Father Jason Crossen, left, listens during a priesthood ordination Mass last year. Also pictured are now-Bishop-elect Thom Hennen and Father Jeff Belger. Father Crossen will become the new vicar general for the Diocese of Davenport and rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport on Sept. 1.
By Barb Arland-Fye
The Catholic Messenger
Father Jason Crossen enters his new roles as vicar general for the Diocese of Davenport and rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport on Sept. 1 looking forward to working with Bishop Dennis Walsh and the cathedral’s parishioners.
He won’t be far away from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bettendorf, which he has served as pastor since 2014. As he told his parishioners earlier this month, his new assignment is “an honor to be sure, but I am also sad to say good-bye to a parish I have grown to love over the years.”
The cathedral also holds a special place in his heart. “I’ve always been fond of the Cathedral as my diocesan home, where I was ordained and each year celebrate the priesthood and the holy Eucharist with the bishop during Chrism Mass.”
Father Crossen has also “worked with many diocesan entities and boards in my last 25 years and I am familiar with many people at the diocesan offices,” he said. “I hope I can continue the good work that Bishop-elect (Thom Hennen) leaves behind. It’s helpful too that Father Thom and I have been very good friends for many years. I also expect that I will be calling him from time to time to lean upon his experience!”
In conjunction with Father Crossen’s appointment, Father Rich Adam has been appointed to lead both Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and St. John Vianney Parish in Bettendorf, his current assignment.
“When Bishop Walsh asked me to take on the pastorate of both St. John Vianney Parish and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, I welcomed the challenge with confidence and hope,” Father Adam said. “I firmly believe that this new role will be successful because of the dedicated, capable staff already serving in both parishes. Their reliability and commitment give me great assurance that our communities will remain vibrant and flourishing.”
“I am also very pleased to welcome two new colleagues who will strengthen our leadership team. Deacon Ryan Burchett will come on board as a tremendous aid, helping to maintain stability and support the day-to-day needs of both parishes.”
“Additionally, Father Shinu Varghese, arriving from India, will serve as our parochial vicar. I look forward to working alongside them and warmly welcoming them into our parish family,” Father Adam said. “Together — with the staff, clergy, and parishioners — I am confident that we will continue to build strong, faith-filled communities rooted in service and devotion.”
“Although it may be sooner than anticipated, having one pastor to lead both St. John Vianney and Our Lady of Lourdes with the brand new school, St. Joan of Arc, will help with direction and collaboration with all the Catholics in Bettendorf,” Father Crossen said. “I sincerely believe that God has a greater plan in all of this change.”
“Change is never easy, especially when it is not something planned! Yet Jesus reminds us not to become complacent.” Father Crossen finds himself “trying quickly to turn over the work of the parish and a new school while preparing to embrace a new parish and role in the diocese. Prayer has been my anchor. May God grant me the grace to love and serve the people of the cathedral and the diocese well,” Father Crossen said.
Bishop Walsh said the vicar general stands in for the bishop when he is not available and has the administrative authority of the bishop. “So, you look for the same qualities, and not everybody has those qualities.”
Father Crossen “has administrative experience as a pastor and the theological background. He was one of five well-qualified candidates,” the bishop said. “It came down to the complexity of the moves involved.”
Bishop-elect Hennen, who will be ordained and installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Baker, Oregon on Sept. 29, has served as both vicar general and rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Bishop Walsh said combining those leadership positions has worked well because of the relationship between the bishop’s office and the cathedral, which is the diocese’s mother church.
Bishop Walsh also said he spoke to Father Adam prior to making an appointment to “see if Father Rich was open to pastoring both. Father Rich was open to that. He was very generous in his desire to be able to do that.” The pastoral model being implemented seeks to ensure that “both parishes can be pastored and neither gets lost in the shuffle,” the bishop said.
