The so-called "Bras for a Cause," a public event, will kickoff at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at Pink Petals, 460 Granby Road, South Hadley. South Hadley Town Administrator Mike Sullivan and Northampton Mayor Dave Narkiewicz will deliver opening remarks.

NORTHAMPTON — October is breast cancer and domestic violence awareness month. And the town of South Hadley has thrown down the gauntlet, challenging the city of Northampton to a bra drive. Yes, that's bra, as in brassiere.

"With bras being the most requested textile in shelters and transitional programs, we are asking community members to help support this initiative by donating new or gently used bras during the month of October to help with the fight against Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence," Merridith O'Leary, Northampton's director of public health, said in a news release Friday.

The so-called "Bras for a Cause," a public event, will kickoff at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at The Pink Petal, 460 Granby Road, South Hadley. South Hadley Town Administrator Mike Sullivan and Northampton Mayor Dave Narkiewicz will deliver opening remarks to help launch the drive.

Donated bras will be distributed to local women and families in need through Safe Passage, Cancer House of Hope, and local shelters and transitional programs, according to O'Leary. No donated bras will go to waste; bras that aren't in good enough shape will be recycled.

Here's the list of drop-off locations for the bra drive:

• South Hadley Town Hall, 116 Main St.
• Northampton City Hall, 210 Main St.
• Cooley Dickinson Hospital, 30 Locust St., Northampton
• The Package Store, 12 College Highway, Southampton
• Pink Petal, 460 Granby Road, South Hadley
• Gazebo, 14 Center St., Northampton
• Cathy Cross, 151 Main St., Northampton
• Johnny's Bar & Grill, 23 College St., South Hadley
• The Smithsonian, 1 Roundhouse Plaza, Northampton
• Faces, 175 Main St., Northampton
• To Dye For, 66 Northampton St., Easthampton
• Walmart, 180 North King St., Northampton
• Tailgate Picnic, 7 College St., South Hadley

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 113 points for the day, but closed down for the week just below 16,315.

By STEVE ROTHWELL

NEW YORK -- A late slump in health care stocks pushed the market to its third weekly loss this month.

Stocks had traded solidly higher for most of the day, as banks, insurance companies and brokerage firms climbed after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said that the policymakers would likely raise interest rates this year. The market gave up its most of its gains in the afternoon as a sell-off in drugmakers led the health care sector lower.

The stock market has been volatile for the past six weeks on worries about the impact of slowing growth in China and other emerging markets, as well as uncertainty about the outlook for interest rates. The late sell-off on Friday pushed stocks to their third losing week in the last four.

"This is a dangerous market that is still looking for direction," said Jerry Braakman, Chief Investment Officer at First American Trust an investment management firm. "Although the U.S. is continuing to improve, outside the U.S., it's just scary."

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 0.9 points, or less than 0.1 percent, to 1,931.34. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 113.35 points, or 0.7 percent, to 16,314.67. The Nasdaq composite fell 47.98 points, or 1 percent, to 4,686.50.

The S&P 500 closed down 1.4 percent for the week, the Dow was 0.4 percent lower.

Shares of drugmakers began their slide on Monday when Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton pledged to stop "price gouging" in the industry. The health care sector, a longtime favorite of investors, ended the week with its worst weekly performance in more than four years.

Biotechnology shares in the S&P 500 dropped plunged during the week, pushing the overall health care index down 5.8 percent, its worst week since August 2011. Vertex Pharmaceuticals, which focuses on developing drugs for cystic fibrosis and viral infections, was the biggest decliner in the index on Friday, dropping $7.83, or 7 percent, to $103.20.

The market had started the day with solid gains as investors were encouraged by a report that showed U.S. economic growth was faster in the spring than previously estimated.

The U.S. economy expanded at an annual rate of 3.9 percent in the April-June quarter, up from a previous estimate of 3.7 percent, the Commerce Department reported Friday. The strength came from gains in consumer spending, business investment and residential construction.

Financial companies got a boost after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said that the central bank was still likely to raise interest rates this year. She suggested global economic weakness won't be significant enough to alter the central bank's plan to raise its key short-term rate from zero by December. Record low interest rates since the 2008 global financial crisis have been a boon for stocks, underpinning a bull market that has run for six and a half years.

The combination of higher rates and a growing economy is good for financial companies. That's because they can earn more from making loans. Citigroup rose $1.42, or 2.9 percent, to $50.55 and Bank of America climbed 34 cents, or 2.2 percent, to $15.89.

"The financials are a wonderful place to be over the next several quarters if a rate rises materializes," said Jim Russell, a portfolio manager at Bahl & Gaynor Investment Counsel.

Nike was biggest gainer in the S&P 500 on Friday. The stock soared after the company's earnings surpassed analyst expectations. Nike climbed $10.21, or 8.9 percent, to $125.

Volkswagen shares fell again. The company named Matthias Mueller, the head of the group's Porsche unit, to be the new CEO. His predecessor Martin Winterkorn quit the job this week over the emissions scandal, which has tarnished the company's reputation. VW shares ended down 2.8 percent on Friday and dropped almost 30 percent for the week.

U.S. government bond prices fell. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.16 percent from 2.13 percent late Thursday.

The euro rose to $1.1194 while the dollar edged up to 120.60 yen.

In metals trading, gold closed $8.20 lower at $1,145.60 an ounce. Silver edged lower, dropping 1.9 cents to $15.11 and copper fell 1.9 cents to $2.28 per pound.

