St. Mary’s 4th Annual Mass for Graduates
For the past several years St. Mary’s has set aside one of her regular Sunday Masses to honor and pray for our parishioners graduating from High School. This year’s Mass for the Class of 2017 took place at 11:30 AM on Sunday, May 21.
Graduates from several different schools took on ministry roles at the celebration: Haley Hanstad (Holliston High) led the Psalm Prayer, and Tommy Harvey (Medway High) offered the Old Testament Reading.
Sam Ratcliffe (Holliston High) offered the New Testament Reading, and Nathalie Falcao (Montrose School) led the Prayers of the Faithful. As always, it was beautiful to see students from different towns and schools all united by their shared parish and Catholic faith. Fr. Mark spoke to the Graduates about how God will be wherever they are now going.
Student Class Speaker Jake Obid addressed the congregation at the start of Mass, thanking St. Mary’s for the difference our parish has made in the lives of the Class of 2017, and sharing some of the ways he has come to experience the Holy Spirit.
During the Mass, all present received Prayer Cards in Loving Memory of Tim O’Connell. “Tim’s Prayer” was prayed by everyone to conclude the Prayers of the Faithful.
Timothy O’Connell Tribute
A special part of this year’s Mass for Graduates was the presentation of a gift from the Class of 2017 to the family of their classmate Tim O’Connell, who went home to God on Sept. 9, 2008. The presentation was made by Tim’s good friend, Michael McKenna. Mike’s words follow:
“Good Morning. My name is Mike McKenna, and I am here to recognize one member of our Class who is absent today, a friend to me, and many others - Tim O’Connell. Tim was the kindest and friendliest person I have ever met. Tim showed me that life wasn’t all that bad, and when life got tough, he showed me how to have courage, strength, and faith. Tim kept strong, and his faith became stronger when he needed it most. I, along with anyone and everyone who met him, saw his kind heart, and will miss him forever.
Today we, Tim’s Class, would like to honor him, and his family, with a gift. In our Catholic tradition, the light of candles is used to represent the light of faith and hope - especially the hope of the Resurrection that Jesus won for us on Easter Day. Burning on the altar today is a very special candle. It was custom made in memory of Tim. It has a gold and green Celtic Cross, in honor of Tim's Irish heritage. There is also a wax number 7 - Tim's number as an honorary captain of the Holliston Panthers Football Team. The candle bears the words: ‘Timothy T. O'Connell, Class of 2017, Forever In Our Hearts.’ And he will be. At this time, on behalf of the Graduating Class of 2017, I present this memorial candle to the O'Connell Family.”
Joanne O'Connell, Michael, and Kevin O'Connell after Mass.
TOP ROW LEFT TO RIGHT:
Nick Romano ~ Belmont University
Henry Smith ~ Fordham University
Brendan Malone ~ Wentworth Institute of Technology
Zachary Jacobs ~ Marist College
Jake Obid ~ Clark University
Thomas Harvey ~ Northeastern University
Michael McKenna ~ University of Delaware
Tim Troland ~ Perdue University
Benjamin Salley ~ Syracuse University
Brian Powell ~ Providence College
Jack Barrett ~ Trinity College
CENTER ROW LEFT TO RIGHT:
James Denman ~ Massachusetts College of Art
Thomas Hovsepian ~ Boston College
Chad Cordani ~ University of Mass., Amherst
Sam Ratcliffe ~ Hamilton College
Nathalie Falcao ~ University of Pennsylvania
Patrick Quinn ~ Xavier University
Ryan Paradie ~ Roger Williams University
Kathleen McShane ~ American University
Michael Bajdek ~ Nichols College
Ryan Vazza ~ University of Notre Dame
BOTTOM ROW LEFT TO RIGHT:
Jack Inman ~ University of Delaware
Carly Fisher ~ Roger Williams University
Katherine Zinck ~ Bridgewater Sate University
KD Larche ~ University of Mass., Amherst
Haley Hanstad ~ College of the Holy Cross
Camille Jean ~ University of Mass., Amherst
Elizabeth O’Neill ~ University of New Haven
Erica Chipman ~ Roger Williams University
Casey Prendergast ~ University of Mass., Amherst
Gabrielle Vazza ~ St. Mary’s College
Jenna Calabrese ~ Sacred Heart University
Emma Guccione ~ Bentley University
Owen Savage ~ University of Maine