In praise of their beloved pastor of 31 years

By Susan Bailey
CFP Correspondent

John Zawacki, his wife, Lee, and their children have been a part of the St. Rose of Lima Parish family in Northborough throughout the long pastorship of Father James A. Houston, who retired on July 1. Mr. Zawacki’s youngest son, Jason, now 48, had a strong reaction when he learned the news. “He began to cry,” said Mr. Zawacki.
“When Father Jim presided at the blessing of Jason and his wife, Heide, at the Mass celebrating their sacrament of matrimony 17 years ago next month, Father Jim said it was like blessing his own son. Father Jim is truly a father figure for Jason, and Jason is a son to Father Jim. This is one story of a history book that spans 31 years of a faith community of thousands,” Mr. Zawacki said.
Mr. Zawacki proposed this article to express the people’s gratitude to Father Houston for shepherding them for those many years. “A single pastor for three decades is extraordinary in this day and age,” he said.
Several parishioners rem arked on Father Houston’s dedication to and passion for the youth of St. Rose.
“How lucky are our children?” said Maureen Scholl. “From ‘Donut Masses’ to children’s liturgy to wonderful religious education programs, to father/daughter dances to altar serving to Young Neighbors in Action, to Red Sox games to service trips and trips to Canobie Lake Park and Ward Hill, to the Giving Tree to youth group, to a fantastic youth ministry program and parish staff … there have been so many wonderful opportunities for our children to learn about their faith, stewardship, and to feel so at home at St. Rose of Lima.”
Rod and Michele Pfannenstiel’s children, Matthew, 27, and Alyssa, 25,  always attend Mass when they return for a visit. “Whenever they are home, we are all at the 10:00 Mass in the same seats. There is no pleading or reminding them to come with us now or even when they were young. They do so because their faith was truly formed at St. Rose, and make no mistake about it – it is because of Father Jim’s leadership in our parish.”
Ms. Pfannenstiel provided many examples of Father Houston’s guidance.
“He talks the talk and walks the walk to remind us how to live the life Christ wants and needs us to do,” she said. “Whether it is the weekly homily to remind us of God’s love and support for all of us, an opportunity to serve God and our neighbor in challenging circumstances as teenagers in YNIA, a chance to share your faith on a  confirmation retreat, or an opportunity to serve on a committee to help guide our parish, he allows us all to find out how to use our gifts.”
She continued, “Father Jim’s sense of community and stewardship have made our family so strong in a foundation of kindness, love, and support, a thing that often seems very challenged lately. We cannot thank Father Jim enough.”
Ms. Scholl echoed Ms. Pfannenstiel’s comments when it came to stewardship.
“Father Jim has stressed the importance of giving of our time, talent, and treasure. Those words are etched in our hearts. This comes from so many years of not only hearing those words but also seeing the goodness of the ‘giving,’” she said.
Jack Gallagher, like many others, expressed his appreciation for the homilies.
“Father Jim is holy, intelligent, compassionate, and down to earth,” he said. “Among his many gifts is his ability to weave lessons from Scripture into his homily and make them relevant in today’s world.”
Lina Long agrees. “I have three teenagers, and they love belonging to St. Rose. Going to church is never a fight. We all love his homilies because he relates them to everyday life.”
Mr. Zawacki added that “he shed a biblical light on the present-day reality of his listeners, to provide counsel and guidance to souls searching for answers, sometimes through his words, at other times, through his presence.”
One of St. Rose of Lima’s trademarks is the many activities offered to the community.
“Father Houston never settles for the status quo or good enough, said Ms. Long. “He wants as many activities as possible to take place at church and has a deep desire to have as many parishioners as possible involved in them.”
“Father Jim has always been open to new ministries,” said Dan and Joan Scott. “He has encouraged such innovative ideas as productions of musicals in the church and the high school drama group’s skit ‘Church (Basket)Ball.’ We have been especially grateful for his support of the St. Rose Community Garden, an idea that arose out of one of the youth mission groups. We have seen firsthand the impact this outreach ministry has had on the St. Rose families as they come together to plant and harvest the vegetables to benefit the local food pantry.
Ms. Scott further commented on Father Houston’s ability to make personal connections.
“One of my fondest memories is from an Easter Sunday many years ago when Father Jim called our then four-year-old son, Danny, to come up to the altar to show off a drawing he had done of the Resurrection,” she said. “Father Jim scooped him up in his arms, introduced him to the parish, and talked about his drawing. It was a very special moment for us.”
In his letter addressed to Father Houston, Mr. Zawacki embodied the gratefulness of the St. Rose family. “Over these 31 years, how many people have you brought to a closer relationship, a friendship, with God through the sacraments?” he writes. “While you may develop a semblance of the thousands whose lives you have touched during the days of celebration prepared for you, the actual number and the ripple effect will truly be known when you meet Jesus face to face.”