Rumson – Holy Cross Church will be celebrating its 4th Annual Gaelic Mass and Irish Parade/Festival in honor of St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 10th.

 

The event will begin with a gathering before 8:00 a.m. on Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright near the base of the Sea Bright Bridge followed by a parade of flags and bagpipes marching over the Sea Bright Bridge at 8:15 am - emulating St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland.

 

The parade, consisting of children, parents, and friends of the parish, will lead to the doors of Holy Cross Church for 9:00 a.m. Irish language Mass.

 

Father Harold Cullen (St. Jerome Church) will be back again for his second year to celebrate the Mass in Gaelic while worshipers follow along with bilingual Irish Mass materials.

 

Following the Mass, bagpipers will lead the participants to the Holy Cross Gymatorium where the parish will host an Irish Brunch and Festival featuring three hours of Irish themed activities for children and adults. 

 

A traditional Irish breakfast of eggs, bangers and mash, sausages, Irish soda and brown breads, scones, coffee and tea will be served in addition to traditional Irish music provided by the band Trinity and solo performance by David McCarthy, Irish step dancing, and poetry readings of Yeats.  A magician, Irish themed face painting and a balloon artist will help the children celebrate St. Patrick’s spirit with creations of Celtic Crosses, shillelaghs, shamrocks, and flags.

 

This will mark the fourth year in which Holy Cross will be hosting the Gaelic Mass and Festival.  Event organizer Pete Hogan describes the event as the "Greatest Irish event on the Shore" attributing the success of the event being sold out year after year to the support of the Holy Cross school and parishioners, and the Sons of Ireland by saying “There’s more to being Irish than corned beef and cabbage – it’s faith, tradition, and heritage.” 

 

The parade and Mass are free of charge and open to the public for admission.  Tickets for the brunch at the door are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $15 for children with a family maximum of $75.

 

For more information or to order tickets in advance, please call Holy Cross Church at 732-842-0348 press ext.2 for the HC parish center, then ext.1 for Eileen George or email [email protected] .

 

PHOTO CAPTIONS: Holy Cross Church in Rumson will be holding their Fourth Annual Gaelic Mass and Irish Festival on Saturday, March 10th.  Last year drew the Irish – and Irish-at-heart – from surrounding towns in honor of St. Patrick's Day and to celebrate their Irish heritage.