Most Rev. Richard Lennon, Apostolic Administrator, has announced the appointment of Father Joseph Foster from parochial vicar at Our Lady, Star of the Sea Parish in Marblehead to pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Medford. The effective date of Father Foster’s new assignment was June 16, 2003.

A native of Everett and a son of Immaculate Conception Parish, Father Foster was ordained to the priesthood in June 1991 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross by Cardinal Law. He completed his priestly formation at St. John Seminary.

Immediately following ordination he was assigned to St. Malachy Parish, Burlington, as parochial vicar and served there until June 1996. He moved to the coastal North Shore town of Marblehead in that same month and has served there since as parochial vicar.

His new assignment will be his first as pastor of a parish. Medford’s St. Francis of Assisi is surrounded by some large parishes in Malden to the east and in Medford to the south and west. The parish boasts its own parish grammar school as well as a parish center that is the focal point of much activity — not only of the parish but also of the wider Medford community. Father Foster’s two previous assignments as parochial vicar were in parishes with many programs and activities. That experience will help as he begins his new service as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish.