Chapter 5 Many Changes in a Short Time

this article originally appeared in the weekly bulletin of August 23, 2020

The unexpected death of Fr. McGrath, in the same week as the Christmas holiday left the parish reeling yet again.  Since Fr. Cuddihy, who had been pastor for nearly forty years, the parish had been blessed with three pastors in less than a quarter century.  However, the death of Bishop Beavan just weeks before that of Fr. McGrath would mean that the parish would wait awhile to receive the name and news its next pastor.  In the meantime, the senior curate, Fr. James Dunphy who had celebrated the first Requiem Mass for Fr. McGrath would take over as interim administrator of the parish.  He would fulfill that role for the next twenty months until Bishop Beavan’s successor, Bishop Thomas M. O'Leary would appoint Fr. William Grace as pastor, on September 19, 1922, the day before his 56th birthday.

Fr. Dunphy had served Saint Mary’s Parish since 1914 and was well acquainted to the parish, her people and her needs.  One the items that he achieved during his brief administration was the purchase of land next to the Parish House on Pearl Street.  This land was the side of the former Universalist Church (where the basketball courts for the Youth Center are in 2020) and was purchased from the Board of Selectmen on March 24, 1922, for $600.  The parish was continuing to grow and flourish under Fr. Dunphy as he welcomed Bishop O’Leary that same June to bestow diplomas on the 19 graduates of Saint Mary’s High School during their Commencement Exercises which took place in the Milford Town Hall. 

One can imagine that the parish was a busy place during that spring as it was preparing for the golden jubilee of the parish church.  The church had opened for Midnight Mass in 1870 and its fiftieth anniversary would have been the evening following the morning burial of Fr. McGrath.  History does not indicate the planning of any celebration, or that one was cancelled given the unexpected turn of events.  Though the church opened in 1870, it was not dedicated until June of 1872, so the Golden Jubilee of its dedication was celebrated with great fanfare by the parishioners on June 30, 1922.  

The appointment of Fr. William Grace saw Fr. Dunphy leave Saint Mary’s after a decade of service to take up a new role in a new place, then as the Pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Belchertown.  Fr. Grace had been born in Haydenville.  A graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and then the Grand Seminary in Montreal, he was ordained in 1889.  Like Fr. Cuddihy before him, he came from the western part of the state, from a town where Fr. Cuddihy had celebrated Mass on occasion.  

Between 1903 and 1922, Fr. Grace had been pastor of Saint Ann’s Parish in Lenox when he was called to Milford and to shepherd the people of Saint Mary’s Parish.  While he was in Lenox, he built a new church of English Norman architecture which is still in use.  Of interest in 2020, is that the main altar was the gift of Fr. Grace to the parish, it was consecrated in 1918, at the height of the Spanish flu influenza.  Consequently, parishioners were not allowed to attend the ceremony of consecration since they were celebrating Masses outside on the parish lawn.  Fr. Grace’s tenure in Milford would be a short, but significant one.  He would complete the work of Fr. McGrath in installing the window over the main altar in honor of the patroness, Saint Mary of the Assumption and begin the effort to build a new and magnificent high school at the corner of Winter and Main Streets.  Many speculate the effort of that project brought about his untimely and unexpected death less than two years after his arrival on June 11, 1924.  

This article appeared in the bulletin of September 6, 2020. 
It is available under the detail on our parish church in explaining the windows of the church.  Follow this link to The Patronal Window.

this article appeared originally in the parish bulletin of September 213, 2020
Fr. William Grace was appointed to Saint Mary’s Parish on September 19, 1922, succeeding Fr. McGrath who had died unexpectedly just before Christmas in 1920.  Fr. Grace arrived in Milford on a successful pastorate at Saint Ann’s in Lenox.  Upon his unexpected death less than two years later on June 11, 1924, the Milford Daily News honored him and the kind of priest he was to people of Saint Mary’s Parish and their affection for him in return.  It recognized his gracious courtesy to everyone he met and who came to know him in any capacity.  He gave freely of what he could and was ‘extremely broad in sympathy and effort.’  It was noted that he gave not only to the parish, but also supported any civic activity to which he could focus his energy and support during his short tenure in Milford.  

