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June 17, 2021By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press
WEBSTER – The people of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish found ways to observe their parish’s 150th anniversary despite the pandemic, and changed plans to celebrate further.
Last year was the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the parish, but this year marks the 125th anniversary of the church building and the 25th anniversary of the perpetual adoration chapel, explained Father Adam Reid, pastor.
“Though Sacred Heart Parish was inhibited in implementing our multifaceted original plan to celebrate its 150-year milestone in 2020, we do so now,” he said in a letter in the commemorative parish bulletin.
The bulletin, containing some parish history, was distributed at last Sunday’s anniversary event – a Mass commemorating all three anniversaries. More than 100 people attended.
A social event and an observance of the chapel anniversary are to be held later, and parishioners have been invited to donate time capsule items representative of 2020 and 2021, Father Reid said.
A renewal of vows for married parishioners was planned for April 2020, since the parish’s first wedding was celebrated on April 17, 1870, said Susan Veshi, a member of the 150th anniversary committee. Because of the pandemic, couples were invited to send in their wedding photos, and Ron Heroux, then parish archivist, made a slideshow that was shown last fall, she said.
“It’s just interesting to celebrate 150 years of a parish,” she said. “People think it’s the church, but it’s the people that make up the parish. … Our focus was always the people.”
In his letter Father Reid said the parish looks forward to continuing to proclaim Jesus. To do so, they seek to first discover or re-experience a life-changing relationship with Jesus, he said; in November they begin the “Light of the World” renewal program.
Speaking briefly at Mass, Bishop McManus said the parish’s founders brought their faith with them from Canada.
“Because of their faith they built this extraordinary church,” he said. “We pray for them and we give thanks,” and pray for the priests and religious sisters who passed on that faith. The bishop said he prays the parish will continue to flourish, with sacraments celebrated with devotion, and be a place where the poor and downtrodden find a friend in parishioners.
Among clergy present who once served there were Father Michael J. Roy, now pastor of St. Roch Parish in Oxford; Msgr. Richard E. Collette, now retired, and retired Deacon Roland R. Michaud, who came with his wife, Brenda.
State Rep. Joseph McKenna presented the parish with congratulatory resolutions from the Massachusetts General Court.
State Sen. Ryan Fattman spoke about tough times in the parish’s existence and recalled the biblical story of the house built on rock surviving a storm.
In his homily Father Reid applied to parish history “the mustard seed principle” – that God can magnify efforts that start out small.
It began with French Canadians seeking their own parish, he said. The bulletin says they met on Nov. 8, 1869, and a former Methodist church was purchased. In January 1870 Father Jules Cosson became pastor of Sacred Heart Parish.
The mustard seed principle is also seen in education, Father Reid said, speaking of religious education and the parish’s former school, St. Anne Elementary, incorporated on Nov. 13, 1884. The Sisters of St. Anne ran the school, which has “lived on in All Saints Academy,” the present school, formed from St. Anne and St. Louis Elementary schools.
Sacred Heart’s first church was soon considered too small. Father J. Agapit Legris organized the building of the present church in 1895 and the first Mass there was on July 19, 1896, the history says.
The adoration chapel also started small. Father Reid said a couple people sought to establish “a place of peace and tranquility” on Main Street. Sacred Heart hosts perpetual adoration in the chapel of the former Sisters of St. Anne convent, now the parish’s Emmaus Ministry Center.
The chapel officially opened on June 9, 1996, says the bulletin, giving thanks for “the vision and persistence of Ed and Claire Malley and Ken and Jane Sprague,” and those who keep it going. Father Reid said there are hundreds of adorers from 15 parishes. Others are encouraged to sign up.
Sacred Heart, begun by French Canadians, has become a place of welcome for people of every ethnic background, Father Reid said.
Debra Gomes said she joined the parish about 35 years ago because of its French-Canadian heritage and its school.
“It was nice hearing … how everything happened over the different years,” said Francine Erickson, a parishioner for 38 years. She said her grandparents came from Canada and her children attended St. Anne Elementary, where Sister Constance Bayeur, a Sister of St. Anne, was principal for 42 years. She herself had Sister Constance as a teacher at Holy Name Grammar School in Worcester, she said.
“It was just a marvelous celebration,” Sister Constance said after Mass. “I saw former students. The parents were my students too,” and many times the grandparents were.
“Renewing friendships of years past … it just does something to you,” said Sister Pauline Weldon, a Sister of St. Anne who worked at St. Anne for 30 years.
“It was just such a blessing to be able to sing praise to God on this 150th anniversary,” said Linda Adams, who, with her husband, Stanley, led the music. “I prayed for all the souls that have come and participated in sacraments” at the church. “I can almost feel … their presence.”
“We’re so blessed with all those who came before us,” said Nancy Kudzal, parish administrative assistant. “They laid the foundation for this sacred space. It’s ours to preserve. We’re the evangelists as we move forward.”
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