September 1, 2024

A number of clergy assignments take effect

REGIONAL
Staff Report

SPRINGFIELD – September is often a month of change and not just for students. This weekend a number of priests have undertaken ministry at new parishes and schools.

At St. Mark Parish in Pittsfield, it was a homecoming for Father John Salatino, a native son of that parish, who has returned to once again serve as the pastor for this culturally diverse Catholic community. Ordained in 2009. Father Salatino had previously served at St. Mark’s from 2003 to 2009 and again from 2010 to 2016. He then went on to spend three years in the missions in Central America, before returning back to western Massachusetts in 2019 to begin his pastorate at St. Mary Parish in Westfield.

Father Jonathan Reardon has been named the pastor of St. Mary’s, and the pastor of Holy Trinity and St. Peter/St. Casimir Parish all in Westfield. Father Reardon brings a wide range of experience to this new assignment. Ordained in 2008, he has served at the Newman Catholic Center at UMass in Amherst; as pastor of Holy Family Parish in South Deerfield; and Holy Name Parish in Springfield. Since 2021, he has served as the director of recruiting for the Office of Vocations for the diocese, as well as chaplain at Both St. Mary’s High School in Westfield and Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield.

“The Catholic Community of Westfield is very active, with the added bonus of St. Mary’s elementary and high schools. These bring much joy and enthusiasm to our lives and to the community as a whole,” Father Reardon commented. “I’m honored that Bishop Byrne has entrusted me with this task.”

Father Reardon’s new assignments, left vacancies at Pope Francis Prep and the Vocation’s Office.

Effective with the new school year, Father James Nolte, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in South Hadley, will take on the additional duty of chaplain at Pope Francis Prep.

Father Piotr Pawlus, pastor of both All Saints and St. Mary parishes in Ware, will take on the role as vocation recruiter for the diocese, while continuing on at the two Ware parishes.

Also taking effect on Sept. 1, Father Yerrick Mendez will become the parochial vicar at Holy Name Parish in Springfield, while continuing to serve in that role at St. Michael’s Cathedral.

Also in Springfield. Father Sinh Trinh, who has served as parochial vicar at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Springfield, will now be parochial vicar at St. Michael’s Cathedral.

Back on Aug. 1, Father Mark Glover, who was previously serving as a provisional priest, assisting at parishes with Mas coverage, was named administrator of St. Mary Parish in Orange.