At his funeral, Fr. James Howard took note of three honorable attributes of the priestly character of the late pastor.  First, there was his reverence in the sanctuary.  Fr. Grace’s reverence was obvious in the way that approached the sanctuary and altar at every Mass and in his desire to enhance and beautify each church that he served.  Second, was his love of children, his attention and support to the parish school and the affection he had for them.  He mentioned, that the children ‘were pleased always to meet him, to say a word to him, and they seemed to think it a great reward if they were honored with his smile of approval.’  His dedication to children and their education was most evident in his efforts to construct a new high school as part of the parish programs.  And, finally, he made mention of his administration of the temporal affairs of the parish.  He was a most generous contributor to the parish ‘in order that the worship of God might be provided for and that the children’s wants in school might be satisfied.’

And so it became the responsibility of Fr. Grace to oversee the efforts of the parish to celebrate the semi-centennial of the parish church.  The Christmas of 1920 would have been the golden jubilee of the church, but Fr. McGrath died unexpectedly just four days before that anniversary.  When Fr. Grace was assigned in 1922, he looked to mark the golden jubilee of the church with the seventh-fifth anniversary of the parish which was founded in 1848, and would be 75 years in existence in 1923.  

At the same time, he had been busy planning and organizing the construction of a new and modern high school to stand at the corner of Winter and Main Streets in Milford.  The cost had been estimated at $120,000.  The roof had recently been installed and Bishop O’Leary of Springfield had been invited for the coming weekend.  The upcoming events were planned as an elaborate celebration of this significant anniversary.  The cornerstone of the new high school would be laid on Sunday, Monday would be graduation in the Town Hall and Tuesday was to be a parish supper and reunion in the Town Hall as well.  

However, it seems that the demands of these activities, most especially the construction were more taxing to Fr. Grace than anyone understood.  The Tuesday before he had taken ill with what he and his physician understood to be a hard cold.  By Wednesday he remained in bed and his illness was not deemed serious until toward noon when it turned.  With no apparent pain, but the semblance of simply going to sleep, Fr. Grace passed into the arms of his loving Lord on June 11, 1924.  All of the activity for the coming weekend ground to halt as the parish was plunged into unexpected sorrow and grief as once again they needed to mourn and bury their pastor.  Fr. Grace was 58 years old, and having been ordained in 1889, was a priest shy of 35 years.
 

this article was first published in the weekly bulletin of September 20, 2020
On Friday, June 13, 1924, The Milford Daily News carried the details of the funeral for Father William Grace with the large letters in the headline of ‘Impressive Obsequies …’  The writer took note of the deep sorrow which overtook the parish for the second time in less than two years, each time unexpected and occurring at a time of anticipated joy.  The article points out, ‘all that was mortal of Rev. Fr. William F. Grace, pastor St. Mary’s church, was today reverently and tenderly placed to rest.  It was all the more impressive in that it so closely followed the sudden bereavement of the parish and the diocese.’
On Thursday, attending priests escorted the body of their brother from the rectory on Pearl Street to the church on Winter Street where it was placed before the chancel steps at the head of the center aisle.  From its arrival until the Pontifical Mass celebrated by the Most Rev. Thomas M. O’Leary, Bishop of Springfield, delegates from the various parish societies stood guard over their former leader, changing every hour.  Throughout the night, hundreds thronged through the church to lay eyes on their former pastor for the last time and pay their respects.  At the entrance of the church in the vestibule was a huge wreath of American beauty roses, a gift from the Knights of Columbus Council at his former parish in Lenox.  Alongside them was an arrangement of white carnations from Mr. and Mrs. Bristow Draper.  The altar was draped in black as were the pillars of the church that line the nave.  The doors at the entrance were also draped in black. 
Beginning at 8 am, a high Mass of requiem was sung by Fr.Leo Rock, the curate at Saint Mary’s.  And at 9:30 a.m., the bishop and attending priests chanted the Office of the Dead which was followed by the Pontifical High Mass at which Bishop O’Leary presided.  A Fourth Degree guard of the Valencia Knights of Columbus escorted the bishop to the church as well as State Secretary John Swift, a native of Saint Mary’s Parish would be chosen as Supreme Knight in a couple of years.  Fr. Grace had himself become a Fourth Degree Knight only a fortnight previously at a ceremony in Lowell.  The singing for the Mass was provided by the choir of priests present who provided the appropriate Gregorian chants.  The Sisters of Saint Joseph were in a reserved pew in the church that was filled to capacity with representatives from all walks and stations of life in Milford. 
Bishop O’Leary was assisted by the Vicar General of the diocese, the Very Rev. Bernard Conaty.  He was assisted by Fr John Ivers of Holyoke as deacon, Fr. J. Fitzgerald of Gardner as sub-deacon, Fr John Fagan of Holyoke as deacon of honor, Fr. DesRoches as sub-deacon of honor.  Fr. Sheedy of Hadley served as thurifer, Fr. J. McNamara of Milford and Fr. John Sexton were the acolytes.  Fr. James Howard, ‘one of the most eloquent orators in the diocese, delivered the eulogy, paying tribute to the high worth of Fr. Grace as a learned and able pastor, a capable administrator and splendid type of Christian gentleman and citizen.  His great labors in the diocese, his blameless life and his great devotion were all given the laudation they deserved, as were also those qualities of personal charm and courtesy that endeared him to so many.’
Following the Mass, Fr. Grace’s body was accompanied by the honor guard of Fourth Degree Knights from the church to the waiting hearse.  This same honor guard, along with a large delegation of Knights from Valencia Council, joined in the auto cortege from Milford to Easthampton.  There in the parish cemetery, Fr. Grace was laid to rest.  Many of the priests who had been at the Mass in Milford were also in attendance. 

