December 31, 2024

2024 – A year of faith and community

REGIONAL
Staff Report and OSV

SPRINGFIELD – The year 2024 in the Diocese of Springfield was filled with milestones that brought together the community in faith, service, and celebration. From honoring longtime ministries to significant ordinations and the opening of new facilities, these events were marked by joy, reflection, and a deep sense of unity. Here is a look at some of the most noteworthy moments throughout the year in the Diocese of Springfield.

 

January
Special ‘Chalice’ Mass Honors Longtime Host, Brother Terrence Scanlon, CP

On January 11, a special Mass was held at St. Michael’s Cathedral to honor Brother Terrence Scanlon, CP, who retired after decades of hosting the “Chalice of Salvation” televised Mass.

The 5 p.m. liturgy was celebrated by Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne and attended by over 100 people, including local clergy, family, and friends.

Brother Scanlon, a West Springfield native, began hosting the program in 1981, a ministry that allowed him to reach countless homes, hospitals, and care facilities. The Mass was an acknowledgment of his dedicated service to the Church and his significant role in the spiritual lives of many.

 

February
Newman Center Benefactor George ‘Trigger’ Burke Dies

George “Trigger” Burke, a revered benefactor of the Newman Catholic Center and the University of Massachusetts (UMass), passed away on February 14 at the age of 91.

 A standout basketball player at UMass, Burke became known for his generosity to the Newman Center, where he made a major impact in supporting Catholic campus ministry.

His $500,000 donation in 2021 contributed to the construction of a new Newman Center facility, which opened in 2023. Burke’s legacy at UMass and the Newman Center is a testament to his unwavering faith and commitment to the education of young Catholics.

 

March
Holyoke Grand Colleen Elizabeth Gourde: A Commitment to Catholic Education and Service

Elizabeth Katherine Gourde, the 71st Grand Colleen of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade, was honored for her Irish heritage and dedication to service.

Elizabeth, a graduate of Our Lady of the Elms College and Pope Francis Preparatory School, exemplified the values of faith and service instilled through her Catholic education.

Her coronation as Grand Colleen was the culmination of a lifelong dream and a reflection of her commitment to her community. Her parents, Kate and Bob Gourde, expressed immense pride in their daughter, not only for her achievements but for her embodiment of the values of Catholic education.

 

April
Bishop Byrne Blesses New Harmony House

On April 26, Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated a Mass and house blessing for the newly renovated Harmony House in Chicopee.

 The facility, which provides compassionate end-of-life care for individuals with limited resources, can now accommodate five residents in a more accessible and comfortable setting. Harmony House, founded by Ruth Willemain, had been operating in a smaller location but was able to expand thanks to years of fundraising and community support.

The new home is a place where individuals can live with dignity during their final stages of life, and its opening marked a significant achievement for the local Catholic community.

 

May
Diplomas Awarded to 402 Our Lady of the Elms College Graduates

On May 18, Our Lady of the Elms College celebrated its 93rd commencement ceremony, where 402 students graduated, including a student who earned both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing.

Sister Elizabeth Sullivan, president of the Sisters of St. Joseph, addressed the graduates, urging them to listen to their dreams.

President Harry Dumay also emphasized the college’s core values—faith, justice, excellence, and community—as guiding principles for the graduates’ future endeavors. Seven students were honored as co-valedictorians, each having achieved the highest cumulative grade point averages.

 

June
Seminarian John Williams Ordained to the Diaconate

On June 1, seminarian John Williams was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop William D. Byrne at St. Mary Parish in Longmeadow.

Williams, the youngest of 15 children, is the first seminarian to be ordained a deacon in the Diocese of Springfield in several years.

Williams has been preparing for the priesthood through studies and ministry experiences. The ordination was a joyful event for the diocese, with many priests and deacons in attendance. Williams will be ordained a priest in June 2025.

 

July
Steubenville East Conference “Illuminates” the Light of Christ in the Diocese

More than 1,000 teens from New England and the New York Metro area gathered in Springfield for the Steubenville East Catholic Youth Conference held July 26-28.

With the theme “Illuminate,” based on the scripture verse John 1:5, the conference aimed to inspire youth to carry the light of Christ into the world.

Bishop William D. Byrne was present throughout the weekend, participating in confessions, celebrations, and even a game show. The weekend culminated with an emotional Eucharistic Procession.

The Diocese of Springfield had over 175 teens and chaperones in attendance, experiencing powerful moments of worship and fellowship.

 

August
Beacon of Faith Campaign Expected to Exceed Target

The Diocese of Springfield’s Beacon of Faith campaign, launched in the summer of 2023, was projected to exceed its target of $28 million.

The campaign, the first of its kind in over 20 years, aims to support seven key areas, including parish support, priest retirement, seminarian development, and Catholic education. 

The funds raised will help ensure that vital ministries continue to thrive and that the Church can meet the needs of the faithful. The Beacon of Faith campaign reflects a collective effort to strengthen the Diocese’s mission and its ability to serve the community.

 

September
Annual Festa Mass and Procession Draws Thousands

The Festa Mass and procession, held on September 1 at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Ludlow, celebrated the parish’s 76th anniversary and Portuguese faith and culture.

Thousands gathered for the Mass, which was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Robert Chrzaszcz of Krakow and several other clergy members.

The festival, which has become a major event for the community, also included a carnival and entertainment. The procession was a beautiful display of faith, with participants honoring the message of Fatima—God’s divine mercy and the call for conversion.

 

October
St. Joseph’s Pittsfield Concludes 175th Anniversary Celebration

On October 27, St. Joseph’s Parish in Pittsfield celebrated the conclusion of its 175th anniversary with a special Mass celebrated by Bishop William D. Byrne. T

he Mass marked the end of a year-long celebration that highlighted the parish’s rich history and its enduring impact on the local Catholic community.

The parish, founded in 1849, is known for its beautiful church, which was the largest public building in the country when it was built in the 1860s. Bishop Byrne spoke about the legacy of St. Joseph’s Parish and the collaboration between priests and parishioners that has allowed the community to thrive.

 

November
Archbishop Henning Installed in Boston

On October 31, Archbishop Richard G. Henning was installed as the 10th bishop and sixth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston.

In his homily during the installation Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Archbishop Henning spoke of the challenges and joys of the priesthood and emphasized the eternal truth that “Jesus is still Lord.”

The installation ceremony, which was attended by over 1,400 guests, including Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley and Bishop William D. Byrne, marked a new chapter in the Archdiocese of Boston’s leadership.

 

December
Bishop Byrne Celebrates Inaugural Mass of Jubilee Year

On December 29, Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated a special Mass to mark the opening of the Jubilee Year entitled “Pilgrims of Hope” at St. Michael’s Cathedral.

The Mass was part of the global celebration leading up to the 2025 Jubilee, a time for reflection, grace, and hope.

The opening Mass was broadcast on “Chalice of Salvation” and began with the reading of the Bull of Indiction, which outlines the significance of the Jubilee Year.

Bishop Byrne emphasized the message of hope, reminding the faithful that the Jubilee is a time to draw closer to the Lord and embrace the grace offered through the Church.

 

These moments in 2024 reflect the vibrancy of the Diocese of Springfield as it continues to grow in faith, service, and community.