The price of oil rose Friday as the number of rigs drilling for oil in the U.S. fell for the fourth straight week, according to a closely watched industry count. U.S. crude rose 79 cents to close at $45.70 a barrel in New York, ending a choppy week of trading up 2.3 percent. Brent Crude, a benchmark for international oils used by many U.S. refineries, rose 43 cents to close at $48.60 a barrel in London.

In other futures trading on the NYMEX:

1. Wholesale gasoline rose 3.1 cents to close at $1.396 a gallon.
2. Heating oil fell 0.1 cent to close at $1.523 a gallon.
3. Natural gas fell 2.7 cents to close at $2.564 per 1,000 cubic feet.

The bride wore a sleeveless dress with the groom wearing a dress shirt and tie. At the conclusion of the "formal" ceremony The Romani's were given burlap bags to travel down the slide. The wedding party including Ronald McDonald followed.

WEST SPRINGFIELD - Mary Anne Purdy and John Romani were wed Friday afternoon on top of the McDonald's Giant Slide at the Eastern States Exposition.

Purday, 57, a life-long Westfield resident entered and won a Big E Facebook contest to wed her partner Romani, 61.

The bride wore a sleeveless gown with the groom wearing a dress shirt, dress pants and a tie. At the conclusion of the "formal" ceremony the Romanis were given burlap bags to travel down the slide. The wedding party, including Ronald McDonald, followed.

"We thrilled for Mary Anne and John to be married at the McDonald's giant slide. It's great that they are willing to share this occasion with all of us and we want to give them a memorable and fun experience," said Scott Taylor, of McDonald's, said in a prepared statement.

The couple, who both work for Westfield public schools, were surrounded by their closest family members and friends.

After the slide the Romani's had their first dance, cut the wedding cake, (shaped like the slide) and heard a toast from the maid of honor.

From the venue the couple was shuttled off to the Big E trolley where they were featured in the daily parade around the exposition.

Nearly 20 couples applied for the Big E "McNuptials" contest. Eastern States Exposition and McDonald's officials selected five finalists to advance to the public voting round.

Finalists were picked based on their response to the application question, "Why are you the perfect pair to be married at the giant slide?"

Keep up with all of Masslive's coverage of New England's Great State Fair at masslive.com/the-big-e

Town officials say Helen Robillard's home was cluttered with trash, had no running water and reeked of rotting food, fecal matter, ammonia from urine and raw sewage.

WEBSTER -- A Webster man whose 96-year-old mother was found living in squalor has turned himself in and faces a felony neglect charge that is being questioned by his lawyer.

NECN reports that 68-year-old Michael Robillard surrendered Friday at Dudley District Court. His lawyer, Mike Erlich, entered a not guilty plea and Robillard was released on his own recognizance. Robillard didn't comment.

Webster officials say Helen Robillard's home was cluttered with trash, had no running water and reeked of rotting food, fecal matter, ammonia from urine and raw sewage. Authorities say Michael Robillard's house across the street was nearly as bad. Both houses were condemned.

Helen Robillard is now at a nursing home.

Erlich is questioning the charge. He says Michael Robillard was only charged because he is Helen Robillard's son.

Luis Colon, 28, of 221 Bay St., Springfield, was charged with heroin and cocaine possession with intent to distribute, violation of a drug-free school zone, and operating a vehicle with a revoked license.

SPRINGFIELD — An alleged city heroin dealer was caught peddling drugs from his motor scooter, according to Springfield police.

Officers patrolling the area of School and Union streets, a crime hotspot, saw a "known drug dealer" riding his motor scooter and making drug sales, police said. The officers caught up to him near 282 Union St. and took him into custody.

"Good arrest by the officers getting this scooter-driving, unlicensed, drug-dealing suspect off the streets," said Springfield police spokesman John Delaney, who didn't indicate the day or time of the alleged incident.

Luis Colon, 28, of 221 Bay St., was charged with heroin and cocaine possession with intent to distribute, violation of a drug-free school zone, and operating a vehicle with a revoked license. Arraignment information wasn't immediately available.

A gunshot victim was in critical condition at the hospital Friday night after being shot multiple times on Maple Street, according to Holyoke police, who are asking witnesses to call them at 413- 536-6431.

HOLYOKE — A gunshot victim was in critical condition at the hospital Friday night after being shot multiple times on Maple Street, according to Holyoke police, who are asking witnesses to call them at 413-536-6431.

"No arrests, no witnesses," said Lt. Isaias Cruz, asking anyone with information to come forward and help police find the person responsible for the shooting.

Cruz said the victim was hit three times and remains in critical condition at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

Gunfire rang out shortly after 8 p.m. in the 400 block of Maple Street. The victim was shot near the corner of Maple and Sargeant streets, but he apparently made it to the corner of Maple and Franklin streets before collapsing there.

This developing story will be updated when more details are known.

Derrick Yarrell, 36, pleaded not guilty in Central Berkshire District Court to one count of photographing an unsuspecting nude person.

PITTSFIELD -- A Pittsfield man pleaded not guilty Friday to allegations he secretly video recording women using the bathroom.

The Berkshire Eagle reported that 36-year-old Derrick Yarrell, of Pittsfield, pleaded not guilty Friday in Central Berkshire District Court to one count of photographing an unsuspecting nude person.

Police said Yarrell is accused of hiding a cell phone in a Pittsfield couple's bathroom and setting it to record. Authorities say women were recorded using the bathroom on several occasions. Police say Yarrell also allegedly recorded at least one other woman in the same manner at another location.

The couple told police in July that they found Yarrell's cell phone inside a wicker cabinet in their bathroom. Court records say a video from July shows Yarrell setting up the phone inside the cabinet.

