Farewell to a Man, and to an Era
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September 2009 VOL. 20 #9 $1.50 Boston’s hometown journal of Irish culture. Worldwide at bostonirish.com All contents copyright © 2009 Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. FAREWELL TO A MAN, AND TO AN ERA Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston, walked around the casket with incense before it left the church after the funeral Mass for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Boston on Sat., Aug. 29. (AP Photo/Brian Snyder, Pool) BY CAROL BEGGY the United States Senate” that family was celebrated for its bors on Caped Cod to world to come to Boston,” Cowen told SPECIAL TO THE BIR stretched from his corner of deep Irish roots. As the Boston leaders including Irish Prime the Boston Irish Reporter’s Joe From the moment the first Hyannis Port to Boston, Wash- Globe’s Kevin Cullen wrote, Minister Brian Cowen. Leary at the Back Bay Hotel, news bulletins started crackling ington, Ireland, the home of his the senator himself was slow “We’re very grateful for the formerly the Jurys Hotel. on radios and popping up on ancestors, the British Isles, and in embracing his Irish heritage, great dedication of Senator Ken- Michael Lonergan had barely BlackBerries late on the night beyond. but once he did, he made it his nedy to Ireland and its people,” sat in his seat as the new Consul of Tuesday, Aug. 25, the death This youngest brother of the mission to help broker peace in Cowen said at an impromptu General of Ireland in Boston of Senator Edward M. Ken- Kennedy family was hailed for Northern Ireland. press conference held after the before he found himself busily nedy brought an outpouring of his work as one of the country’s Those coming to pay respects August 29 funeral. “And it was arranging for the arrival of the remembrances for this “Lion of greatest legislators and his ranged from Kennedy’s neigh- out of respect, I felt the need (Continued on page 3) ICCNE All Set for Its Festival: Fishing Advice, Sept. 12, 13 on Canton Campus Christian-style Says Bridget Shaheen, BY SEAN SMITH a number of acts with local and and her new historical novel, at left, Director of Lazarus national followings, including “Galway Bay” performances SPECIAL TO THE BIR — House in Lawrence: “Our Widely acclaimed Irish-Amer- the Noel Henry Irish Showband, by storytellers and showcases ican singer Andy Cooney, whose Curragh’s Fancy, the Fenian of area Irish dance schools will goal is to teach people repertoire ranges from classic Sons, Tradition, the Gobshites, add to the entertainment, along to fish,” in reference to Irish ballads to more contem- and Andy Healy. In addition, with a carnival area for families the ministry’s mission of porary sounds, and Girsa, the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eire- with young children. Further an all-female ensemble from ann Hanafin-Cooley branch of samplings of Irish culture are teaching self-sufficiency the New York City area that Boston will provide its ever- represented by the ICC’s au- and yet total spiritual de- has rapidly become a force in popular marathon of music and thentic Irish cottage – modeled pendence on Christ. “But traditional Irish music circles, set-dancing over the course of after the one featured in the headline the Irish Cultural the weekend. movie “The Quiet Man” – and when people are hungry, Centre of New England’s 19th Talks by authors such as other exhibits. they cannot hear anyone’s annual festival, set to take place Mary Pat Kelly — whose works The 2009 edition of the fes- teaching. So first we must Sept. 12 and 13 at the ICCNE include “Home Away from tival represents a significant feed them.” campus in Canton. Home: The Yanks in Ireland,” departure from the last sev- The festival also will feature “Martin Scorsese: A Journey” (Continued on page 17) Profile, Page 6 Page 2 September 2009 BOSTON IRISH REPORTER Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com is pleased to sponsor the 6th Annual 8h_Wd>edWd+aRun/Walk IkdZWo"I[fj[cX[h(&"(&&/WjDeed >eij_d]hWY[#ZWoh[]_ijhWj_ed0 161 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA For more information, or to register, visit: www.BrianHonan.org The Brian J. Honan Charitable Fund was established to carry Brian J. Honan 5K the Charitable Fund has been able to support on Brian’s commitment to the causes that he championed and foster local and national programs that support education, throughout the course of his life. With funds raised from the recreation, housing and healthcare. FH;I;DJ;:8O0 IFEDIEH;:8O0 Worldwide at www.bostonirish.com September 2009 BOSTON IRISH REPORTER Page 3 Senator to Pope … Pope to Senator Following are excerpts from a letter exchange between Edward M. Kennedy