HAYDENVILLE — The Hilltowns have a new Catholic priest.

The Rev. Richard Bondi, who has worked in parishes up and down the Pioneer Valley, officially took over as the pastor of Our Lady of the Hills on Aug. 15.

His new parish is a large one — stretching west from Northampton all the way to Dalton — that was created in a 2007 merger of St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church in Leeds and St. Mary of the Assumption in Haydenville. The consolidation was part of the Springfield Diocese’s efforts to reduce costs in the face of challenges that included fewer Catholic churchgoers and fewer available priests.

At a reception held to welcome Bondi on Sunday after 10:15 a.m. Mass at St. Mary in Haydenville, the new priest said he’s excited to meet those challenges head on: increasing the number of parishioners, and with that, improving the parish’s finances.

“What I’ve found is a very welcoming community,” said Bondi, who is replacing the Rev. Galadima Goni. Goni had been at the parish for eight years, serving as the administrator.

Bondi said that folks have been greeting him on the street when he walks his dogs. That sort of community is important, he said, because there’s plenty of work ahead. “We’re just at the beginning beginning stages.”

“It’s not just the pastor’s challenge, it’s the parish’s challenge,” said Jim Seney, who considers himself a lifelong parishioner of the church. Seney is the president of the parish council, and he said Bondi’s energy and ideas, combined with the tight-knit community of Our Lady of the Hills, will hopefully help “put more fannies in the pews.”

Some of the ideas Bondi hopes will come to fruition are increased evangelization, outreach to fellow faith leaders in the area and moving youth services from out in Leeds to St. Mary in Haydenville, so young people can attend those programs and Mass in the same place.

“We’re thrilled to have Father Richard here,” said Jeanne Moriarty of Haydenville. She said she felt his presence would bring people back to the church. “He brings warmth and energy.”

Several parishioners commented on the captivating nature of Bondi’s sermons.

“Catholic priests have a reputation of not being very good preachers,” Bondi said, adding that they also don’t have a reputation for enjoying music. Bondi, on the other hand, enjoys both.

Jack Scanlan of Leeds said that, after the merger between his St. Catherine of Alexandria Church and St. Mary of the Assumption, some felt a sense of abandonment, and worried about the smaller number of young people entering the priesthood.

“We were wondering, ‘What’s left?’” Scanlan said.

Bondi, he added, is exactly what they needed. “He’s excellent. I really love his sermons.”

For Jim Cahillane, a longtime parishioner from Northampton, the best part of Bondi’s appointment is that he’ll be a permanent presence at the church.

“It’s a positive change,” he said. “I think people like stability.”

Dusty Christensen can be reached at dchristensen@gazettenet.com.

]]>