By Paddy McCarthy
I’d like to wish a Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all our sponsors, subscribers and friends. We thank you all for your support and hope you have a joyful time as I know it is so hard with this pandemic hanging over us all. I am not going to use the word SMART for a reason, I am going to say we are STRONG as we all have great beliefs.
Saint Patrick’s Day especially in New York is known the World over as the BIGGEST parade in history and we are all part of it; well not this year I should say. I am going to let you into a little secret: I love the atmosphere of the Saint Patrick’s Day festivities and I wish it never stopped. One great thing about it is I get to see a lot of friends I have not seen for over a year and I am sure everyone has the same feelings as well. I am also so proud and happy that we are helping the social media team of the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. No, we are not marching as the strict rules are still in place and I can understand it as Covid-19 is yet not beaten.
Now that is the bad news. Here is the good news: the Parade has put a lot of hard work into producing a live stream event from New York City honoring a First Responders and Essential Workers.
The New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade committee said that they “invite everyone across the world to join us and be part of the celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day in New York City, as we honor the representatives for all the brave men and women who have done so much for so many during the pandemic and 9/11.”
On March 17th the Parade leaders will join a select number of First Responders and Essential Workers to offer a prayer for all the victims of the pandemic and the “Twin Towers” to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11 for the live stream event. The 2021 NYC St Patrick’s Day Parade Honor Guard includes James T. Callahan – General President, I.U.O.E. & Parade Grand Marshal, Bishop Edmund J. Whalen – Archdiocese of New York – Vicar for Clergy, Christine J. Flaherty – NYC Health + Hospitals Corporation, SVP, Edward Grayson – Commissioner, N.Y.C. Dept. of Sanitation, Kate B. O’Neill MSN RN – Northwell Health – Emergency Medicine, AVP, Thomas J. Ryan – Sergeant, Port Authority Police Department. Thomas G. McGinn – Parade Medical Advisor & EVP Common Spirit Health, Clive J. Anderson – Pelham Funeral Home, Proprietor, Brian P. McKenna – Northwell Health – Physician Partner & VP, Josef M. Daggett (“Joe”) – Emerald Guild Society Resident Manager, Sean F. Kennedy – Catholic Faith Network, Senior Executive Producer, Col. James P. Tierney – “The Fighting 69th”/National Guard, Kevin Barry – Home Healthcare Workers, IUJAT – Business Agent, Megan O’Malley – Deputy Inspector, N.Y.P.D., Edward P. Boles – Battalion Chief, F.D.N.Y., Patricia M. Farrell RN, BSN, MSN NEC – Northwell Health – Hospital Operations, VP, Robert F. Ellis – Captain, N.Y.C. Dept. of Corrections, Edward M. Moloney – Sergeant, New York State Courts, John G. Farrington – NYC MTA Bus Operator & Past TWU, John T. Conroy – Director of Security 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
We reported on the schedule of events in last week’s paper, but in case you missed it, we’ll give you the information again: At 8.30 am in the morning you can view a live broadcast of the St Patrick’s Day mass from St. Patrick’s Cathedral followed at 10 am with the “Virtual Parade” which will feature a composite of past parade marching groups.
A one hour-long show streamed on Facebook, produced by world-renowned TV producer Mike Mathis begins at 11 am. The show will include greetings from Irish and US political and community leaders, entertainment by Andy Cooney and Moya Brennan along with greetings from members of the armed services serving abroad, to name but a few.
A special TV broadcast produced in conjunction with the Catholic Faith Network will air at 5 pm and contain interviews with Parade leaders, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, and the 2021 Parade honorees “First Responder and Essential Worker”.
The day wraps up with NBC’s “St. Patrick’s Day: A Celebration For All” which will air on WNBC Channel 4.
For details on all these great events visit their website at NYCStPatricksParade.Org
Now after all that news here is the best of it all, bars and restaurants in the City of New York should be open for some business but I am not sure if it’s 25% or more.
Here is what you have to do: don’t let your guard down and stick to the rules and wear your MASK at all times and still have a good time.
Yes, you might ask, will I be Out&About? The answer is yes I will and I hope to meet and greet everyone I can as this again is the happiest time of the year and should be.
One sad note before I finish is that we all lost someone we know in this horrible pandemic so I do not want to name the names of who they were but I would just like to say to them all, Rest in Peace.