Diary of a Parish Priest

Blessed Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick as a young shepherd boy. Statue is in County Mayo.

Rumson Saint Patrick Day Parade 2019

Saint Patrick Marchers 2019

I think that I shall never see a shamrock tree as big as thee!

Marine Color Guard with Grand Marshall Croddick

Holy Cross Banners Make a Colorful Sight Even On An Overcast Afternoon

Part of Our Shamrock Dog Biscuit Brigade

March With Holy Cross In Rumson's Saint Patrick's Day Parade

Join us Sunday to march with our Holy Cross Saints' Banners. Canines along the line of march will be given home-baked shamrock-shaped dog biscuits carefully packaged by a team of our eight grade students!

Rumson Saint Patrick's Day Parade 2018

Clear sky and beautiful weather without much wind made for a perfect banner carrying day - a blessing for us with our Irish Saints Banners for Rumson Borough's Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Thanks to all our marchers and banner-bearers for supporting the parish's contingent. 

Cold But Glorious Weather for St. Patrick's Day Parade

Thank you to all who turned out to march with our Holy Cross Window Saints, Youth Group or the Knights of Columbus or to cheer us on along the line of march. Thanks for Lori LaPlante for the delicious home-made Irish Dog Food Cookies given as special treats to our canine companions along the parade route.

 

 

Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade

The Holy Cross parishioners who marched in the Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade had a great time. This year the wind did not whip through the march and so the banners of our Irish Saints Windows were held high and finished the parade without need of repair for next year.

Thanks to our banner bearers for volunteering their time and energy. This year we added small banners announcing the identity of each of the saints. Even though the saints' names are inscribed on the windows, it is difficult to read them in the short time they pass in review.

Having noticed how many dogs line the parade route with their owners, we tried something new which turned out to be a great hit. Lori LaPlante baked St. Patrick shamrock dog biscuits with all natural ingredients and packaged them beautifully two to a bag. I handed a bag to their owners, almost all of whom seemed surprised and pleased with our offer. Even the dogs seemed to know something good was up for them! We ran out of biscuits less than half way through the line of march. More biscuits next year!

Congratulations to the parade organizers who did a fine job of keeping the parade step off on time and shepherding the numerous marching contingents to their proper places. 

Holy Cross Receives Mayor's Spirit Award for St. Patrick's Day Parade

Thanks to all the parishioners who helped carry the Irish saint banners high during the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Our participation in the parade was noted with the Mayor's Spirit Award, Best Marching Unit. Fr. Manning, Sue Symington, Eugenia Kelly and Jim Hinckley were present to accept the award at a ceremony last evening in Molly Maguire's Black Point Inn. 

It was terrific that everyone got a chance to preview the saints' windows during the parade before they can be viewed in the church...but that opportunity is coming soon!

Patrick Set Out Boldly For Christ

Therefore may it never befall me to be separated by my God from his people whom he has won in this most remote land. I pray God that he gives me perseverance, and that he will deign that I should be a faithful witness for his sake right up to the time of my passing.

St. Patrick from his Confession

Great St. Patrick's Day Parade

It was a great day for the St. Patrick's Day Parade, especially given the streak of freezing weather we had just before the parade. When the sunshine was out, it was a terrific brisk march from start to finish. It was great to see so many familiar faces watching the parade cheering us on. Thanks to our intrepid saint banner carriers and others who accompanied us in the line of march. Despite a few gusty winds, all our banners (and their carriers) finished the parade intact. 

It was perfect to be marching right behind Christian Brothers Academy pipe and drum band who sounded great!

Our Irish windows are scheduled to arrive and be installed this week.

Holy Cross Church in St. Patrick's Parade

Our marchers pass former Holy Rosary Church

"There's no sitting down in a parade!"

Irish Saints of Holy Cross Banners Ready for Parade

Holy Cross eight grade students and their prayer partners inspect the new banners for the St. Patrick's Day Parade which are on display in the school hallway. 

It is quite fun to locate and interpret all the symbols and hidden meaning in these beautiful windows.  The banners are 8 x 2 ft. and we would love volunteers to help carry them in the parade in Rumson on March 8th.