October 17, 2022

Diocese’s Singing Priests receive standing ovation at Oct. 16 concert

REGIONAL
Story and photos by David Martin

Father Ryan Rooney, pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in Springfield, sings “Ave Maria” at the Singing Priests’ Oct. 16 concert in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD –The Singing Priests gave their first live concert in several years to a very enthusiastic, full capacity crowd at Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield on Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. 

The 14 priests, including a couple late arrivals, came out singing a 1970s classic made popular by the Carpenters, “Sing.”

Father Francis Reilly, pastor of St. Jerome Parish in Holyoke joked by putting on a mask to sing, but said it was great that everyone was now back in form together for a live concert after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the concert was in memory of Msgr. David Joyce who was a major participant with the Singing Priests and passed away earlier this year. A large screen was brought down which showed video of Msgr. Joyce singing with the group.

“We had that beautiful tape of him singing that song ‘Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,’ an Irish lullaby, but it is that good spirit that Msgr. Joyce always had and I think we just wanted to honor him. His loss is a great loss for the diocese because he was such a good priest, but we pray that more priests come into our diocese like Msgr. Joyce,” said Father Reilly.

Father Reilly said they wanted to give the concert for a worthy cause, so the two-hour performance benefited the Religious Retirement Fund.

The first half of the concert consisted of inspirational songs, including Father Ryan Rooney’s solo of “Ave Maria,” which received a standing ovation from audience members. Guest artist Fred Marion from the Dan Kane singers also sang a solo. Dan Kane played piano during the concert.

After a short intermission, the second half of the concert included pop and folk songs as the priests came out dressed in more relaxed attire. They sang several songs from The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Peter, Paul and Mary. Father Stanislaus Achu, provisional priest at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Springfield, said performing gives him happiness in life, so singing in the live concert was a wonderful experience for him. He talked about why he is known as the “smiling” singing priest.

“Songs always make me joyful, they always bring out the joy in me and, sure, I know some people, they like to see me smile, so as long as it comes naturally, that is what happens. So I try to do that all the time if I can,” said Father Achu.

Father Reilly and Father Paul Norman both played guitars during the second act, but they were also joined by a priest making his debut with the Singing Priests: Retired priest Father John Tuohey, the former pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Pittsfield, said he has not played the guitar in decades. When Springfield Bishop William Byrne put out a call for any priests in the diocese to participate, Father Tuohey said he could not resist.

“I thought now is the time to pick up the guitar again and get going. ‘How Great thou Art,’ we sang that at my dad’s funeral so that was very moving to sing. I really enjoyed it. It is a great opportunity to meet some really good fellow priests,” said Father Tuohey.

The concert ended with a singalong version of “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” which led to a standing ovation from the audience, who remained standing while singing a reprised version of “Sing.”

“I think it was St. Augustine who said he who sings, prays twice, so we were just singing and praying and had a good time together,” said Father Reilly.

 A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS.