There is much to pray for in today's troubled world. And yet much to pray for in the context of more troubled times in Northern Ireland.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians will join with Gaelic Societies, Irish community groups and parishioners in the strongly Irish Woodlawn-McLean area to host the annual Irish language Mass on Sunday, October 29 at 2:30 p.m.
Fr. Brendan Fitzgerald, according to a release, will celebrate the Mass in Gaelic, which this year will include special prayers for those who “hunger and thirst for justice” offered for bereaved relatives of those killed during the Troubles and whose hopes for justice are being taken away by the new British Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill.
Continued the release: The Bronx AOH Irish language Mass became a national AOH event viewed by Hibernians across the United States and in Ireland via the St. Barnabas Facebook and AOH youtube. The link is https://youtube.com/live/stWJSVBRYWc?feature=share
Irish-English translations of the liturgy will be made available, so that anyone can read the prayers in English as they hear the Mass said in Irish. A special musical program will be provided by the Dawn Doherty Academy of Irish music.
Added the release: "The Bronx County Irish Language Mass at St. Barnabas is dedicated to all those who have kept the Irish language and culture alive. To symbolize this theme, the AOH flyer depicts a Mass Rock where Gaelic speakers gathered in secret to hear outlawed Masses said by outlawed priests in defiance of English penal laws.
"This year, following a call by Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of all Ireland, the Irish Mass will include a special remembrance of those bereaved families who lost loved ones during the Troubles, and must now see their hopes of justice taken away by a new British amnesty law. The Mass will be held in the Main Church on Martha Avenue near East 241st Street. The location is near the Bronx River Parkway, Deegan Expressway, or Metro-North Railroad
Bronx County AOH President Martin Galvin said: “The Irish Language Mass or Gaelic Mass, at St. Barnabas has become an annual event on the AOH national calendar, viewed in person or facebook or the AOH youtube ,by many people who had never before seen the Mass said in the language of our ancestors.
“This year, following the enactment with new British laws that take away Inquests, Ombudsmen Investigations, as well as criminal and civil court actions, the Mass will include a call for prayers for the bereaved as requested by Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of all Ireland.
"The Irish language is an important and indestructible part of our Irish heritage. Measures to wipe out the Irish language began even before penal laws to wipe out the Catholic religion in Ireland. Ireland's cherished landmarks include Mass Rocks, where Gaelic speakers risked death or imprisonment simply to worship. Even today a simple Irish language Act is still denied to six county nationalists.
“As an organization formed to promote Irish ideals, culture, history and national freedom, we can think of no more fitting way for AOH members to honor Irish heritage than an Irish Mass embodying all of these themes."
"There has been a great response each year from AOH officers, Gaelic clubs, community groups and individuals who would just like to hear the Mass said in the language of our ancestors. St. Barnabas is fortunate enough to have a pastor like Fr. Fitzgerald who can say the Mass in Gaelic."
