On March 21, St. Catherine of Bologna Church in Ringwood, N.J., hosted a traditional Irish Mass to mark the start of the 35th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebrations in the municipality, the only St. Patrick’s Day parade in Passaic County.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, the son of Irish immigrant parents, celebrated the Mass, which was concelebrated by Father Pawel Szurek, pastor of St. Catherine’s.
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Parade officials and dignitaries, the Knights of Columbus, and a bagpiper were among those who participated in the liturgy, many wearing festive Irish green. This year’s parade honorees were Jim Blomquist, grand marshal; Scott Fitterman, outstanding citizen; and the late Robert Lyons and the late Dennis Law, parade dedications.
Festivities continued with a Unity Breakfast before the parade and concluded with a Family Celebration after the parade, both held on St. Catherine’s campus.
