MONTGOMERY-From an “awesome” childhood exploring the wilderness in his hometown, Barrent Charles Pease discovered in his teens there was “Light” coming through a “darkness” he was experiencing.
The Rev. Barrent Pease celebrated Mass Tuesday morning at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westfield. He was ordained to the priesthood June 10.
More than a decade later, the Rev. Barrent Pease became the newest priest to join the Diocese of Springfield during a special 11 a.m. Mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield on June 10. Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski was the principal celebrant during the Rite of Priestly Ordination. Pease’ mother, Roberta Barron, and his stepfather, David Wilcox, were among the hundreds who attended the event.
On Tuesday morning following the 7 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westfield, Pease shared those early experiences that he now knows were necessary to bring him closer to God.
“I was baptized at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish and my maternal grandparents took me to church every Sunday,” said Pease, adding that his mother worked on Sundays as a nurse at Baystate Medical Center so she couldn’t attend with the family. His grandmother, Irene Barron, continues to attend Blessed Sacrament Parish.
“When I lost both of my grandfathers I was angry with God since they were a source of stability for me,” said Pease. “I fell out of the church system at that time.”
Pease said he now knows God was “never far” from his life.
“God worked in instructing me to learn the truths,” he said.
One of the defining moments in Pease’s teens was a conversation among a friend and an art instructor at Gateway Regional High School in Huntington.
“Different Scripture passages were being discussed because my friend was preparing for Confirmation and I was drawn to their conversation,” said Pease. “I could see Light coming through the darkness.”
When the art teacher offered a Bible to the student, he noted he already had one and Pease immediately asked if he could have it.
“When I went home and opened the Bible to John 1:1, it blew my mind away,” said Pease. “I was wondering about the Trinity and this Divine Grace helped me to grasp the mystery. I knew I had to come back to the church. I had to rightly follow Him.”
His first mission was to go back to confession – after more than six years – which was intimidating to Pease but he knew it was necessary.
“The love and mercy of God was so strong,” said Pease of his first confession in years at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish. “I knew at that moment I would always be faithful.”
After graduating from Gateway, Pease attended Holyoke Community College for two years and then transferred to Our Lady of Providence College Seminary. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 2010, and continued on as a transitional deacon where his studies led him to St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.
Now at age 29 – after a two-week vacation – he will join Father Kenneth J. Tatro, pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in West Springfield, for his first assignment.
“Following ordination there is a profound realization of carrying on the sacred mysteries,” said Pease. “God is working in you and you are given more responsibilities because you’ve been given more graces. It is the greatest gift ever.”
After the Tuesday morning Mass, several parishioners exited the side door of the chapel to say hello to the new priest and wish him well on his life’s journey.
Phyllis Chlastawa was one of the first to congratulate him.
“Good job Father,” said Chlastawa, noting after her brief chat she “wished him good luck.”
Kathy Harrington noted she had arranged her schedule so she could attend the morning Mass.
“I came to see his vestment that our church purchased for him,” said Harrington, adding her family had also attended Sunday’s First Holy Mass of Thanksgiving for Pease at the church. The event is traditional for a newly ordained priest to offer his First Priestly Blessing to anyone who would like to receive it. A reception followed the Mass allowing time for parishioners to greet Pease and wish him well, as well as receive his First Blessing.
“Sunday’s Mass was very insightful into the priest life,” said Harrington, discussing the homily by Father David Pignato.
Fr. Ryan T. Sliwa served as Master of Ceremonies during Sunday’s Mass, assisted by Deacon Michael Kokzoska and Deacon Michael Rora. Lectors during the Mass were John Larochelle and Brian Ashmankas, and servers were Duy Le, Stanislaus Achu, Matthew Barone, Michael Ciolek and Valentine Nworah. Music was performed by Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish Choir.
“Blessed Sacrament is very special to me,” said Pease. “I have had great mentors here. Also, the parish staff members were the first people who fostered me for the priesthood. I have always received an abundance of support from everyone within the church.”
While his lifelong dream since he was three was to join the military, Pease knows that during prayers when he heard the words “priesthood” – he had to follow his heart.
“I go where the Spirit leads me,” he said. “I’m just the instrument.”