Sweeping through the landmarks of America's biggest city, Pope Francis on Friday offered comfort to 9/11 victims' families at ground zero, warnings to world leaders at the United Nations and encouragement to schoolchildren in Harlem as he mixed the high and low ministry so characteristic of his papacy.

NEW YORK -- Sweeping through the landmarks of America's biggest city, Pope Francis on Friday offered comfort to 9/11 victims' families at ground zero, warnings to world leaders at the United Nations and encouragement to schoolchildren in Harlem as he mixed the high and low ministry so characteristic of his papacy.

In the early evening, he led a jubilant parade through Central Park past a crowd of about 80,000 and celebrated Mass at Madison Square Garden, usually the site of basketball games and rock concerts but this time the scene of a solemn service celebrating New York in all its diversity.

"Living in a big city is not always easy," Francis told 18,000 people at the Garden, easily one of the most respectful crowds the arena has ever seen. "Yet big cities are a reminder of the hidden riches present in our world in the diversity of its cultures, traditions and historical experiences."

Francis' itinerary for his only full day in New York was packed with contrasts befitting a head of state dubbed the "slum pope" for his devotion to the poor. He moved from the corridors of power to the grit of the projects with lush Central Park in between.

He drew huge, adoring crowds while also managing to connect one-on-one with countless New Yorkers, despite extraordinarily tight security that closed off many streets and kept most spectators behind police barricades.

"As he passed by, you passed a cool, refreshing peace, as if he were spreading a huge blanket of peace through the crowd," Ruth Smart of Brooklyn said of the procession in Central Park. "Even though the crowd exploded in a roar, it was pure joy."

On Saturday morning, he flies to Philadelphia for a big Vatican-sponsored rally for Catholic families. As many as 1 million people are expected for the closing Mass on Sunday, the last day of Francis' six-day, three-city visit to the U.S.

In his speech at the U.N., the pope decried the destruction of the environment through a "selfish and boundless thirst for power and material prosperity."

The environment itself has rights, and mankind has no authority to abuse them, said Francis, who hopes to spur concrete commitments at the upcoming climate-change negotiations in Paris.

He demanded immediate access for the world's poor to adequate food, water and housing, saying they have the right to lodging, labor and land.

Francis' speech, delivered in his native Spanish, received repeated rounds of applause from an audience that included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousefzai, the young Pakistani activist shot and gravely wounded by the Taliban.

The ovations contrasted sharply with the moment of silent prayer during the pope's visit later in the day to ground zero for an interfaith tribute to the Sept. 11 victims.

After praying before the waterfall pools that mark the spot where the twin towers once stood, Francis met with relatives of the 3,000 victims whose names are inscribed on the water's edge.

Among those on hand was Monica Iken-Murphy, whose husband, bond trader Michael Patrick Iken, died in one of the towers.

"This is where loved ones lost their lives ... and this is the way we are going to honor them by having someone who is holy, closest to God, Pope Francis, come here and bless this site," Iken-Murphy said. "I couldn't be prouder to share this memorial and museum with him."

Francis' afternoon schedule reflected the penchant of the "people's pope" for engaging with the public, starting with a visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School, set amid public housing in the heavily Hispanic neighborhood of East Harlem.

After the morning's deadly serious activities, the 78-year-old pope clearly perked up when he got to the Catholic school. He joked around with the children, chatted happily with them in Spanish, shook hands and posed for a few selfies. A security guard intervened when one girl gave him a big hug.

The pope -- who says he hasn't watched TV in decades and doesn't know how to work a computer -- even got a lesson in how to use a touchscreen from fourth-grader Kayla Osborne, 8.

The crowd in the gym included about 150 immigrants and refugees, some of them in the U.S. illegally.

In his remarks, Francis recalled the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, saying: "His dream was that many children like you could get an education. It is beautiful to have dreams and to be able to fight for them."

About a half-hour before the popemobile passed through Central Park, a rainbow suddenly appeared above the crowd, which erupted in joyous "Oooohs!" and "Ahhhhhs!"

Francis smiled as he rode slowly in his open-sided Jeep past a cheering, shrieking crowd and a sea of arms holding cellphones aloft. For those lucky enough to score a ticket, there was a catch: No backpacks, no chairs and no selfie sticks.

Denise Villasenor, a 27-year-old Columbia University graduate student from the Philippines and a Catholic, practiced capturing a selfie with the pope ahead of the procession.

"The pope's positions always revolve around compassion and love -- you know, being a person for others," she said. "Immigration, the environment, it all comes to being compassionate, for others."

During the visit to the United Nations, the Vatican flag was raised there for the first time. The General Assembly recently agreed to allow the U.N.'s two observer states, the Holy See and Palestine, to fly their flags alongside those of the 193 member states.

Although his U.N. remarks on the environment and the economy carried a message many liberals welcomed, Francis also affirmed church doctrine on abortion and sexuality.

Among other things, he called for the "absolute respect for life in all its stages," including the unborn.

President Barack Obama's lavish state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping was supposed to be the social release after a long day of business. The head table told a different tale — bulging with the top brass from Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Disney, DreamWorks and more.

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's lavish state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping was supposed to be the social release after a long day of business. The head table told a different tale -- bulging with the top brass from Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Disney, DreamWorks and more.

The 200-plus guest list for the Friday's soiree was a business-heavy mashup of Hollywood, diplomacy and corporate chieftains, with ballerina Misty Copeland's presence offering it a bit of a lilt.

DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, part of the East Room's high-octane head table, was asked as he arrived whether the evening was all about business or pleasure.

"Fun," he declared, but he added: "I hope."

For more than a few guests, the dinner was a chance to build up some serious chits with Mom or other family members who arrived as dates. "Empire" creator Lee Daniels and R&B singer Ne-Yo, who was performing later in the night, both brought their mothers.

