Cyr, Longtime Williamstown Pastor, Transferred to Parish in Springfield
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Rev. William F. Cyr, the spiritual leader of Williamstown's Roman Catholics since the late 1980s, has been transferred by the Diocese of Springfield to St. Catherine's Parish in Springfield.
In an announcement that took many by surprise, Cyr informed members of his parish in a recent letter mailed to their homes. Helen Renzi, a member of the parish, said she was very disappointed that Cyr is leaving.
"He was a fantastic spiritual leader, and we'll miss him very much," she said.
James Gazzaniga, also a member of the parish, concurred. "It's going to be very difficult for the diocese to replace him in our hearts and minds," he said. "Everyone is disappointed and is going to miss Father Cyr."
Cyr was "always available," said Gazzaniga, calling him "a very unusual and very dedicated priest."
The Advocate could not reach Cyr for comment.
Cyr was assigned as pastor to St. Raphael's Church in Williamstown in 1987 (succeeding the Rev. Roland Renaud) and became pastor of St. Patrick's Church in 1989 when the diocese yoked the two parishes. He has served as pastor of both churches since 1989. Cyr was ordained into the Catholic priesthood on May 1, 1971.
The son of George and Barbara Cyr, he was born on Jan. 27, 1944, in Gloucester. After graduating from Gloucester schools, he received his undergraduate degree in 1966 from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, majoring in history. He next entered Our Lady of Angels seminary in Albany, N.Y. in September 1966 and was ordained, as noted, in 1971 at a Mass celebrated at St. Charles Church in Pittsfield. Cyr obtained a graduate degree in religious education from Fordham University in New York City in 1976.
Cyr has ministered to the residents of Berkshire and Franklin counties for most of his career. His first assignment in June 1971 was as chaplain pro-tem at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. He has also served the following parishes: The Annunciation in Florence (1971-72), St. Peter's in Great Barrington (1972-75), St. Mark's in Pittsfield (1975-77) and Blessed Sacrament in Greenfield (1983-87). In addition, Cyr was chaplain at Mont Marie in Holyoke and head of the Religious Education office in Springfield from 1977 to 1983. He also taught religion courses at St. Joseph's High School in Pittsfield, 1972-75, and theology courses at Elms College in Chicopee, 1977-83.
Cyr's Letter
"Dear friends and fellow Catholics: "In the opera Rigoletto there is a line, "La donna e mobile," which I believe is translated as woman is fickle (so too is man!). We see the fickle nature of the person in many ways. Pop stars are heroes for a week or two; skirts are long one season and then short the next. Religious sects spring up promising instant rewards (if your donation is big enough!) and then disappear with the money. On and on it goes and is it any wonder that we ask if there is anything of enduring value in the world? Do we as well as our brothers and sisters ever stop and consider what is really the best option, what is right and good and just and true? Do we make up our minds guided by God and the things of God or guided by human opinion?
"As a pastor and a man I struggle with this often in my life, as do all of you. It is not easy especially if we are confronted by a multiplicity of goods. This has been a particular concern of mine over the last several months as I have felt a strange restlessness. I have spent a great deal of time lately in prayer, reflection and meditation seeking a direction, a clarification of some of what I had been feeling.
"This all came to a 'head' upon my return from vacation in August. A request was waiting asking me to call the Director of Personnel for the Diocese. It seems that a priest is retiring from a relatively large parish in east Springfield and the Bishop and the Personnel Board were asking me to sacrifice a comfortable situation in Williamstown and become pastor of Saint Catherine's Parish. After two weeks of prayerful reflection and a visit to the parish I said 'no' though I made a mental (and dare I say spiritual) reservation that if by the time of our Convocation in Maine no one had been appointed I would take this as a 'sign' that the Lord wants me to move on. Then, there began the sleepless nights, the upset stomach and the 'reading' of signs in events and comments and so on . . .
"A letter was sent from the Personnel Board seeking an applicant or applicants for the parish but either there were no positive responses or the Board was not satisfied with those who did apply. Whatever the case, the Convocation arrived; no one had been named pastor; and I felt obligated to accept. Because of my schedule, I played 'phone tag' with the Director and the appointment has been ratified in the last few days. My head is still spinning.
"For over fifteen years in Williamstown I have preached the necessity of seeking the will of God in all things and the difficulty of following His will. Now, I am being asked to put up or shut up. The decision to leave Saints Patrick and Raphael Parish is very, very painful. I have developed some very strong friendships which I hope will not end because of geography.
"Father Richard Kerouac (he is related to Jack) will be offering Mass on the weekend of October 19/20. I am taking a few days off before departure. I am tired and need some R and R before beginning the new assignment. I will be in touch with you on a personal level during the next few weeks. I believe that I was sent here to facilitate the yoking and merger. That work has been accomplished and there are now other ventures to pursue that the Lord wants someone else to tackle. The parish of Saint Catherine is a very fine parish and I wonder what the Lord has in store for me there!
"Thank you for all your kindness and allowing me to share the faith with you for over fifteen years!"
