The appointment by Bishop Donald W. Trautman takes effect Aug. 1. in Clarion, Monsignor Riccardo will succeed the Rev. Frank Przepierski, who will complete his term as pastor this summer and will be reassigned.

Monsignor Riccardo, 53, has served Good Shepherd since August 2000. He was pastor at Sts. Cosmas & Damian Parish, Punxsutawney, from 1987 2000.

Last year, Pope John Paul II named him a monsignor and gave him the title "Chaplain of His Holiness."

He was parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish, Warren, Pa., from 1983 87; and at Holy Rosary Parish, Johnsonburg, Pa., from 1975 83.

Monsignor Riccardo was president and chief executive officer of the campaign for the Council For Human Dignity, which administers an apartment complex for equal housing in Punxsutawney. The complex is owned by Sts. Cosmas & Damian Parish.

In the Erie Diocese, he served on the Presbyteral Council and its predecessor, the Priests’ Senate. He also served on the vicariate council while at Holy Rosary, Johnsonburg. He was an advocate for the diocesan Marriage Tribunal and has been defender of the bond for the tribunal for the last 20 years.

The Lock Haven, Pa., native was ordained May 16, 1975.