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Monday, Dec. 10, 2007

St. Stanislaus pastor announces his resignation

UPDATE: Resignation was effective at noon today

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The Rev. Lonachan Arouje resigned today as pastor of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Modesto.

Reading his resignation letter from the pulpit at Sunday Mass, Arouje said he was taking a year's sabbatical for his health and to rejuvenate himself spiritually. The resignation took effect at noon today.

Arouje assumed his duties at St. Stanislaus in September 2006. Before that, he had been the director of the All Saints Newsman Center in Turlock.

He is the second pastor to leave the post in the past 18 months. The Rev. Bill McDonald resigned in June 2006 after a yearlong sabbatical for renewal, study and relaxation. He remains on a leave of absence from the diocese.

St. Stanislaus is building a new church along Maze Boulevard. The 26,250-square-foot building is expected to open next year.

Aruje said that after his leave, he expects Bishop Stephen Blaire will reassign him. While he is away, he said, the Rev. John Lindsay will handle day-to-day administrative duties at the parish and a visiting priest will be brought in to help.