|
|
|
Holy Family Catholic Community
To Live the Great Commandment: Love of God and Love of Neighbor
|
|
|
Father
John Gathenya
|
|
Father
Michael "Mike" Twardzik
|
The
only child of Michael and Helen Packlick Twardzik, Fr. Mike,
born 1944, was raised in Pittsfield, MA. After attending both
public and parochial schools in his hometown, he was graduated
from Saint Mary's College, Orchard Lake, MI. Fr Mike
was ordained from The American College at the University of
Louvain, Belgium, for the Diocese of Springfield, MA in 1970.
After
briefly serving two parishes and Smith College, Northampton,
MA he taught at Saints Cyril & Methodius Seminary, Orchard
Lake, MI. Returning to his home diocese, he was assigned
to campus ministry at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
for three years, and then appointed secretary to the Bishop
of Springfield, Joseph F. Maguire, for three years.
|
|
In
1983, Fr Mike became academic dean of Saints Cyril &
Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, MI. for a period of four
years. From 1987 to 1997 he served as pastor of Saint Stanislaus
Parish, South Deerfield, MA. From 1997 to 2005 he was pastor
of Saint Francis, Notre Dame, and Our Lady of Mercy Parishes,
North Adams, MA.
Spring
of 2005 brought more pastoral planning mergers to North
Adams and Fr. Mike was granted a sabbatical, which he spent
with the Trappists at the Abbey of the Genesee, Piffard,
NY. During that year he requested permission to remain in
the Diocese of Rochester and was accepted by Bishop Matthew
Clark and released by Bishop Timothy McDonnell of Springfield,
MA. He was assigned to Holy Family Catholic Community in
June 2006.
|
|
