Friday, July 30, 2010 Irish Celebrations Continued By B.I.S. March 15, 2008 (St. John’s) Archbishop Martin Currie of St. John’s welcomed the Benevolent Irish Society (B.I.S.) to the Basilica Cathedral on March 15 to begin celebrations marking the beginning of the St. Patrick’s weekend. St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland is the patron of the 202 year old organization. The B.I.S. was originally formed at St. John’s 1806 as a non-denominational service club to help educate and improve the lifestyle of the poor Irish immigrant children of St. John’s. As most of the Irish population of the city was Catholic the society gradually became known as a Catholic Society. The Benevolent Irish Society began the day as they have done since 1851, parading from their club house to the Basilica Cathedral for St. Patrick’s Day Mass. The parade was lead by Mr. Robert Gillard, President of the Society. He was followed by the members of the Executive of the Society all wearing the distinctive green sash of the B.I.S. The mass was celebrated by Archbishop Martin Currie, Archbishop of St. John’s and the patron of the Society. After welcoming the members of their society, their family and friends to the Basilica Cathedral the Archbishop said that in the liturgical calendar of the church March 17, St. Patrick’s Day falls during Holy Week, one of the sacred seven days preceding Easter. Because of the overlap, liturgical rules dictate that no mass in honour of the saint can be celebrated on Monday, March 17, which necessitated the mass on March 15. This year's peculiar schedule also saw the feast day of St. Joseph - honoured by Catholics as the husband of the Virgin Mary - celebrated on March 15, four days early. The Archbishop said he wanted to thank the members of the B.I.S. for agreeing to move their mass and celebrations to March 15 so they could focus on the significance of Holy Week during that sacred week in the churches calendar. He concluded that a calendar conflict is a rare event: Holy Week won't clash with St. Patrick's Day again until 2160. During his homily he said “the two saints celebrated today (March 15) St. Patrick and St. Joseph are two saints that are recognized by the church for their service. Joseph is celebrated for the service and love that he extended to Mary and in protecting and loving the baby Jesus. Patrick he said is remembered for the service that he gave to the people for Ireland helping to “build the country of saints and scholars.” Following the mass and in keeping with tradition the Archbishop welcomed the Executive members of the Society to the Episcopal Library where he was formally addressed by Mr. Gillard. In his address Mr. Gillard thanked the Archbishop for taking on the title as the Honorary Patron of the Society. He told the Archbishop that he hoped that over the next few years that the society would grow in keeping with the three principles of the society charity, benevolence and philanthropy. The primary requirement for membership is that the individuals be of Irish birth or ancestry. In keeping with tradition Mr. Gillard presented the Archbishop with a pot of shamrock’s one of the symbols associated with Ireland and St. Patrick’s. He also presented to the Archbishop a painting of the original headquarters of the B.I.S. on Queens Road. The Archbishop responded to the presentation by presenting to Mr. Gillard and the B.I.S. a framed photograph of the interior of the Basilica Cathedral done by local photographer Bud Gaulton that will hang in the B.I.S. headquarters on Harvey Road. Significant Dates: February 5, 1806 Formally Established with the blessing Bishop James Louis O’Donel the first Bishop of Newfoundland. Bishop O’Donel said "may those who succeed you continue what you have liberally begun." May 1816 First Society Trust Fund Established 1823 Patrick Morris became the first Roman Catholic President 1826 Land Grant is given to the B.I.S. to build the B.I.S. (The site located across the street from the Basilica.) 1827 Opened an Orphan Asylum School located on the corner of Garrison Hill and Queen’s Road. 1836 Introduced Navigation Classes. For many years sealing vessels from St. John’s and Conception Bay are navigated by young men trained in the Orphan Asylum Schools. May 20, 1841 Society members participate in the laying of the corner stone of the Basilica. March 17, 1851 First St. Patrick’s Day Parade January 31,1876 Were instrumental in having the Irish Christian Brothers come to Newfoundland. (Hence the custom of having a Christian Brother install the new Executive in the absence of the Bishop). August 15, 1887 St. Patrick’s Hall School built by the B.I.S. For the Christian brothers to teach the children of the city. July 8, 1892 B.I.S. Building - St. Patrick’s Hall destroyed by fire only the walls remain standing. 1906 The O’Donel Building is added to the B.I.S. Complex houses a school operated by the Presentation Sisters until 1985 1914 75 young men from the Society answer the call to serve in WWI. 1945 The Brothers move out of the B.I. S. Complex to St. Patrick’s Hall School on Merrymeeting Road 1947 Presentation Sisters take over the classroom space vacated by the Brothers they remain here until 1985. 1956 Society celebrates 150 years. 1981 Society celebrates 175 years. February 19, 1992 Archbishop James H. MacDonald named Patron of the B.I.S. October 31, 1998 The B.I.S. sell their building on Queens Road. January 28, 1998 Building converted into a condominium. 1999 B.I.S. move to a new location on Harvey Road. March 15, 2008 Liturgical celebration of the Feast of St. Patrick moved to March 15.