MENU

April 28, 2017

Retiring diocesan staff members recognized for service

REGIONAL
By Rebecca Drake

Judy and Pete Retire

(IObserve photo/courtesy of Father Michael Wood)

SPRINGFIELD – They tried to keep things low-key, but the third floor conference room and hallway in the diocesan pastoral center overflowed with well-wishers who came to greet retiring staff members Judy Clow, assistant to the finance officer, and Peter Schmidt, human resources director.

At the April 26 gathering, Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, acknowledged the dedication of Clow and Schmidt.

“Both Peter Schmidt and Judy Clow are exemplary examples of our diocesan staff. They both came to us after distinguished careers in the business world and brought to the diocese tremendous talents and abilities for which we have been particularly blessed,” Bishop Rozanski said.

“They interacted not just with staff  here at the Pastoral Center but by virtue of their duties played an important role as liaisons to our parishes. I am truly grateful for their years of dedicated service and wish them all God’s blessings in the years to come.”

Judy Clow and Bill LaBroad

Retiring diocesan employee Judy Clow (right) poses with William LaBroad, finance officer for the Diocese of Springfield. (IObserve photo/Rebecca Drake)

Clow has been the assistant for finance officer William LaBroad for the last 17 ½ years, having previously worked at the Mass Mutual insurance company in Springfield. While dealing with financial issues can be stressful for all those involved at the parish and diocesan levels, Clow said she has tried to treat people calmly and with respect.

“I try to treat people the way I want to be treated,” she told iObserve. “And when I get phone calls from the parishes, if they’re irate for whatever reason – they had a car accident or whatever – I try to be very compassionate and helpful. And I think they appreciate it because when you’re in trauma of some sort, you want somebody to take care of you and they’ve been very much appreciative of that.”

Clow said that, in addition to the many staff, parishioners and priests she has interacted with over the years, she also will remember the people she worked with in the diocesan offices.

“It’s just a very calming place to be and I really feel like I’m doing the work for God,” she said. “I truly, truly believe he wanted me here at this time of my life, and now he’s given me the opportunity to retire and do other things.”

Clow also expressed special gratitude for her supervisor. “Bill LaBroad has been wonderful to me. I will miss him terribly.”

Like Clow, Schmidt said he will especially miss the employees in the diocesan offices.

“These people are just a unique group of dedicated folks that are so committed to the mission of the church in everything they do,” said Schmidt, who has been human resources director since August of 2009. Before coming to the Springfield Diocese, he had extensive Fortune 500 experience in human resources.

Noting that he has gotten to know diocesan staff members on both professional and personal levels, he added, “I am truly grateful that I have had that opportunity to work with all the people here and hopefully touch their lives in some small, positive way and that’s what I will appreciate the most.”

Pete and Cathy Farr

Retiring human resources director Peter Schmidt is pictured with Catherine Farr, who will take over the position next week. Farr previously served as diocesan human resources director from 2004-2009. (IObserve photo/Rebecca Drake)

Schmidt’s first priority as a retiree, he said, is not one he planned on: He will travel to New Jersey to see his mother, who will turn 93 this summer and was recently hospitalized. He will go straight to the hospital where, along with his brother and two sisters, “We will figure out where we go from here.”

But, no matter what he is dealing with in the coming years, Schmidt said he will be inspired by the “positive spirit and spirituality” of the people he has worked with at the diocese.

“I want to bring with me that same spirit that I’ve learned from the fine folks here for the rest of my life,” he said.  

print