and Pope Benedict XVI in the weeks before Kennedy’s death: SENATOR KENNEDY “Most Holy Father, I asked President Obama to personally hand deliver this letter to you. As a man of deep faith himself, he understands how important my Roman Catholic faith is to me, and I am deeply grateful to him. I hope this letter finds you in good health. I pray that you have all of God’s blessings as you lead our Church and inspire our world during these challenging times. “I am writing with deep humility to ask that you pray for me as my own health declines. I was diag- nosed with brain cancer more than a year ago, and, although I continue treatment, the disease is taking its toll on me. I am 77 years old and preparing for the next passage of life. “I have been blessed to be a part of a wonderful family, and both of my parents, particularly my mother, kept our Catholic faith at the center of our lives. That gift of faith has sustained, nurtured and provided solace to me in the darkest hours. I know that I have been an imperfect human being, but with the help of my faith, I have tried to right my path. Edward Kennedy III mourned at the coffin of his grandfather Sen. Edward Kennedy, at Arlington Na- “I want you to know, Your Holiness, that in my tional Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Saturday Aug. 29. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) nearly 50 years of elective office, I have done my best to champion the rights of the poor and open doors of economic opportunity. I’ve worked to welcome the immigrant, fight discrimination and expand access to Farewell To A Man, An Era health care and education. I have opposed the death penalty and fought to end war. Those are the issues (Continued from page 1) representatives Stephen Massachusetts president lative record, and doting that have motivated me and been the focus of my work prime minister. Lynch, William Delahunt, Jack Wilson, former US surrogate father to the as a United States Senator. Cowen’s decision to and Edward Markey; Representative Martin Kennedy clan on road “I also want you to know that even though I am ill, I attend the funeral had former governor Michael Meehan, now chancellor trips, sailing expeditions, am committed to do everything I can to achieve access sparked a political debate Dukakis; Boston May- of the University of Mas- and at family dinners. to health care for everyone in my country. This has in Ireland about whether or Thomas M. Menino; sachusetts Lowell; Suffolk Several of Kennedy’s been the political cause of my life. the Taoiseach should at- New York Mayor Michael County District Attorney grandchildren and young- “I believe in a conscience protection for Catholics in tend the senator’s funeral. Bloomberg; Chicago May- Daniel F. Conley; and est nieces and nephews the health care field and will continue to advocate for In setting up a remem- or Richard M. Daley; and state Senate President offered the intercessions, it as my colleagues in the Senate and I work to develop brance book for Irish citi- more than 40 U.S. Sena- Therese Murray. invoking some of his most an overall national health policy that guarantees health zens to offer condolences tors, including Senators Standing by the Sen- famous lines or favored care for everyone. to the Kennedy family, John Kerry, Chris Dodd, ator’s widow Victoria causes, including quality “I have always tried to be a faithful Catholic, Your he shrugged off ques- and Patrick Leahy, who throughout was the last of health care and a stop Holiness, and though I have fallen short through hu- tions by the Irish media, were among the honor- the nine Kennedy siblings, to war. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma man failings, I have never failed to believe and respect saying that Kennedy was ary pallbearers lined up former U.S. Ambassador played a Bach cello suite the fundamental teachings. an “important friend to outside the church to meet to Ireland Jean Kennedy and accompanied tenor “I continue to pray for God’s blessings on you and Ireland.” the hearse. Smith. Placido Domingo, who our Church and would be most thankful for your Another Irishman, John Prime Minister Cowen Four years his senior, sang “Panis Angelicus.” prayers for me.’’ Hume, a Nobel Peace was seated with Sar- Smith, the 25th US Am- Mezzo-soprano Susan Prize winner, was in ah Brown, the wife of bassador to Ireland, al- Graham sang “Ave Ma- Boston for the final ser- Britain’s Prime Minister ways looked out for her ria” after Communion. VATICAN RESPONSE vices for Kennedy. “I was Gordon Brown, who made baby brother. She had All three artists brought very saddened by Ted “The Holy Father has read the letter which you a surprise visit to British rented a house on Cape on tears in the standing- Kennedy’s death.