Fr. Brian McGrath greets St. Mary’s parishoners as they drive by during the Founder’s Day celebration at St. Mary’s Sept. 12, 2020. (MARC ST. ONGE/THEWESTFIELD NEWS)
By Isabel Marcheselli
Correspondent
WESTFIELD – St. Mary’s Parish launched its first Founder’s Day event Sept. 12, which honored Fr. Brian McGrath.
McGrath is a cherished former pastor of St. Mary’s Parish who also founded St. Mary’s Preschool in 2012. Sept. 12 also marked the 28th anniversary of McGrath’s priesthood.
Approximately 40 participants came out for the socially-distanced ceremony that included a car parade of about 25 vehicles, with drivers honking, waving, and shouting their messages of congratulations to McGrath, who sported a St. Mary’s mask as he stood under a tent in the parking lot of the high school. McGrath, who is recovering from knee surgery, cheerfully waved back at drivers and needed to sit on occasion.
The idea for a car parade was innovated by Kathleen Angco-Vieweg, an alumnus of St. Mary’s High School and the new coordinator of communications. Parish Advancement Director Robin Jensen explained that a larger-scale event would have been ideal, but modifications were made due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The car parade was the safest option,” said Jensen.
Rev. John Salatino, who is the current pastor of the church of over 2,400 registered parishioners, said McGrath still has close ties to the Westfield church.
Fr. Brian McGrath displays a sign and gift given to him duriing a car parade Sept. 12, 2020 in celebration of St. Mary’s Parish’s Founder’s Day event. (ISABELA MARCHESELLI PHOTO)
“I know how hard he works and how much he loves this parish. When Fr. Brian was here, he was able to do a lot of good things for St. Mary’s Parish and for Westfield. So, to look back and to thank him for what he did is very important,” said Salatino.
McGrath reflected on of the significance of the event Saturday.
“When you look back at a church of this caliber in this beautiful community, it always takes the love and the care of all these people. I am honored that they’re singing my praises today, and it’s only possible because so many others stepped to the plate when we needed something done or something to happen. So, it’s a really great day,” he said.
Donations are being accepted for the Fr. Brian McGrath Scholarship fund to help children attend St. Mary’s Parish School. For more information about how to donate, call (413) 562-5477. Donations can also be made at stmsaints.org.
Fr. Brian McGrath, a founder of St. Mary’s preschool, is presented a citation from State Senator John Velis at Saturday’s Founders Day Celebration. (MARC ST. ONGE/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
Fr. John Salatino, pastor of St. Mary’s parish, Francine McGrath, mother of Fr. McGrath, Fr. McGrath, and Fr. Frank Furman, St. Mary’s Parochial Vicar. (MARC ST. ONGE/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
