Holy Cross to hold Gaelic Mass and Irish festivities

RUMSON — Holy Cross Church will celebrate an all-Gaelic Mass and Irish Festival in honor of St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 13.

The event will begin with a gathering at 8 a.m. on Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright. At 8:30 a.m., a parade of flags and bagpipes will march over the Sea Bright Bridge, 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 a.m. Mass.

The Rev. Andrew O’Connor, of Holy Family Church in the Bronx, N.Y., will celebrate the Mass in Gaelic while worshipers follow along with bilingual 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, breads, coffee and tea will be served. In addition the event will feature Irish band Trinity, Irish step dancing, folklore telling, poetry readings of Yeats, and guest speakers of Irish descent. 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.

The parade and Mass are free of charge and open to the public for admission. Tickets for the brunch are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $7 for children with a family maximum of $50. Reservations are recommended early since last year’s brunch and festival sold out in advance of the event.

For more information, or to order tickets, please call Holy Cross Church at 732-842- 0348, ext. 1133. or email egeorge@holycrossrumson. org.