Clara Daniels, glowing in a coral gown, declared her date "my No. 1 son" -- but didn't specify if that was because he's the oldest of her two sons or because he came up with the dinner invitation.

"I am the most proud mom," enthused Harriett Loraine Burts, mom to Ne-Yo. Then Burts looked for a way to escape the cameras, confessing, "I'm not good at this red carpet thing."

As for how he scored the invitation to perform at such a high-powered event, Ne-Yo theorized it's because he's got some "Chinese in my heritage somewhere."

First through the guest entry hall for dinner were former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and her dad. Faced with the fashion-forward question "What are you wearing?" Chao seemed momentarily stumped.

"Oh my gosh," she stammered. "It's something very inexpensive."

Copeland, who breezed through in a strapless metallic gown, had a similar response to the same query.

"I have no idea," she confessed.

There was no question about first lady Michelle Obama's fashion statement.

She wore a black, off-the-shoulder mermaid gown created by Chinese-American designer Vera Wang.

Xi's wife, Peng Liyuan, also a fashion-savvy first lady, selected an embellished silk gown in rich aquamarine.

The "wow" factor was lower-key among seasoned state dinner attendees but still there nonetheless.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said she'd been to "many" state dinners, but added, "They're always fabulous."

Chris Dodd, the former senator and current chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America, was asked if it ever gets old.

"Never," he said.

Ninety-two-year-old Henry Kissinger, the shrewd diplomat who served under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, hustled through without stopping to comment, moving pretty quickly even with a cane.

The decor in the big East Room included a 16-foot silk scroll depicting two roses that the White House said was meant to symbolize "a complete meeting of the minds."

That may have been somewhat aspirational, given the sharp differences between the U.S. and China on a range of issues.

But all of that was largely glossed over in the dinner toasts. Obama said that while some differences were inevitable, he wished that the American and Chinese people may "work together like fingers on the same hand in friendship and in peace." Xi, for his part, called the state visit an "unforgettable journey" and praised the good will he felt from West Coast to East.

Asian influences were everywhere in the dinner plan, down to the Meyer lemons in the kurd lychee sorbet. (The citrus fruit is thought to have originated in China.)

Guest chef Anita Lo, owner of Annisa in New York and a past "Top Chef" competitor, is a first-generation Chinese-American from Birmingham, Michigan. The culinary team created a menu that highlighted "American cuisine with nuances of Chinese flavor," according to the White House. Guests dined on wild mushroom soup, poached Maine lobster, grilled cannon of Colorado lamb and poppyseed bread and butter pudding.

The dinner marked the midpoint of a daunting trifecta for the White House social team. Earlier in the week, they played host to Pope Francis. Next, they pivot to events the Obamas will host next week in New York, where the president will be attending the U.N. General Assembly.

Madison Square Garden, home to the Knicks and New York Rangers, which has played host to everyone from The Rolling Stones to Billy Joel, became a cathedral on Friday, as 19,000 parishioners filled the arena to hear Pope Francis celebrate Mass.

NEW YORK--The answer to Catherine McDonald's prayers came in a FedEx envelope delivered to her home in Bayonne last Saturday--two tickets from the Archdiocese of Newark to the papal Mass at Madison Square Garden.

"It was the best day of my life," declared the 68-year-old retired Jersey City school teacher, as she awaited the arrival of Pope Francis inside the arena on Friday evening.

Sitting to the left of the altar with her husband Jack--where she could see white bunting soaring high, framing a large crucifix far below the blue championship banners of the New York Knicks --she said any place the pope went was holy.

"They made it look like a church," she said.

Indeed, as the lights went down and the cross took on dominance, the arena became at once intimate, and the atmosphere deeply spiritual. Even before the arrival of the pope, prayers were being offered and confessional stations set up throughout the building for those seeking the sacrament of Penance.

A choir and organ filled the air with music and about 200 deacons and 150 volunteers were waiting to assist in giving Holy Communion.

Madison Square Garden, home to both the Knicks and the Rangers, which has played host to everyone from The Rolling Stones to Billy Joel, became a cathedral on Friday night, as about 20,000 faithful filled the celebrated arena to hear Pope Francis celebrate Mass.

The liturgy capped a busy day that took the 78-year-old pontiff from an address at the United Nations, to a multi-religious service at the 9/11 Memorial, to a visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem, to a motorcade procession through Central Park where he greeted an enormous crowd of onlookers on his way to the Garden.

The pope arrived at the Garden shortly before 6 p.m., entering the arena to applause on a white golf cart, circling the floor slowly and waving to people as he often stopped. After one turn around, he took an unexpected second go-around, to the great delight of those in the crowd.

Moments later, with the flourish of trumpets, a resonant organ, and a full orchestra that suddenly transformed the hall, a dramatic procession of cardinals and bishops entered to the harmonies of Hallelujah by a white-robed choir, leading the way for the pope in green vestments.

"Peace be with you," he began.

Pope Francis sat on simple oak chair built by day laborers working for a charity. The crowd was a respectful and quiet throughout most of the Mass, rapt in attention and quick to applaud any smile on the pontiff's face.

In his homily, the pope took note of his unique setting.

"We are in Madison Square Garden, a place synonymous with this city," he said, in an English translation of his native Spanish provided by the Vatican. "This is the site of important athletic, artistic and musical events attracting people not only from this city, but from the whole world."

But he said living in a big city is not always easy.

"Big cities are a reminder of the hidden riches present in our world: in the diversity of its cultures, traditions and historical experiences," he said. Yet he said big cities also conceal the faces of all those people who don't appear to belong. The pope said these are "the foreigners, the children who go without schooling, those deprived of medical insurance, the homeless, the forgotten elderly."

