Pelham - Windham News 8 - March 11, 2011


Father Anthony Finds a New Home at St. Patrick’s Church


Since first arriving at St. Patrick’s Parish in June, Father Anthony has found the people of Pelham to be very inviting and generous


by Sue Krzeminski Like so many young boys, he dreamed of one day playing for the Red Sox. Instead of a ballpark full of fans, Father Anthony Kuzia’s field of dreams has ended up being a church full of parishioners. Today, he is the pastor at St. Patrick’s Parish in Pelham. Growing up in Ansonia, CT, Father Anthony was the second oldest of five children and the only boy. Both of his parents were first-generation Americans, and his grandparents had all emigrated from Poland. When Anthony was only nine, his father died. Joseph Kuzia had just obtained his funeral director’s license. Had his father lived, Father Anthony felt he probably would have become a funeral


director as well. Father Anthony was left wondering where life would take him. As a teenager, he considered becoming a teacher. Then, a “defining moment” changed his life when he was offered a scholarship to attend a Catholic boarding school in Pennsylvania. The routine and structure that the school offered was a “blessing” for the young boy. Another turning point came when Anthony was 25. On a retreat in March 1975, right before being ordained a deacon, he experienced “a moment of grace.” He felt like he finally understood why his father had died so early. “I knew in my heart why it had happened; that it allowed my life to go in a different direction,” he explained. “I was able to come to peace with his death. If my father hadn’t died, then I probably wouldn’t have become a priest.” Father Anthony was ordained a priest in 1976. He left his most recent assignment as the pastor of St. Peter’s and Sacred Heart parishes in Concord, to lead St. Patrick’s Church in Pelham. He noticed two things about the town immediately: the rural landscape and the caring people. “It really struck me that the people here have a genuine concern for one another and a willingness to help in a big way,” he said. In fact, he arrived the same weekend in June 2010 as church members were taking part in their annual Shantytown effort highlighting homelessness. He felt at home right away in the sea of makeshift cardboard shanties scattered around the church lawn. Since June, Father Anthony has come to know other examples of Pelham generosity firsthand through the Pelham Food Pantry, the Good Neighbor Fund, and local food drives. One of his biggest tasks is getting church members to take


ownership in sharing their faith. “I believe everyone needs to do something to move the mission of Jesus, regardless of age and condition,” he explained. “I want people along the continuum of life to recognize ways to make others aware of how to live Jesus’ great commandment of loving others.” He hopes to accomplish this by building various ministries so that everyone has a role in the church community. Father Anthony’s experience as a priest has been varied. He has done both administrative work for his religious community and spent a number of years in parish ministry. “I am happy in parish work because the parish is where people learn about and live out their faith. It is in a parish that the faithful receive the body of Christ and


listen to God’s word. Here, in the company of others, we celebrate the most significant events of our lives; babies are baptized, young couples are joined in marriage, and our loved ones are laid to rest in Christian burial.”


He has been getting to know the children at St. Patrick’s School and makes it a point to be there at least once a week. He enjoys getting involved in their activities. “Children are so full of life, and you never have a bad day when kids are around,” he said. Becoming a priest has also allowed Father Anthony to travel. As a pilgrim, student, and tourist, he was able to visit a number of countries in Europe, and he has been to China.


In his limited free time, Father Anthony enjoys spending it outdoors; whether gardening, walking the beach, or just exploring. Although he has only been in Pelham for eight months, he already considers


himself a part of the community. “I feel like I’ve been here for a number of years,” he admitted. “I very much feel at home.”


In February, Father Anthony welcomed more than 50 people to tour the new Pelham Food Pantry building behind St. Patrick’s Church. Cheryl Brunelle, who now oversees the food pantry, follows in the footsteps of former coordinator Marianne Potter, who first started the pantry


Community Night Celebrates All Pelham Has to Offer


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by Karen Plumley Many people who attend Pelham Community Night annually realize that there is a whole lot to learn about Pelham just by spending time at the various display tables along the halls of Pelham Elementary School. For example, guests who stopped by at the VFW table on Thursday, March 3, might have had an opportunity to meet and speak with Pelham resident and Navy veteran Evelyn Hidalgo, the only woman who is currently a member of the John H. Hargreaves Memorial Post 10722 organization. Visitors who stopped by the Pelham Public Library display might


have learned that this town’s library is more than just a place to find books. Adult Service Librarian Corinne Chronopoulos touted the many library programs for children and adults, including a Poetry Contest for all ages to be held at the library in April. (Submissions will be accepted from April 3 through April 22.) Also at the library table during Community Night, children who just turned 6 had the opportunity to sign up right there to receive their very first library card with Assistant Lori Chalin. Interested Pelham residents might have learned a few tidbits of information from Pelham Kindergarten teachers and Pelham Communication Committee regarding efforts to construct a permanent Kindergarten and Special Education Preschool facility. One important point is that the state of New Hampshire is currently offering funding of 75 percent for kindergarten building projects. In the first-floor common area, guests also had a chance to watch an informative video, chat with community members, and see a proposed floor plan.


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Of course, within the elementary classrooms, visitors could learn even more by visiting with teachers and seeing the multitude of student reports and projects on display, including the creative “100 Days of School” modeling project in Mrs. Robin Andrews’ third-grade class. Students were required to create a model using 100 of anything in celebration of the 100th day of school. Kids got really creative and used LEGOs, marshmallows, foam pieces, and toothpicks to make their structures. Members of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Boy Scouts of America, Pelham Police Department, St. Patrick’s Parish, and many more were in attendance on Thursday evening to share stories and answer questions during this year’s Pelham Community Night.


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Election- continued from front page


contract expired, voters across the state responded more positively to new contracts and this was no different in Pelham, where voters supported contracts on both the town and school side of the ballot. School Board Chairman Rob Hardy had urged


voters to support the teachers’ contract because it was a good mix of concessions and employee support. Voters responded and passed the contract. After the positive vote on the contract


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Members of the Pelham Police Department display their wares at Pelham Community Night 2011 on Tursday, March 3: Master Patrolman Eugene Stahl, Sergeant Glen Chase, and Lieutenant Brian McCarthy


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Members of the Pelham VFW Ladies’ Auxiliary, Treasurer Diane Brunelle and Guard Rita Daigle, accompany Pelham’s only woman VFW member, US Navy Veteran Evelyn Hidalgo, on Tursday evening, March 3, at Pelham Community Night


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was announced, Ducharme said, “It was great to see that both sides decided to work together to come to an agreement. We have some fantastic teachers, but we are also in some difficult financial times. Both sides made great strides in regards to healthcare as well as many other issues.” Voters on the town side also supported roads, trust funds, and a second egress from Muldoon Park.


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