Bishop Feehan High School has announced that Dennis and Michelle Kelly 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 7, 2026 at the Rhode Island Convention Center.
From Michelle Kelly’s early days as a Feehan graduate to their years as St. John the Evangelist School and Bishop Feehan parents and grandparents, and through decades of public and private leadership, they continue to make a difference for thousands of Catholic school students and dozens of schools each year, according to the announcement.
In addition to Dennis’s longtime leadership role with the Diocesan Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE), Dennis and Michelle most recently served as co-chairs of Bishop Feehan’s Daring to Believe capital campaign. As CEO of Bristol County Savings Bank and then the chair of the bank’s charitable foundation, Dennis facilitated millions of dollars of charitable impact across Southeastern Massachusetts, including life-giving support to the Diocese of Fall River and Diocesan schools and families.
The Kellys will be the 11th recipients of the award. Previous recipients include former Feehan President Chris Servant, Fall River Bishop Edgar da Cunha and last year’s honorees, Jan and Bill Walsh.
“The Sister Pat award was created for faithful servants like Dennis and Michelle,” said Feehan President Tim Sullivan in a statement. “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. We often talk of the ‘Feehan Family’; Dennis and Michelle are what we are talking about.”
The Patricia M. Harrington 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 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 Setting Our Hearts Gala is an evening dedicated to honoring the spirit of Feehan— the strength of our community, the essential role played by Catholic schools in preparing future leaders of faith and mercy, and the bold vision we hold for the future,” said Jessica Symonds, Feehan vice president of advancement. “This award and Dennis and Michelle Kelly’s example fits perfectly into an evening that is all about impact. ”
For more information, to purchase tickets or tables, or for information on honoring the honorees, visit BishopFeehan.com/gala or contact Jennifer L. Smith, director of special events and volunteer management at 508-226-6223, ext. 132 or jennifer.smith@bishopfeehan.com.