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September 22, 2026
Bishop Byrne celebrates Mass at Big E
REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath
WEST SPRINGFIELD – On the opening weekend of the Big E in West Springfield, Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated a 10 a.m. Mass inside the circus tent Sunday, Sept. 20 for workers and the fair community. Students from Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield served as lectors and provided the music ministry for the liturgy.
“It’s always so great to be here. It’s a great venue. To do it in the circus tent, there are always marvels, people being shot out of canons, all of these types of things, the aerialists, but there is no greater marvel than the Eucharist, God coming among us in the form of bread and wine, truly present. That’s the great miracle here,” said Bishop Byrne, who had family in town for the Big E.
The 17-day fair which runs Sept. 18-Oct. 4, features agriculture, exhibits, entertainment and food.
“It’s so important for us to provide a mechanism where the fair community can attend Mass on Sunday. We actually have two Masses on Sundays of the fair and we do Mass on the second Thursday. So, during the 17 days of the fair, there are seven Masses that take place on the fairgrounds, which I am proud of,” said Eugene Cassidy, the president and CEO of the Big E, who attended Mass. The special collection at the Mass was for the Little Sisters of the Poor in Enfield.
“Providing that opportunity for people who are on the road, who don’t have access is really important to us,” said Cassidy, a graduate of St. Thomas the Apostle School in West Springfield.
The Big E has new attractions this year including exhibits commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. Attendees can visit the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit, Freedom 250 Mobile Museum and hear the 215th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard.
At the Massachusetts building, people will also find fan favorite, Jimmy Stefanik of the Hampden County Bee Keepers Association, and father of “Real to Reel” host Sharon Roulier.
“We like to keep the knowledge of bee keeping alive by showing a couple of frames of live bees with a queen and giving them literature,” Stefanik said. Honey and other products are available at the booth for purchase.
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.