July 4, 2021

Bishop Byrne and Sister Deirdre Byrne to speak at Faith on Fire Sept. 10

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

Bishop William Byrne is pictured with his sister, Sister Deirdre Byrne (right), and two other Sisters of the Little Workers of the Sacred Heart after his Dec. 14, 2020 ordination and installation as the 10th bishop of Springfield. (Catholic Communications file photo/Gillian Jones)

FEEDING HILLS – Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne and his sister, Sister Deirdre Byrne of the Little Workers of the Sacred Heart, are scheduled to speak at the Faith on Fire Rally, to be held Friday, Sept. 10 at Sacred Heart Parish in Feeding hills at 6 p.m.

The annual event is typically held at the end of each summer and includes speakers, praise and worship music, and eucharistic adoration. It was canceled last year to the pandemic.

“I am thrilled that my sister, the sister, Sister Dede, will be joining us for the Faith on Fire event taking place in September. She is a dynamic speaker and I can’t wait to hear what the Holy Spirit says through her,” said Bishop Byrne.  “I’m excited to be part of the event as well and look forward to being with the faithful as we prepare for the upcoming Year of the Eucharist.”

The Year of the Eucharist runs from Nov. 21, 2021, the feast of Christ the King, through Oct. 7, 2022 in the Diocese of Springfield. The bishop’s talk is entitled: “The Eucharist: Source and Summit of Our Christian Life.”

Sister Byrne, known as Sister Dede, is a surgeon, retired colonel, and reservist in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. She served in Afghanistan. She also served as a missionary surgeon in Kenya, Haiti, Sudan, and Iraq. She will focus her talk on protecting the sanctity of life and on hope in Jesus.

“I couldn’t think of a better time. We are in such a point of healing within the diocese itself. We will start this point of healing and what a better way to do it than in their presence?” said Deb Briancesco, pastoral minister at Sacred Heart and Faith on Fire organizer. “I hope the words they share folks will then share with other people so they can come back to church.”

“She (Sister Dede) has done so much mission work overseas. She is just an amazing woman,” said Briancesco.

Worshipers attend the 2019 Faith on Fire event at Sacred Heart Parish in Feeding Hills. (iObserve file photo/Nick Morganelli)

Father Valentine Nworah, who has been assigned to Blessed Sacrament and Holy Trinity parishes in Greenfield, also will speak at the event. Bishop Byrne will lead the eucharistic procession. The congregation will pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, and there will be opportunities for confession, and the laying on of hands.

“I feel so honored and I feel so blessed for all Faith on Fire has brought to my life,” Briancesco said.

There is a need for more volunteers to help set up the night before and break down the day after. On Thursday, Sept. 9., volunteers will take part in a Jericho walk at 6 p.m. around the church grounds, asking for God’s protection and praying for all those who will gather at the event.

“I really feel like this is the beginning of healing in our diocese to have the holy, helpful presence. Now we just sit and wait and see how God works,” she said.

Those interested in volunteering, especially confirmation students who need to fulfill service hours, are encouraged to reach out to Briancesco at pastoral.ministries@sacredheartfeedinghills.org.