On March 15, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney celebrated the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade Mass at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in a section of Morristown, often known as the “Dublin” neighborhood.
Descendants of the early Irish immigrants to the Dublin area more than a century ago and many others who consider themselves Irish by blood or by heart attended the 9:30 a.m. Mass. Bishop Sweeney is the son of Irish immigrants. The popular parade stepped off at noon.
Msgr. John Hart, Assumption’s pastor, was joined by several other priests in concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Sweeney. The pastor also delivered the homily. A bagpipe band also played.
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Local parishioners, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, and the Irish American Association of North Jersey organized the Mass. Keith Wood, this year’s grand marshal, and many of the parade’s past grand marshals were among those in attendance.
The Morristown parade is New Jersey’s largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a family-friendly event that has been a Morris County tradition since 1979.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
