VOL. 19 NUMBER FIVE
October 2000
Celtic Peace Mass
The National Shrine of St. Therese here will host the annual Celtic Peace Mass on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 11:30 a.m., to honor the Celtic New Year, according to the Rev. Roger Bonneau, O. Carm., newly-appointed director. The theme of the Peace Mass will be: "Continue the Peace and Reconciliation Process in Ireland." The Rev. Kevin O'Neill Shanley, director of the Celtic News Service, will be the principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass. "For those interested in peace and reconciliation in Ireland and among the Celtic peoples, it is important that prayers and other efforts be continued so that the 'Good Friday' Agreement to help bring peace to Northern Ireland will continue to succeed, said Fr. Kevin. "Along with the political discussions, there is a definite need to promote the good work of reconciliation between the Catholic and Protestant communities, especially in Northern Ireland. A solution to the 800-year-old problems in this area is closer than it has ever been, and prayers are greatly needed to continue progress. This, along with the efforts of the British, Irish and American governments, may finally bring peace for all those who inhabit the island of Ireland." The Celtic Peace Mass has been held at the Shrine of St. Therese for over a dozen years. Fr. Shanley, whose Irish ancestry is both Catholic and Protestant, has worked with such movements as the Blencree Reconciliation Centre in Co. Wicklow, Ireland, and the Irish School of Ecumenics in Dublin. He has also attended several times the International Summer School at University College Dublin, and works with several Irish American groups. "It is fitting," added Fr. Shanley, "That we celebrate the Peace Mass on Celtic New Year's Day, Nov. 1, according to the ancient agrarian calendar followed by the Celtic peoples of Europe. It is a time for new efforts, and for peace and reconciliation in Ireland." The Celtic New year, known in Gaelic-speaking nations as Samhain (pronounced sow-en), evolved into All Saints Day in the Christian calendar. Samhain Eve, which is known more recently as Halloween, marked the end of the agricultural season. All fires were extinguished, and new ones lit to mark another victory for the sun over the powers of darkness. St. Therese Chapel is located at 8501 Bailey Rd., in Darien, Illinois. for information call: (630) 969-4141.
From the President
This coming November 5th at 5:00 p.m. the Chicago Street Bar and Grill will be hosting our annual Board meeting with the purpose of electing the officers and directors for the 2001 term. At this meeting will also be provided a sit-down dinner at no cost to the members. Please call me at 439-9036 and RSVP as soon as possible so we can determine how much food to order. If no one is home please leave a message on the machine. It is my opinion that Mary, the owner of Chicago Street Bar & Grill, puts together one of the best corned beef dinners you can imagine. Other events in the near future where we'd like to see you are an adult Christmas party to be hosted by Sheila Corrigan at her home on December 9th and the Second Annual Battle of the Irish Bands January 13th at the Tipperary in Manhattan. You can call Sheila for directions to her party and what you could bring to make the party a festive event. Sheila: 727-0994. More details on the January 13th event will be upcoming. The two bands are Dyed in the Wool and Three Men in Kilts. It has been a pleasure serving as your President for the last two and a half years. My only regret is that I was unable to convince more of you to take a more active role in attending our events and becoming involved at the board level. This new slate of officers is a great group of people and open to your thoughts on how to make our organization stronger. Please forward any ideas you may have to these members. As an ending thought, The Irish Gaelic Language Classes have just begun at the Heritage Center in Chicago and I am now in my 3rd year of instruction. If anyone would like to start the beginning class they are held on the same Saturday morning time period from 10:30 to 1:00. I would be more than happy to give a ride to anyone interested in joining the class. Call me at 439-9036. Annual Meeting Paid members are invited to the Society's annual meeting. Our calendar coincides with the Gaelic new year which is November 1st. The meeting and dinner will be held at 5:00 p.m. at The Chicago Street Bar & Grill in the Joliet. All voting members are encouraged to attend. Elections will be held followed by dinner. There is no charge for dinner but members must RSVP so we can plan. Call Mike at 439-9036.
Society Elections
Following are the slated candidates and their respective offices:
President -- Jim Albritton
1st V.P. -- Kevin McGrath
2nd V.P. -- Kevin Hegarty
Secretary -- Coley O'Connell
Treasurer -- Mike Malloy
New Member Director -- Jim Hanley
2003 Director -- Dan Maher
2003 Director -- Sheila Corrigan
Ashley Maloney (Mike & Sue) competed in the Illinois State Feis and Chicago Feis this past June. She won a 3rd place in the Jig and a 2nd in the Hornpipe at Gaelic Park; and a 2nd in the Reel and 3rd in the slip jig at the Illinois State Feis. Ashley competes at the novice level and is busy preparing for 2 upcoming feiseanna (gaelic plural of feis). Through her hard work and efforts she has been placed on an 8-hand Ceili dance team for the Oireachtas which will be held in St. Louis over Thanksgiving. Ashley represents the World Academy of Irish Dance - and of course, the Irish American Society. Good Luck Ashley!!
