Father Michael Pierz

Email:	pastor@blessedtrinitygreenfield.org
Tel:	(413) 773-3311 X4

July 31, 2022

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, dear friends in Greenfield,

Greetings in the Lord! On this final weekend of July, I write you from the vibrant encounter and faithful exuberance of the Catholic youth conference taking place these days in Springfield. Together with Fr. Val Nworah and Deacon John Leary, as well as a robust group of Pope St. John Paul the Great young men and women, the witness of these days is a sign of great hope!

With this joyful hope I look to you! I am grateful to you for the prayerful welcome you have already extended to me and to Bishop Byrne for his confidence in me as I am named pastor of the Catholic community in Greenfield. For six years, I have served the people of Agawam, eager to encounter Christ with them. Today the Lord invites me to this new encounter with you in Greenfield.

As I arrive, I am eager to join you in the work of Christ and His mission for the salvation of souls. We find ourselves in challenging times with great discord in so many parts of our nation and world, even families and local communities, yet His promise endures and hope springs eternal. I am encouraged that we, aware of His love, and immersed in His life, can together reach out to those who may struggle in coming to know Him. With the diligent service of the priests and pastors who have preceded me and the passion and care of parishioners past and present, we are up to the task!

I have been invited to serve all the people of Greenfield, the whole of the community, and I know you have given much thought and prayer for love of this city and the unity of its peoples. Together on the way with you, we are invited to unite our energies for the proclamation of the Gospel, for the salvation of souls, for the service of all people in Greenfield. We are invited to focus our efforts for the glory of God and the good of His people. We are invited to recognize ourselves as the many members of one Body in Christ.

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. 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.

As I join you in this new endeavor, thank you for welcoming me on August 14, 2022. With an Installation Mass in Holy Trinity Church and a Marian Celebration in Blessed Sacrament Church, I am most blessed by the many graces we ask of God together. As the details of the weekend are worked out, I invite you to be in contact with Fr. Val, the deacons, and volunteers as the day is planned and prepared.

United in Christ and the banner of His Cross we remain ever assured of His grace.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Michael Pierz

Pastor