Kathy McGee Burns with Grand Marshall Sister James Anne Feerick
By Kathy McGee Burns
Being the President of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is pretty neat and it comes with some great perks. One of them is choosing a Ring of Honor. This consists of extraordinary individuals who have achieved by their dedication to, and continuance of Irish traditions. I thought long and hard about this responsibility and found eight amazing women who fill the bill.
It is quite a thrill for me to have the President of Mount Saint Joseph Academy (my Alma Mater) in the Ring of Honor. Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ, has held this position since 2005. Although born in New York, she thinks of herself as a local woman having gone to Seven Dolors, Cecilian Academy, Chestnut Hill College (BS) and Villanova University (M.A. in Theology).Sr. Kathleen did venture away for continuing education classes to Fordham University and Boston College. Mt. St. Joseph is 153 years old, and in that time has instructed the daughters of immigrants (many of them Irish). The Irish have a great love of education. Although the Sisters of St. Joseph were founded in France, most of the nuns that taught me had Irish last names. Sr. Kathleen Brabson’s roots are Co.Cork (she thinks) via her mother, Audrey nee Burke. She traveled to Ireland and was enchanted by the experience and found the people to be welcoming and comfortable in their own shoes. She loved the antiquity of the countryside. One of her best days was spent at the cliffs of Slieve League, a tall mountain, 2000 feet, located on the side of a jutting peninsula in Co. Donegal. It was a misty day and the clouds clung closely to the mountaintop, as if Heaven and Earth were meeting. It was a lovely, spiritual experience. Sr. Kathleen is very approachable, affable and an invaluable asset to Mt. St. Joseph. She is also very gracious (a trait she learned from her mother), thoughtful and people-centered.
Bernadette Browne, giving, humble and tenacious, is one of seven sisters and one brother. Her parents, gone but forever loved, were Danny (Ballybofey, Co. Donegal) and Philomena nee Monaghan ( Co.Down). Bernadette has set her sights on filling the shoes of her father, which she really doesn’t need to do because she has big shoes of her own. She has a Bachelors Degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters in Engineering from Penn State. An entrepreneur, she is the founder and CEO of Office Infinity. Bernadette is a doer: 2nd VP of the Donegal Assn; Board Member of Hall of Fame, Commodore Barry Club, Philadelphia Donegal Gaelic Football team and the go-to person if you need a job done or a donation given. Of course, her favorite song is “ Danny Boy”.
The Brehon Society is a Philadelphia-based professional association of law among people of Irish ancestry. Brehon Law is ancient. Some say it goes back to the Bronze Age. According to Michael Ragan in his treatise, Brehon Law,”Woman stood emancipated and eligible for the professions, rank and fame.” Philadelphia Court of Common Please President Judge Pamela Pryor Dembe is the Past President (2002-2004). She said that when they first formed the Brehons, in 1976, one of their purposes was to address the lack of the Irish being selected to serve as judges. Well, 35 years later, Judge Dembe is pleased that many of their student members are women and “We now have a hefty cadre of Irish women judges in the area.” Judge Dembe is a graduate of Temple University, School of Law. She has roots in Mayo and Tyrone. She is married to David Dembe, a Law Professor, avid sailor and retired lawyer. She has 4 grown children: Cecily, Eli, Aaron and Alison. She sees herself as outgoing, energetic and decisive…maybe even bossy! But after all, one doesn’t become President Judge by being demure! Retired Judge Ed Bradley says that, “Judge Dembe is an outstanding jurist, noted for her sound judicial temperament and extensive knowledge of the Law. Pamela Dembe loves many things Irish: music, literature, knitting and of course, the Law. Most of all, she loves visiting Ireland.
Denise Foley, funny, caring and kind (oh, so kind) is not only my good friend but is probably one of the most entertaining people I know. She is the daughter of Thomas (whose roots are Massachusetts via Newfoundland via Wexford or Waterford) and Grace Heary (with roots in Inishowen, County Donegal). Denise was always inquisitive and asked many questions of her relatives, “Where do we come from?” Her Aunt Grace would reply indignantly, “It doesn’t matter! We’re Americans now.” Denise, in her youthful wisdom, started writing things down and when she got a computer, she started looking things up. Denise, equipped with a B.S. in Journalism from Temple University, is one of the founding editors, with Jeff Meade, of www.irishphiladelphia.com. This is a hyperlocal website designed to bring the Philadelphia region every tidbit of Irish news, views and to-do’s. Denise does this with sincerity, wit and directness. Not an event goes by without Denise’s imprimatur. Married to Ed Rogan, they have a son, Patrick, age 24.
Elizabeth Kerr is a young woman with an old soul. She is inspirational, unsinkable and lilting. Liz is a Political Activist dedicated to the cause of a United Ireland. In her days at Cardinal Dougherty, she invited Pearse Kerr (an ex-political prisoner in Belfast) to be her history project. Guess who she’s married to? Her family roots are in Galway. Liz never stops growing! She has a B.A. from the University of St. Francis, an RN from Philadelphia Community College and is presently working on a master’s degree in English from Arcadia. One of her friends said that Liz has a wonderful heart. How apropos, because she is a nurse on the heart transplant team at Temple. Liz is one of the founding members of LAOH Bridig McCroary, Div.25.and their officer for “Freedom for all Ireland”. The Kerrs have two children, Dana and Brendan, and they lost a son, Patrick, at age 15, to a skateboarding accident. They turned tragedy into triumph by starting a college scholarship fund for skateboarders, and dedicated a safe environment for youth called Patrick Kerr Skate Park. Do you think all of this is why Liz Kerr is “unsinkable”?
