Diocese hires director of facilities

THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS 

WORCESTER – The Office of the Vicar General has announced that Nathan Schroeder has been hired as the director of facilities for the Diocese of Worcester. He follows Richard Breagy, who retired Dec. 31 and had served the diocese in that capacity for 18 years. 

“Mr. Schroeder brings demonstrated ability to coordinate and plan complex projects in order to meet deadlines and keep projects on track,” Father Richard Reidy, vicar general, said. “He also is very familiar with managing construction projects at all levels with religious organizations, including some of our own parishes. He will be a great resource to our parishes, schools and diocese.” 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Church more directly,” said Mr. Schroeder. “I’m looking forward to working with our parishes in their plans to maintain the beautiful churches which we are blessed to have in our diocese.” 

“Even though he has only been here a short time, he already came to the rescue of one of our properties,” said Paul Schasel, director of fiscal affairs for the diocese. “We are grateful that his quick action, after hours, averted facing frozen pipes and possible water damage in one of our offices during the coldest night in years.” 

Mr. Schroeder has experience in all aspects of running construction projects, from hands-on construction in the field to cost tracking, contract management, scheduling, punch-list, and owner/client coordination. Most recently he was general manager for CM Chartier Contracting. Prior to that he was assistant project manager and site superintendent for PIDC Construction in Milford and worked at Hakarainen General Contracting of Holden. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the  University of Notre Dame in Indiana. 

Mr. Schroeder lives in Winchendon with his wife, Elizabeth, and their young daughter. They are parishioners of Holy Cross Parish in Templeton, where he serves on the Finance Committee and is a volunteer catechist for the confirmation class, and his wife serves as the director of religious education. 

Father Reidy continued, “I want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Breagy for the many years of dedicated service he has provided to the diocese, its parishes and schools. His attention to details and assisting parishes, often in times of crisis due to inclement weather, has been a blessing to our parochial and diocesan operations.”  

The principal responsibility of the facilities director is to serve as a resource to the bishop, vicar general, fiscal affairs office, parishes and schools for property issues. Those issues include maintenance, scheduling of maintenance and reserve studies, construction projects, contractor references and education of pastors who are the direct administrators of parish properties. He will also assist pastors and school administrators with project work plans and specifications, insurance claims, and keeping up with government regulations as they pertain to properties.  

The Diocese of Worcester has more than 400 parish, school, social service, and related properties throughout Worcester County.