June 16, 2026

Mass celebrates the end of academic year and closing of Blessed Sacrament School

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Kathleen Harrington

Father Duy Le speaks to the students of Blessed Sacrament School, Friday, June 12 at the closing Mass.

HOLYOKE — For Blessed Sacrament School, the Mass marking the last day of the academic year was the Mass closing the 114-year-old school. In addition to the student body, faculty and teachers attending the Mass, an invitation was issued welcoming family and friends, former students and teachers and the Sisters of Saint Joseph to join in. Many of them turned out to fill the pews of the church on Friday morning, June 12.

Former pastor Father Robert Gentile returned to concelebrate the Mass. Also, Father Richard Riendeau, a long-time friend and supporter of Catholic schools was present on the altar. Father Duy Le, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, delivered the homily. In it he recognized that, “This was a sad day for everyone present. But we celebrate that we will continue to walk together in faith,” he said.

Father Le noted the efforts of the children who planned and hosted the Mass. In following the school’s tradition of each grade taking turns to do so, this final school Mass was the organized by the first-grade class. They served as the readers, presented the gifts they chose to include at the offertory, and closed the Mass with a song. “Light a candle for peace, light a candle for love.” They sang the song while holding illuminated candles.

At the end of the Mass, the parent-teacher guild presented the teachers and faculty with heart shaped stuffed pillows made from old school uniforms. Paying tribute to the Sisters of Saint Joseph who taught in the school, carved wooden ornaments of the school were given to each of the women present.

Following the Mass, Sister of St. Joseph Susan Swasey encountered a group of young men waiting to say hello. “They always grow,” she exclaimed. The teenagers now tower over the former teacher who was delighted to see them. “I taught here for over 40 years. I’ve had a lot of kids and their parents,” she explained. The former computer, math and science teacher said she retired three times.

Cole Cavanaugh and a group of his friends remember Sister Swasey.

“I came today because I came to Blessed Sacrament from kindergarten to sixth grade. My mother taught here as well,” he said. “It’s such a sad day for my family, but, I came here to celebrate the amazing legacy of the school and to see everybody once more.”

 This story will be featured on an upcoming segment of “Real to Reel,” the weekly newsmagazine that airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22NEWS.