May 17, 2020

Mater Dolorosa School hosts May Crowning and reverse parade for students

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

Seven-year-old Sammi Moreau crowns Mary, May 14, at Mater Dolorosa School in Holyoke.

HOLYOKE – Wearing masks, a small group gathered outside of the St. John Paul II Social Center on the grounds of Mater Dolorosa School in Holyoke for a May Crowning, Thursday, May 14.

The devotion to Mary during the month of May usually includes all children making their first Communion at the school. However, the coronavirus pandemic and the stay-at-home advisory that followed have forced the closure of non-essential businesses, churches, and schools, and has kept gatherings limited in size.

 “The May Crowning has been a tradition going back since the beginning of the school,” said Conventual Franciscan Father Albert Scherer, pastor of Our Lady of the Cross Parish in Holyoke.

“We felt it was important with the school being closed right now, we would try to continue to tradition. We thought we would do it even with a limited number of people, we would keep the tradition,” he said.

Seven-year-old Sammi Moreau, who will be making her first Communion in October at Our Lady of the Cross, crowned Mary.

“She is the mother of all mothers. She is Jesus’ mother,” Sammi told iObserve. She said while she is disappointed her first Communion has been delayed, she is excited to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

“He keeps us safe and loves us with all his heart,” she said.

After the May Crowning, teachers from the school gathered in the parking lot across the from the social center, decorating their cars with signs and balloons for a reverse parade for the students.

“It’s been a long time, March 13, since we saw the kids that we were physically in the building together. I’ve Zoomed with kids on different levels, Zoomed with teachers, but it’s not the same,” said principal Maureen Donelan.

“We said let’s keep our social distance and bring everyone to us and at least get a smile and a wave and bring some happiness to this difficult time,” she said.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is expected to announce some lifting of the restrictions on Monday, May 18, as the state moves toward reopening.

In the meantime, the interruption of routine, inability to play sports, or visit with friends for weeks on end has no doubt been difficult for all children. Parents have been juggling homeschooling and work or in many circumstances job loss and financial hardship. These changes come on top of the devastating loss of life caused by COVID-19.

Father Scherer, who said he too misses celebrating Mass with his parishioners sitting in the pews, encouraged the faithful to turn to Mary.

“I think it’s very important that Pope Francis has asked us to turn to the Blessed Mother seeking her intercession, seeking her prayers that this will come to an end,” he said.

“We’re all discouraged. I miss seeing people. I miss worshiping with the community. We just have to hang in there a little bit longer. We will be back to church soon. Maybe it will be a little bit different, but we will be back together,” said Father Scherer.