Annunciation Catholic Church Pastor Stephen Parkes will soon embark on a new spiritual journey to lead the Diocese of Savannah as their 15th Bishop.

Parkes, now Bishop-elect, was appointed by Pope Francis earlier this month.

"I am humbled by the confidence that the Holy Father has placed in me to be the next shepherd of the beautiful Diocese of Savannah," Parkes said at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Savannah, Georgia, the Annunciation parish bulletin reported.

Parkes said the morning he found out, he had just finished a 31-mile bike ride where he prayed not only the luminous mysteries of the rosary, but the joyful ones as well. He was getting ready to make breakfast when he got the call.

"Needless to say, I was very surprised," Parkes said, the bulletin reported, "I was very glad that I had prayed those extra mysteries earlier on the bike ride."

Parkes parents raised him alongside their dedication to the Catholic faith. His older brother is Bishop Gregory Parkes of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Parkes said he's always looked up to him and appreciates "his advice, his guidance, and his love," the bulletin reported.

Parkes has been a priest for the Diocese of Orlando for more than two decades. He said serving the diocese made him realize his deep live for parish ministry. He's been assigned to the parish communities of the Annunciation in Altamonte Springs, Florida, where he's been pastor for almost a decade, and Most Precious Blood. He also did campus ministry for the University of Central Florida. He said he's grateful for his mentors within the diocese and the people he's had the opportunity to serve. 

Parkes said during these times of pandemic and social unrest we need hope and healing more than ever before.

"I ask you to please pray for me that I can be the shepherd that God has called me to be and that you need and deserve," Parkes said, the bulletin reported.