Archdiocese transfers beloved priest

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Rev. Mark Suslenko
Rev. Mark Suslenko

PROSPECT — A veil of sadness has fallen over the hearts of parishioners at St. Anthony’s Church as their beloved spiritual leader is being relocated.

“Effective Oct. 24, Rev. Mark Suslenko will be the Administrator of Saint Paul Parish in Glastonbury and Saint Augustine in South Glastonbury,” a note from the Archdiocese in Hartford said.

Suslenko has been the pastor at St. Anthony’s for the past 11 years and during that time he managed to restore the faith of parishioners and have walked with them through difficult times.

“The parishioners have been a pleasure to be with over these past 11 years and I will miss them deeply,” Suslenko said. “They are engaging, devoted and ready to take up the task of the Gospel.”

According to the Archdiocese, Suslenko is being transferred to share his charisma as a priest.

A group of parishioners are protesting his relocation in response.

Lisa Stanley, a parishioner at the church, said parishioners had no advance notice of the move.

“We are not only very attached to him but we’re very attached to how well he taught us as a parish,” Stanley said. “The foundation has been poured but not fully set and we would like to have some more time with Father Mark. Father Mark has taught us very well and we hate to lose our leader.”

However, this is not an unusual practice of the church. Priests are often moved around according to the greater need of the Catholic body.

“We don’t have enough priests. So when something changes they have to shuffle around,” Stanley explained.

Parishioners are left with the teaching of memories they’ve built with Suslenko.

Toni Parentaeu is a parishioner at St. Anthony’s and said Father Mark helped a grieving St. Bridget school in Cheshire after the abrupt passing of their pastor Robert Ricciardi in 2013.

During his time at St. Anthony’s, Suslenko advocated for the poor and needy in Prospect. This sparked the birth of the church’s Hope Ministry. The ministry, through fundraisers such as the church’s annual pumpkin patch, raises money for the needy in the community and parishioners alike.

Stanley raised concerns about new parishioners who will not have the chance to fully integrate with the parish family but said they’ll ultimately miss the way Suslenko taught them.

“He teaches us with each mass he preaches and he leaves us feeling rejuvenated within our faith,” Parenteau said.

Suslenko said he’ll miss his parishioners but added, “I am confident that all of this collective talent will be a great asset to Father Gregory Jaworowski as he begins his journey as their new spiritual leader.”

Suslenko remains optimistic about his relocation and said of his new parishioners, “their needs may be the same or they may be different. Whatever the future may bring I hope to use the gifts God gave me for the betterment of the people I am called to serve.”