On January 7, 1925, the Town of Milford was abuzz with the curious who had turned out to Bear Hill to witness a burning cross in a field owned by Bernard Aleckian.  At 9:30 pm, the familiar fiery emblem of the Ku Klux Klan was blazing from the top of Mt. Pleasant Street, and visible throughout the town.  A significant amount of work went into the effort to set the cross afire.  It was only 50 yards from and with a clear view of the street, and had been fashioned from 16-foot rails that had been ripped from a fence on Aleckian’s property.  Fastened to a tree it had been wrapped in discarded tires and burlap that had been soaked with gasoline before it was torched.  Mention was made that ‘a gallon of gasoline was left behind, the can being of the type never used until after prohibition and was positively a moonshine can, according to those who claim to know.’

Hose 3 firemen and their truck responded to the fire and were able to extinguish the blaze.  Chief Moloney, along with Patrolmen Fullum and Pantano responded and immediately began an investigation.  Witnesses reported seeing a ‘machine’ with several men as occupants in the vicinity shortly before the fire started, and that they had been in the rear of Bear Hill and seen headed in the direction of Woonsocket.  Crosses were also reported that same night in Holliston and Upton.  In Holliston, it was a fifteen foot cross, also wrapped in burlap and fueled by kerosene that burned on Stand Pipe Hill.  In Upton, two crosses were set up on the ice on Mill Pond which illuminated the area with the glare from the fires.  While the fires in other communities were within the same timing as that in Milford, no actual meeting of the Klan was believed to have taken place in any one of the towns.

The article reported that Mr. Alekian ‘was considerably vexed when he discovered that material for the cross was stolen from his fence.  He lives only a short distance from the field where the cross was erected, and stated that he was at a loss to explain the occurrence.  He said he was playing checkers with his son during the early part of the evening, and heard no noise of commotion.  He happened to go to the barn, and as he did so he noticed a small blaze on the ground, and which, in an instant had leaped into the air nearly 30 feet.  He then told his son to summon the police and firemen.’

There is no evidence that the evening’s events were ever resolved.  Many Milfordians opined that it was a prank from local youngsters with no purposeful racial or religious intent.  Others contended that it was a bona fide Ku Klux Klan job by some who were trying to make a statement or establish themselves in the Milford area.  History does not record another instance of this being repeated another night.   Nevertheless, it was noted that ‘the flaming cross certainly started local tongues wagging last night, when it sent its fiery illumination high into the heavens.’

