The grand marshals and honored clergy have been named for the 13th annual Bronx St. Patrick’s Day Parade to be held in Throggs Neck in March.
The parade is scheduled for Sunday, March 13, and should begin at noon at East Tremont Avenue and Lafayette Avenue. The grand marshals for the parade will be longtime veterans advocate Pat Devine and educator Mary Holt Moore. Honored clergy will be Sr. Christine Hennessy, a Sister of Mercy who aids Irish immigrants in Woodlawn at the Aisling Irish Center on McClean Avenue.
The Throggs Neck Benevolent Society, which sponsors the parade every year, is currently seeking ads for the parade journal. This helps to raise money to defray the cost of the parade. Devine said that he is encouraging every Irish family to take out a journal ad to honor their lineage. The journal ads range in price from $100 to $300 per page. Devine said that he was greatly honored to be named a grand marshal, especially since he helped to organize the first two parades, sponsored by former Senator Guy Velella.
“People don’t realize the depth and breath of work that goes into the parade,” Devine said. “The Throggs Neck Benevolent Association relies on journal ads to pay for the bands appearing in the parade, and whatever money is left over goes to helping community members. I am striking up the band and urging everyone to take out a journal ad. It is important that the number of journal ads be double what it was last year.”
Devine is being honored for more than 30 years of service to veterans. After serving in the Marine Corps in Vietnam, Devine came back home and helped get Bicentennial Veterans Memorial Park Built. He currently serves on the Parks committee of Community Board 10, and is spearheading a reconstruction effort at the park.
Mary Holt Moore is described by the parade committee as a dynamic force in New York’s Irish community. A special education teacher in New York City high schools and a teacher of the Irish native language, Moore attended St. Anselm’s School, Cathedral High School, Hunter College, Columbia University and the College of New Rochelle. Moore is former president of the Bronx Gaelic League and a member of the Bronx County Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. She said that she has marched in the parade many times, and is the mother of eight children and 21 grandchildren.
“To me it is a big honor and I am delighted,” Moore said. “I always wanted to carry on the tradition that was handed down to our parents and was handed down to us, and that will hopefully go on. It is good that the Bronx has this parade so we can get to know our heritage and our culture.”
Hennessy will celebrate 50 years as a Sister of Mercy this year, having joined the order in 1961. She is a social worker for Catholic charities working with the Irish community. She remembers that as a child, she would always communicate with her relatives in Ireland, and often visit.
“I feel humbled and honored to be named honored clergy because of my deep appreciation I have for my Irish heritage and culture,” Hennessy said.
