April 11, 2025

Bishop Byrne names new executive director of Catholic Charities

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – Bishop William D. Byrne has named Shaina Rodriguez executive director of the Catholic Charities Agency for the Diocese of Springfield. Rodriguez has 15 years of experience in non-profit work, leading mission driven organizations through periods of transformation and growth.

“We’re very excited for the new director of Catholic Charities. Shaina brings incredible experience and wisdom and insight to help us position ourselves for a bright new future for Catholic Charities across the four counties of Western Mass,” said Bishop Byrne.

Rodriguez said the plan is to expand the presence of Catholic Charities in western Massachusetts to engage and assist parishes.

“Our core pillars in the strategic plan are to address food insecurity, housing costs, housing availability and to really identify ways to address mental health,” Rodriguez said.

A native of New York, Rodriguez attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through college. She earned her undergraduate degree in Organizational Leadership and Psychology from Fordham University and went on to earn a Master of Science in Organizational Development with a focus on Strategy and Leadership from Quinnipiac University. She is also a graduate of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice.

While Catholic Charities has discontinued the refugee resettlement program due to federal cuts, the agency will continue to work to support refugees, assisting with housing and employment referrals.

The agency’s work has included fuel and rental assistance, collecting back to school kits for children, distributing Thanksgiving baskets in the community and a Christmas program which allows people to sponsor a family.

Rodriguez said she has several new initiatives that she would like to implement.

“Our job is to be of service. Whenever I meet anybody I always ask, how can I be of service to you, how can I help? That is the core of what we do as Catholics,” she said.

She and her husband have two little girls.

“My kids actually go to parochial schools. They are learning in the faith. My little one, she’s five. She keeps us on our toes making sure we say grace every time, we pray before bed, when we wake up in the morning. So, faith is really core and central to who we are as a family and how we show up every day,” she said.

A video version of this story will be featured on Saturday’s edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs at 7 on WWLP-22NEWS.