Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Clergy

Rev. Fr. Mingel (Michael) D'Souza, Pastor

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Father Michael D'Souza was appointed Pastor of Assumption in 2008. Father D'Souza was ordained May 29, 1977. Originally from India, he served as pastor, principal, teacher, and youth minister at several parishes and schools. He arrived in the Diocese of Nashville to become associate pastor of St. Rose of Lima, where he served from September 2006 until June 2008.

Father D'Souza succeeded Father Bernard Niedergeses, who served as pastor for 38 years and oversaw restoration of the church and the parish's substantial growth.

Fr. D'Souza encourages you to call him when you are in need of spiritual counseling, Reconciliation or other Sacraments. You may reach him at the Rectory (615) 244-4093 or, in case of emergency, at (615)427-3647. Read his weekly homilies by clicking here.

Rev. Fr. Prentice C. Dean

Bishop Choby ordained Fr. Dean to the priesthood on February 22, 2010, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. He previously served Assumption Church as Deacon (transitional).

Since May 2006, Fr. Dean has served as Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese of Nashville. He continues in that position while being assigned to the Church of the Assumption. Fr. Dean is a former priest in the Episcopal Church and served several parishes in middle Tennessee. The Pastoral Provision allows for former clergy in the Anglican tradition, who are married, to become priests in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. He and his wife entered into full communion with the Catholic Church in 2005. They are the parents of grown twin daughters.

Rev. Fr. Athanasius Abanulo

Father Athanasius Abanulo will serve the hospitals of Nashville as chaplain. As time permits, he serves Mass at both Assumption and St. Pius X parishes.

Father Athanasius was born on September 4, 1959, the 8th of 10 children, in Nigeria. The Abanulo family are deeply religious and attended daily Mass, walking to the parish church some 8 kilometers distance. Fr. Abanulo attended seminary in Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu, the largest Catholic seminary in the world and an affiliate of Urban University Rome. Following his ordination in 1993, he was appointed the diocesan youth chaplain and as pastor for a number of parishes. When his bishop declared a Missionary diocese to assist the priest shortage, Fr. Abanulo mastered French, Arabic and Gambai. He was sent in 2000 to parishes in New York, Oakland, and Phoenix.

In 2006, Fr. Abanulo opened a new mission for the Diocese of Nashville, where he served at St. Stephen in Old Hickory and Immaculate Conception parish in Clarksville. Father Abanulo's priesthood has been richly diversified. His good relationship with the Muslim community has led to many conversions of Muslims to Christianity. He is especially interested in ministering to the sick and the lonely. No matter where he is sent, he is eager to spread the Gospel.