December 11, 2024

St. Mary’s Academy Christmas carolers greet parishioners after Mass

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

LONGMEADOW – It almost looked like a scene from a Hallmark movie outside of St. Mary Parish in Longmeadow Sunday morning, Dec. 8. Students from St. Mary’s Academy serenaded parishioners leaving the 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses. Donning angel robes, Santa hats and red gloves, more than 30 students sang a mix of religious and secular Christmas carols including “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.”

“There is nothing more important than God and it’s important for the kids to learn the love of God and be part of their parish and be part of their school community,” said Monique D’Alessio, the Parent Teacher Association president. D’Alessio organized the event complete with hot chocolate and cookies for parishioners and well as coffee and sandwiches for the students and volunteers.

“She (Monique) wanted to bring light and love to the front steps of the church between Masses,” said Jill Hess, a parent volunteer who led the children’s choir. Hess, a vocalist herself and cantor at Sacred Heart Parish in Springfield, has four children at St. Mary’s Academy.

“It’s such a great thing to have the school be part of the parish community because the school brings people from all over the region,” Hess said.

After each Mass, Father C.J. Waitekus, the pastor of St. Mary Parish, joined the children in song.

“This is a new tradition. I want to thank Monique for starting it and it was awesome,” said Father Waitekus. “The people of the parish loved it. How blessed we are to have a parish school and we have more students now than we ever did.”

Father Waitekus, who has been part of the Singing Priests for many years, led the children in singing “Away in the Manger,” “White Christmas,” and “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree.”

Father Waitekus said the children are great ambassadors for Christ. He said the event was a great way to encourage people, especially during Advent, as Catholics are to prepare for the birth of Jesus and to prepare for his second coming.

“Every one of these little guys and girls and every one of us as a disciple of Christ, we need to let that light come out and shine. Just like the stained glass windows in the church, each and every one of us are like those stained glass windows. We have to let Christ’s light shine through us.”

A video version of this story will be on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs on Saturdays at 7 p.m.  on WWLP-22 NEWS .