A light ignited by St. Patrick
Early date doesn’t impact Mass, parade attendance
By NADIA MARIA SMITH
CS&T Staff Writer
Despite the blustery winds, proud Irish Catholics came out in droves
to celebrate Philadelphia’s 238th St. Patrick’s Day parade
— the second oldest in the nation — and the annual St. Patrick’s
Day Observance Mass. Because St. Patrick’s Day falls just days
before Easter this year, the liturgical celebration and parade took
place on Sunday, March 9.
The St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association wanted to commemorate
the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s bicentennial in this year’s
parade, so they chose a theme honoring the Church of Philadelphia, and
requested to hold the opening Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of S.S.
Peter and Paul.
The parade’s theme, “Saint Patrick, Bless All Those Serving
the People of God,” was reflected in the nearly 200 groups of
dancers, marching bands and floats that paid homage in one way or another
to Catholic heritage — making the parade a very Catholic
one, indeed, according to Father Joseph McLoone, the chairman of the
archdiocesan Bicentennial celebration committee, and a member of the
parade’s Ring of Honor.
In fact, the “Outstanding Float” award was given to the
Cavan Society float, which contained a replica of the Cathedral, a scene
of a Catholic school classroom and former Irish bishops who have served
the Archdiocese, as well as priests and nuns.
In his homily at the Mass, Cardinal Justin Rigali, himself half Irish,
noted that, “Shortly, we will participate in a joyful parade,
a public witness of pride in the Irish heritage. But we must never forget
that the true source of that pride is Jesus Christ, the Light of the
World, who called Patrick, a slave, to become a missionary.”
The Mass was concelebrated by this year’s parade chaplains, Auxiliary
Bishop Joseph McFadden, Father Kevin Gallagher and Father Christopher
Walsh; and included music by St. Denis Parish Choir in Havertown, cantor
Karen Boyce McCollum, and the Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe Band,
which led the procession into the Cathedral.
The parade began by honoring this year’s Grand Marshal, Jack McNamee,
a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Springfield and proud alum
of Cardinal Dougherty High School, who is a 30-year board member, past
president and past treasurer of the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s
Day Observance Association.
Along with McNamee, the 15 members of the Ring of Honor were also recognized.
They were each chosen by Michael Bradley, the Association’s president
and the parade director, for their commitment to the works of the Catholic
Church over the years.
Parade organizers also remembered fallen officers Chuck Cassidy and
Gary Skerski, whose families participated in the parade.
“I was very proud of all the groups that came out despite the
cold weather — it was a tremendous outpouring of respect
for the Archdiocese and our heritage,” Bradley said.
The whole day from start to finish really reflected what Cardinal Rigali
also noted in his homily: “The light ignited by Saint Patrick
so many hundreds of years ago continues to burn in the hearts of all
who are the spiritual children of Saint Patrick.”
CS&T staff writer Nadia Maria Smith can be reached at npozo@adphila.org
or (215) 965-4614.