April 28, 2024

Bishop Byrne blesses the new Harmony House

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Kathleen Harrington

CHICOPEE — Preparing for the official opening of Harmony House, the meticulously renovated property on View Street in Chicopee was filled with 60 guests, donors, and volunteers on Friday, April 26, for a Mass and house blessing. Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne was joined by Father Robert Gentile, the pastor of St. Rose de Lima Parish in Chicopee and Father Daniel Pacholec, pastor of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westfield for the Mass.

“This place that we bless today, this place of warmth and dignity and respect for people’s lives, their eternal lives and their passing, was a dream,” said Bishop Byrne in his homily.

It was the dream of founder Ruth Willemain, who was inspired by the homebound and nursing home residents she visited, to create a home for the dying. After years of fundraising, Harmony House began in a small ranch on Pendleton Avenue in Chicopee. The home and volunteers welcomed people who had no resources for 24-hour care in their final stages of life.

Work on the new property began in late 2019. Renovations were slowed by COVID-19. Now, the work is completed. The new location can house five residents comfortably. The new home has been renovated with bathrooms that will accommodate wheelchairs.

“We will begin with one resident to give us a chance to work out the kinks,” said Gina Mazza, president of the board of directors for Harmony House. The first resident will likely move on May 31.

“Ruth is often on my mind, but on a day like today, she’s on my mind and probably the minds of everybody here,” said Father Pacholec. Very early on in her mission, he welcomed Willemain to sell Trappistine chocolates at his church to raise money for Harmony House.

“This blessing would have been very important to her to have bishop come and consecrate this place where the residents will come and meet God here,” Father Pacholec.

On hand for the Mass and blessing were State Sen. John Velis of Westfield, West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt, and Chicopee Mayor John Vieau as well some of the army of volunteers who made the new Harmony House a reality. Among them, Chicopee Police Officer Gerry Nelson, a volunteer, who earlier in the week took down a tree on the property. Another volunteer, Fran Moran of East Longmeadow, encourages others to consider volunteering at Harmony House.

“There are so many options here to volunteer” Moran said. “You don’t need to have clinical skills, just to sit with someone and be compassionate. Or you can help in the kitchen, or help make beds.”  

An open house is scheduled for May 30 at Harmony House. To volunteer, call (413)315-9784 or email harmonyhousema@gmail.com.

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