March 16, 2024

Bishop Byrne celebrates Mass and legacy of St. Patrick

REGIONAL
Staff report

Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated the 9 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in Springfield, Friday, March 15. (IObserve photo)

SPRINGFIELD – Bishop William D. Byrne Celebrated the 9 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in Springfield, Friday, March 15. He was joined by members of the Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, the Springfield Colleen, Emma Feely, and her court. The Mass is one of the many events that was planned in the days leading up to the St. Patrick’s Parade in Holyoke, which this year falls on St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17.

“St. Patrick’s Day is the celebration of not just being Irish, but of trying to be saints, like Patrick,” said Bishop Byrne.

St. Patrick was kidnapped at 14, made a slave and eventually escaped. He became a priest, then bishop and spread the Gospel in Ireland. He used the clover to explain the Holy Trinity.

“So we must call people back, to come back to church. Remember, God’s not done with Ireland or the Diocese of Springfield,” said Bishop Byrne.

The 71^st annual St. Patrick’s Parade will kick off at 11:10 a.m. On Saturday, March 16, thousands of runners will lace up their shoes for the 47^th annual St. Patrick’s Day Road Race. Later in the afternoon, Bishop Byrne will celebrate the 5 p.m. JFK Award Bishop’s Mass, at St. Jerome Parish in Holyoke, which will be followed by a dinner and reception at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. This year’s JFK award recipient is Mike Gorman.

“We’ve been working all year long to get ready for the parade. We are ready to showcase a wonderful weekend,” said Hayley Dunn, president of the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee.

“I’m a second generation committee member. I’m really proud of that. My father is a former president. He’s a former grand marshal. My aunt’s very involved on the committee, my sister as well. Truly the parade committee is family for me,” said Dunn.

The parade and festivities attract hundreds of thousands of people to Holyoke, Dunn said. The parade will step off at the former K-Mart plaza on Northampton Street at 11:10 a.m. and will be broadcast live on WWLP-22 News.