-99).

In his early years of ministry, he was on the faculty at St. Joseph High School, Hammonton, and Wildwood Catholic, and was vice principal at Holy Spirit High School, Absecon.

Father Johnston was born in New York, and studied at Mount Saint Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Md., and American College in Louvain, Belgium. He was ordained on June 29, 1968 in Belgium.

He served on the Diocesan Tribunal; was a member and chairman of the Continuing Education and Spritual Formation of Priests; and served on the Vocation Advisory Board and Presbyteral Council.

Father Ganiel, 55, served as pastor of two parishes before his assignment at Holy Child in 2010. He was pastor of St. Mary, Salem (2001-04); St. James, Ventnor (2004-10).

Born in Atlantic City, he was ordained a priest on May 27, 1983, and his first assignment was parochial vicar at St. Lawrence, Lindenwold (1983-87).

He also ministered as parochial vicar at St. John of God, North Cape May (1987-90); Queen of the Apostles, Pennsville (1990-94); St. Mary, Salem (1994-2000, 2001); and Holy Name of Jesus, Mullica Hill (2000-01).

He studied at the University of Scranton, Pa., and Mount St. Mary’s Emmitsburg, Md.

Father Gormley, 49, became pastor of Holy Child, in 2010 after serving as Priest Convener in establishing the parish from the merger of St. Teresa and St. Maria Goretti parishes.

Born in Maryland, he was ordained on May 16, 1992. His first assignment was as parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception, where he served from 1992-94.

Father Gormley has also been parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Vineland (1994-2000); Queen of Heaven, Cherry Hill (2000-02); and St. Agnes, Blackwood (2002-04). He was administrator at St. Teresa, Runnemede (2004-05).

He has served as a member of the Presbyteral Council and the Marian Commission, and as spirtual director of the Legion of Mary.

He studied at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia.