St. Thomas, West Springfield, Visitation Report, January 10, 2017

The Bishop’s Parish Visitation 

The purpose of a parish visitation is to help me be better aware of the situations and challenges facing the parishes and missions of the Diocese of Springfield. The visit also allows me the opportunity to provide guidance, encouragement, assistance and direction to support the ongoing effectiveness of ministry in and among the parishes of the diocese.  Finally, a pastoral visit affords me a way to appreciate and affirm the abundant, ongoing grace of God evident in the faith and witness of the Church in the communities of the Diocese of Springfield.  

With these purposes in mind, I thank your pastor, Fr. Kenneth Tatro, your parochial vicar, Fr. Piotr Calik, Deacon Joseph Kielbasa and Deacon James Marcus; the parish, school and cemetery staffs; councils and committees, and all concerned with this visit for their consideration and cooperation with me and members of diocesan staff who accompanied me on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, as the visit began with morning Mass. 
 

Introduction: 

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish was established in 1900 and is now the sole Catholic parish in West Springfield.  Within the past year, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish was suppressed, and parishioners were welcomed into this faith community.  The total number of registered parishioners is 3000. As the pastor’s welcome on the parish website attests:  “Our parish community here at St. Thomas is a large and friendly gathering of God’s holy people, who individually and collectively, strive to better our relationship with God and one another.”

Given the energy and activity I observed, I offer the following commendations and recommendations to guide and support the pastor, parochial vicar, permanent deacons, professional and volunteer staffs, and all the parishioners as you work together to extend the presence and the power of God’s love in West Springfield and the surrounding areas.  I acknowledge your good work and invite you to reflect on the following observations from my recent pastoral visit.

 

 

Commendations

Pastor

1. I commend Fr. Ken Tatro for his pastoral leadership of St. Thomas the Apostle in forming a staff that is committed to working together for the good of all parishioners. 

3. I commend Fr. Tatro for his work with Mr. Mirek Pietras and the maintenance crew in keeping up the physical plant of the parish in such a professional manner.

4. I commend Fr. Tatro and the entire staff of St. Thomas for the efforts that have been made to welcome the parishioners of the former St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church when they were seeking a new parish home.

5. I commend Fr. Tatro for his ability to lead the parish and enable both staff and parishioners to fulfill their roles in which have they expertise. 

 

Parochial Vicar

1. I commend Fr. Piotr Calik for investing himself in the life of the parish and ministering to all people with an emphasis on developing a Youth Ministry Program. 

2. I commend Fr. Piotr in his work with Fr. Tatro and the staff members in being active in teaching in the Religious Education program and being present to the faculty and students in St. Thomas School.

 

Deacons

1. I commend Deacons James Marcus and Joseph Kielbasa in their participation in ministry to the homebound, ensuring that those who cannot physically join in parish events still feel included as members of the parish.   

2. I commend Deacons Marcus and Kielbasa in maintaining a regular liturgical and preaching schedule. 

3. I commend Deacons Marcus and Kielbasa for their ministry to the people at the Monastery Heights Senior Living Center.   

4. I commend Deacon Marcus for teaching in the Confirmation program, RCIA, and the Monday evening adult education study group.

 

Parish Staff

1. I commend Joyce Reichelt who has over 25 years of dedicated service for her work as administrative assistant at both the parish and cemetery.  Her professional skills in the front office are matched by her obvious dependability and diligence.

2. I commend Steve Coffey for his professional oversight as business manager and for his attention to detail in all parish fiscal matters, including financial issues related to school tuition and annual budgets. 

3. I am grateful to Fr. Michael Wood, priest in residence, for his invaluable assistance to me as my priest secretary. The parish has provided a welcoming home ever since he received his first assignment here in 2011.

 

Pastoral Ministry 

 

Sr. Catherine Homrok, SSJ, Diocesan Director of Pastoral Ministries, was present for this pastoral visit.

1. I commend the parish for extending pastoral care to the nearly 60 people on the parish homebound list. 

2. I commend Deacon James Marcus for initiating and conducting a Bible study group for parents while their children are engaged in religious education classes.

