September 16, 2017

Families gather to pray for all touched by cancer at annual Pink Mass

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Gregg Thompson

People gather at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield for the annual Pink Mass, to pray for all of those affected by cancer, Saturday, Sept. 16.

SPRINGFIELD – The seventh annual Pink Mass, sponsored by Celebration of Hope of Western Massachusetts, was held at 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon, Sept. 16, at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield.  It was a Mass for anyone diagnosed with cancer, their family, friends and caregivers, and anyone who has lost someone to cancer.

“My mom passed at the age of 56 from lung cancer,” said Barb Turcotte a board member and acting president of Celebration of Hope.  “I have many friends who have been diagnosed with cancer and I’ve had a bout with it personally. So it has touched me and every board member has been touched by it.”

Celebration of Hope, a non-profit all-volunteer organization, was created by founding member and Springfield resident Rosa Dell’Aera-Smith, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 44 in 2009. Dell’Aera-Smith died in 2014 at the age of 49.

“We cover all cancers,” added Turcotte.  “That’s our goal, from pediatric to geriatric.  We do events all during the year and at the end of the year, we give back to five local cancer charities.  We disperse the money to them that we made that year.”

Barbara Turcotte (left), president of Celebration of Hope of Western Massachusetts stands with Laurel Rancitelli, who lost her husband Michael last January. Michael Rancitelli was a music teacher in Springfield.

Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski celebrated the mass in memory of Springfield music teacher Michael Rancitelli, who died in January at the age of 63 after battling cancer for eleven years.  Rancitelli and his wife composed the song “Hope is Our Life,” which they performed at the first Pink Mass in 2011. 

“Michael had such a joy of life and such a joy for life,” said Rozanski.  “He shared that through the beauty of his music.” 

“They’ve been great in helping people with cancer,” said Rancitelli’s widow, Laurel referring to Celebration of Hope.  “I think they’re doing wonderful work with local area places by giving resources to people who need it for help with cancer treatment.”

Studies show that one in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes. The good news is that the cancer death rate has decreased by 20 percent since 1991.

“I really commend them,” said Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno about Celebration of Hope.  “It gives encouragement to those who are battling cancer and to those who have lost loved ones that there are people who will stand with you and by you.”

Following Mass, people released white balloons in the church parking lot. The group then gathered for a reception in the Bishop Marshal Center, where Sister Eileen Sullivan was honored for her 50 years as a Sister of St. Joseph. 

For more information on Celebration of Hope, call Barb Turcotte at (413) 788-7514 or email her at bdt514@aol.com.

 A video version of this story will air on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP TV22.