Fiddler Kitty Kelly
Stand for a moment facing any of the tall stained glass windows at St. Malachy Church in North Philadelphia, and you’ll learn everything you need to know about its early history just by reading a few of the dedications:
“In Memory of Helen A. Devlin”
“Gift of John O’Neill”
“In Memory of George Kelly”
Founded in 1850 by Irish immigrants fleeing An Gorta Mor—the Great Hunger—the church that is now described as “a beacon of hope” on North 11th Street reflects the population of its present-day neighborhood, mostly African-American and Hispanic since the 1960s.
Sunday, all of the parish’s ethnic traditions came together in what organizers hope will become an annual event: an Irish Mass, complete with a bagpiper, a fiddler, a harpist—and, from one packed pew to the next, the green jackets of the city’s many Ancient Order of Hibernians divisions.
“Somehow in this little parish, there’s a beautiful blend,” said pastor Monsignor Kevin Lawrence during his homily. “A unity, if you will—a journey together.”
Later on, in the parish hall, the hospitality committee served up ham, cabbage, and potatoes, along with caraway-speckled, buttery slices of Irish soda bread—including at least one loaf baked by Monsignor Lawrence himself.
“I tried three different recipes until I found one I was happy with,” he laughed, as he sampled another baker’s bread. “It’s kind of like building community.”
Asked if Sunday’s Mass might be the first of many, Monsignor Lawrence replied enthusiastically. “Absolutely. I’d really love to see this become a tradition. We always look for creative ways to grow here. We have a long tradition of reaching out to the broader community.”
Parishioner, Hibernian, and Mass organizer Charlie McNulty concurred, saying he knew the AOH divisions would come through with strong representation. “I look forward to it happening every year.”
We have photos from the day. Watch our slideshow, above.