3. I commend Deacon Joseph Kielbasa and Deacon James Marcus for visiting people at home and for conducting wake services.

4. I commend those who coordinate and participate in St. Thomas the Apostle Liturgical Ministries. 

 

Faith Formation  

St. Paula Robillard, SSJ, Diocesan Director of Faith Formation, and Gina Czerwinski, Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry, were present for this pastoral visit.

1. I commend Lisa LaBrecque for her long time commitment as Coordinator of Religious Education.  

2. I commend Lisa for her flexibility in coordinating such a large and varied program with 436 students and 57 catechists.

3. I commend Frances DeMont for her years of faithful service as Religious Education Secretary and commend Lisa and Fran for communication with parents, including an email that is sent after class with an overview of the lesson.

4. I commend Fr. Calik and the permanent deacons for coordinating the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. 

5. I commend Fr. Calik for starting a Youth Ministry Program and exploring activities to bring together young people from both the school and faith formation classes.

 

Child and Youth Protection

Patricia Finn McManamy, Diocesan Director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection, was present for this pastoral visit.

1. I commend Lisa LaBrecque, Parish Child Advocate, as well as Frances DeMont who also assists with the CORI process. 

2. I commend Fr. Calik who is involved in programs for youth at the parish and school. 

3. I commend the parish for current Safe Environment background checks and training for clergy, 19 parish employees, 43 school employees, and 346 volunteers.

4. I commend the parish for hosting guest speakers and workshops on relevant Safe Environment topics for youth and families.

5. I commend Lisa and Fran for encouraging young people to share their gifts and talents by becoming involved in the Faith Formation program as assistants, and eventually, catechists, with appropriate direction from adult supervisors.

 

Parish School

 

Sr. M. Andrea Ciszewski, FSSJ, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, was present for this pastoral visit.

1. I commend Fr. Tatro for his consistent support for Catholic Schools in general and St. Thomas the Apostle School in particular. 

2. I commend Fr. Tatro for his pastoral guidance and his assurance that students attend and participate in monthly liturgy, more frequently during Lent. 

3. I commend Fr. Tatro’s recognition of the profession of teaching and the willingness of the parish under his leadership to offer faculty compensation that closely approaches 70% of local public school salaries.

4. I commend Sr. Patricia Hottin, SSJ, principal, for her exemplary and effective Catholic School leadership ministry.

5. I commend Sr. Patty for her promotion of Catholic education with conviction and enthusiasm and for her continual efforts to extend gracious hospitality to all.

6. I commend Sr. Patty and all associated with her at the school for hosting the annual Diocesan In-Service Day.

7. I commend Sr. Maureen Sheehan, SSJ, for her unwavering commitment to the school and for her efforts particularly with teacher evaluations, meetings with the National Honor Society, and overseeing the program for the Protection of Youth.

8. I also commend the faculty and staff for the organized, effective manner in which the school environment and classes are conducted, offering an excellent 21^st century education.

9. I commend Joan Whitehead’s long service as dedicated school secretary, providing a warm welcome, competent administrative abilities, and hospitality to the school faculty, staff, families, students and visitors.

10. I commend the School Board and Parent Teacher Organization for their volunteer service.

Cemetery  

1. I commend Mirek Pietras, Cemetery Superintendent, and the employees for their sensitivity to families and for providing such a respectable place to remember the dead.

2. I commend Mirek and the cemetery employees for maintaining the parish grounds with such high standards and for keeping all equipment in good repair. 

 

Finance Council 

1. I commend David Griffin, Chair, and the Finance Council for their review and approval of budgets.

2. I commend the Finance Council for keeping the parish fiscally sound and for being attentive to financial matters involving such a large parish operation, including rectory, garage, church, school, parish center, cemetery, and extensive grounds.  

3. I commend the Finance Council for their successful participation in the recent increased offertory program.

 

Parish Council 

1. I commend the Parish Council for your concern for the people of the former St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish and for your role in forming a single parish.

