‘I preach to them, not at them’: After 10 years, ‘gentle giant’ South Hadley pastor to depart for new flock in Wilbraham

SOUTH HADLEY — Since July 2015, the Rev. James Nolte has led the St. Patrick’s parish as a “gentle giant,” according to Deacon David Bergeron.

At 6 feet 8 inches, Nolte’s size almost overtakes his presence. But on second look, a church newcomer would notice his welcoming warmth and ease — further enhanced by the beloved black Labrador, Padre, often circling his feet.

“We like to talk to the pastor only if it’s about a trouble or praying,” Bergeron said, who was a member of St. Patrick’s for 30 years before becoming deacon. “But a lot of our parishioners here could talk to Father James about anything, whether that’s the weather, or sports, or any interest.”

The simple act of being present, Nolte said, is at the core of a pastor’s responsibilities. He sits by the deathbeds of parish members, watches newlyweds recite their vows and listens at an extra two-hour session of confessions every Friday night. Nolte learned very early on in his religious journey that people may forget his words during these milestones, but they never forget his attendance.

“I walk Padre six times a day through the neighborhoods around here and talk to people, and I’ve helped a couple people move into their apartments,” Nolte said. “It’s a wonderful community. It’s a really supportive community. They’ve got a very strong giving of self. It’s not just giving of money. It’s giving of time and talents and treasure, and the people here are just very generous. It’s actually been a real pleasure to lead.”

After 10 years with the St. Patrick’s community, the Diocese of Springfield has called upon Nolte to bring his grounding, approachable presence to St. Cecilia’s Church in Wilbraham, leaving behind the first parish he ever served as pastor. His last Mass will take place on Sunday at 11 a.m., followed by a farewell party at noon. His departure leaves behind a large vacuum, and whomever steps up to the lead the community will have big shoes — and paws — to fill.

“It’s certainly a very welcoming parish, a very open parish,” Bergeron said. “I think Father James brought that type of presence here, that you’re always welcome here.”

Before heeding to the call to priesthood, Nolte worked as a carpenter, a dairy farmer, a lawyer and an educator at nearly every level of the education system in the Catholic Church. It wasn’t until 2012, when Nolte was 48 years old, that he became an ordained priest. Yet, his previous lived experiences shaped his approach to delivering homilies and organizing Mass.

“I preach to them, not at them,” Nolte said. “If you’re just preaching about the divine, it doesn’t make any difference in people’s lives. If you’re just preaching about the human, then you don’t give anyone hope. So you have to preach about the divine and the human.”

Specifically, Nolte’s teaching background shines during a 9 a.m. Mass service that he tailors toward the children of the church. Lifelong member of St. Patrick’s, Thomas Griffin, often attends the service with his wife and three children to listen to Nolte’s special homily that breaks down the message of the week’s gospel reading.

“A lot of times he uses props to make it more understandable for them,” Griffin said. “That’s huge because you don’t see a lot of youth in the Catholic Church. He always wants to make that lasting impact and make sure that they stay engaged and interested.”

While the props and excited storytelling help, Nolte jokes that most of the children stay for Padre. He got the black Labrador a couple days after his pervious dog, an elderly brown Labrador named Grizzly, died in 2019. When the church closed during COVID, Nolte livestreamed his services on YouTube with the puppy pacing around the room. Quickly, his name became synonymous with his dog’s.

“At my going away party, there’s going to be a basket for cards and letters for me, and there’s going to be a basket for cards and letters for Padre,” Nolte said. “I have a feeling that Padre’s basket is gonna be full, and mine is going to have a post it note saying, ‘Take care of Padre.’ He’s very beloved. He’s very easy to love.”

COVID was probably the biggest challenge of Nolte’s time at St. Patrick’s. A month after the country went into lockdown, Nolte arrived at Easter services in April 2020 to an empty room. The loss of community was palpable.

“It’s really hard because the whole purpose of Easter is coming together as a community and celebrating new life,” Nolte said. “It was hard on me, it was hard on the people, and I don’t think the church has really completely recovered from COVID. I think some people have stayed home and they’re not coming back.”

Just as Nolte has shepherded the spiritual growth of the St. Patrick’s community, the parish has provided him a place to grow as a pastor. Nolte admits he has strived to develop what he calls “the pastor’s heart,” or a sense of unconditional empathy and selflessness. But his parish of 10 years greatly helped him on this journey, and it’s a home he will miss.

“I think that some people come in very empathetic already, and they’re ready to go,” he said. “I think some people like myself, we need to develop that over time. And I think that what the [St. Patrick’s] community has given to me is the space to develop that heart.”

Emilee Klein can be reached at eklein@gazettenet.com.