December 19, 2024

Mater Dolorosa students pack the house for third annual Christmas concert

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

HOLYOKE – There was a line out the door of the John Paul II Social Center at Mater Dolorosa School in Holyoke, Tuesday, Dec. 17, as parents, grandparents and the wider community, showed up in droves to attend the school’s third annual Christmas concert. More than 150 students, from pre-k to grade eight, performed in the concert which featured traditional Christmas carols, and songs from around the world celebrating Jesus’ birth.

“It’s special for me just because Jesus is the reason for the season,” said Robin Sheehan, who teaches music and liturgical music at Mater Dolorosa School. Sheehan, a longtime cantor in the Diocese of Springfield, is also the music director at Our Lady of the Cross Parish in Holyoke. Sheehan said she starts preparing for the concert in July.

“I just enjoy doing it and bringing Jesus to the students and also to their parents and their friends. So our theme is ‘O come let us adore Him.’ So we start with ‘O Come All Ye Faithful.’ We go to the ‘Ave Maria’ and the ‘Christmas Canon’ and we end with ‘Felize Navidad.’ So it’s spiritual, but also a lot of fun,” she said.

More than 500 people were in attendance. The students were backed up by professional musicians as they sang. The show opened with the preschoolers processing in to “The Little Drummer Boy,” and greeting Mary and Joseph, played by first graders. Several of the older students led the choir for the group pieces.

“I am singing a verse of ‘Adore’ and leading a part in the ‘Christmas Canon,’” said Makaela Jenkins just before the concert began. The middle school student also sings at Our Lady of the Cross Parish in Holyoke.

“I have been doing this for quite a while so it’s fun. We are singing ‘Ave Maria’ too and that’s really a prayer for Jesus. I like singing for him Jesus because it shows how Christianity can really impact people,” she said.

Jenkins was joined by her younger sister.

“Every Sunday I sing at the church,” said Arya Jenkins. When asked how she feels about singing for Jesus, she said she was honored because “He’s the Christ and our savior.”

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