GLOUCESTER CITY – Bishop Dennis Sullivan celebrated the wisdom of Saint Patrick, and his evangelization lessons that still resonate today, during the Irish Mass on March 2 at Saint Mary’s Parish.
Speaking about how the fifth century saint brought the Gospel first to the chiefs of the various Irish clans, he explained, “He went right to the top … and then he brought the Gospel to the Irish not by imposing it on them … he did not criticize their customs. But into their culture, into their ways, he planted the Gospel. And the Church took great root.”
Parishioners, visitors, dignitaries and more filled the pews for the Mass, celebrated by Bishop Sullivan. Concelebrating was Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Williams, as well as Father George Seiter and Msgr. William Hodge, pastor and former pastor, respectively. Before participating in the city’s annual Saint Patrick’s Parade, Bishop Sullivan blessed and recognized the parade’s grand marshal, parishioner Patrick Ward, and his wife, Lizann.
At the Mass, during which Mayor Dayl Baile awarded the key to Gloucester City to Bishop Sullivan for his steadfast dedication to the community, the Bishop recognized that March is Irish American Heritage Month. He praised the Irish for their contributions to America, to public service, the Church, literature and more.
“May we never forget our immigrant roots,” he preached, referencing his own Irish heritage. “Let us be the first to acknowledge that present-day immigrants will do the same for themselves and our nation as our people do. We need to stand on the side of immigrants and deal with facts, not with fiction by repeating popular lies. Yes, we have to protect our borders, definitely, but never engage in vitriolic hatred that is too frequently heard.”
He continued, “Our Irish ancestors were excluded from American society early on, all the way right through the 19th and the 20th centuries. Our people came here desperate, driven out of their own country. They were scorned, as was our Church.
“Do not forget what our immigrant ancestors suffered and what they achieved for our country, for our Church. … We ask Saint Patrick to pray for us and to pray for our United States of America, made great by immigrants,” he concluded to thunderous applause.
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