FEBRUARY 5, 2026 | FREE
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EDITION CHICOPEE
Neal announces funding for nitrogen removal project U.S. Rep. Richard Neal visited Chicopee on Jan. 28 to announce funding he helped secure to support phase two of the city’s nitrogen removal project at the wastewater treatment plant.
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Neal, McGovern visit Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen in Chicopee
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal joined U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern for a visit to Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry to highlight the impact of President Donald Trump’s cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
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HOLYOKE
Supt. Search Committee names three finalists The Superintendent Screening Committee announced that it is recommending three candidates for the next superintendent of Holyoke Public Schools.
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Blessed Sacrament School to close after 100 years By Tyler Garnet
tgarnet@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE — After spending over a century in Holyoke, Blessed Sacrament Parish School announced it is closing when the school year ends in June. In a letter released to the public, Blessed Sacrament Parish Pastor Father Duy Le stated after “review, prayer and consultation, it was recommended by the school’s Finance Council to close the school at the end of the academic year.” Blessed Sacrament School serves students in Pre-K through eighth grade. The letter revealed that over the last 15 years, enrollment has steadily declined from over 300 students in 2010 to 112 students this year. Following the sale of its former school building several years ago, the school’s maximum operating capacity became 275 students. Even at that reduced capacity, the school is operating at less than half of what is required to remain sustainable. Le stated in the letter, “Financially, the reality is unavoidable. The school operates at the annual deficit of more than $275,000. Despite years of parish subsidies, fundraising efforts and cost controls, this gap continued to grow.” To sustain the school with the current enrollment, the letter stated that tuition would need to rise to “well over” $9,000 per student. Le highlighted that the school has examined multiple models in an attempt to keep the school open, including adjusting grade configurations, staffing structures and financial assumptions. “No matter which scenario we explored, we reach the same roadblock: the school could not continue without placing the parish into serious financial risk or shifting an
unsustainable burden onto families,” Le stated. He also added that the school reached a point where they could no longer continue cutting back on services and supports they provide, as further reductions would have compromised the quality of education and formation that the students deserved. Following the closure announcement, a parish social media post stated that all annual fund contributions would be returned to donors. Bishop William Byrne, who accepted Le’s recommendation to close the school, said in a statement via Catholic Communications, “I share Father Duy’s deep regret for having to close the much beloved Blessed Sacrament School where I have visited and have fond memories. But it is clear Father had little choice, having to make this difficult but necessary decision. School Choice and charter schools have impacted enrollment at all of our schools, but those aren’t the only reasons. There is little doubt that the decline in active membership in our faith community has brought us to this moment. As a diocese we need to find ways in which we can prevent future closings by engaging in efforts that will turn around the regrettable trends of the past few decades. I remain confident and hopeful that outreach efforts, some now in the planning stages, along with others we have undertaken in recent years, will bear the fruit of a revitalized Church.” Going forward, the letter highlights that school operations and instructions will continue as normal through the end of the school year. Additional information regarding next steps, timelines and student records will be communicated clearly and promptly. Superintendent Maria Wagner will remain available throughout
Blessed Sacrament School in Holyoke Reminder Publishing photo by Chris Maza
the remainder of the school year to assist families, staff and the parish during the transition. Mayor Joshua Garcia, who expressed his sadness in the closure of the school in a Facebook post, stated that Holyoke Public Schools “stands ready to support every child and family affected.” “We are committed to ensuring a smooth enrollment process, welcoming your students with open arms into our schools,” Garcia said. “Our team will be prepared to assist with transfers, answer questions and provide any necessary resources to help make this change as seamless as possible.” Le also said in his letter that a parent meeting will be scheduled to address questions, provide guidance and offer support. In a statement to Reminder Publishing from the Blessed Sacrament Parent Teacher Guild, families, parishioners and supporters are respectfully asking diocesan leadership to pause the closure process, engage in transparent dialogue and
allow the existing development plan to continue so that Blessed Sacrament School may have the opportunity to demonstrate sustainability and remain open for the families it serves. The statement acknowledged that families of the school knew in April that Blessed Sacrament Parish School continued to face a financial deficit and declining enrollment. A formal development plan was actively underway under the advice of the former principal, Susan Heavren. Heavren, however, died in September, and the school has been operating with a teacher serving as the interim. With the pastor’s approval, a professional development director was brought in to focus on developing enrollment, marketing the school to promote awareness and develop and enhance fundraising activities. Since April, the development director has been stationed at See SCHOOL on page 2