Pastor's Open Letter to Parishoners
pastor@ihmgranby.org
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish
256 State Street
Granby, MA 01033-9418
Tel. (413) 467-9821
Pastor's Open Letter to Parishoners
pastor@ihmgranby.org
(413) 467-9821
January 2010
My dear parishioners and friends of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish,
One of the many accomplishments of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish is its connection to the World Wide Web. Though I am no computer guru, I appreciate the parish’s advancement in modern technology. I am happy to have become the new pastor of this parish and am happy and ready to serve the spiritual, pastoral, and administrative needs of you, its wonderful people. I count on your prayers and support that I may faithfully respond to the task confided to me.
You perhaps wonder who I am! I am a native of Hadley, MA, the son of Victoria Kuzmeski-Banas and Charles Kuzmeski. My Dad died in a car accident when I was very young. Later, my mother remarried to Edward Banas. I was very well provided for and loved by a step-father, who, with my mother, saw to every aspect of my religious, human, and academic growth. I am also blessed with a wonderful and caring sister, Terry Banas, who still lives in Hadley and Patricia, an angel in heaven, who died as a child. I cherish my precious aunts and uncle.
The Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception and priests stationed in my home parish of Hadley, supplemented the wonderful Catholic formation given to me by my parents. God’s call to serve Him in the priesthood echoed early in my heart. Upon completing high school, my Mom and Dad supported my call to the priesthood by allowing me to attend St. Mary Preparatory School, College and Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan. This was a courageous moment in their lives. They were not rich but in faith they supported their only son’s call to the priesthood. I never cease to thank God for my parents and family, and for so many blessings from the Church, relatives and friends.
My first parish experience as a priest began at Christ the King Parish in Ludlow as a young ordained priest. From there, I was later assigned as Pastor to St. Mary’s Parish in Ware, MA. I served there for twenty-two wonderful years and was influenced by the prayer, friendship and dedication of the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception who staffed our parish school and by the support and friendship of so many wonderful parishioners. In August of 2002, the Bishop called me to become pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in East Springfield. I stepped out in faith to respond to God’s call transmitted through our Bishop and this too became another enriching experience in my life. This parish, better known as “OLSH” had an elementary school. I served at OLSH for five years and was blessed with many supportive parishioners and friends. While at OLSH, I shared ministry with three different religious congregations: the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, the diocesan Sisters of St. Joseph and the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph.
In September 2009, I again responded to our Bishop’s call to become pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Granby. This parish has many of the features of Ware – country-like setting, smaller, devout, prayerful, and supportive. I have found all this and more here and am happy to serve God’s people in this area of the Lord’s vineyard.
Kindly allow me to share a graced moment in my life. While on a pilgrimage to Rome in 1995, I was s blessed with a personal audience with Pope John Paul II. His holiness, kindness, and mercy left its imprint on my heart and soul and marked my life forever. I pray to him daily and know that in the near future he will be canonized and take his place among the great saints of our church.
I assure all who come to our Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and visit our Parish Website the assurance of my prayers and a remembrance in my daily Masses. Let us rejoice in being God’s people, a people called to incarnate the Word-made-flesh wherever we are. God bless and keep you well and safe in the palm of his hand.
Sincerely in Jesus and Mary,
Father Charles Kuzmeski,
Pastor
Rev. Adrian Benoit, Pastor Emeritus
The Reverend Adrian J. Benoit pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish From July 2003 through September 2009. He continues to concelebrate Mass at IHM from time to time as his busy retirement schedule allows. Attending Catholic Schools from first grade through seminary, he graduated from Saint Mary’s College, Orchard Lake, Michigan and completed his seminary work at Saints Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, Michigan. Adrian was ordained at Saint Michael’s Cathedral, Springfield on May 15, 1965.
Over the last 40 years Father Adrian has been assigned to Immaculate Conception Church, Indian Orchard, Saint Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams, as pastor in Sacred Heart Church, Greenfield, Holy Redeemer Church (Holy Rosary Church) Hadley, Immaculate Conception Indian Orchard and presently at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Granby.
“I am happy to be here at Immaculate Heart of Mary to minister to the good people of this parish.”
Pastor's Open Letter to Parishioners
Rev. Mr. Paul Mazzariello, Permanent Deacon
DeaconPaulM@ihmgranby.org
Deacon Paul is married to his best friend Carole. They have three children and two grandchldren. Born in Springfield, Paul attended Cathedral High School and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Western New England College. He has been the owner of VIN's Car Wash and Detail Shop in Holyoke since 1980.
Deacon Paul has been living in Granby for
over twenty years and
joined Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in the role of Deacon following his
ordination on
May 14, 2005. Deacon Paul assists the Pastor during the Saturday Mass, preaches monthly, and serves as Chaplain to the inmates at the Men’s Correctional Facility in Ludlow.
Kathryn Buckley-Brawner, Pastoral
Minister/Parish Faith Formation Leader
kathryn@ihmgranby.org 413.467.3566
Kathryn Buckley-Brawner is first and
foremost the mother of Kyrsten, a privilege she shares with long-time friend and
husband Bill. Before joining the pastoral ministry team at Immaculate Heart of
Mary in 1997, Kathryn Buckley-Brawner was a marketing and international sales
manager in agribusiness. Kathryn has served as Pastoral Minister
at IHM since
2002, and currently also serves as Parish Faith Formation Leader for the parish
“Generations of Faith”
formation process.
A catechist for over 20 years, Kathryn has served as coordinator
of Catechetical Resources and Director of Catechetical Ministry and holds Catechetical
Leader certification. She has a Master’s degree in Applied Theology
from the College of Our Lady of the Elms. Kathryn
also serves as Director of the Office of Peace and Justice for Catholic
Charities of Springfield, Coordinator of the local Catholic Campaign for Human Development and as
Director of Catholic Relief Services for the Diocese of Springfield. “We chose IHM as our
parish community upon our arrival from California. It has been a joy and
privilege to celebrate, grow and minister with this faith family”.
Ann O'Roark, Music Ministry
music@ihmgranby.org 413.536.0966
Ann has served as Music Director at Immaculate Heart of Mary since 1998. Ann is married with three children. Active in Music Ministry since her high school days, Ann has served as vocalist and/or choir director at parishes in Los Angeles, Cambridge, and South Hadley before coming to Granby.
Born in the San Francisco area, Ann received her B.A. from UCSC and studied voice at the Academy of Music in Bordeaux, France. She spent 10 years in business as a marketing manager in western Massachusetts before devoting herself full-time to mothering and ministry. Ann loves her work and is grateful to have found a home at Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Marilyn Menard, Secretary
413.467.9821 - Church Fax 413.467.2988
Marilyn has been a parishioner of IHM
since 1972. She is
married, has 2 children and 4 grandchildren. Before coming to
work for IHM, she spent many years as International Sales Manager for a major
air compressor parts company.
At IHM, she serves as lay lector and
extraordinary minister of
Holy Communion. She is also a member of the Spiritual Life and
Worship Committee, the Women's Club, and the Finance Committee.
As Parish Secretary, Marilyn looks to offer help and support
in whatever capacity necessary for the growth of our parish and its ministries.
Top
Lisa Griffin, Administrative Assistant to the Faith Formation Leader
413.467.3566
Lisa assists with the IHM Faith Formation Program. She also serves as a member of the Parish Pastoral Council,
and on the parish's Youth Ministry Board.
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Actual photo of the Webminister looking a little lost, as usual
