September 12, 2026

9/11 Memorial Mass held at Ste. Rose de Lima Parish

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

Interstate Towing displayed a huge American flag outside of Ste. Rose de Lima Parish in Chicopee, Friday, Sept. 11, for the annual 9/11 Memorial Mass.

CHICOPEE – A bag piper led the procession at Ste. Rose de Lima Parish for the annual 9/11 Memorial Mass Friday, Sept. 11. Ste. Rose de Lima Parish is carrying on an tradition in the Ludlow and Chicopee Deanery to hold a Mass each year on the anniversary of 9/11. This year commemorated the 25^th anniversary of the attacks which claimed the lives of 2977 people in the U.S.

“It’s good to remember the people whose lives were lost, the people who put themselves in danger, the people who have suffered as a result of a loss, the loss of a family member. There are people who are out there still hurting,” said Father Robert Gentile, the pastor of Ste. Rose de Lima Parish.

“We need to remember, to be with them and help them the best we can. It’s one of those moments in our lives that we really do remember. You talk to anybody, they can remember instantly where they were the moment they first heard the news of the Trade Center attack,” he said.

Father Gentile was in formation at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass. when he heard the news. He said that day greatly influenced his vocation.

“I thought this was important so we can pray to make sure this never happens again, people never suffer in this way,” he added.

On what many would remember was a picture-perfect September morning, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, two out of Boston, one out of Dulles outside of Washington, D.C. and one out of Newark, N.J. The terrorists flew the two planes out of Boston, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City. American Airlines Flight 77 took off from Dulles and crashed into the Pentagon. United Flight 93 crashed into a field in Shanskville, Pa.

In New York, 2,753 people died in the Twin Towers collapse, including 343 firefighters; 37 Port Authority Police and 23 New York City Police Officers, in addition to other first responders at Ground Zero. One-hundred and eighty-four people perished at the Pentagon and 40 people on United Flight 93. That was the last plane to crash. Passengers and crew, who were informed of the terror attacks mid-flight, fought back against hijackers, forcing the plane to crash in the field in Shanksville, rather than the believed target of Washington, D.C.

“This is a great Mass to remember all of those who lost their lives including the civilians, the firefighters, police officers and first responders and all who were involved,” said Chicopee Fire Chief Matthew Cross. He has 30 years on the job and spoke to the heroism displayed by so many on that day.

“I read a few stories today about a captain on Ladder 3 in New York. He got an order to evacuate the building. He said he’s not going to obey the order, I have many people to rescue. I thought it was a wonderful story just showing the heroism and courage of that day,” Chief Cross said. He added that firefighters are constantly training to be prepared.

“We show up every day. We never know what we’re going to expect. So, we constantly train, we constantly try to be the best at our profession so when we do get that call to rescue somebody, we will be at our best,” he said.

Conventual Franciscan Father Brad Milunski, the pastor of St. Stanislaus Basilica in Chicopee concelebrated the Mass. A reception was held in the parish hall following the Mass.

This story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which temporarily airs Sunday mornings at 6:30 a.m.  on WWLP-22NEWS.