Announcement from Fr. Anthony Smith - November 16 2025
Just over ten years ago, when I was vocation director, Archbishop Blair and I were traveling to visit our seminarians. Shortly after we left he said, Tony I would like you to become pastor of St John the Evangelist in Watertown. I was somewhat familiar with Watertown but knew little of the parish. In obedience I accepted. Once again the Archbishop has requested that I take on a new assignment as pastor of Ss Isadore and Maria Parish in Glastonbury and South Glastonbury beginning January 3 of 2026. Once again out of obedience, to which I promised, I have accepted his request.
Fr Antony Prakasam has graciously consented to be temporary administrator of Holy Disciples Parish and School until June 30, at which point a new pastor is to be named. I ask that you give him your complete support as you have given me and pray for him as he assumes this new role.
Over these past ten years we have navigated many challenges and made many changes. We endured a pandemic. At the same time our then neighboring parish, St Mary Magdalen, suffered the sudden loss of a pastor and shortly afterward we came together as linked parishes. In 2022 our parish and school were officially merged into Holy Disciples Parish and Holy Disciples Catholic School. Our ministries came together, our school developed a two campus model and we have continue the mission to which we have been called, namely to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Over these past 10 years we have carried on the work of my predecessors, the most important work of providing the sacraments, educating our children in the faith and preaching the Gospel. It has been an honor for me to be in that line of pastors, to simply be the steward of this parish and your pastor these past ten years. That honor will now be passed on to a new pastor who I know will bring new energy, new ideas, and a spirituality that will inspire.
But make no mistake, this is not about one pastor, past, present or future. The success of our mission is dependent on our staff, my brother priests and deacons, our faculty, our many ministries, and on all of you. I only pray that I was able to help this parish reach for its potential. Ultimately it is God who will see to it we succeed. I pray now that this parish will go to a new level with a new pastor.
Change is always difficult. With fewer priests to serve, all parishes have had to make some difficult changes. Since Fr Antony will be serving by himself we will need to make a change to our Mass schedule both on the weekend and weekdays. This will be accomplished in consultation with those assigned to advise the pastor. We will announce those changes as soon as they have been determined.
I will have another opportunity to express my gratitude, but let me say now, I thank you for your support, your faith and you presence. Please forgive any shortcomings on my part. Watertown and Oakville has become my home and you have become like a family to me in many ways. I will miss you whole heartedly, and part of my heart will always be here in this, my first parish as pastor.
May God continue to bless our parish as we go forward and seize the possibilities that await, possibilities to more effectively preach the Good News of Jesus Christ.