God, he said, "frees us from anonymity, from a life of emptiness and selfishness," adding that "God is living in our cities," and so is the church.

Some of those he spoke about were not hard to find, even right outside the Garden, where many homeless sought help from those heading for Mass.

"I've been down on my luck a long time, I don't have a lot hope. If a miracle was every going to come, it might be today," said Thaddeus Wilson, 47, who lives in a Brooklyn shelter.

A man who only gave his name as Danny, 36, Jersey City, said he has been homeless since Hurricane Sandy. He thought the pope's visit was making many more generous.

"Maybe they're giving more than they normally would," he suggested.

Inside, before and after Mass, many who came for the pope said they felt lucky to be there. More than any rock show, the papal event was a hot ticket with only limited distribution, mostly through the Archdiocese of New York. About 100 tickets were shared with the Archdiocese of Newark, which distributed them based on the luck of a draw.

Marguerite McMahon (l) of River Edge with Catherine and McDonald of Bayonne, at Madison Square Garden for the papal Mass. (Photo courtesy of Catherine McDonald)

"I was persistent," said Marguerite McMahon, 67, of River Edge. "I first wrote to Cardinal Dolan in New York and was told to get in touch with the diocese in Newark."

She got the tickets and came with her daughter, Lena.

It was not her first papal visit. Some 20 years ago, McMahon--an estate paralegal and congregant of Holy Trinity Church in Hackensack--was part of a crowd of nearly 83,000 who jammed Giants Stadium to see Pope John Paul II in a driving, freezing rain.

"I'm not lucky with the lottery, but with pope tickets I get lucky," she laughed.

Saddle River Mayor Sam Raia had also attended that 1995 service at Giants Stadium, and with his wife, Tina, was at the Garden marking his second papal Mass.

Saddle River Mayor Sam Raia and his wife Tina, who were at the papal Mass after receiving tickets from the Newark Archdiocese. (Photo courtesy of Sam Raia)

"That was the experience of a lifetime. It was a rainy, rainy day and we were soaked, but we had goose bumps when we were done," he said.

A lector at St. Gabriel the Archangel Roman Catholic church in Saddle River, Raia, 67, said he was thrilled to be part of the Mass at Madison Square Garden.

"We're absolutely thrilled," he said. "This pope is the real people's pope. Hopefully he'll see what America is all about. He's going to see the compassion of our people."

Security for the pope was very tight, with long lines of people outside the Garden waiting to get in.

"It was a nightmare. It was two hours from start to finish," said Dennis Hoppin, 66, of Weehawken. "It looked like a million people out there."

He, too, received tickets through the Archdiocese of Newark. And once inside with his wife Marianne Colaneri, was only too excited to be there.

So too, was the pope, as New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan introduced him anew at the end of the Mass to a crowd that for the first time Friday, roared like sports fans at a championship game.

The pope beamed.

Concluding the service with the customary "go in peace and serve the Lord" he added, "And please, I ask you, don't forget to pray for me."

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Holyoke and State Police continued to investigate into early Saturday morning near the corner of Sargeant and Maple streets, the scene of a shooting that critically wounded a 17-year-old boy.

Updates story published at 9:25 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25.

"No arrests, no witnesses," said Lt. Isaias Cruz, asking anyone with information to help police find the person responsible for critically wounding the 17-year-old boy.

As of 11: 55 p.m., the teen was still in critical condition at the Springfield hospital, according to Lt. Larry Cournoyer, who had no additional updates.

The boy was shot three times near the corner of Maple and Sargeant streets shortly after 8 p.m. The crime scene is just across from the Police Department's Churchill Neighborhood Resource Center.

Massachusetts State Police investigators joined Holyoke police at the scene, taking photographs and placing numerous markers on the ground where shell casings and other evidence was found.

At one point, some of the officers guarding the crime scene got in their cruisers to pursue a vehicle whose occupants were reportedly armed with guns. The vehicle was stopped around 11:30 p.m. near Sargeant and Worcester streets, and officers, with guns drawn, ordered three young men from the vehicle and handcuffed them. After about five minutes, police uncuffed the men and let them go.

This developing story will be updated when more details are known.

A court summons will be issued to the son of a 96-year-old woman who was rescued from her home after town officials discovered she was living in severe squalor, according to Webster police.

A digest of news stories from around New England.

Prosecutor says heroin junkie slashed throat of hard-working grandmother in opening of Boston murder trial [Boston Herald]

Britteney Miles 

Students up in arms over ban on wearing hoodies at Worcester high schools [Telegram & Gazette]

Eleanor Cruz 

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh reacts to news reports indicating parking meters could go as high as $7 per hour [Boston.com] Video below

Richard Neal, John Boehner 

Officials with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration report that 2,411 tons of drugs have been collected nationwide over the past nine years.

SPRINGFIELD - At just a few minutes after 10 a.m., a continual stream of cars was flowing in and out of the parking lot at Springfield Central High School, with drivers dropping off a growing pile of prescription drugs.

It wasn't an impromptu pharmaceutical drop, it was one of several sites across the region where federal and local law enforcement partnered for 10th annual "Drug Take-Back Day," a targeted effort to get unused prescription drugs out of medicine cabinets and off the streets.

"Got drugs?" a sign just beyond the school's driveway read. Based on the number of cars lining up at the Springfield Police Department's mobile command center, the answer was yes.

Kathleen Brown, community liaison for the department estimated at least 200 cars had been through their drive-through process in just one hour on Saturday morning.

