The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg is shifting the assignments of clergymen within the district, many of whom have served or are serving in Ogdensburg, Canton, Massena, Potsdam and Colton.

According to a press release from the diocese and Bishop Terry R. LaValley, they include Msgr. Robert H. Aucoin, pastor of the parishes of Potsdam and Colton.

Aucoin, pastor of The Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary in Potsdam and St. Patrick’s Church in Colton since 2010, has been named pastor of two churches in Watertown.

Aucoin served as president of Mater Dei College in Ogdensburg from 1986 to 1988. In 1991, was appointed rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg. In 1994, he was named pastor in Madrid and, two years later, was named rector-president of Wadhams Hall Seminary-College, a position he held until the seminary closed in 2002. During 2003, he served as administrator of Norwood.

• Father Howard J. Venette has been named pastor of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary in Potsdam and St. Patrick’s Church in Colton. He has served as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart in Massena and St. Mary’s in Potsdam. In 1997, he became pastor in Colton. Beginning in 2012 he was temporary administrator in Waddington and Madrid.

• Father Francis J. Flynn, a Massena native, is taking on the responsibility for four parishes in the eastern part of the diocese. In 1996 he was named pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Campus Parish in Potsdam.

• Father Raymond J. Moreau has been named pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Brushton and The Catholic Community of St. Augustine in North Bangor. He has served at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg and at St. Mary’s in Canton and in Potsdam. In 2003 he became the administrator in Colton, South Colton, and Parishville and then was named pastor there in 2004.

• Father Justin Thomas has been named Parochial Vicar of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg and Notre Dame Church in Ogdensburg.

All the changes take effect July 1.

The diocese also announced the retirement of Father George F. Maroun and Father John J. Looby.

Among his postings, Maroun was named pastor in Norfolk in 1989 and, in 1994, was appointed to the faculty of Wadhams Hall where he served as spiritual director and assistant professor of language and religious studies.

Looby has served as assistant pastor in Waddington, and pastor in St. Joseph’s in Massena and St. Thomas More in Canton.