SOMERVILLE — The gymnasium at Immaculata High School served as the site of a large, yet intimate, family reunion Feb. 27 as hundreds gathered, in both laughter and tears, to commemorate those who had gone on before them.
Every aspect of the 18th annual Spartan Memorial Mass was steeped in tradition and ceremony; each principal player was either a member of the current staff, student body or representative of the alumni of the high school. An alumnus bagpiper ushered in attendees; graduates proclaimed the Scripture readings and prayers of the faithful, and altar servers, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion; and a deacon were all members of the Immaculata High School family. Symbols such as the Holy Bible, a mortar board, the school Service Award Medal, red roses and rosary beads all signified the deceased from each of the school’s 60 years of educating young Catholics.
Joan Silo, head of school, greeted the congregation saying, “We pray hope fills us with the Lord’s consolation and peace. May we one day be united with all the saints and angels and those gone to rest before us… Once a Spartan, always a Spartan.”
Before Mass, family members of the deceased were invited to process towards the altar, each bearing a white carnation to add to a large vase in memory of their loved ones.
Msgr. Joseph G. Celano, pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, and director, Immaculata High School, presided at the Mass and gave the homily.
In his homily, he evoked laughter when he likened gossip to feathers cast upon the wind. Once critical words are caught by the wind, however, there is no taking them back, he warned.
“All of us stand on common ground before God, broken and sinful and yet called to holiness, friendship with the living God,” Msgr. Celano said. “Christian discipleship is an ongoing process of believing, learning and living. There is only one teacher, and all of us are still students.”
Retired faculty member Terry Lavin Kuboski (Class of 1969), who helped establish the Memorial Mass, gave the closing remarks.
“Heaven is full of our Spartan angels. How would they want us to grieve? They would want to be an integral partner in our recovery,” she said.
Kuboski read aloud the roster of the most recently deceased alumni, staff and faculty, referencing those who had contributed to the school’s Guardian Angel Scholarship Program, which enables donors to offer financial assistance to Immaculata students. Noting she had joined the ranks of the grieving at the death of her brother and parents 23 years before, Kuboski advised the Spartan community to rely upon each other as they progress through the uneven grief process.
“In every row, there are family and friends who have lost so much, but have allowed themselves to rebuild their lives around the grief,” she said. “They legitimately can comfort our new grievers, who are ensconced in sadness, to let them know that they, too, can recover. Not only have they walked in our shoes, they know how to tie the laces…
“Grief comes in two parts: the first is dealing with the loss, the second is the reshaping who you are.”
Kuboski reminded the group that the Blessed Mother is the patroness of Immaculata High School, “serving as a model for kindness, patience and goodness.” By her example, “she demonstrates how to mourn with grace and faith.”
The congregation then prayed to the Mother of God:
“Watch over our deceased loved ones. Give them mercy and peace in your loving embrace. You experienced profound grief with the loss of your son, husband and parents. Support us with your comfort, courage and guidance. Grant us the grace to meet life’s challenges as you did, with faith, hope and love. Amen.”