Bishop Feehan High School is proud to announce that Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Jan Walsh will be honored with the school’s Patricia M. Harrington, RSM Hero of Catholic Education Award during the “Setting Our Hearts” Gala on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Rhode Island Convention Center.
Bill and Jan have been stalwarts in the Feehan community for decades, first as Feehan parents, then as Feehan grandparents and always as willing, generous and enthusiastic volunteers and supporters. Before his untimely passing in 2022, Bill was also known as one of the biggest fans of all Feehan sports teams. Most importantly, Bill and Jan exemplify perfectly the warm spirit and humble nature of Sister Pat, serving as role models for all those who attend and serve Feehan. The Walsh’s will be the 10th recipients of the prestigious award, the first representing Feehans’ parent community.
“The Sister Pat award was created for faithful servants like Bill and Jan Walsh,” says Feehan President Tim Sullivan. “Yesterday, today and tomorrow Catholic education has thrived, does thrive and only will thrive with the support of those who believe in the mission and offer their time, talent and treasure to the work. Very, very few Feehan supporters have done just that so well for so long. We talk often of the “Feehan Family”; Bill and Jan are what we are talking about.”
There isn’t enough space to list the Walsh’s many contributions to Feehan over the past 40+ years. In all honesty, many of those contributions are literally impossible to list because Bill would just stop by Feehan and take care of something often without being asked and always without asking for credit. Walsh Field – Feehan’s softball and soccer complex – is named after Mr. Walsh in recognition of his work clearing and preparing what was once a wooded campus space and is now a vital student space. Of course, Mr. Walsh never sent a bill. It was a gift that transformed the Feehan student experience for many.
The Walsh’s have also generously funded the Walsh Family Scholarship fund, which has made a Feehan education possible for several dozen students in recent years.
The Walsh’s involvement at Feehan continued a family tradition, as Mr. Walsh’s father – John G. Walsh Sr. – played a key role in the original construction of Feehan in 1960 and 1961. Mr. Walsh remembered helping on the site with his dad many years earlier. Today, Mr. and Mrs. Walsh’s own children – Chris ‘85, Steven ‘89 and David ‘96 – remain key supporters and friends of Feehan and their granddaughter Abby Walsh '18 is the Field Hockey JV Coach.
The Patricia M. Harrington, RSM Hero of Catholic Education Award was established by Bishop Feehan High School in 2017 to honor a champion of Catholic education who makes significant contributions in service of Catholic schools and the Church. Sister Pat — who passed away in 2015 — was a legendary figure in the Feehan community: her example of faith, love and mercy set a standard at Feehan for nearly 40 years and will be remembered always. Sister Pat herself (posthumously) was the first recipient of the award.
“The Sister Pat award is Feehan’s highest honor,” Sullivan said. “Our honorees represent the many ways that individuals can make an impact on Catholic schools from inspirational leaders to mission-driven teachers to generous friends. It will be an honor to add the Walsh’s to an illustrious list.”
The Walsh’s join Bishop Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V, Bishop of Fall River; long-time Feehan faculty members Joan Drobnis and Neil Loew; Assistant Superintendent of the Diocese of Fall River Denise Peixoto; former St. John the Evangelist School and Mercymount Country Day School Principal Sr. Martha Mulligan, RSM; former Providence College and current St. John’s University President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P.; former Feehan President Christopher E. Servant ’66; Fall River diocesan priest and BFHS trustee Rev. David Costa; and Salve Regina University Chancellor M. Therese Antone, RSM as honorees.
The Gala itself has become the central annual community event of the Feehan year, welcoming more than 600 people to celebrate the Feehan community and support the school.
"The Setting Our Hearts Gala is an evening dedicated to honoring the spirit of Feehan—celebrating the achievements of our students, the strength of our community, and the bold vision we hold for the future,” said Jessica Symonds, Feehan Vice President of Advancement. “This award reflects our commitment to excellence and the continued growth and success of our mission."
In addition to the Hero of Catholic Education award, highlights of the evening include an elegant dinner, a limited live auction, a $10,000 cash raffle, a live band, dancing and a host of surprises. For more information, to purchase tickets or tables, or for information on honoring our honorees, visit BishopFeehan.com/gala or contact Jennifer L Smith (Merigold) '06, Director of Special Events and Volunteer Management, at 508-226-6223 x132 or [email protected].