November 1, 2024

St. Joseph’s Pittsfield concludes 175th Anniversary Celebration

REGIONAL
Story and Photos by Steve Kiltonic

Bishop William Byrne processes in for the Mass celebrating the 175th anniversary of the “Mother Church” of he Berkshires.

PITTSFIELD – On October 27, St. Joseph’s Parish in Pittsfield celebrated its 175^th Anniversary Mass, concluding a year-long series of events that were held surrounding the anniversary.  Bishop William Byrne concelebrated the Mass with Monsignor Michael Shershanovich, the pastor, and Bishop Emeritus, Timothy McDonnell.

In his homily, Bishop Byrne spoke about the parish’s founding, its long history and highlighting some of the eleven pastors who have served the parish over the years. He also thanked the Sisters of St. Joseph who educated students at the now closed St. Joseph Central High School and other parish schools in Pittsfield.

“St. Joseph’s community continues to thrive because of the collaboration of parishioners and priests,” commented Bishop Byrne. “What came into being 175 years ago was not a building but a community of faith.”

St. Joseph’s Parish was founded in 1849 in a small wooden church on Melville Street in downtown Pittsfield as the first Catholic church in Berkshire County. Construction on the present church started in 1864 and was completed in late 1866 with the first Mass celebrated on Christmas day.

When it was built, St. Joseph’s was the largest public building in the country and its size and beauty set a new standard of grand architecture that was later copied for other churches and public buildings.

“Our parish has a theme. We pray hard and we play hard. It’s been everything this year,” said Monsignor Mike Shershanovich who has served as pastor here for 32 years.    

Many events were held throughout the anniversary year beginning with a 12^th Night Celebration in January. Other activities followed included a four-day parish mission with acclaimed singer Vince Ambrosetti; a special Mass for alumni of St. Joseph Central High School; a Singing Priests concert; brass band concert; Polish Picnic; car cruise expo; a parish pilgrimage to central Europe; and various fun activities for children such as movie night.

“Monsignor put this together to try to get us to incorporate the whole calendar year with the church doing different activities and events to get everybody incorporated. So, there was something for everybody,” said Jonathan King who was part of the 175^th Anniversary Committee. 

On Oct. 27, 22 relatives from as far away as Austria came to celebrate Msgr. Michael Shershanovich’s Golden Jubilee of Ordination and the 175th Anniversary of St. Joseph’s Parish in Pittsfield.

King added, “He (Shershanovich) is so gentle. So loving. So committed to the community of Pittsfield. Anytime he asks you to do something , it’s easy to say yes.”

“There is a special charism about St. Joe’s. It’s all welcome in God’s house. We saw that especially true in 2008 when we closed the parishes in Pittsfield and we formed almost a new St. Joseph’s,” commented Monsignor Shershanovich.

He explained that parishioners from the closed Holy Family, Notre Dame, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, All Souls, St. Francis Xavier, St. Mary the Morningstar, St. Theresa and All Souls Mission all formed the nucleus of the new parish.  “It’s been a very humbling experience,” noted Monsignor Shershanovich.    

The Anniversary Mass coincided with the formal celebration of Monsignor’s Golden Jubilee ordination as a priest in 1974. He has served as pastor of St. Joseph’s for 32 years. Three generations of his family were in attendance the Mass to celebrate the Jubilee, including some 22 relatives from San Diego and Austria. 

“Monsignor Mike has the most important and extraordinary quality a pastor should possess, that is love. We cannot begin to count the lives he has touched with kindness and compassion,” said Bishop Byrne in his homily.

“Above all, Monsignor Mike can make an amazing pierogi. He is a mentor to every priest who has been stationed in these years in the Berkshires,” Bishop Byrne added.

After the Mass, a final Gala was held for parishioners and friends at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield which featured dinner and dancing.

(Editor’s Note – A story highlighting this anniversary celebration will air on the November 17 edition of “Real to Reel” seen on 22News WWLP.)