By Barb Arland-Fye
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — Bishop Martin Amos has appointed Father Tony Herold, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Davenport, second vicar general for the Diocese of Davenport. Fr. Herold will share responsibilities as vicar general with Msgr. John Hyland. When Msgr. Hyland retires June 30, Fr. Herold will continue to serve as vicar general and as pastor of St. Paul the Apostle.
Msgr. Hyland also serves as Moderator of the Curia, or leader of the bishop’s staff. Because Fr. Herold will remain a full-time pastor at St. Paul the Apostle, Bishop Amos will serve as Moderator of the Curia, a position that must be held by a priest. The bishop appointed Deacon David Montgomery to serve as chief of staff, effective July 1. Deacon Montgomery, 57, will continue to serve as chancellor and director of communication but will be relieved of his responsibilities as director of the diaconate.
Bishop Amos appointed Deacon Terry Starns, of Waukesha, Wis., as director of the diaconate. Deacon Starns, 62, formerly of the Davenport Diocese, was instrumental in reestablishment of its permanent diaconate program and was director of the diaconate from 1997-2000. Deacon Starns will also serve as parish life coordinator for St. Andrew Parish in Blue Grass after the retirement of Deacon Don Frericks June 30.
The bishop said he consulted with the curia, priests and deacons about their recommendations for vicar general. That position must be filled by a priest. The bishop received 18 recommendations and narrowed the list to two priests most frequently recommended. He had dinner with each and described the discussions as wonderful. “Both priests would be very good as vicar general,” Bishop Amos said. “They have different talents, very good talents.”
A vicar general facilitates the development of overall mission statements, goals, objectives and strategies in connection with the diocesan directors and the pastoral and presbyteral councils. He also handles the duties of a priest in matters of administering the sacraments and responding to priest personnel crises and arranging diocesan priests’ funerals.
“I am truly honored to serve the Diocese of Davenport by assisting Bishop Amos as his vicar general,” said Fr. Herold, 62, who was ordained a priest in 1979 at the former St. Mary Parish in Fort Madison.
“I look forward to working with Msgr. Hyland and Bishop Amos as we work out the responsibilities of this position. I love this diocese that has nurtured my faith from the font of baptism through ordination and beyond. I look forward to promoting the important work of the church in whatever capacity I can. I truly appreciate the opportunity to continue serving as pastor of St. Paul Parish in Davenport. Serving as a pastor is a source of vitality and joy for me and will help keep me rooted in faith as I serve the diocese in this new capacity.”
Bishop Amos chose Deacon Montgomery as chief of staff because “I’ve worked closely with David over the years, both in his role in the diaconate and as communications director for the diocese. He has always impressed me with his communications skills and his organizational skills. He has the qualities to help operations run smoothly.”
Deacon Montgomery was ordained a deacon in 2002 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport. He and his wife, Michelle, have three grown children. Deacon Montgomery serves as deacon for St. Mary Parish in Oxford and St. Peter Parish in Cosgrove.
“I look forward to serving the people of the diocese and my coworkers in a new way. It will be good to work with Deacon Starns again and to welcome Fr. Herold to the bishop’s staff,” Deacon Montgomery said.
In his role as chief of staff, Deacon Montgomery will coordinate the diocese’s internal operations and administrative affairs, implement the bishop’s directives, ensure that the members of the curia properly fulfill the office entrusted to them, and nurture positive relationships with all these staff. The chief of staff also facilitates and coordinates the development of overall mission statements, goals, objectives, strategies and policies.
The appointment of Deacon Starns to lead the diaconate came about after Bishop Amos learned that Deacon Starns would be returning to the Davenport Diocese, where he has family. “He’s someone who knows the diocese and previously led the diaconate. I am very impressed with him,” the bishop said.
Deacon Starns and his wife, Becky, have four grown daughters. He was ordained a deacon in 1992 by Bishop Gerald O’Keefe at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport. He is currently employed as
public works superintendent for the City of Brookfield, Wis., and serves as deacon at St. John Neumann Congregation and St. William Parish in Waukesha.
“Becky and I are excited to be returning home after 15 years and becoming a part of St. Andrew parish!” Deacon Starns said. “I am also truly humbled to be able to serve as the director of the diaconate again.”