Fr. Brian McGrath to be honored
WESTFIELD – St. Mary’s Parish is celebrating its 122 years in the community with its first-ever Founder’s Day celebration Sept. 12.
Fr. Brian McGrath, former pastor of St. Mary’s Parish, will be honored Sept. 12 at the first St. Mary’s Founder’s Day. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS PHOTO)
The event is at 5:30 p.m. following the 4 p.m. Mass and honors former pastor, Rev. Brian McGrath.
McGrath was a founder of the St. Mary’s Preschool in 2012 and was ordained Sept. 12, 1992. A scholarship is being created in McGrath’s name and donations are now being accepted. For more information, visit www.stmsaints.org or contact the office at 413-568-1160. You can also give to the
St. Mary’s Founder’s Day GIVING Campaign on the website.
The Founder’s Day Celebration will also benefit the church and school.
“All proceeds from this event will provide much needed resources, scholarships, tuition assistance and ministry support for students and parishioners,” said Kathleen Angco-Vieweg, coordinator of communications for St. Mary’s. “We would appreciate your support, now more than ever, during this unprecedented time of Covid-19.”
Participants should practice social distancing and gather in the St. Mary’s Elementary School parking lot at 30 Bartlett St.
The on-campus kick-off event is a Car Parade honoring McGrath, which will begin in the elementary school parking lot and proceed through the high school parking lot.
Angco-Vieweg said anyone who would like to share a token or photo with McGrath should put the items in a gift bag with handles. Participants are encouraged to decorate their vehicles and wear masks/face coverings.
“Come show your support for St. Mary’s and let your St. Mary’s spirit shine,” stated Angco-Vieweg.
Anyone can participate in financially supporting Founder’s Day in several ways, including the following challenges:
1898 St. Mary’s Parish School Society: Anyone donating at least $18.98 a month for this year ($227.76), will become a founding member of the 1898 society on campus. They will receive a special gift from Advancement and will immediately be notified of all future activities and updates. “We challenge our STM community to reach 1,898 members this first year to unlock a matching gift of $18.98 per member,” noted Angco-Vieweg.
1862 St. Mary’s Church Society: Anyone donating at least $18.62 a month for this year ($223.44), will become a founding member of the 1862 society in the church. They will receive a special gift from Advancement and will immediately be notified of all future activities and updates. The parish challenges the STM community to reach 1,862 members this first year to unlock a matching gift of $18.62 per member.
George Avery Memorial Tuition Assistance Scholarship Fund: Gordon & Donna Avery with Avery Realty takes 2% of every home sale and challenges the STM community to donate $700 to the George Avery Memorial Scholarship to unlock a gift of $700.
The Jensen Family Challenge for Fr. Brian: After 50 donations are received, it will unlock a $500 donation to the Father Brian Scholarship. “Since the first day in third grade for Wyatt and preschool for Annika, our children have benefitted from their Catholic education at STM! Thank you, Fr. Brian for so many reasons, but especially on those rainy days holding the umbrella, as they walked into school each morning and yes, even the day after the Bruins beat Wyatt’s beloved Penguins. We love and honor you with this match to your scholarship,” stated the Jensen family.
The inaugural Founder’s Day Celebration is sponsored by Westfield Bank.
