Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Peace and all good things! Allow me to introduce myself…. My name is Fr. Brad Milunski, and I arrived in Chicopee in mid-June to become the new pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish. I feel privileged to write this and send greetings to all of you who support our beloved St. Stanislaus School—alumni, faculty, staff, students, and their families. My hope is that I will have the opportunity to meet many of you when the new academic year begins. It will be exciting to hear the school filled once again with the sound of students eager to learn and to grow as individuals and as a school community.
By way of introduction, I was born in Amsterdam, NY, and am a product of both public and Catholic schools. Although I felt a vocation to the priesthood and the Conventual Franciscans even in elementary school, my family always had the tradition of going to public schools. Then in eighth grade, one of my closest friends (from third grade to the present!) asked me to go with him on a visit to the local Catholic high school. I wasn’t very willing at first, but then he promised we would have a legal absence from classes. That sold me on the idea! I have to say that after only a one-day visit, we were both hooked and made the move to Catholic school in ninth grade. There is simply no substitute for an educational atmosphere soaked in the Catholic tradition, and in the case of St. Stan’s, the Franciscan tradition too. I know that many of you attend other parishes and are part of other faith traditions, but you are always welcome at the Basilica and parish community of St. Stanislaus!
St. Stan’s should be commended for the courage it took this past year to risk in-person learning, and with grateful hearts to God, we can say the year passed safely and well due to the sacrifices of the students, parents, and staff. As we all begin to emerge from the pandemic, please know that you continue to be in our prayers. May you and your families prosper in health, peace, and all the good gifts of heaven.
Peace and blessings,
Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv.
Pastor