"It's been very consistent. We're getting out of their houses items that could put them, or their families or the public at risk," Brown said.

The nationwide initiative is led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which in Springfield partnered with city police and the Hampden County District Attorney's office.

In fact, Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni was on hand at Central with DEA agents Scott Smith and Joseph Benson to pitch in at the site.

"I recognize the importance of this, especially in light of the the opiate crisis," Gulluni said, noting the vast numbers of heroin users prosecuted every year by his office. "We're taking these drugs out of people's medicine cabinets and off their shelves where they can be accessed by people who intend to misuse them."

Gulluni also pointed out that delivering unused prescription drugs to the drop-off sites is the most environmentally-conscious option.

"This is the most responsible way to dispose of them," he said. "It avoids the possibility of these drugs getting into our landfills and our water systems."

There also were drop-off sites located in West Springfield, Longmeadow, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Holyoke, Hampden and Southampton.

DEA officials report that 2,411 tons of drugs have been collected nationwide over the past nine years.

Massachusetts State Police reported that two minor crashes on the Turnpike westbound around Palmer backed traffic up for six miles.

PALMER - Massachusetts State Police are reporting a six-mile backup of traffic on I-90 westbound after two minor crashes around Palmer.

Traffic was already heavy on the Massachusetts Turnpike due to the the Big E, state police posted on Twitter around 1 p.m. The minor accidents clogged the highway even further.

Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes.

An overflow crowd listened in the parish hall at Grace Episcopal Church.

AMHERST - John P. Musante was remembered as "a municipal rock star" and called  "bishop of Amherst" as friends, colleagues and religious leaders came together to honor the late town manager at a memorial service Saturday morning at Grace Episcopal Church.

Musante died unexpectedly Sept. 20 at the age of 53. The cause of his death has not been publically identified.

More than 500 attended the service, packing the sanctuary and then spilling over to an overflow crowd in the parish hall.  

State Senate President Stan Rosenberg, Rep. Ellen Story, D-Amherst; Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz and former mayor Mary Care Higgins were among the area politicians and municipal leaders who attended.

Many from the town's Fire Department were in dress uniform. University of Massachusetts and Amherst College officials, who Musante worked with, also were among the crowd of residents, board and committee members, and staff.

Musante's son Matthew, 23, and daughter Rachel, 19 spoke along with Musante's father David Musante, the former Northampton mayor and two brothers Thomas and David Musante. All talked about John Musante's love for town and family, his mild-manner and smile.

The Right Reverend A. Robert Hirschfeld, who left Grace Church in 2012 to become the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, returned to speak at the service.

He praised Musante's tenderness, humility and steadiness.

While clergy would be anguishing about how to solve world ills, Musante would be doing the work they aspired to. "He was doing God's work. John was really the bishop of Amherst, the shepherd."

He helped bring about more affordable housing, sought "the just distribution of resources," and strove to make the town more ecological.  Amherst became a Green Community in 2012 and Musante was leading an effort to bring a solar array to town.

He loved his community and focused on creative solutions and not creative conflicts, Hirschfeld said.

 "He was effective in his words, as few as those words might be."  

Former Select Board chairwoman Stephanie J. O'Keeffe talked about Musante's rock star status and at municipal gatherings how "other officials sought him out. Everybody wanted to talk to him."

She praised his strengths: sincerity, optimism and balance.

"He radiated sincerity," she said. "He meant what he said.

"He was sincere in his optimism.
 "He made other people want to do better."

She said after hours of town meeting discussion, he'd always accentuate the positve. Rather than focus on how long the meeting spent debating the budget he'd stress that voters passed the budget in the end.   

He displayed "balance in all he did." He didn't get overexcited or raise his voice. And he balanced work with his love of family.

His daughter said that her father would often watch town meetings when he came home much as an athlete would watch to improve his performance.

She said he showed her so much. "He showed me how to listen.

"He knew the power of compromise."

She talked about visiting him when he was at the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at the Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge this summer and how happy he was learning.  

Matthew Musante said he was able to understand through his grief this past week how special his father was to so many. "He touched so many lives," he said. "He was so well loved." 

But no matter how much he loved the community and his work, "his family always came first." That meant sports - particularly love of the Red Sox.  He coached both his children's sports teams.

He said his father taught him so much.

Musante's father David Musante Jr. said his son  "lived 100 years in his short 53 years" and called the turnout a great tribute.

David Musante, John's brother said, "He didn't just seize the day. He seized his whole life."

He was able to inspire all different people "to work toward a common cause" to benefit the town.

The service was not without levity.

His brother Thomas Musante proposed that John Musante be honored in a couple of different ways much as his father was honored by such things as the naming of Musante Beach in his honor in Northampton

He suggested the route from Town Hall to where is brother lived on Blackberry Lane be called the Musante Kilometer.

Or that UMass be renamed to mark the relationship between the town and intuition as UMusante.

The family is asking that anyone who wishes to donate in Musante's memory to give to the health center he was working on to bring to town.  

"John was proudly spearheading the effort to bring a community health center to Amherst to make medical and dental care available to all," according to his obituary.

"To help carry John's work forward, donations to this project can be made in his memory. Checks payable to the HCHC/PVHC Capital Campaign can be sent to PVHC, PO Box 2514, Amherst MA 01004. "

The Hilltown Community Health Center, which will be operating the Pioneer Valley Health Center here, announced Sept. 18 that the federal Health Resources and Services Administration awarded $1 million to develop the project estimated to cost $1.5 to $2 million to open. 

Audrey's Day began three years ago.

AMHERST - Three years ago, Matt Haskins was looking a female with long hair willing to have the name "Matt's Barber Shop" cut into her hair to promote the barbershop on its fifth anniversary.

