When the Rev. Joseph M. O'Meara retires as pastor of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church on New Year's Eve, his replacement probably will be a familiar name, if not face.

The Rev. Robert A. DiMattei, pastor of nearby St. Athanasius Catholic Church was named by Archbishop Edwin O'Brien to be pastor of St. Rose and will remain pastor of St. Athanasius. The appointment is effective New Year's Day.

O'Meara said he started thinking about retirement at the beginning of this year, and the more he thought about it, the more he thought it was a good idea. Since he was 70, the minimum age priests can retire and have to...