Church service helps pass along Irish tradition

Years ago, Kathleen Moran's mother asked her to never forget her Irish heritage. Moran never let her down.

At Friday's St. Patrick's Day Mass at St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church, Moran said attending the service is a continuation of a tradition that defines part of who she is and of a culture that has always brought people together.

"It just shows the Irish are a committed people," the Westmoreland, N.Y., resident said.

Moran was one of the many Irish Americans who attended Friday's Mass to honor Ireland's patron saint.

Because of an overlap with Holy Week, the celebration of the feast day was moved to an earlier day this year. Liturgical rules dictate no Mass in honor of a saint be celebrated during the seven days in which the faithful recall Jesus Christ's sacrifice and his resurrection.

Not only did the congregation come for the service, but so did members from other area churches, driven by a sense of belonging, of home and of identity to the historical church.

As Irish music played in the background, a bagpiper led the members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in and out of the church.

The Rev. Richard Dellos, the administrator of St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church, welcomed all that came.

"We are all Irish today," he said.

The crowd nodded, some in affirmation of a part of who they were, others in celebration of their tradition that was passed down and preserved over generations.

In the 75 years of her life, Marcy, N.Y., resident Mary L. White never has missed the Mass. On Friday, she was joined by 15 family members as they filled the rows wearing their Irish knit sweaters and green scarves.

White proudly showed off her green sweater with a shamrock pattern on it. Fifteen years ago, she had bought it in Ireland and has always worn it to the special Mass.

"It is a just a way to celebrate," she said.

Her grandson Jim Conlon wore a cream-colored sweater White made for him a few years ago.

They chatted, planned lunches and dinners and laughed together. The Mass united them as a family yet again, they said.

"It is another day for our family to continue the tradition," said Conlon's mother, Maureen Ammermann.

While for the families the Mass was a celebration of their favorite saint and a time to be together, it was an opportunity for Dellos to call upon the young people to spread the Catholic faith and consider the vocation of priesthood.

Worldwide, Catholic churches are facing a shortage of priests, he said.

Because St. Patrick was a good priest and a bishop, he said, his life could be an inspiration to today's youth.

"We should take another look at the priesthood," he said. "We need to imitate him."

Observer-Dispatch