Holyoke native, Fr. Ignatius Maternowski, a Franciscan chaplain, parachuted into German-occupied Normandy, France, with the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army in the pre-dawn hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944. A few hours later, while caring for the wounded, he was shot to death by an enemy sniper. 

Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., upon his return from this year’s commemorative ceremonies in Normandy honoring Fr. Maternowski, will give a talk about the heroic priest paratrooper.

The event will take place on Thursday, June 11, at 6:30 pm in Our Lady of the Cross Church, Holyoke. The church is located on Holy Cross Ave. All are welcome to attend this informative presentation on Fr. Maternowski. There is no cost for this event. For more information, call the parish office at 413-532-5661.