St. Michael's to perform 'Pink Mass'

Aug. 20, 2012

SPRINGFIELD — Hundreds who have been touched by cancer in one way or another are counting on prayer and fund-raising to fight the disease as the second annual Pink Mass and Celebration of Hope are to take place in September.

A Catholic Mass, known as the "Pink Mass," will be on Sept. 15 at St. Michael's Cathedral on State Street. The Mass, scheduled for 4 p.m., will be offered for those who have been affected by cancer in any way.

Last year, more than 300 attended the Pink Mass liturgy, which was followed by a healing service. Area residents and members from a variety of cancer support agencies gathered to pray for cancer survivors. They also remembered in prayer loved ones who had passed away following their fight with the disease. Many people who were battling cancer also attended.

On Sept. 29, a Celebration of Hope gala dinner will take place at 6 p.m. at the Springfield Lodge of Elks (61) on Tiffany Street. Food, entertainment and fund-raising will be plentiful.

The funds raised will be disbursed to four local cancer support agencies: the Cancer House of Hope, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Rays of Hope Foundation and Mercy Medical Center's Caritas Cancer Center.

Last year, nearly $10,000 was raised at the Celebration of Hope dinner. All funds are used locally.

Michael Rancitelli, of Springfield, said that last year's inaugural Pink Mass was a powerful service. "I would strongly encourage everyone to attend the Mass and the wonderful events that follow," Rancitelli, a cancer survivor, said.

"Nearly every one of us has been, or else will be, touched by cancer in one way or another. Especially for people like myself, who have been on the winning side of the battle, I believe it is our duty to support others," he said.

Rancitelli, who was diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2009 but is cancer free today, has been a music teacher in Springfield for the last 20 years. Along with his wife, Laurel, he composed a song, "Hope is our Light," and performed it at the Pink Mass in 2011.

"We have not won the war on cancer yet. Until then, all we can do is place our hope in God and participate in events such as these," he said.

The events are also being sponsored in part by the Diocese of Springfield. The Mass will be recorded and broadcast the following morning at 10 a.m. on WWLP-22NEWS as part of the weekly diocesan program, "Chalice of Salvation." People of all faiths are encouraged to attend.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 745,000 men and 692,000 women are diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S.

The Mass and fund-raiser dinner were started by a Springfield grassroots committee in early 2011. The Celebration of Hope of Western Mass Committee is comprised of more than a dozen local individuals who have been touched by cancer in some way.

Dinner tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. To purchase tickets or to donate, log on to www.celebrationofhope.org or call Jennifer Klock Rossmiller at 214-1259.

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