St. Patrick Investiture Mass celebrates Catholic faith, Irish pride
March 5, 2025 at 4:31 p.m.
In the pulpit of St. Rose Parish, Belmar, the chief shepherd of the Diocese of Trenton, himself of Irish descent, extended a warm welcome to the faithful congregation eager to celebrate the life of another Irish shepherd.
“The name is O’Connell,” said Bishop David M. O’Connell, “and there’s no other place I’d rather be than here with you.”
PHOTO GALLERY: 2025 St. Patrick's Day Investiture Mass
The Bishop served as principal celebrant and homilist of the 39th annual Belmar & Lake Como St. Patrick Day Parade Investiture Mass, celebrated in St. Rose Church on the first weekend of March to commemorate the fifth-century saint revered for teaching Ireland about the triune God. The Mass, dedicated to the memory of St. Rose parishioner Robert K. Jenkins – a member of the parade committee as well as 2011 grand marshal – saw the church’s long aisle filled with pipes and drums corps, banners and Knights of Columbus. They were joined by the 2025 grand marshals, St. Rose parishioner Fran Griffin and Matthew Lee, a member of St. Catherine Laboure, Middletown.
Remembering Irish culture
Msgr. Edward J. Arnister, pastor of St. Rose Parish, explained the Investiture Mass’s long tradition of faith and public Irish pride of the people’s roots. He was especially pleased about Bishop O’Connell’s presence this year; last year, the Bishop had been unable to accept an invitation last year due to his January heart attack in Rome.
“The Mass celebrates Irish culture, tradition, community and, of course, honoring the grand marshals of the parade with a special blessing as they receive their sash – their ‘badge of honor’ as they lead the parade,” Msgr. Arnister said. “Using the prayers for the Feast of St. Patrick at this Mass reminds the faithful of the great apostle and evangelist, St. Patrick, who zealously brought the Gospel to the Irish people.”
During his homily, Bishop O’Connell reminded the congregation that the readings at Mass are a memory of salvation history, retold again and again.
“Memory is central to who we are, our identity, which forms our experience of family, community, parish and the world,” he said. “On this day, we open another page of our family album in faith and retell our Irish story.”
St. Patrick was a man of faith whose life of privilege had been stripped away; he had been a slave for six years, “but God made his way in,” the Bishop continued. “We encounter God sometimes in the loneliest times of life, but he is never absent from our human experience. The Good News is not a memory, but the now, calling to us through the ages. Remain faithful to Christ at the center.”
Heritage and holiday
The Mass Committee, under the guidance of St. Rose parishioner Patricia Feehery, began its preparations for the annual event in January. Their tasks included selecting the grand marshals.
“The Investiture Mass is truly special, remembering both St. Patrick and many aspects of Irish American culture,” Griffin said. “Many local people come to the Mass who do not attend the parade to participate in that celebration. The parade itself prominently references St. Patrick with a banner at the start of the parade, reminding all of the saint behind the heritage and holiday.”
Lee said that, as a piper and member of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, the parade has always been special.
“To march out front as part of the pipe band and lead them down the street always filled me with a sense of pride and excitement. It’s a great day of celebration for the club, and being able to perform adds to that moment. It’s a great day of celebration for all, whether participating in the parade or as a spectator.”
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In the pulpit of St. Rose Parish, Belmar, the chief shepherd of the Diocese of Trenton, himself of Irish descent, extended a warm welcome to the faithful congregation eager to celebrate the life of another Irish shepherd.
“The name is O’Connell,” said Bishop David M. O’Connell, “and there’s no other place I’d rather be than here with you.”
PHOTO GALLERY: 2025 St. Patrick's Day Investiture Mass
The Bishop served as principal celebrant and homilist of the 39th annual Belmar & Lake Como St. Patrick Day Parade Investiture Mass, celebrated in St. Rose Church on the first weekend of March to commemorate the fifth-century saint revered for teaching Ireland about the triune God. The Mass, dedicated to the memory of St. Rose parishioner Robert K. Jenkins – a member of the parade committee as well as 2011 grand marshal – saw the church’s long aisle filled with pipes and drums corps, banners and Knights of Columbus. They were joined by the 2025 grand marshals, St. Rose parishioner Fran Griffin and Matthew Lee, a member of St. Catherine Laboure, Middletown.
Remembering Irish culture
Msgr. Edward J. Arnister, pastor of St. Rose Parish, explained the Investiture Mass’s long tradition of faith and public Irish pride of the people’s roots. He was especially pleased about Bishop O’Connell’s presence this year; last year, the Bishop had been unable to accept an invitation last year due to his January heart attack in Rome.
“The Mass celebrates Irish culture, tradition, community and, of course, honoring the grand marshals of the parade with a special blessing as they receive their sash – their ‘badge of honor’ as they lead the parade,” Msgr. Arnister said. “Using the prayers for the Feast of St. Patrick at this Mass reminds the faithful of the great apostle and evangelist, St. Patrick, who zealously brought the Gospel to the Irish people.”
During his homily, Bishop O’Connell reminded the congregation that the readings at Mass are a memory of salvation history, retold again and again.
“Memory is central to who we are, our identity, which forms our experience of family, community, parish and the world,” he said. “On this day, we open another page of our family album in faith and retell our Irish story.”
St. Patrick was a man of faith whose life of privilege had been stripped away; he had been a slave for six years, “but God made his way in,” the Bishop continued. “We encounter God sometimes in the loneliest times of life, but he is never absent from our human experience. The Good News is not a memory, but the now, calling to us through the ages. Remain faithful to Christ at the center.”
Heritage and holiday
The Mass Committee, under the guidance of St. Rose parishioner Patricia Feehery, began its preparations for the annual event in January. Their tasks included selecting the grand marshals.
“The Investiture Mass is truly special, remembering both St. Patrick and many aspects of Irish American culture,” Griffin said. “Many local people come to the Mass who do not attend the parade to participate in that celebration. The parade itself prominently references St. Patrick with a banner at the start of the parade, reminding all of the saint behind the heritage and holiday.”
Lee said that, as a piper and member of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, the parade has always been special.
“To march out front as part of the pipe band and lead them down the street always filled me with a sense of pride and excitement. It’s a great day of celebration for the club, and being able to perform adds to that moment. It’s a great day of celebration for all, whether participating in the parade or as a spectator.”