October 29, 2021

‘Chalice’ Mass honors Brother Scanlon’s 40th anniversary as host

REGIONAL
By Rebecca Drake

(iObserve photo/Fred LeBlanc)

SPRINGFIELD – This Sunday’s “Chalice of Salvation” Sunday Mass broadcast will acknowledge Passionist Brother Terrence Scanlon as he marks his 40^th year as host of the Springfield Diocese’s television Mass.

The Mass was taped in St. Michael’s Cathedral, here, on Thursday afternoon and will be broadcast on Sunday, Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. on WWLP-22NEWS. The taped Mass will later be available to view on the Catholic Communications’ YouTube channel through a link on iobserve.org.

Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne was the principal celebrant of the Mass and was accompanied on the altar by Passionist Fathers James O’Shea, provincial of the St. Paul of the Cross Province, and William Maguire, consultor. Also present at the special Mass were Passionist Brothers Edward Hall, of Our Lady of Florida Retreat House in North Palm Beach, Fla., and Terrence Skorka, who is retired.

During his homily, Bishop Byrne praised Brother Scanlon as an example of the biblical commandment to listen to the word of God.

“And so what is that commandment? The first word is to hear, to listen. That’s what we’re being asked to do. First, listen to God,” the bishop said. “And what a perfect thing that God has commanded us to do, because Brother Terry, Brother T, this is what you’ve been helping people in western Massachusetts do for 40 years: to hear God’s word every Sunday, to see God’s sacrament being given each and every day.

“These words that you have spoken, this first commandment, you’ve been doing for 40 years for us and thank you very much. What a powerful gift,” said Bishop Byrne.

Offering a brief reflection following the Mass, Father O’Shea expressed gratitude to the Springfield Diocese for holding the special Mass.

“And on this beautiful Sunday Eucharist, we’re also grateful to celebrate 40 years of service of Brother Terrence, Brother Terrence Scanlon,” Father O’Shea continued. “We as Passionists are so proud of him, and grateful for his witness, his fidelity. You know, all of us learn from one another, and particularly from someone who’s been so strong, so faithful, so persistent in living their commitment. So, we’re grateful to Brother Terrence.”

Passionist Father James O’Shea offers a reflection on the ministry of “Chalice of Salvation” host Passionist Brother Terrence Scanlon. (iObserve photo/Fred LeBlanc)

“You know, today, as you share this Eucharist from wherever you are, through this beautiful ministry of the ‘Chalice of Salvation,’ whether you’re in a hospital or a nursing home, whether you’re in a prison, you’re in a homeless shelter, whether you’re a caregiver, or whether you’re just someone who can’t leave your home for fear of COVID – whatever it is, you find your way here, and Brother Terrence has been a brother to you for all 40 years, consistently being there,” said Father O’Shea, “being a brother, welcoming you, and reminding you that no matter what the circumstances of life, the struggles of life, the difficulties, sometimes even the darkness of life, that somehow the God who loves you is the God who suffers with you, a God who walks with you, a God who somehow brings you through whatever it is that life has placed in your path.”

Concluding his reflection, Father O’Shea said, “And so we’re grateful to Brother Terrence today. We’re grateful for his service, we’re grateful for his witness, because he reminds us of the challenge for all of us. As Jesus tells us today, we can’t love God without loving our neighbor. We can’t love a God who suffers with us if we don’t love our suffering brothers and sisters.

“So today, for all of us, it’s a reminder that to be in solidarity with one another, especially with those who suffer the most, is the greatest way to understand the depths of God’s love.”

After the Mass taping, about three dozen people gathered in the Bishop Marshall Center for a dinner in Brother Scanlon’s honor.