Father Brady and his little cousin, Joseph.
The parishioners of St. Anne’s Church in the Kensington section of Philadelphia are going to have to learn all the words to the hymn, “Our Lady of Knock,” now that Father Edward Brady is their new pastor.
On Sunday, July 10, Father Brady, former pastor of St. Isidore’s Parish in Quakertown, was installed at pastor at the church at a ceremony that was decidedly Irish. There was a bagpiper outside the church as everyone entered. The regional bishop presided: Bishop Michael Fitzgerald. Then there was the regional vicar: Father Paul Kennedy. Father Brady’s brother, also Father Brady (James), flew in from his parish in New Orleans, LA, to be one of the concelebrants of the Mass. And local singer Theresa Kane sang “Our Lady of Knock,” a hymn that pays tribute to the Blessed Mother who reportedly appeared to a group of people in Knock, County Mayo, Ireland in 1979, which is a staple wherever the Irish in the Philadelphia region gather.
Also in the church were members of all the organizations for whom Father Ed Brady serves as chaplain: The Irish Memorial, The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Cavan Society, the Galway Society, and the Inspirational Irish Women Awards. Philadelphia Councilman Bill Green and his wife, Margie, participated in the Mass. Tyrone-born singer Raymond Coleman performed at the reception afterwards.
View our photos of the event.
