May 20, 2024

Disciples of Mary, Catholic Charismatic Renewal hold Pentecost celebration

REGIONAL
Story and photos by David Martin

HOLYOKE – Many, some dressed in red, gathered on the grounds of the Bureau of Exceptional Children and Adults at Jericho, here, to commemorate the “birthday of the church” on May 19 at 2 p.m.

The newly formed Disciples of Mary and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal held an outdoor Pentecost Sunday celebration that began with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a praise and worship service featuring music by Joe Lamothe and the Synergy Band.

Julie Prats, a member of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, said it was nice for both groups since the Disciples of Mary have found their new home at Jericho, where they have begun more programs with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal joining them. Prats, who is a parishioner at St. Rose de Lima Parish in Chicopee, said everyone was looking forward to the event because they have had a chance to worship together for a while.

“For me it is a great day, one of my favorite times of the year. I love the joining of Holy Spirit, it is like a renewal, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so it is a great celebration for the church as a whole and us individually as well,” said Prats.

After the praise and worship music service, an outdoor Mass was celebrated. Folding chairs were set up, but some attending brought their own. Celebrants were retired priests Father Henry Dorsch and Father Donald Lapointe along with the main celebrant, Father Jeffrey Ballou, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Springfield. They were assisted on the altar by Deacon Daniel Prats and retired Deacon Joe Garde. In his homily, Father Ballou listed the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, which he said God gives to the faithful to become good disciples and share these fruits and gifts to enrich the lives of others.

“Let the Holy Spirit do those great and wonderful works and give God the credit. Let God work through us to reach others by modeling and living the Catholic faith in all walks of life by being good disciples. What a great title, what a great phrase to say about someone, ‘There goes a disciple of Jesus,’ because that is what God is calling us to, to discipleship in this life and the life to come in the Kingdom of Heaven,” said Father Ballou.

After Mass, special prayers were offered over those who were most in need of them and later a social took place with food and fellowship. Ernest Troie, a parishioner at St. Patrick Parish in Springfield, has been involved with events with the Disciples of Mary and also when they were formerly known as Mary’s House of Prayer in Chicopee. He said he was looking forward to socializing with those who attended.

“I am always looking to get a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit and I like to be around likeminded people, people that are involved with the same type of thing, with the same mind set, trying to get a closer relationship with God,” said Troie.

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.