September 10, 2024

Father Michael Pierz named as new Chancellor

REGIONAL
Staff report

SPRINGFIELD- Bishop William D. Byrne has named Father Michael Pierz as the next Chancellor of the Diocese of Springfield. This appointment will become official on Nov. 1, but the transition will begin Sept. 15.

Father Pierz will be assuming some of the duties currently held by Father John Lessard, who requested that the bishop appoint a successor. In an announcement to the priests of the diocese, Bishop Byrne praised Father Lessard’s tenure as Chancellor writing, “he has been an invaluable and trusted advisor to me.”

Father Lessard will continue as Vicar for Canonical Affairs and Adjutant Judicial Vicar in the Tribunal.

Father Michael Pierz was ordained in 2013, serving as parochial vicar in a number of parishes. In 2016, he was appointed as the administrator of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Agawam, where in 2019 he was named as pastor.  In 2022, he was made pastor of the newly created Blessed Trinity Parish in Greenfield, the result of the merger of the former Blessed Sacrament and Holy Trinity Parishes. He will continue as pastor there, while assuming this new role.

“It’s an honor to support Bishop Byrne and his mission for the good of souls here in our Diocese of Springfield and the acts he undertakes together with all the men and women in roles of service, stewardship, and pastoral care for the people of western Massachusetts, ” Father Pierz said in statement to IObserve.

“The Lord provides and I’m grateful to be part of His providence,” he continued.

In a letter to his parishioners, he explained his new duties.

“This role involves assisting the bishop in his governance and service of our diocese and the people of western Massachusetts, principally in the care and organization of diocesan decrees, episcopal edicts, and the acts of the Curia,” Father Pierz said.

As pastor of Blessed Trinity Parish, Father Pierz oversees the many ministries which include a food pantry, a community meals program and the new Beacon of Light Preschool, which is located at the parish center on Federal Street behind the Blessed Sacrament Church building. Blessed Trinity also has an active youth group and helped coordinate the diocesan involvement in the SoulFest Christian music festival held at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in August. He praised his parishioners for their enthusiasm in spreading the Gospel in Greenfield and beyond.

“With this appointment, and its incumbent responsibilities, I entrust myself all the more to each of you in our shared work for the proclamation of the Gospel and the good of the people of our parish and diocese. For two years, I have been enthused by our commitment together to establish an ever-stronger foundation of pastoral initiative, engaging outreach, formative faithfulness, excellent financial administration, and structured organization. Now I need our good work to stand and grow all the more rootedly and robustly,” Father Pierz stated.