Father Daniel’s 25-year faith journey

Father Daniel Oschwald was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Joseph F. Gossman at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church on June 27, 1998. Six other priests were ordained that day: Fathers Arturo Cabra, Bob Kus, Paul Parkerson, Drew Perry, Mac Raffo, and Bill Upah.

Father Daniel's first assignment was to St. Paul Catholic Church in New Bern. After one year, he was moved to Raleigh to serve as Bishop Gossman's priest secretary for two years and also served as interim pastor at St. Eugene in Wendell and St. Anthony in Southern Pines. He also served as assistant vocations director for another two years.

In 2003, he was appointed pastor of Annunciation Catholic Church in Havelock, where he served four years. He served one year as pastor of St. Mark Catholic Church in Wilmington. In 2008, he was moved to the diocesan cathedral as rector under Bishop Michael Burbidge, where he served four years.

Father Daniel returned to St. Paul in New Bern in 2013 and was granted a one-year sabbatical at Belmont Abbey in Belmont. After his sabbatical, he lived in residence at St. Michael, assisting with weekly Masses.

In early 2015, Father Daniel was appointed to lead the Green Hope Station toward mission status, the first step toward becoming a parish. At the same time, he served as chaplain at Cardinal Gibbons HS. 

Bishop Michael Burbidge elevated the station to Mother Teresa Mission on July 1, 2016, and named Father Daniel as mission administrator.

Bishop Luis Zarama appointed Father Daniel as the inaugural pastor of Mother Teresa Catholic Church, effective January 1, 2023.

How blessed our Mother Teresa community is to have Father Daniel lead our community from humble beginnings at Green Hope HS to the dedication of our new church home. Please join us for a reception in the narthex after each Mass this weekend to thank and congratulate our beloved pastor on the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination.