November 18, 2021

Alzheimer’s patients, families remembered in ‘greatest prayer church can offer’

REGIONAL
By Rebecca Drake

 

 

SPRINGFIELD – Two weeks before the start of Advent, purple was the dominant color in the pews and on the altar as worshipers at St. Michael’s Cathedral, here, prayed for all those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders, including patients, families, and caregivers.

The seventh annual Purple Mass was sponsored by the Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver of the Springfield Diocese. An estimated 60 people attended the 8:30 a.m. liturgy, which was covered by local news station WWLP-22NEWS.

Msgr. Christopher Connelly, rector of the cathedral, was the celebrant of the Mass. In beginning his homily, he welcomed those present and said, “In this Mass, the greatest prayer that the church can offer, we pray for parishioners and relative and friends and all affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia, and we likewise lift up in prayer caregivers and loved ones and family members. And we commend all that work in the scientific and medical fields that care for patients and research these illnesses that break memories and break hearts.

“May prayer and purple bring a better day to all,” Msgr. Connelly said.

Speaking to iObserve after the Mass, Sharon Harris, Grand Lady of the Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver, said the Mass was initiated because some members of the group had mothers who were suffering from dementia.

“It really touches us very closely,” Harris said, and they asked to have a Purple Mass “to let people know they are being prayed for and remembered during this time because it is not an easy journey.”

“I just want to let people know it is through prayer and strength and hope we can get through the journey,” said Harris. “As long as you put God first, he’ll always get you through.”

Marion Johnson, director of the Black Catholic Apostolate of the Springfield Diocese and a member of the Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver, said she was “overwhelmed” by the coverage and attendance at the Mass and is happy to help bring awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and resources for support.

Asked what she hoped those at the Mass would take with them, she said, “I hope they take a renewed strength, those that are in the position of being caregivers… because it’s not easy to take care of anybody who’s sick, no matter what the problem may be.”

“I just hope that people will pray – pray with us, pray by themselves if they have to – but just pray, because a cure is going to come and it’s on its way and we just have to be patient.”

Interviewed following the Mass, Msgr. Connelly noted that the Purple Mass is especially meaningful during the month of November.

“Interestingly enough, in the month of November, the church and the nation remember,” he said. “We remember for the very beginning of the month with the feast of All Souls. And we remember our veterans on Nov. 11, and at the end of the month all of us, in a sense of gratitude, celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. So, it’s a month really geared to remembrance.

“And how appropriate it is that National Alzheimer’s Remembrance Month is in November as well,” Msgr. Connelly said.

 

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 on WWLP-22NEWS.