The Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, Msgr. Evelio Menjívar, has reorganized and expanded the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass in West Virginia, United States, with the appointment of an episcopal delegate for the Usus Antiquior and coordinators for different regions of the diocese. According to the diocesan statement, the measure aims to “foster greater unity among Catholic faithful and attend to their diverse spiritual needs.”
Menjívar has appointed Father Timothy J. Grassi, pastor of St. James in Charles Town, as episcopal delegate for matters related to the Usus Antiquior. His appointment took effect on August 24.
An episcopal delegate for the Usus Antiquior
Among the responsibilities entrusted to Grassi will be ensuring that these celebrations have the corresponding authorizations in accordance with the universal law of the Church and the dispositions of the Holy See.
The priest will also assist the bishop in the coordinated application of canonical norms relating to the Usus Antiquior throughout the diocese and in the organization of authorized celebrations, locations, schedules, and pastoral provisions.
He will also be responsible for maintaining communication with the local episcopal delegates and with the other priests entrusted with the pastoral care of these faithful.
Celebrations in different areas of the diocese
In addition to Grassi, Menjívar has appointed coordinators for three areas of the diocese.
Father Justin M. Golna, pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Wellsburg, has been appointed delegate for the Wheeling area. The mission Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Triadelphia has been designated as the location for the Traditional Mass, which will be celebrated there on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. beginning September 20.
In Morgantown, Father Brian Crenwelge, pastor of St. John University Parish, will continue as delegate. The church has been designated as the location for these celebrations, with Mass on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m.
For the Charleston area, Father Phillip R. Szabo, pastor of St. Agnes, will continue to serve as delegate. The diocese has indicated that the location for the Usus Antiquior in this area has yet to be determined.
The bishop participates in a solemn Traditional Mass
Coinciding with the announcement of the new provisions, Menjívar was scheduled to attend a solemn Mass according to the Usus Antiquior this Sunday, August 30, at the Priory of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Charles Town.
The diocese presents the reorganization as a measure aimed at ensuring the pastoral care of the faithful attached to the traditional liturgy.
“This is an effort by Bishop Evelio to ensure that the spiritual needs of every part of his flock are attended to by priests of our diocese,” the statement reads.
Below is the full translation of the statement published by the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston on August 28:
The bishop announces an episcopal delegate for matters related to the Usus Antiquior
Friday, August 28, 2026
With the purpose of fostering greater unity among Catholic faithful and attending to their diverse spiritual needs, Msgr. Evelio Menjívar, Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, has announced that the Reverend Father Timothy J. Grassi, V.F., pastor of St. James Parish in Charles Town, has been appointed episcopal delegate for matters related to the Usus Antiquior in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, effective August 24, 2026.
The expression Usus Antiquior refers to the celebration of the Eucharist according to the Missale Romanum promulgated by Saint John XXIII in 1962, also known as the Tridentine Mass or Traditional Latin Mass.
Coinciding with this announcement, Bishop Evelio will attend the solemn Mass at the Priory of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Charles Town on August 30, 2026, at 10:45 a.m.
In the exercise of his function, Father Grassi will ensure that these celebrations are legally authorized in accordance with the universal law of the Church and the dispositions of the Apostolic See.
As episcopal delegate, he will assist the bishop in the coordinated application throughout the diocese of the applicable provisions of universal and particular law relating to the Usus Antiquior. Father Grassi will also collaborate in coordinating the authorized celebrations, locations, schedules, and pastoral provisions, as well as in maintaining appropriate communication with the local episcopal delegates and with the other priests designated for the pastoral care of the faithful.
Three other episcopal delegates have also been appointed for different regions of the diocese. The Reverend Father Justin M. Golna, J.C.L., J.V., pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Wellsburg, has been appointed delegate for the Wheeling area. The mission Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Triadelphia has been designated as the location in the Wheeling area where the faithful may gather for these celebrations. The celebration of the Usus Antiquior is authorized there on Sundays at 1:30 p.m., beginning September 20.
The Reverend Father Brian Crenwelge, pastor of St. John University Parish in Morgantown, will continue to serve as delegate for the Morgantown area. St. John University Parish has been designated as the location where the faithful may gather for these celebrations. The celebration of the Usus Antiquior is authorized there on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m.
The Reverend Father Phillip R. Szabo, pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Charleston, will continue to serve as delegate for the Charleston area. The location where the faithful may gather for these celebrations has yet to be determined.
This is an initiative of Bishop Evelio to ensure that the spiritual needs of every part of his flock are attended to by priests of our diocese.