2. I commend the Parish Council for bringing vitality and a sense of welcome to all parish activities. 

 

Parish Buildings and Grounds

Russell Sprague, Diocesan Director of Building and Grounds, was present for this pastoral visit.

I commend Fr. Tatro for overseeing the upkeep of such substantial   property, including the church, rectory, garage and maintenance area, school, parish hall, and cemetery.  

 

Recommendations

St. Thomas the Apostle Parish is a faith-filled, vibrant community.  In light of my observations from the visit, the following recommendations are offered to the parish leadership.  I suggest that you continue a dialogue with your pastor as you review these areas for further consideration.   As always, my office and all the diocesan offices are available to the parish for support and to cooperate in your ministry.

Please consider the following for your ongoing planning and development.

Pastor

1. I recommend that Fr. Tatro and members of the staff and pastoral council work together on inviting more young people to become involved in the life  of the parish and weekend worship.  

2. I recommend that the parish consider hiring an architect to do a complete building exterior envelope evaluation.

3. I recommend that repair work to buildings be undertaken by contractors that specialize in the particular trade

 

Parochial Vicar 

1. I recommend that Fr. Calik continue to gain pastoral insight that such a large parish provides. 

2. I recommend that Fr. Calik consult with Gina Czerwinski to enhance youth ministry projects and continue to include a Safe Environment perspective. 

3. I recommend Fr. Calik’s work to bring together young people from the school and faith formation for activities, including a monthly children’s liturgy, continue.              

 

Deacons 

1. I recommend that the deacons continue their efforts to get more extraordinary minister to visit homebound parishioners.

2.  I recommend that the deacons consider offering additional adult education     opportunities.

 

Parish Staff 

1. I recommend that members of the staff continue to be attentive to the physical plant and budget for projected renovations.  

2. I recommend that all members of the staff consider ways to welcome the unchurched or those who no longer practice the faith.

 

Pastoral Ministry

1. I recommend outreach to young families and examine creative ways to keep them engaged in the parish. 

2. I recommend additional outreach to registered parishioners who are not attending Mass or active in parish life. 

 

Faith Formation

1. I recommend the formation of a religious education board.

2. I recommend training sessions for all catechists, parent sessions during sacramental preparation year, and additional classes and retreat opportunities for the high school students.

 

Child and Youth Protection

1. I recommend that the parish work with Gina Czerwinski to collaborate further on Youth Ministry projects that continue to include a Safe Environment perspective.

2. I recommend sharing information and handouts provided by guest speakers with the diocese. 

 

Parish School 

1. I recommend that Fr. Tatro, Sr. Patricia, faculty, staff, and board continue their efforts to make the school strong by identifying educational resources needed to maintain the excellent academic programs and faculty upgrades. 

2. I recommend considering another “Town Hall Meeting” to present the status of the school and keep constituents updated.

3. I recommend using The National Standard and Benchmark of Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools as an evaluation tool.

4. I recommend continuing strong marketing efforts to increase enrollment and promote student retention.  

 

Cemetery 

1. I recommend continuing the effective use of the cemetery staff to serve as maintenance staff for all grounds keeping.

2. I recommend that the stone storage structure at the cemetery be included in an exterior study of all parish buildings. 

 

Finance Council 

1. I recommend that the Finance Council interface with the Parish Council and share information between the two councils.

2. I recommend that the Finance Council meet at regularly scheduled intervals throughout the fiscal year.

3. I recommend that the Finance Council be attentive to capital expenses and budget for large projects that are necessarily part of such an extensive property.

 

Pastoral Council  

1. I recommend that the Parish Council interface with the Finance Council and share information between the two councils.

2. I recommend that as the sole parish in West Springfield, St. Thomas continue to explore ways to embrace immigrant Catholic groups.

 

Finally, I thank all who have participated in this visitation process.  It is obvious that St. Thomas the Apostle Parish is very faith-filled; the parishioners, who have been so supportive and welcoming, are served by an extraordinary staff.  Please know of my prayers and encouragement for all who comprise this “large and friendly gathering of God’s holy people.” 

Sincerely,

+ Mitchell T. Rozanski