On St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17, Father Joseph Fessio, founder of Ignatius Press, spoke at a private Mass at Ignatius Press of St. Patrick’s confession and Patrick’s ultimate influence in California.
Here is a 19-second excerpt from the homily:
“This land, California, this city, San Francisco, represented the Finis Terra, the end of the earth for this Irish movement. And when I was growing up here in the Bay Area, more than one half of the diocesan priests were born in Ireland.”
I also had several FBI [Foreign Born Irish] priests over the years. The two I felt comfortable asking both said part of the reason they entered the priesthood was to get an education and leave the poverty in Ireland. As I understand it US Dioceses would [partially] fund the seminary education in exchange for service in that Diocese.
Yes, I remember fondly the fine brogue, gentle kindness, and firm sermons of Father Richard Power of Our Lady of Mercy, Daly City. May he rest in peace.