Changes in Newton, again

My faithful e-mailers tell me that more change is afoot at Our Lady Help of Christians in Newton, the once-vibrant parish that has been in turmoil since the forced resignation of its popular pastor, the Rev. Walter H. Cuenin, over contested allegations of financial misconduct. Archbishop O'Malley appointed the Rev. Christopher J. Coyne as pastor, but he lasted only four months before unhappiness at the parish caused him to resign.

Now comes word that the parochial vicar at the parish, the Rev. Paul Kilroy, is being transferred, and that a new pastor is on the way. Kilroy, who is a Cuenin ally and likeminded but less outspoken archdiocesan critic, had been pastor of nearby St. Bernard Church until it closed, and was not reinstated when the parish was reopened, again because the archdiocese claimed financial concerns. Now Kilroy has sent a letter to parishioners, saying that he is moving to St. Joseph Church in Medford effective April 5.

The rumor mill has the name of the new pastor, but the archdiocese has not confirmed it, and I'm going to wait for something solid before posting it. For now, archdiocesan spokesman Terrence C. Donilon will say only "The Archdiocese expects to soon announce a new pastor for Our Lady Help of Christians. No further information is available at this time."

Stay tuned. And keep those e-mails coming.

UPDATE (Friday afternoon from Rome): I'm now told there will be a team ministry at the parish, and that one of the two priests will be the Rev. John E. Sassani, who has been the administrator at St. Theresa Church in Sherborn, and director of the office of spiritual development at the archdiocese. I know him, and he is a bright, clear, and pastoral priest; he had served as the archdiocese's liaison to the folks who have been occupying St. Anselm Church in Sudbury and from what I hear was well-received there. Still waiting for confirmation/elaboration from the archdiocese, the name of the other priest, and reaction from Newton.