August 20, 2022

Catholic community of Greenfield becomes Blessed Trinity Parish

REGIONAL
Staff report

 

GREENFIELD – The Catholic community of Greenfield, which includes Holy Trinity and Blessed Sacrament parishes, has become the new Blessed Trinity Parish.

Mass times at both Holy Trinity Church, the mother church of Franklin County, and Blessed Sacrament Church, will remain the same, with both churches having daily and weekend Masses. Father Michael Pierz is the pastor of the new parish. Father Valentine Nworah is the parochial vicar.

“By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in conversation among laity and clergy, it has been offered that the Catholic community of Greenfield be known as Blessed Trinity Parish,” Father Pierz wrote in a letter to parishioners. “Holy Trinity Church, the mother church of Franklin County, remains. Blessed Sacrament Church, the faithful daughter, remains. It is in unity of purpose with diversity of charisms that we may confidently go forward. It is together on the way we may achieve our greatest hope: perfect union with God himself,” the letter stated.

Holy Trinity Parish was established in 1868, while Blessed Sacrament Parish opened in 1960.

On Sunday, Aug. 14, Father Pierz took the oath to fidelity as the new pastor of Blessed Trinity Parish. A Marian celebration followed, which marked the establishment of the new parish.

“We will celebrate the unified founding of our parish each year on the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” stated Father Pierz, who also recently led the diocese’s Synodal Team.

“As the synod has taught us, journeying together is a process not a product,” he wrote in the letter. “As we continue the work and process of being Blessed Trinity Parish for the glory of God and the good of souls, we will continue to discern how the Lord is inviting us to be his witnesses here in Greenfield, here in our Diocese of Springfield. Thanks for joining us on the way,”

Blessed Trinity Parish has several ministries serving the Greenfield community, including the food pantry, the Bread of Life Kitchen, which delivers hot meals to shut-ins, and the elderly; a prison ministry; and a perpetual adoration chapel.

In addition, Blessed Trinity Parish supports Alternatives Pregnancy Center, a life-affirming nonprofit which helps women facing an unplanned pregnancy. Blessed Trinity Parish also has an active youth group, which attended the Steubenville East Catholic Youth Conference held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield in late July.

“I am eager to join the people of Greenfield in the proclamation of the Gospel and the mission of Christ and his church. From Main Street and Federal Street to Poet’s Seat and the Franklin County Fairgrounds, from all corners and ends, I’m excited that we will reach out to all the people of Greenfield, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, with the saving message of Jesus Christ,” Father Pierz wrote.  

“We are blessed with the history and heritage of so many who go before us and are encouraged by the witness and enthusiasm of the young and faithful who are eager to join us. With much grace and dynamism, Blessed Trinity Parish reflects its rootedness in the Triune God who seeks to establish perfect communion with us all.”

The Mass schedule is as follows:

• Blessed Sacrament Church: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.; First Saturday, 8 a.m.; Saturdays, 4 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.; reconciliation Saturdays 2:45-3:30 p.m.
• Holy Trinity Church: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.; Sundays, 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.; reconciliation after 8 a.m. Sunday Mass.