As I announced at the Masses last weekend, Archbishop Leonard Paul Blair has reappointed me as pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish effective 30 June 2014, for a term of six years.

Monsignor Gerard Schmitz, Vicar for Priests (personnel director) of the Archdiocese, came to Saint Catherine of Siena in early June and met with the leadership of the Parish Council, Parish Finance Council and ministry heads to assess the direction and leadership of the parish in order to report back to the archbishop on what direction he might proceed. In his letter dated 13 June 2014, Archbishop Blair complimented our parish and its activities by saying, ?In your first term at Saint Catherine of Siena?the parish was brought to a new level of spiritual activity, liturgical participation, and parishioner involvement. The outreach to the poor and needy, especially through the Malta House of Care, has touched and improved the quality of life for numerous people. The parish leadership has complimented you on your homilies and the efforts that you have made to emphasize the teachings and beauty of our Catholic faith and what it means for their lives.? He went on to express his hopes and belief that Saint Catherine of Siena will remain a vibrant community of faith in West Simsbury.

I have to be very honest with you. It may not always be easy to the a pastor in a parish - sometimes personalities and other issues come into play as with all work-related situations?but I have to admit that being pastor at Saint Catherine of Siena Parish is not only rewarding and spiritually empowering for me, but it is also the most pleasant "job" I have ever had!

I work with an extremely professional and very caring group of individuals in our parish. We are blessed to have talented and committed staff who make it their life to build strong and growing ministries to pass on the faith, inspire the youth to be part-and-parcel of the faith community, who lead us in prayerful music and make the day-to-day operations run and look smooth; the volunteers of the various ministries are also a blessing, always working for the good of the parish and building up of the faithful. And the parishioners-at-large are amazing, too. So many seem so willing to participate to the fullest?from the Masses to the ministries that make our parish so vibrant - everyone is doing something. I am thankful!

As I begin my next six years here I look forward to working with everyone. I promise to do my best to ensure our growth as a parish, spending our blessings for the common good. I ask for your continued help in this important endeavor, and if I have offended anyone by what I have said or done or what I have failed to say or do, I ask your pardon and fraternal correction and education. We have a great deal more to do and working together I look forward to future successes. Peace!