Much Gratitude and Much in Store

As we announced at Masses last weekend, our Director of Clergy Personnel called to inform me that Cardinal Seán O’Malley will be reappointing me for a second term as pastor in our Plainville-Wrentham Collaborative of St. Martha Parish and St. Mary Parish. This was the recommendation of Bishop Robert Reed, our regional bishop, after he consulted with Father Lambert Nieme as well as members of our Pastoral Team (staff), our Collaborative Pastoral Council (CPC), and both Parish Finance Councils (PFCs). I am grateful to God, to Cardinal Seán and Bishop Reed, and especially the parishioners on these leadership teams who represent each of you, for the confidence you have shown in how our parishes are doing so far with the support of my leadership. Bishop Reed made a point of telling me that these teams were appreciative of Fr. Lambert as well as myself – something I was sure to share with Fr. Lambert, whose priestly ministry, pastoral care, and friendship I am very grateful for. As it was with Fr. Bill and Fr. Dennis, it is a blessing that your two parish priests and our weekend assistant Fr. Bernie Baris work well together, along with the rest of the Pastoral Team and volunteer lay minsters whom we are blessed to have.

My predecessor Fr. Bill Schmidt was successful in establishing a period of relative stability in priestly ministry in our parishes, beginning with his selfless handing-over of the reins of pastorship to me so I wouldn’t be made pastor somewhere else. He served here for over six years, longevity that our parishes had not had for quite a while. My reappointment as pastor is something that neither parish has experienced in almost twenty years, and I am grateful that Fr. Bill reinforced in me the importance of stable priestly relationships. I am looking forward to continuing to grow in my ministry working alongside all of you.

We have been through a lot together in my seven years here (one as associate and six as pastor). You consoled me upon the death of my father just after I arrived. We formally became a collaborative, with the training the archdiocese offered us and our Pastoral Plan for 2017-2020, which we successfully completed together. We provided countless sacramental encounters between people and Christ, and most importantly, joined in celebrating the Eucharist each day. We weathered the storm of this pandemic, and now we have the exhilarating task of rebuilding, welcoming back, and reaching out to those open to the grace, healing, and strength that Christ and his Church provide us.

Soon I’ll have more exciting news on our ongoing efforts and plans to welcome all people back, as each is ready, and to celebrate the victory of Christ bringing us New Life in many ways this year! For now, just know that I shed tears of joy to be able to remain a part of this “extended family” of the two parishes in our collaborative!
- Fr. Joe