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Rev. Thomas Konopka, a licensed clinical social worker, will take over as director of the diocesan Consultation Center in Albany this summer.

He succeeds Rev. Anthony Chiaramonte, Ph.D., in providing administrative leadership to the non-profit mental health center that offers professional psychological counseling services and educational programs to individuals and groups.

A priest for 21 years with an educational background in psychology, Father Konopka received his Master's degree in social work from The University at Albany in 2007. He then joined the staff of the Consultation Center to help maintain a priestly presence there.

Founded in 1969, the Consultation Center originally focused on providing counseling services to priests and women religious and gradually incorporated lay people into the clientele. Two directors preceded Father Chiaramonte: Sister Susanne Breckel, RSM, and Rev. John Malecki, Ph.D., the center's founder.

"It's kind of intimidating when I think of following [in] the footsteps" of former directors, Father Konopka said.

But, having served as a pastor twice - at St. Joseph's parish in Greenwich and St. Michael's in Troy - and on the diocesan Vocations Team, Father Konopka feels confident that he can handle the board meetings, spiritual directors groups and new client intake that are now added to his list of responsibilities.

"My life is hectic anyway," he joked.

Father Konopka and about 15 other psychologists and social workers see a "mixture" of clients for anger management sessions, behavioral therapy and more. He told The Evangelist that he doesn't wear his Roman collar during sessions and only brings up God if the client is open to that.

"What priesthood has taught me is compassion and to take people where they're at," he said. "Folks with emotional problems and mental illness are still looked down on. If Jesus was going to look at one group if He came back at this point, it would be the mentally ill, among others."

Father Konopka will have to curtail his weekly service as a family counselor at Catholic Charities in Schenectady County.

But he'll continue serving as sacramental minister at St. Clare's parish in Colonie, a ministry he's had for six years.

"That's very important to me," he said. "I'm a priest first and foremost."[[In-content Ad]]

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