Sunday Mass

at the Buffalo Irish Festival

 Recipient of the Offertory Collection: St. Augustine/St. Monica Scholars (Rev. Jim Joyce is the director.)

They will have an information tent in which they will display the mission and work of the school. They will also have some type of fund raiser housed there.

Irish Festival Sunday Mass

Sunday, August 30th

Sacred Seisiún:* 10 am

Mass: 10:30 am

Celebrant: Father James Pribek SJ

Father Jim is a professor at Canisius College where he teaches

courses in Irish Literature.

He got his Masters and Phd degrees in Ireland.

Music will be coordinated by: Kindred

This year's theme is: Ireland: Isle of Saints and Scholars.

Historically Ireland has come to be known as the Isle of Saints and Scholars...

a name honed in tradition through the example of the many individuals who walked with Christ...

men and women who loved and studied God's Word and reached out to the world around them with the light of the Gospel.

Throughout history, from the time of Patrick to the present Ireland has produced renowned religious, scholars, writers, poets

and teachers.

At this mass we give glory to the work of the hands of our Creator and Savior mirrored through their example and scholarship.

Why is Ireland known as the 'land of Saints and Scholars'?

This question was posed to Maurice Moriarty, Irish National School History and English Teacher (Ret.).

His responded as follows:

"Ireland, as the proverb goes is the "land of Saints and Scholars". This designation originated in the sixth century. When the rest of Europe fell into the "Dark Ages" following the fall of the Roman Empire, (Libraries and churches were destroyed throughout the continent). Ireland almost single handedly preserved the scholarly traditions and Christian religion in Europe. After St Patrick came to Ireland, missionaries moved around Ireland setting up churches and monasteries. Monks in Ireland believed in living a life devoted to religion and education and passing on these beliefs to the local population".

Ireland was not affected by the 'Dark Ages' and soon scholars from all over Europe flocked to Irish monasteries to learn the scriptures and theology among the many other skills Irish monks had to offer. They had great expertise in reading, writing and speaking Latin. They were also fantastic artists (Book of Kells) and their spiritual way made them great poetry writers. Many would later achieve the status of saints. