The Ancient Order of Hibernians of Arlington hosted the 48th annual Gaelic Mass in honor of St. Patrick at St. Agnes Church March 16.
Nearly 150 parishioners attended from near and far, braving the threatening weather to celebrate with the Hibernians and Father Valentine Kevney, who hails from County Mayo, Ireland.
The Mass was celebrated in Gaelic with English translation. The accompanying music, composed by Sean O’Riada, included Gaelic song, organ and of course the Irish Harp.
Father Kevney leveraged St. Patrick as inspiration in his spirited homily as a call for people all to put down the distractions of the modern world to make space to hear God’s word, to spread his message and to live with Christ at the center of their lives.
After Mass, a reception featured Irish dancers from the O’Neill-James School and a vast array of Irish soda and brown breads and scones.
