The Irish men wanted Catholics to do more than sip hearty stew and listen to “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” on St. Patrick’s Day. They wanted to emulate the patron saint of Ireland by bringing people closer to Christ March 17. So after the noon Mass at St. Michael Church in Annandale, members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians assisted Father Jerry A. Wooton, chaplain and parochial vicar of Holy Spirit Church in Annandale, in a Eucharistic procession on the property.
Green-clad Massgoers trailed behind the raised monstrance and school children lined the procession route. Each student was given a St. Patrick prayer card as well as a medal featuring St. Patrick and St. Brigid.
“Our life is centered around Jesus, and what better way to show that than through a Eucharistic procession in front of the children,” said Pete Popeck, president of the Monsignor Francis L. Bradican Division of the Order. “This is a real St. Patrick parade.”
