A Letter From Our Pastor, Father Jarrod Lies
Dear Parish family,
It is with a mix of grief and joy to share with you that my time as Pastor at St. Francis has drawn to a close. Bishop Kemme has asked me to become the Vicar for Stewardship and Evangelization effective July 1st, 2025. I am very excited for this position as it will focus on fostering the Stewardship Way of Life and Evangelization both within parishes and as a Diocese as a whole. I am taking the place of Fr. John Jirak who has served in this role for the past several years while also serving as pastor. I my appointment, however, I will serve solely as the Vicar of Stewardship and Evangelization as a singular focus without an additional parish assignment.
I will be replaced by Fr. James Schibi who is currently serving as pastor of Holy Name Parish in Coffeyville, KS. Fr. Schibi was ordained on May 26th, 2018, and was raised as a member of St. Patrick’s in Parsons, KS. He will be an excellent pastor of this wonderful parish family.
In addition, Fr. Andrew Meng and Fr. Bhaskar Mendam will also be reassigned.
Fr. Meng will serve as parochial vicar for Holy Cross and St. Teresa in Hutchinson and as part time chaplain at Trinity.
Also, Fr. Mendam will be appointed Pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Harper County, all effective July 1, 2025.
This means that St. Francis will have all new priests. Those names will be announced later.
On behalf of Fr. Meng, Fr. Mendam, and myself, I thank you for your loving acceptance of our ministry and patience of our foibles.
Please keep all of us priest’s and our parish family in prayer as we go through new transitions and follow the Holy Spirit through the direction of our Bishop.
Peace in Christ,
Father Jarrod Lies, Pastor
