The public installation of five new Monsignors for the Diocese of Savannah took place at Evening Prayer on Sunday, June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. They are Reverend John A. Kenneally, Reverend Lawrence A. Lucree, Reverend Fred J. Nijem, Reverend P. James Costigan and Reverend Christopher J. Schreck.

“These papal honors are obviously a special recognition for the nominees, but at the same time a moment of joy and recognition for the great work that is done by our presbyterate,” Bishop J. Kevin Boland, who presided over the installation, said. “The nominees represent the different spectrums of ministries in the Church. Within the context of these five nominees the retired priests are recognized for their continuing contributions; the ministry of academia is also recognized together with church administration and the ongoing pastoral ministry which is the lifeblood of every diocese. In honoring and congratulating these men, we honor the total presbyterate of our diocese.”

The bishop added, “The recent pastoral visit of our Holy Father to the U.S. recognized the vitality of the Church, and an integral part of that vitality is the ministry of priests. The Diocese of Savannah is blessed in the service of the honorees but also blessed in the service of all who belong to our diocesan presbyterate.”

“Monsignor” is an honorary ecclesiastical title granted by the Pope to some diocesan priests.

Monsignor John Anthony Kenneally, Vicar General, a native of Cork City, Ireland, was educated at Little Island National School, Saint Finbarr’s College, University College, Dublin, and All Hallows Seminary, Dublin. Father Kenneally was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Savannah on June 15, 1969, at All Hallows.

He has served as Chancellor of the Diocese of Savannah, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, Macon, and Saint James Parish, Savannah, as well as Dean of the Savannah Deanery. He currently serves as Diocesan Personnel Advisor, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. He is also pastor of Saint William Parish, Saint Simons Island.

Monsignor Lawrence Aloysius Lucree, a native of Savannah, was educated at Cathedral Parochial School and Benedictine Military School in Savannah, and Saint Bernard’s College, Cullman, Alabama and Saint Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland.

Father Lucree was ordained on May 7, 1960 at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Savannah. Twice rector of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist (1967-70 and 1974-76), he has also served as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Augusta, Saint Teresa Parish, Albany, Saint Joseph Parish, Jesup, Saint Matthew Parish, Statesboro, Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Valdosta, and its mission, Queen of Peace Parish, Lakeland, Saint Mary Parish, Americus, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Columbus, and Saint Theresa Parish, Cordele, as well as Dean of the Statesboro, Valdosta-Brunswick and Columbus Deaneries . He lives in retirement in Andersonville.

Monsignor P. James Costigan, a native of Roscrea, Ireland, was educated at Saint Cronan’s National School, Saint Flannan’s School, Mount Melleray Seminary and Saint Patrick Seminary, Carlow. Father Costigan was ordained for the Diocese of Savannah on June 8, 1968 at the Carlow Cathedral. He has served as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Savannah, Saint Mary on the Hill Parish, Augusta, Saint James Parish, Savannah, and Saint Michael Parish, Tybee Island, as well as Dean of the Savannah and Augusta Deaneries. He is currently pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Savannah.

Monsignor Frederick Joseph Nijem, a native of Valdosta, was educated at Saint John’s School and Valdosta High School, Valdosta, Saint Bernard’s College, Cullman, Alabama, Saint John’s College, Little Rock, Arkansas, Saint Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland, Valdosta State College and Loyola Graduate School of Education, Baltimore, Maryland.
Father Nijem was ordained on May 25, 1968, at Saint John the Evangelist Church, Valdosta. He has served as pastor of Saint Benedict the Moor Parish, Savannah, Saint Teresa Parish, Albany, and Holy Trinity Parish, Augusta, and as Dean of the Albany and Macon Deaneries, Director of Camp Villa Marie and Director of Saint Pius X Center, Savannah. He is currently pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Warner Robins.

Monsignor Christopher Joseph Schreck, ssl, std, phd, a native of Savannah, was educated at Saint John Vianney Minor Seminary, Savannah, Saint John Vianney Minor Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy, the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome, Italy, and the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. Father Schreck was ordained a priest on July 9, 1977, at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Savannah.

After serving at Saint James Parish, Savannah, and in the Diocesan Vocations Office, Father Schreck taught at Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, Florida, and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was Academic Dean, Vice President for Educational Affairs and Vice Rector. He currently teaches at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.

The five new Monsignors bring to nine the number of Monsignors serving in the Diocese of Savannah. The other four are Monsignor Francis J. Nelson, VG, pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Church in Savannah, Monsignor William O. O’Neill, rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, Monsignor John J. Cuddy, who is retired and living in Macon, and Monsignor Marvin J. LeFrois, who is retired and living in Valdosta.