9/11 memorial slated to take place at St. Cecilia’s

Date: 8/30/2011

Aug. 29, 2011

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor

WILBRAHAM — St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church will be the site of a memorial service on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The event, to honor the memory of those who died in the attacks on the Pentagon, the World Trade Center and United Airlines Flight 93, will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 11 at the Main Street church.

“A couple of people, me being one of them, and [Wilbraham Funeral Home Vice President] Ellen O’Brien being the other, have thought about doing this for a long time,” former Wilbraham Selectman David Barry said. “We approached Father [Joseph] Serrano about using the church and he got involved himself.”

While it will be conducted in the church, the service will not be a Roman Catholic one, but rather one at which people, regardless of religion, can gather to remember those who were lost, Barry added.

“The reason we chose the church was because they have a very large hall in the church and a parish center,” he said. “It’s central, everyone knows where it is and there’s plenty of parking.”

The ceremony is expected to last about an hour with several speakers, including State Sen. Gale Canderas and State Rep. Angelo Puppolo. Officials from Wilbraham and Hampden, including fire and police chiefs and members of both Boards of Selectmen and, are expected to be in attendance.

Members of the Minnechaug Regional High School band and choral groups will provide music for the program, while other students from the school will serve as ushers and greeters.

There will be a social hour after the memorial service with refreshments provided by members of Saint Cecilia’s Women’s Club.

Barry said that while he appreciates offers to help with the planning of this event, there is little that remains to be done.

“At this point, it’s just a matter of people showing up,” he said. “Hopefully this will be a nice event where people can get together, remember and talk.”