The reward was 52 haircuts or the financial equivalent.

 Then 8-year-old Audrey Davis-Brand, who was waiting for her brother Cole who was getting his haircut, overheard the offer and volunteered.

At first Haskins said he was hesitant to have her cut into her lovely long hair but she convinced him. She wanted to donate the money to the Dakin animal shelter.

They decided to make Audrey's Day a tradition.

"Audrey's the coolest kid," ever he said.

On Saturday, Davis-Brand, who's now 11, and Haskins baked cupcakes they were selling and the Haskins was donating 10 percent of the day's gross sales to this year's cause - raising money and awareness about bats and white-nose syndrome.

 The disease has killed millions of bats since it was first discovered in New York in 2006, according to a press release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Hadley.

Haskins says he has customers who work at the service and they brought in information about the fungal disease that affects hibernating bats.

 Davis-Brand loves animals.

She has two cats, a dog, bearded dragon, guinea pig and a frog. The sixth grader at Wildwood Elementary School would like to do something with animals when she gets older.

They raised about $250 last year for the turtle cause last year. Davis-Brand said she as hoping the day would raise even more.   

If given the chance would you have a question ready to ask the head of the Roman Catholic Church? Watch video

PHILADELPHIA -- Many are hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis or even get within blocks to watch the papal visit through jumbotron intermediaries, but the idea of speaking to the pontiff is almost inconceivable.  

If given the chance, however, would they have a question ready to ask the head of the Roman Catholic Church? And, like John Boehner, would they be left with a simple request, "Pray for me," or could they stump him?

A group of old friends and Villanova University graduates chose to stay in Philadelphia and gather together for an impromptu "Pope Party" that spilled into one of the city's residential streets left vacant by security blockades.  

From world changing measures to personal requests, each had an answer. 

One change to make

For Lisa Courey, curiosity points toward changing the world, and the New Jersey woman would leave just how to do it up to the pope.

If the pope could make the world a better place, or if he could say one thing people could do to change the world to make it a better place, what would it be?

With poverty, violence and a multitude of social and political inequalities, Francis would have a number of issues to choose from and potentially tackle. 

"That is the toughest part," she said. "That would be hard for him."  

Canonization and a modern day miracle

Maureen Heckler's question turned a bit more personal.

Heckler, of Glenmoore, Pa., recalled a time when her father was very ill and said she prayed to Cardinal Terence Cooke, who served for Archbishop of New York. Her family had known Cooke personally while he was alive, but nobody could explain how her father's health made a turn for the better.   

"Doctors still can't figure out how it happened so my father is actually one of the examples of a miracle if that's what you want to call it," she said.

Part of the recovery could be linked to Cooke and the actions he led during his life on Earth, she said, adding that Cooke acted "the way our lord would want people to be"

The cardinal's paperwork has moved through some of the first steps to becoming a saint, and Heckler would ask that the pope help take it to the next level toward canonization.

"He was the most kind, caring, ministering person I ever met. I really believe he walked in our lord's steps," she said.

A divided world

Tom Courey, of Philadelphia, would take the statement route, calling the pope's attention to the divisions of the world and asking that he do all he could to bring healing to society. 

If he had to ask a question, he would ask what the human kind can do to heal those same divisions. Divisions, he said, of every sort. 

The American experience

The youngest of the group, 23-year-old Nick Gomberg, of Philadelphia, said he would be curious to hear the pope's thoughts on America. 

He would ask Francis, he said, what the pope thought of the country and whether he felt he was getting the full experience of what it is like to be in an American city.

"He's all about being with the people, but this place is, there's fencing everywhere [and] a lot of places are roped off," Gomberg said. 

MORE POPE IN PHILLY:

• 'Rocky' theme, city dignitaries greet Pope Francis as he arrives in Philly
• Pope Francis stops car to bless disabled child
• Seeing Pope Francis outside Cathedral Basilica a 'chance of a lifetime' for some

If you had the chance to ask one question, or say one thing to Pope Francis, what would it be? Tell us in the comments.

Green Party candidate Jill Stein stopped in Holyoke Saturday to promote her 2016 presidential bid, saying the city's struggles represent those experienced by many Americans and that its successes should be replicated.

HOLYOKE ‒ Green Party candidate Jill Stein stopped in Holyoke Saturday to promote her 2016 presidential bid, saying the city's struggles represent those experienced by many Americans and that its successes should be replicated.

Meeting with voters at the 23rd annual Nuestras Raices Harvest festival, Stein praised Holyoke's successes in spurring economic development, saying she'd like to reproduce them across the country.

"I feel like I've been on the frontlines of the community and that Holyoke very much is America, but also that the inspiration and the vision of the local small businesses here, of the organizations, the social services organizations and the community development organizations - this is the kind of inspiration we need to share across the country," she said in an interview.

Painting herself as a candidate who represents a different vision than those being peddled by the Republican and Democratic Parties' presidential candidates, Stein said if sent to the White House she'd like to implement policies that comprehensively address issues like climate change, education, poverty and job creation.

For example, Stein said if elected president she'd like to institute a "Medicare for all" health care system, make public higher education free for all Americans and establish an "emergency Green New Deal" to create jobs and address climate-related issues.

"We can put everyone to work and the really cool thing is that we not only fix the economy, we turn the tide on climate change and we make wars for oil obsolete and then we have a guaranteed energy supply," she said. "By making wars for oil obsolete and by doing these things that benefit our health, we save so much money that the system basically pays for itself."

Stein, who said she has filed lawsuits challenging presidential debates that exclude third party candidates, acknowledged the hurdles she faces running as a Green Party candidate, but remained optimistic that her campaign will resonate with voters.

