Pilgrimage Priest List
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Most Rev. Gerald Dino, D.D. (Eparchy of Phoenix)
Bishop Gerald was born in Binghamton, New York, on January 11, 1940. He received a bachelor of
arts degree, cumlaude, from Duquesne University in 1961, and a completed graduate theological
studies from the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Pittsburgh,
in 1965. He was ordained a priest for the Eparchy of Passaic on March 21, 1965.
After ordination, he was assistant pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish, Pottstown, PA,
1967-1967, and Saint Michael Parish, Perth Amboy, New Jersey,1967-1969, and pastor,
Saint Nicholas Parish, Dunellen, NJ, 1969-1970. He did graduate studies in Rome from
1970-1972, and from 1973-1979, was professor and academic dean at the Byzantine Catholic
Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius. On December 6, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI appointed
Father Gerald N. Dino to succeed Bishop Skurla as Bishop as the fourth bishop of Van Nuys.
Rt. Rev. Joseph Stanichar (Seattle, WA)
Fr. Joseph grew up under the tutelage of his parents and Slavic grandmother. After studying
for the priesthood in New York, he became an Air Force chaplain serving overseas as well as
in this country. While serving as chaplain at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, W A, he
began founding the present Byzantine Catholic parishes of the Northwest. He has been a great
support to these parishes as well as to the Shrine.
Fr. William O'Brien (Spokane, WA)
Fr. Bill comes to us from the great state of New Jersey. He studied at Sts. Cyril &
Methodius Seminary and was ordained in 1988. He has served in several parishes in
California and Washington, and now serves the people of Sts. Cyril & Methodius in
Spokane. Fr. Bill is well-known and loved by the people of the Northwest.
Fr. Frank Knusel (Portland, OR)
Fr. Frank is a priest of the Archdiocese of Portland, OR. He is bi-ritual and
presently serves the community at St. Irene Byzantine Catholic Church in
Portland. He is also very active in the Spanish apostolate for his archdiocese.
Fr. Lee Perry (Olympia, WA)
Growing up in beautiful New England, Fr. Lee entered the Society of St. Joseph and
served in schools and parishes throughout the South, mid-Atlantic region, and the
Southwest. In 2001 he joined the Eparchy of Van Nuys and has been stationed at
St. George/Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine in Olympia, WA ever since.
Fr. Robert Pipta
Fr. Robert attended the Byzantine Church of the Annunciation in Anaheim, CA, before entering the Byzantine Seminary in Pittsburgh. He was ordained in 1994 and has served in Las Vegas and San Diego. He also serves on the Metropolitan Liturgical Committee, and is presently Director for Vocations for the Eparchy of Van Nuys. Fr. Robert puts his talents to good use in serving the youth and the people of the Eparchy.
Fr. Christopher Zugger (Albuquerque, NM)
Father Chris Zugger is an ordained priest of the Byzantine Catholic Church. He hears confessions, assists at Divine Liturgies, services and classes in the parish, under the direction of the pastor. He provides spiritual direction for laity and clergy.
Fr. Abraham Miller (Seattle, WA) (Ukrainian)
Fr. Laurence Gosselin (Olympia, WA) (Melkite)
