Deacon Channing (Joe) Bete

Deacon Joe Bete was ordained a permanent Deacon on May 14, 2005 for the Diocese of Springfield and was assigned to his home parish at Holy Trinity. In June of 2020, at 84, Deacon Joe retired from active ministry. He has served as a volunteer chaplain and a member of the Ethics Service at Baystate Franklin Medical Center. He is a board member of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield. Together with his wife, Marie, has ministered to the homebound, nursing homes and assisted living where he held regular communion services before Covid.

Deacon Joe and Marie are lifelong members of Greenfield. They were married at Holy Trinity over 60 years ago and have raised their five children here. They are blessed to have 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Their granddaughter Sister Maria Benedicta Bete, Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist, is teaching in a Catholic High School in Waco, Texas. Deacon Joe retired as President and CEO from the family publishing company in 1995.