Our Administrator Pastor & Parochial Vicar

Msgr. Paul Stefanko and Fr. Kevin Martin have been both been assigned by Bishop Malone to serve St. Peter's and Cathedral Parishes in Portland, effective August 1, 2007. Msgr. Paul will serve as Administrator of St. Peter's, and Rector of Cathedral and Fr. Kevin as Parochial Vicar for both parishes. Within our new cluster process, the position of Administrator is responsible for those duties that are usually held by a Pastor. A Parochial Vicar is one who works in close collaboration with the Administrator. Both priests will share priestly duties in each parish.

Both Msgr. Paul and Fr. Kevin are grateful for the previous years of ministry at St. Peter's held by the Franciscans. We look forward to working with you in sharing Good News and doing Good Works in the Portland area. We thank you for your prayerful support and collaboration with us!

Msgr. Paul was ordained to the priesthood on May 15, 1976 at St. Ladislaus in South Norwalk, CT., by Bishop Edward C. O'Leary. He prepared for the priesthood at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT. and underwent Philosophy studies at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore. His theological studies were at the Catholic University of America and Theological College in Washington, DC. Msgr. did his diaconate internship at St. Mary's Parish in Presque Isle, ME and was Associate Pastor at St. Martin de Tours Parish in Millinocket following ordination. He was also Director of the Christian Life Center in Upper Frenchville from 1979-1983. Msgr. has been associated with the Tribunal Office since 1977 as a Regional Auditor and was named a pro-synodal judge on October 5, 1981 by Bishop O'Leary and Defender of the Bond on June 15, 1983. Msgr. Paul was assigned full-time to the tribunal staff on November 1, 1983. He returned to the Catholic University for canonical studies in September 1984 earning a License in Canon Law. Upon completion of his studies he was appointed Adjutant Judicial Vicar on June 8, 1989 and Judicial Vicar on June 15, 1992. He was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Yarmouth and its mission St. Jude in Freeport on January 1, 2000. On December 8, 2000 he was elevated to Monsignor, an honor bestowed by Pope John Paul II

On August 1, 2005 Msgr. Paul was assigned by Bishop Malone as Rector of Cathedral Parish. On August 1, 2007 he was appointed by Bishop Malone as Administrator of St. Peter's Parish. He will continue to serve as Rector of Cathedral and his duties as Judicial Vicar for the Diocese.

Fr. Kevin was ordained to the priesthood on July 19, 2003 at Holy Rosary Parish in Caribou, ME by Bishop Joseph Gerry. He attended Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH from 1989-1995, earning a BA and MA in Theology. From 1996-1999, he worked as a layman serving as DRE for St. Theresa and St. Joseph Parishes in Brewer, ME. From 1999-2003 he prepared for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. From 1999-2002 his theological studies were at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum). In 2002-2003 he commenced his studies in Moral Theology at the Alphonsian Academy. After ordination, from 2003-2006 he served as Parochial Vicar for three parishes in Auburn: Sacred Heart, St. Louis and St. Philip's. From August 2005-August 2006 he also served as Parochial Vicar for Our Lady of Ransom in Mechanic Falls, St. Mary's in Oxford and St. Catherine's in Norway. During these same three years he also served as Assistant Vocations Director for the Diocese of Portland. He returned to the Alphonsian Academy in September 2006 and completed his studies in June 2007, earning an STL in Moral Theology.

On August 1, 2007 he was appointed by Bishop Malone as Parochial Vicar of St. Peter's and Cathedral Parishes in Portland.