Dear Parishioners,

With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of Fr. Rene L. Parent, MS. He went home peacefully to the Lord on Sunday, June 21, at 7.30 pm.

It is always difficult to say goodbye to someone we love and cherish. But we believe in the hope that he is in the hands of God. He is not alone; we are with him in prayer.

Let us remember the words of Our Lord “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God and faith in me… I shall come back to take you with me, that where I am, you also may be. You know the way that leads to where I go.”

We pray for Fr. Rene that he may complete the journey to heaven. Say with faith, Fr. Rene, you belong to Christ…

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at St. James Church in Danielson at 11:00 am. The main celebrant will be Most Reverend Richard Reidy, Bishop of Norwich. Calling hours will be at St. James Church on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 9.30 am to 11 am. Following the Mass there will be a light lunch in the Church Hall to continue to celebrate the life and priestly ministry of Fr. Rene.

Burial will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery in S. Hadley, MA at 2.30 pm.  Calling hours will be at St. James Church on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 9.30 am to 11 am.

Fr. Roy Parayil, M.S. (Pastor)

Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Our Parish story is a fascinating story, for it is the ageless Catholic story of struggle and frustration, of success and failure, of sanctity and sin, of life and death. We have so much in our past of which we can be justly proud. We have had tireless priests, sisters, brothers, deacons and so many great parishioners. Our forebears slaved and scraped to pay off depts.; struggled against discouraging odds to minister to people of Danielson and beyond. What no history can adequately tell is the faith of our forebears, their trust in God, their love for one another – in good times and bad, in sickness and health, in poverty and wealth. Priests, Brothers, Sisters, Deacons and people have labored for hundred and fifty six years (1870-2026) to make God’s love known.