I want to convey my thanks to everyone who helped ensure that Fr. Richard Russell’s funeral Mass was a wonderful tribute to a man who did so much to build and grow Saint Catherine of Siena Parish. From the choirs and musicians to the those who helped behind the scenes in the sacristy and to those who welcomed guests and priests here at our parish (Kathi Bonner and Judy Pluta as greeters; Steve Cerchia, Ralph Chappano, Tony Drapelick, John Pendergast, and Chris Thomas as ushers; Mike Grappone as sacristan; Tom Clarke, Robert O’Hara, Charles Vendetti, Mike Daly as altar servers to Archbishop Blair at the funeral Mass; our lectors for the parish Mass—Robert O’Hara and Patricia Hatch; and Janet Fischer for the altar and reception flowers; and, Kathy Moore for the wonderful breakfast for the archbishops and bishops who vested in the rectory. Thank you!

I received a lovely note from Denise Rancourt, Fr. Russell’s sister, who said that she and the Russell family felt most welcomed and so well received by the parishioners and staff of the parish and were very thankful for the way in which St. Catherine of Siena welcomed Fr. Russell home and paid tribute to him.In his nearly 18 years as pastor of this parish, Fr. Russell planted lots of seeds-of-faith and encouraged so many people to take ownership of their parish and to move it forward that today we see the fruitfulness of his leadership: a parish that is alive and well, carrying the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ into the world in which we live. +May he rest in peace