"It's all about getting the word out," she said. "Simply networking among millennials in debt could be enough to win the election. So, that's kind of the secret weapon here and it's becoming less secret all the time."

Stein,who previously ran for president in 2012 and Massachusetts governor in 2010, said her campaign is setting up organizations at college campuses and high schools to reach out to younger voters.

"It's really great talking to people about another political choice that actually puts them and their needs for jobs, for education, for health care front and center," she said. "They're not the last thing that comes after massive military budgets that are not making us more secure."

Prior to visiting the Harvest festival, Stein and fellow Green Party candidate Darlene Elias attended a morning fundraiser at Salsarengue Restaurant and Bar and toured Providence Ministries' Kate's Kitchen during the food shelter's lunchtime meal.

Tails are wagging for the Pope's visit to Philadelphia. In some cases, literally.

Tails are wagging for the Pope's visit to Philadelphia. In some cases, literally.

At least that's what we're surmising by the abundance of photos of pets dressed in papal regalia that have adorned Twitter, Facebook and Instagram in the past few days.  

Here are just a few we discovered on social media (most of them found by searching  for the hashtag "#holyhound").

A little bitter that Bo didn't invite this PUPtif to hear @pontifx at the WH today. pic.twitter.com/IcRYvEklU7

-- Toby G. (@TobyGTweets) September 23, 2015

#popeadelphia #papalpups #fairmount #IkeandDolce @phillymag @PhillyInquirer @citypaper @6abc pic.twitter.com/6yeRli32At

-- Kelly Bennis (@BennisKelly) September 25, 2015

Happy Pope week! #PopeinUS #PopeinDC #HolyHound pic.twitter.com/NYHwupuhw6

-- Tessa Gould (@Tessa_Gould) September 22, 2015

I'm off for the Pope visit & ADORING Good Day coverage @MikeFOX29 @AlexHolleyFOX29 on @FOX29philly so does Papal Cat pic.twitter.com/92zhkoiOvF

-- Patrice Bendig (@Patrice_Bendig) September 25, 2015

[?] Pope Chief Francis III #popeinphilly #holyhound #huskypope #puppypope #blessed #PopenAintEasy @friskyinphilly

A photo posted by Chiefy Boy (@chief_mcneill) on Sep 26, 2015 at 10:33am PDT

#mikeythewestie celebrates the visit of #popefrancis. #westie #westiegram #westiesofinstagram #catholic #pope #jesuit #dogsofinstagram #dogpope #holyhound

A photo posted by Lindsay Taylor (@lindstaylor09) on Sep 25, 2015 at 1:53pm PDT

• Pope Francis as Rocky Balboa, and other great #PopeinPhilly Vines
• Pope Francis' rainbow connection follows him to Philadelphia

Different states, different countries, different ages and different generations gathered to form one of the most diverse audiences during Pope Francis' visit in Philly.

PHILADELPHIA -- Flags from around the world could be seen draped across shoulders, hanging from fences and waving in the air.

After waiting for hours, finally Pope Francis emerged from Independence Hall as the crowd, surging to 40,000, cheered for him and shouts of "il papa" could be heard from the lawn. 

Different states, different countries, different ages and different generations gathered to form one of the most diverse audiences during Pope Francis' visit to the City of Brotherly Love. 

The melting-pot audience listened intently, their eyes focused on the large screens showing the pontiff as he delivered a speech about religious freedoms and immigration. 

Be proud of your heritage. Don't be discouraged by hardships. Embrace your traditions. Be responsible citizens, he told them as he stood behind the same podium that was used by President Abraham Lincoln when he gave the Gettysburg address. 

"Please don't ever be ashamed of your traditions. Do not forget the lessons you learned from your elders, which are something you can bring to enrich the life of this American land," he said. "I repeat, do not be ashamed of what is part of you, your life blood."

The first public speaking event of his 36-hour tour of Philadelphia was perhaps the most-anticipated. 

Thousands gathered at Independence Mall Saturday afternoon to not only see Pope Francis, but hear his message.

People got there early to stake their claim on the best spots and to enjoy the festival ahead of the pope's anticipated speech.

There were tango dancers, African drummers and even a group of school kids from Philadelphia there to sing and dance for the crowd.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf were among a number of speakers that gave remarks before Pope Francis took the stage.

Then, the roar started getting closer.

The papal motorcade started making its way down Market Street, and the crowd greeted Pope Francis with thunderous applause.

Francis' semi-enclosed Popemobile stopped several times as members of security brought babies up for him to bless. The motorcade crawled along before it turned right on 5th Street and made its way to where the pope would give his speech just outside Independence Hall.

There were many in attendance that traveled from very far to see the pope. Flags from around the world could be seen draped across shoulders, hanging from fences and waving in the air.

Some pilgrims, however, came from much closer.

There was Kt Carney, Jo Zangaro and Cindy Pfister from Moorestown, New Jersey, who made the trek to the city by way of the PATCO High Speed Line in the late morning.

"I love the enthusiasm," he said. "He's brought this feeling of inspiring people to do justice. I think that's been missing for a while. He's firing people up in a way that the 99 percent concept didn't, and that's exciting for me."

Another South Jersey pilgrim who made the trip to see the pope was Shirley Kane, who was the event with her husband, Bill. 

Kane said she was a junior in college in 1979 when Philadelphia got a visit from John Paul II, the last pope to visit the city. At that time, she decided to stay at school and watch on TV, but it was a decision she's regretted ever since.

"I was riveted watching on TV," she said. "I said 'I can't let this happen again.'"

Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.