By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent

“As numerous as the stars in the sky” could well apply to the Irish, as to descendants of Abraham.

Referencing the First Reading from  the Book of Genesis, when God instructed Abram to go outside and try and count the stars, Father Martin O’Reilly, pastor of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Bordentown said, “Now that’s an impossibility, because there is no end to them.  And why I say this, and why I think it is appropriate, is because it amazes me that no matter where you go, you will always find an Irish person. There are 34 million people who claim Irish ancestry in America.”

Father O’Reilly, who hails from County Monaghan, Ireland, offered his thoughts to a congregation clad largely in green, orange and white attire for the Mass celebrating the Feast of St. Patrick, March 17.

Of Ireland, he said, “For such a small a nation, such a small mass of people has touched the lives of many. It used to be known affectionately as the land of saints and scholars. After St. Patrick had brought the light to Ireland, they turned and brought that message of Christianity throughout the world … to the far ends of the world, to places in Ireland that no one wanted to go to.”

As a native Irishman, Father O’Reilly explained why he believes so many people are drawn to the Irish culture.

“What attracts people to Ireland is our tradition of faith. It’s not just because of our music or looks,” he joked. “It is also because of our roots of faith; our faith meant everything to us to the point we were willing to go out in the dark of night to find remote and quiet places to celebrate our faith. Our faith was so much a part of our DNA as our Irish language was, it was so much a part of our DNA as our sports teams, it was so much a part of our DNA as the sand and the turf between our toes.”

He also encouraged his parishioners to participate in the social aspects of the Church and parish life as their Irish ancestors once had done. “Come, bring yourself, bring your traditions, bring your history, bring your experience and come, because that is the invitation God gives us.  That is the invitation that Christ came to offer and extend to us. God our father calls us, wishes for us and desires us.  That is what St. Patrick did,” Father O’Reilly said.

Sharing a bit of St. Patrick’s history, which included being kidnapped and enslaved, Father O’Reilly emphasized that “what sustained him during those times was his faith and belief in God.  God continued to call him back to the people of Ireland. It was because of that call that we are here today. It was because of Patrick’s ‘yes’ to God. God still needs Patricks. He still needs people to bring his message, and he extends that invitation to us.”

Parishioners and guests who filled the pews included the Knights of Columbus Color Guard; Irish dancers from DeNogla-Ardmore Academy of Irish Dance, Hamilton; bagpiper Gabriel McCabe, and first- and second -grade parish religious education students who participated in the Mass by reading the Prayers of the Faithful and in the Presentation of the Gifts. The Irish dancers and Knights of Columbus also accompanied the students.

Following Mass, the parish community assembled in the school hall for food and fellowship.

“Wasn’t it just beautiful?” commented Patricia Baylog, who celebrated her birthday on the Feast of St. Patrick.

Mercedes Payton, a member of the parish for 90 years, said, “I enjoyed this,” as the bagpipes played in the background. The Irish cookbook author shared how the Irish helped build the school and parish.

“This has been fantastic,” Payton said. “I am so glad so many people came back to socialize with one another. It is very joyous and all are welcome.  That’s what this day is about. St. Patrick … invited everyone into God’s presence.”