Eileen Lavin is the founder of Tara Gael, an adult Irish dance group. Tara Gael represents the kings and queens of Ireland, and that is exactly how Eileen sees her dancers. And they are that….having won the Marie Burns Award for 5 out of 8 years. Dancing came late for Eileen. When she was a senior at Cardinal Dougherty High School, her father begged her to at least take one class. She took that class with the Master, Ed Reavey, at Emmett’s Place, and one class turned into a lifelong commitment. She shared this love with her husband, Al, who passed away last year. She taught him how to dance and they did so, side by side, for 18 years of marriage. Eileen’s roots are Mayo and Donegal. She loves being around the Irish because they are an open, happy and warm group of people that she easily identifies with. Eileen, is herself a beautiful woman in many ways; patient, loving and understanding.
In Dublin, 1827, Catherine McAuley opened a refuge to provide shelter and to educate the young, rural women who came from all parts of Ireland. She later became the first Sister of Mercy. In 1861, this Order of Nuns, came to Philadelphia to establish the same kind of protection to working girls. They also offered visitation to the sick and comfort to prison inmates. This year, the Sisters of Mercy will celebrate 150 years of service to Education, Charity and Health Care. Sr. Christine McCann is the President of the Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Com-
munity. Sr. Christine says that she and her fellow sisters stand on the shoulders of those pioneer women who served an immigrant population. Sr. Christine family is from Tyrone and Antrim. She feels the sense of History and Story: the connection between her role here in America and that of Sr. McAuley in Ireland. Sr. Kathleen Lyons, Director of Senior Services, says Sr. Christine is a great inspiration to her and the 1,026 women that she guides. She provides leadership, insight, and commitment to the mission of the Sisters of Mercy..to serve God’s people. “A woman of great faith and action, Sister Christine McCann is a true daughter of Catherine McAuley”.
Honorable Kelly Wall, Court of Common Pleas, Montgomery County, is a dedicated, driven and no-nonsense Judge. Okay, nepotism prevails in this choice because Kelly is my daughter but it is totally justifiable. Kelly put herself through college by bits and pieces, mostly going at night while working days. She finally decided to follow her heart’s desire: finishing her last year at Temple University, she left for Indiana University, School of Law, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Kelly became a Partner at Miller, Turetsky and practiced family law, but once again, her heart told her she needed to set her goals on a Judgeship. She carefully persevered through the steps which would get her to the courthouse: Supervisor of Whitemarsh Twp, Board Member of Northwest Human Services, Solicitor for Children and Youth, etc. Well, she got elected thanks to her persistence and the help of her eight brothers and sisters. Can you imagine the thrill of robing your daughter? Kelly Wall has a 13-year-old son, Liam. She is a member of the Donegal Association and a Brehon.
“A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love. She gives most who gives with joy.” Mother Teresa
Joy is what I see when I look upon the lovely, lithesome face of Sister James Anne…Joy for God, Joy for family and Joy for us. On March 13, a this beautiful woman will lead the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade as Grand Marshal.
Sister James Anne Feerick, daughter of Jim and Anne (nee Caulfield) and Sister to five brothers is no stranger to the parade. She has amazing memories of it since she was seven years old. The Feericks always participated in this event. As members of Transfiguration Parish (West Philadelphia) buses were available to take families to Broad Street. Her Dad and brothers would march with the Holy Name Society; she would dance with the Sean Lavery Dancers and Mom would watch from the sidewalk. They would even watch the New York Parade and on special years, actually go there with a side trip to Rockefeller Center.
Music was an on going joy to Sister James Anne. She was a violinist in West Catholic High School’s orchestra and even appeared on the Will Regan Hour with her brothers; Jim on piano and Mike and Sister on violins.
On Sundays the Feericks would visit their Grandparents in Camden. They had a Victrola and they would listen to the likes of Ruthie Morrison and John McCormick.
Dance was another love in her life. When Sr. James Anne, a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, first started teaching, she took a course aimed at helping students with poor coordination. The recommendation was dancing. She immediately started a class in Irish dance.
One of her proudest accomplishments is her role of Chaplain to the Mayo Association. I recently attended the unveiling of the statue of Our Lady of Knock.It had been commissioned in Ireland and now sits in a lovely custom-built niche.The entire piece stands about 8 feet tall and Our Lady stands in front of a beautifully painted scene of a church, children, Sts. John and Joseph and the Lamb of God. It is a spectacular piece of art as well as a Spiritual icon. Sr. James was aglow with the presentation of the service. As chaplain she welcomed Our Lady with song, prayer and community. All of us who were present at the Irish Center will long remember the spirituality of that day.
Rosaleen Megonegal, President of the Mayo Association looks on Sr. James Anne as a true friend. “Her caring and loving words bring a deep and spiritual awareness to our members. Nothing is too much for her to handle and despite her busy schedule, she is willing to help. Sr. James Anne, truly an inspirational woman.”
Michael Bradley, the Parade Director, says, “She has never sought the limelight. Sister James Anne sets a great example for us to follow. She is kind, caring and a treasure to the Irish community.”
Fr. John Flanagan, her past student (1st grade) and now President of Roman Catholic High School, was one of the many who nominated her for Grand Marshal. “Sister James Anne’s example, work ethic, faith filled life and her genuine Saintly life speaks volumes about leading a life of Joy and service to God and his people.” He also said the Sr. James has provided him personally with the spiritual strength, prayers and example to sustain his life as a priest.
As for me, I will be humbled to share my first year as President of this great parade with a woman of her faith, stature and dignity.