That same month, the students at Saint Mary’s High School were preparing for the upcoming diocesan debate competition for the Bishop Beaven cup.  The first team from Saint Mary’s: Thomas Cloonan, Bernard Keenan and James Sheenan, would debate the team from Saint John’s High School in Worcester.  Another team, comprised of Edward Duddy, Leonard Lynch and Francis Flaherty would debate a team from Sacred Heart School.  The winner from these would then debate a team from the Springfield area.  The topic to be debated from both the affirmative and negative sides by each team was “Restriction of Immigration.”

Nearly a century later, immigration is still a hot topic of debate and racial injustice is still an issue.  It would seem we are making too slow progress in the distance of a century. 

In the early 21^st century, a weekly bulletin, either produced with technology in the parish office or printed professionally has become an ordinary method to communicate information to parishioners each week.  News and activities are posted on the internet or social media so that parishioners and others who are interested or part of the parish at a distance can still be connected to the daily life and events of a contemporary parish.  A century ago, information was not so readily available.  The parish communicated its news by announcements at the end of Sunday Mass to explain financial details, expected work or renovations, and the meetings and social gatherings of various parish societies and organizations.  Sometimes, news of a greater importance or for a wider audience might be considered newsworthy and find a listing in the local paper, The Milford Daily Journal.  Such was the case on Thursday, January 29, 1925, when on one page of the local paper, the following notices, all concerning Saint Mary’s Parish, were considered newsworthy:
 Milford Girl & Groom from No. Smithfield wed at St. Mary’s Church. While marriage notices are often posted on social media today, they were a news item a century ago.  This article concerned the marriage of Edith Munyon of Milford to Michael McDonough of North Smithfield, RI.  The service was officiated by Fr. Reardon, interim pastor, who celebrated the nuptial Mass.  Special mention was made of the bride’s outfit, a brown satin trimmed with gold lace (not the familiar white, one expects a hundred years later).  The article included that her ‘going away suit was of dark blue satin, with hat to match.’  Details included their professions and that Michael was a member of the Smithfield K of C and a World War veteran.
K. of C. Ball to have Great Decorations.  This article announced that Bert Lowe’s celebrated orchestra will be performing at the upcoming K of C ball to be held in the Town Hall.  Apparently, at the time the orchestra was a favorite of Milfordians since Lew Calabrese was one of the leading musicians.  His popularity expected a capacity crowd for the event.  Explaining the headline, the article detailed that the ‘decoration scheme this year will be entirely different from that of other years.  The ceiling and front of balconies will be latticed with roses, wisteria and foliage, giving the hall the effect of a giant arbor. … The decorator has promised a most attractive stage setting with potted plants, silken drops and emblems of the order.’  Hard to imagine this being a topic of news even in social media today.
St Mary’s Circle holds successful Whist Party.  The previous night the Catholic Women’s Club had held an enjoyable whist party with about 100 people in attendance that concluded at 10 pm.  It lists the refreshment committee and the prize winners of the event.  One wonders if 100 people could be found a century later who would even know how to play whist (it’s a card game for four players in two teams.)
St Mary’s C. W. C. Guest Night, Monday; The Catholic Women’s Club announced its upcoming guest night on Monday, February 2^nd, which would take place in the K of C hall.  Each member was encouraged to bring a guest.  ‘An excellent entertainment has been arranged by the committee.  After the entertainment refreshments will be served, followed by a reception and social hour.’  It then lists the committee members. 

On January 14, 1925, the Most Rev. Thomas M. O’Leary as Bishop Springfield announced the largest number of transfers in his young episcopate.  The changes involved twenty-one new pastors and thirty-three curates who were given new assignments.  Saint Mary’s Parish received with eager anticipation the assignment of Fr. Jeremiah Riordan as her new pastor.  However, among the transfers was that of Fr. James J. Fitzgibbons from curate at the Milford parish to Saint John’s Parish in Clinton.  His transfer completed nine and a half years of service in the parish, and was a great loss to the parish.  As a result, a special farewell to this favorite priest was arranged for the Town Hall for January 19^th.  Hundreds were expected at an evening that was billed as informal at the specific request of the guest of honor.

