Bishop Deeley announces new priest assignment

Bishop Robert Deeley has announced a new priest assignment. Father Patrick Machayi, a member of the Society of African Missions (SMA), has been appointed a parochial vicar of All Saints Parish in Brunswick effective July 5.

Originally from Zambezi, Zambia, Father Machayi was ordained to the priesthood on July 26, 2014. Following his ordination, he served in Tanzania, which borders Zambia, from 2014 to 2022. He was then appointed to the society's USA Province, based in Tenafly, New Jersey, and from December 2022 to March 2023, he served as a hospital chaplain at Holy Name Medical Center in the nearby township of Teaneck.

Father Machayi succeeds Father Patrick Agbodi, SMA, as a parochial vicar at the parish. In May, Father Agbodi, also a member of the Society of African Missions, was named administrator of Corpus Christi Parish in Waterville, an assignment he will begin on July 5.  

The Society of African Missions is an international community of missionaries founded in France in 1856. The community includes priests, brothers, laymen, and laywomen from five continents. The American Province of SMA was established in 1941.