The Italian-speaking Roman Catholic community in Thorold is upset because they are losing their priest.
Rev. Kessete Hammad, who has been the associate pastor at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church since 2009, has been appointed pastor of St. Ann Church in Niagara Falls.
Unhappy with the decision, parishioners have started a petition to try to keep Rev. Kessete in Thorold.
"Father Kessete is an integral part of Holy Rosary Parish and the Thorold Community," the petition states. "Our intention is for the bishop to reconsider his decision and have Father Kessete remain at Holy Rosary Parish."
At last count, the petition has garnered nearly 250 signatures.
“I understand why they are upset,” says Rev. Michael Basque, the head of Holy Rosary Church, in an interview with ThoroldToday. “He’s really close to the Italian community and he has served them really well, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”
St. Ann Church is an Italian parish that is currently without an Italian pastor, which is why Rev. Kessete is being moved there. The decision effectively jeopardizes the Italian masses at Holy Rosary, which have been taking place for more than 70 years.
“We have no replacement for Father Kessete,” Rev. Basque says. “Thirty years ago we probably could have called up some bishop in Italy and he would have sent one of his guys over to help us. Those days are gone. Italian bishops are not sending guys over here, primarily because they need them at home.”
The average term that a pastor stays in one parish is six years, according to Rev. Basque. When it comes to being a pastor, moving is just part of the job.
“I got moved four times in five years,” he says. “You don’t have control over when you move or where you move to. The bishop needs you somewhere and you go. Father Kessete was needed in Niagara Falls and like a good priest, he’s going there.”
Rev. Basque say is surprised the petition has amassed so many signatures.
“It’s funny, because how many people come to Italian mass? Twenty to thirty?” he says. “It’s kind of curious that they’ve got that many people when there aren’t 242 people showing up for mass every Sunday.”
The petition says "Kessete's actions have made him one of the most important people in our community," a priest who has "created and developed relationships by continually being visible outside of the church."
"When an elderly churchgoer becomes homebound," the petition states, "Father makes it a point to visit them and their family so they can still feel they are a part of Holy Rosary Church."
It continues: "Following the numerous pandemic lockdowns the church’s attendance is at one of its lowest points. We are fearful that with the loss of Father Kessete the numbers will plummet even lower and leave a dismal future for Holy Rosary’s survival. By listening to the community and allowing Father Kessete to stay, it can serve as a rally point for the community and act as much needed momentum for the church to recover and grow post pandemic."
Rev. Basque hopes that tranquility will return to the parish soon and that people will learn to accept the bishop’s decision.
“The bishop is aware of how important Father Kessete and the Italian mass is to the Italian community,” Rev. Basque says. “He’s not ignoring them. He’s doing everything he can to meet their needs. Father Kessete is a wonderful person. He’s going because he’s a good priest. We’re trying to find a priest who at least would be able to come in and do the Italian mass on Sunday. We’re making every effort that we can.”
Father Kessete is set to move on August 3.