As expected the Town Hall filled with hundreds of grateful citizens.  While most were members of Saint Mary’s Parish, there was also present others who represented other churches of the community and town officials.  The committee members, who joined Fr. Fitzgibbons on the stage included: Fred Burns, President of the AOH Div 7, Fr. Leo Rock (acting pastor of Saint Mary’s since the unexpected death of Fr. Grace), John McNamara, Atty John Swift (who would be elected as Supreme Knight of Columbus), Atty William Moore, Thomas Quirk, principal of Saint Mary’s High School, John Higgiston, chairman of the town selectman, Fred Cahill, Arthur O’Keefe and others.

Chairman Burns opened the proceedings with a reference to the reason for the gathering and then introduced Atty. Swift who eloquently praised Fr. Fitzgibbons.  Atty. Swift praised the priest for his presence and priestly activity during the previous near decade.  He reminded Fr. Fitzgibbons that ‘he took with him the love and esteem of the citizens of Milford and those of a parish conspicuous for its loyalty and devotion.  A characteristic of Fr. Fitzgibbons, he said, was the care and affection he had bestowed on the children of the parochial schools here, from the lowest grade to the High School:  tender, helpful, and sedulous for their material and spiritual welfare, and for their Christian education.  His broad humanity, and his service and sacrifice were depicted.  He would carry with him the affection of an entire community and its gratitude that he had labored with and for it.”

Next came Fr. Leo T. Rock, acting pastor of Saint Mary’s Parish, who spoke to the loyalty of his associate.  Both Fr. Rock and Fr. Fitzgibbons had been at Saint Mary’s since Fr. McGrath was pastor and both had served as military chaplains.  Fr. Rock shared the memory of his arrival five years earlier, barely having recovered from the battlefields of France to the great burdens that fell on them with the sudden death of Fr. Grace, just half a year earlier.  “To them every association was happy in joint service, and he paid tribute to his unselfish aid to all in need.  ‘It was prayer that enabled them to do so much under exceptional stress, that sustained them,’ and he closed with the fervent ‘God’s blessing be with you.’”

Next, Miss De Roche sang “My Land of Sunset Dreams” and “Because I Love You.” She was followed by Atty. Moore who paid tribute to the virtues of love, service and sacrifice and how they had been so admirably embodied in the priestly work of the priest.  “His closing words were especially eloquent of the love felt for the departing priest as a manly man, a priestly priest who has given his all for the church, for country, for humanity.” 

Fr. McNamara told several stories that broke the tension of sadness, even struggling “all the time with swallowing lumps.”  “He said: ‘If there is any phase of good Americanism that Fr. Fitz has not got, I’d like to find it.,”  He was then followed by the chairman of the Selectman who praised the priest for his character and patriotism identifying him “as a true priest, a genuine American patriot” and acknowledged him as a ‘friend to all.’  Then, Frank Best sang “I’ll Take You Home Again.”  He was followed by Principal Quirk who spoke briefly and ended by presenting the departing priest “with a purse of gold, a large and substantial sum.”

“When the recipient rose to respond, it was several minutes before he could speak, so great was the ovation, all standing.  He was visibly affected and in his acceptance he showed efforts to restrain his emotion.  He modestly disclaimed meriting the tributes paid him, praising the parish and town for their friendships manifested in many ways.  He especially paid tribute to his colleague, Fr. Rock, for his esteem and co-operation in their years of joint labor.  He thanked the speakers for their praise the parishioners who had so emphatically showed their affection for him.  Yet, he felt, it was no so much for him personally as it was the expression of the magnificent assemblage of its church loyalty, a visible evidence of their Christian devotion to the priest rather than the man.  He was profoundly grateful for that expression and the material gift that accompanied it.”  He was grateful that his work would have made a difference in the life of another and admitted that the thought of that was ‘priceless.’  He admitted the night’s proceedings would be a blessing to him in the years to come.  After asking God’s blessing on those present, all sang ‘Auld Lang Syne.’

The evening then followed with refreshments and the ability for the guest of honor to greet all present individually as they bade him farewell.  The next day, Fr. Fitzgibbons reported to his new assignment at Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Clinton and Fr. Jeremiah Riordan arrived from Saint Mary Morning Star Parish in  Pittsfield to be the next pastor of Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish in Milford.