Meet the Parish Pastoral Council

Mission Statement
We, the elected and appointed members of the St Pius X Pastoral Council, accept the following responsibilities of our office: to assist the Pastor in promoting the Catholic faith through a variety of educational and spiritual programs; to assume leadership roles, and or actively participate in parish committees, to foster hospitality, charity and unity in our parish; to invite members of the parish to actively participate in the ministerial life of the parish; to represent before the Pastoral Council the views, concerns and suggestions of the members of our parish. Working together with our Pastor and his staff, our goal is to keep the faith community at St. Pius X Parish vibrant and growing, both now and in the future.

Andrew Berezowski – President Serving as a Catholic Church organist since 1974 in New Britain, East Berlin, and Northford, Andrew joined Saint Pius X Church in 2006 where he has very much enjoyed his experience with the Sunday team music ministry, serving as organist and working with the cantors and choir. Andrew holds a Bachelors degree in electrical engineering from the University of Connecticut, and is an ACS Fellow of Engineering at Honeywell International, Inc.

Maureen Chmielecki – Vice President I joined St Pius in 2006 shortly after moving into the area from Manchester, CT. From the beginning St. Pius has always felt like home - feeling very welcomed from the beginning. Over the years I became involved at St. Pius as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, a teacher (both the 8th grade and the confirmation classes) and I have served as the parish Child Advocate. I have also been privileged to have previously served on the Parish Council both as a member and as President. I am a mother of six children and a grandmother of 7 children.

Jean O'Brien – Secretary Jean has been a member of the St. Pius community for almost four decades. After moving to Middletown from New York, she visited a few other parishes in the area and found St. Pius to be a good fit. Her two children have been actively involved in the parish serving as altar servers and participating in the youth ministry. Jean has enjoyed participating in the Friendly Visitor ministry, visiting and bringing the Eucharist to the sick and home-bound of the parish. Professionally, Jean works for the Veteran's Healthcare Administration as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in a geriatric outpatient clinic.

Lisa Warzecha – Backup Secretary Lisa has been a Parishioner of St. Pius since her Baptism in 1973 and is the granddaughter of original Parishioners, Jackie and Pat Colavito. Throughout the years, she sang in the Children's Christmas Choir, participated in Rosary Altar Society Events, and most recently has been a member of the Auction committee since 2020. Lisa joined the Parish Pastoral Council in 2024 and is serving as Second Secretary. Lisa works in Financial Services and lives in Middletown with her beloved dog, Barley.

Tom Czajak A parishioner of Saint Pius X since 2022, Tom is the current chair of the Auction Committee, a member of the Stewardship Committee, and volunteers as a lector and sacristan. Now retired, Tom has held management positions in the retail, banking and not-for-profit fundraising and development fields. Tom volunteered as a lector and parish council member for St. Mary's Parish in Minoa, NY, and served as treasurer, vice president and president for the Minoa Volunteer Fire Department. Tom and his wife Wendy moved to Middletown from central NY to be closer to their daughter and two grandchildren.

Catalina Gauat Catalina moved to Middletown from Texas in 2002 and became a parishioner in 2003. She is currently working for the Connecticut Labor Department and is also a member of Pilipino Association of Connecticut Inc., a non-profit organization. Her family members are active parishioners at Saint Pius X. Her husband Carlo has been a Eucharistic Minister for years. Her sons Carl and Lance (now 23 and 22 years old) served as Altar Servers, and her son Ethan (12), is also currently an Altar Server.

Jan Goyette Jan became a member of Saint Pius X when her husband was transferred to Middletown in 1973. They moved to Colchester in 1975 and became involved with the local church, St Andrews. She served as a lector there for 10 years and worked with the Faith Formation Program teaching grades 2-Confirmation students. In 2013, they decided that they wanted to return to Saint Pius X. Jan was involved with the Funeral Ministry for 2 years and worked in the White Elephant booth at the Church Fair. She usually attends the 5 PM Mass. Jan has 3 sons, 7 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren.

Joan Konareski Joan is a retired elementary school teacher who has become involved in several volunteer positions since her retirement. She has been a member of Saint Pius X parish since she moved to Middletown in 2013. In her previous parish, she served on the Parish Council, as a lector and Eucharistic Minister, and was a founding member of the Women's Club. She joined the Saint Pius X Council to learn more about her new parish and to become more involved.

Lois Riloff A native of Pennsylvania, Lois has been a parishioner at Saint Pius X since 1974 when she and her husband moved to Middletown from Long Island. During that time, she has volunteered for and supported numerous activities, including many years as a facilitator in the marriage preparation program. Since retiring as a special ed teacher, Lois enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with her four grandchildren.

Ex-Officio Parish Pastoral Council Members

Fr. Marvin Bearis, OFM Cap Fr. Marvin was born and raised in Ewa Beach, HI. He is one of five children born to Ben and Carmen Bearis, who both immigrated to America from the Philippines. Fr. Marvin grew up knowing the Capuchin Franciscans through his hometown parish where they served as pastors for almost 20 years. Fr. Marvin started discerning religious life in his sophomore year of college at the University of Hawaii in 1998. After graduating college, he made the decision to enter religious life in the fall of 2000 as a postulant through the custody of Guam and Hawaii. (read full bio here)

Dale Aldieri Dale is a current Parish Trustee and Chairman of the Parish Finance Council. He has been a Parishioner of Saint Pius X since 1986, after marrying his wife Sandy (a Middletown resident). All three of his children were baptized and confirmed at Saint Pius X. He has served as Lector and Eucharistic Minister; was a member of the Men's Club and Justice and Peace Ministry.

Charlie Jackowski – Trustee Charlie has been a parishioner of Saint Pius X for over 33 years. In addition to serving on the Parish Pastoral Council, he is also a Eucharistic Minister and assists with the Peer Ministry. He previously served on the Parish Council from 2003 - 2007, and was President for 3 years. Charlie lives in Middletown with his wife, Patti, and is employed as the Senior Accountant for The Tomasso Group in New Britain.

Kathy Lampron Kathy has been a member of Saint Pius X her entire life; her parents were founding members Bill and Joanna Fortin. She has been an Administrative Assistant at Saint Pius X since 1993. She enjoys her supporting role within the Parish, and says "It's a great feeling to work for, and with, so many wonderful, dedicated people!" The joy in Kathy's life are her three granddaughters, her family, friends and her two Siamese cats. She also enjoys flower gardening, baking and decorating cakes.

Natalia Nawrot Natalia traded the business world and joined Saint Pius X Church as a Catechist in 2021. In the fall of 2022, she was hired as our CRE grades PS-5. God has a purpose for each and one of us. Natalia dedicates her time and heart to motivate and inspire young children and their families to develop personal relationship with Jesus, while continuing her own formation journey. In her "free time" she enjoys raising her two children and supporting their sport activities.