WESTFIELD – Fr. Brian McGrath has helped bring St. Mary Parish and its schools into the new millennium and beyond, and he is now leaving to help another parish in need.
McGrath will become pastor of St. John’s in Agawam sometime in mid-February, leaving behind a legacy of faith and commitment to the Catholic Church and schools in Westfield.
McGrath, 52, became pastor of St. Mary in Westfield in 2002. Although he welcomes a new challenge, McGrath said he will miss the parishioners and community that have become family.
“This was hard to say yes to,” said McGrath of his reassignment. “The bishop believes I have gifts that can benefit the St. John’s parish, and when you are ordained you vow obedience to your bishop. I have hope, and belief in the gifts and skills the bishop believes I possess.”
McGrath was born in Boston’s Southie neighborhood and as a child moved to Littleton where he was raised. He attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst before deciding his calling was the priesthood.
After being ordained, McGrath continued to study in Rome and was assigned to several parishes in western Massachusetts before making St. Mary parish in Westfield his home for the past 12 years.
“When I came here I was a 39 year-old kid,” McGrath joked. “All we have accomplished is because people responded and we have been blessed to work together.”
Over the past several years, St. Mary’s schools have grown. A preschool was added, international students joined the high school, and the schools were combined under one umbrella.
What hasn’t changed at the schools and parish is the faith the community shares, something McGrath is proud to have been a part of for nearly 13 years.
“It has been such a blessing to be here, and I am grateful,” he said. “The parish community is great and the Westfield community is great – we’ve had a great run.”
Mark Dupont, secretary of communications for the Diocese of Springfield, praised McGrath.
“He spent a good amount of time in Westfield and had huge success there,” Dupont said, adding that St. Mary is one of the Diocese of Sprngfield’s largest, most active parishes.
As for who will replace McGrath, Dupont said the decision process is just starting.
“First it is announced that there is an opening, then interested priests apply,” Dupont said.
When a priest is transferred to a new parish, Dupont said it is sometimes because the bishop asks him to relocate, or sometimes it’s because the priest expresses an interest in moving.
McGrath said in this case, he was asked to bring his talents to St. John’s.
McGrath will be feted throughout the next month as he prepares to leave St. Mary parish. He said there are several Masses in the coming weeks where he will celebrate with friends and the community can wish him well.
Dupont said the Diocese hopes to have a new pastor in place by the end of February.