One More, then I gotta go by Timothy Martin Brophy
Well, we are off again! We depart on Oct. 23rd for the Guys-only fishing trip to Ireland! Blackie and I lead a troupe of seven via Aer Lingus to the Ol' Sod. Funny thing, I haven't seen any tackle packed yet. Maybe we'll just borrow a rod & reel when we head to the water. I'm sure the folks in the local pub will direct us to the needed equipment. Me mouth is as dry as a crust thinking about it! Erin-Go-Bragh. Your letters, photos and other contributions are welcome. Please send to: 1800 Mason Ave., Joliet, IL 60435 or e-mail to: TMB777@aol.com Home phone: (815) 744-1144 Work phone: (815) 722-3400
The Society on the Web
Michael J. McHugh, erstwhile Membership chairman, and now webmaster for the Society announces the new web site for the members. The address is CountyWillIrish.org (no spaces) For the uninitiated, the full address is: http://www.countywillirish.org. The site, jointly sponsored by the Society and the Shamrock Rugby Club, is intended to serve both groups. Hence, it is divided up into two sections, The first one for the Society. Here, the browser can find sections on the History of the Society, the founding members and how it got started. The Irish Heritage section details the different activities done since its founding in 1980. The Society Mission Statement, taken from the Constitution, delineates why the Society was formed, and what the Society does. The Calendar of Events section lets the browser know, in advance, what activities have been planned. In Scholarship Information, the user can find out how to apply for the various scholarships offered by the Society. The Merchandise for Sale section shows the lapel pins, postcards, jackets and golf shirts emblazoned with the Society logo. The Archives section shows many things: Older and current editions of the newsletter; The original founders; Scholarship winners; Citizens of the Year and Public Servants of the year, if you ever wondered .... The Wit and Wisdom (Blarney) section is to be a storehouse for Irish jokes, limericks and edifying stories. Submitted via email they will be posted for all to share. The Links section is devoted to other Irish sites around the world. The user can also become a member of the society by accessing the Join-On-Line section. Finally, in the Forum section, various issues dealing with Irish heritage, genealogy and current issues can be discussed. Any comments, of course, can be directed to the webmaster via the email section.
The Rugby Club section contains about everything the visitor would want to about the Shamrock Rugby club. The Current Schedule of games is available, as well as the Team Roster of players. The History and Traditions of the club are detailed in that section. If you don't know how to play the game, you can find out how in the Rugby Rules section. You can even Sign up to Play directly from the internet. The Rugby section also has a Forum and email section. Since communication seems to be a goal in making any organization work and work well, it is hoped that this web site will help meet that end. Any and all comments, and suggestions are appreciated. McHugh says "One real advantage of the internet is its ability to change instantly. One day our featured event was the Golf Outing. The next day, that feature was changed to the Samhain Concert." The website will help keep the society and all of its members current. Please visit it and comment on its progress.
Blackie's Pub Gab by Robert J. Blackburn
Over 6.5 million people drank over 5 million liter size beers this past Ocktoberfest in Germany. I dont remember if it was in all of Germany or just Munich when I read it, for I had a few liters myself!
...and from Bob's brother Tom: Hot off the press! I read where Great Britain has just enacted a bill called the "Human Rights Act" which means that British subjects, for the first time, have and I quote:"rights guaranteed under the Act include freedom from torture and killing, as well as the right to liberty, education, fair trial, free express and voting." If this had been in effect 200 years ago, you would all be living near Galway Bay and listening to diddly dee music.
Promotions and Honors
Two-time IASCW Past President DAN MALLOY, former assistant superintendent for discipline at Troy Middle School, was appointed principal of Troy Shorewood school at the July 19 meeting of the Board. Next year marks 30 years of service as an educator for Malloy. He holds a master's degree in educational administration from the University of Illinois.
IASCW Director COLEY O'CONNELL was assigned to Lincolnway East High School as a Dean for the 2001-2002 school year according to District 210 Supt. Lawrence Wyllie. Special services teacher O'Connell will serve as part-time dean and will cut back on his teaching schedules next year to handle the new assignment.
Member JIM MISSIG, President of Kolor & Collision Works, CarCare Center was selected to receive the Professional Business of the Year Award by the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Jim was nominated by fellow chamber members and was selected by a committee because of his professionalism and dedication in the industry as well as community involvement. This award will be presented at the Chamber annual dinner on November 7, 2000.