Archbishop Seán P. O’Malley has named Father Walter Carreiro, previously administrator, as pastor of St. Michael Parish in Hudson. The date of the appointment was Dec. 15, 2003.

It is one of the few remaining parishes in the archdiocese that has both a parish grammar and high school, which alone would make it busy. The parish, however, also has a substantial population of newcomers who speak Portuguese as their first language. In addition, the parish recently received added responsibility with the closing of Christ the King Parish, which was rejoined to its mother parish, St. Michael.

Father Carreiro brings his own gifts to these challenges. He’s had the opportunity to serve for 16 months as the parish administrator and has become familiar with the parish’s needs and potential.

A native of Fall River, Father Carreiro was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston on May 23, 1995, by Cardinal Law at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. His first assignment was to a Portuguese national parish, St. Anthony, Cambridge, where he served until June 2000. His facility with the Portuguese language was fine-tuned at the Cambridge parish. In 1998, he was named to a three-year term as coordinator of the archdiocese’s Portuguese Apostolate.

Upon completion of his first assignment in June 2000, he served for two years at St. Thomas of Villanova Parish, Wilmington, until being named administrator of the Hudson parish in August 2002.

At Hudson, his familiarity with Portuguese language and traditions will help bring the Brazilian community into the parish family. His commitment to Catholic education is already being felt as he works to expand both St. Michael Grammar School and Hudson Catholic, the parish high school.

Father Carreiro takes up his new challenges with enthusiasm and determination.