Northboro Pastor Accused of Theft Is Replaced

By Bronislaus B. Kush
The Telegram & Gazette Staff
November 23, 2013

http://www.telegram.com/article/20131123/NEWS/311239839/1003/NEWS03

The Reverend Ronald G. Falco, pastor of St. George Parish in Worcester, has been named the new pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Northboro.

He replaces the Reverend Stephen M. Gemme, who was removed from his pastoral duties in October for allegedly embezzling more than $230,000 from the Route 20 parish to fuel a gambling habit.

The chancery did not name a replacement for Rev. Falco at St. George's, but the Reverend Richard F. Reidy, the diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, will serve as administrator until a successor is named next summer.

Rev. Reidy had been serving as administrator at St. Bernadette's.

Additionally, Bishop Robert J. McManus announced that the Reverend George A. Charland, pastor at St. John the Baptist Parish in East Brookfield, has retired.

The Reverend Kevin Hartford, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in North Brookfield, will serve at St. John's as administrator until a new pastor is named, also next summer.

The bishop also appointed the Rev. Donald C. Ouellette to pastoral ministry at St. John's.

The assignments will take effect Nov. 30, the beginning of the church's celebration of Advent.

Rev. Gemme, 44, underwent residential treatment after the thefts were uncovered last July.

The priest reportedly admitted to Bishop McManus that he has a gambling problem. An audit of the parish and its elementary school showed that money had been taken over the past four years.

The Reverend. John Hamm has been assisting Rev. Reidy with ministerial duties at the church, as well as helping to manage the school, which was founded in 1997.

Scandal has plagued St. Bernadette's before.

The Reverend Charles Devlin was removed in 2004 by then Bishop Daniel Reilly as pastor of the church and as head of the diocesan Respect for Life Office after allegations surfaced that the priest had abused a minor in the 1980s.

At the time, Rev. Devlin served as headmaster of Notre Dame High School in Fitchburg and Marianhill High School in Southbridge.

Former District Attorney John J. Conte did not pursue charges because he said the statute of limitations had expired.

Rev. Falco's appointment was announced at Masses at St. Bernadette's last weekend.

In the parish bulletin, Rev. Hamm welcomed the pastor and urged parishioners to continue praying for Father Gemme.

Contact: bkush@telegram.com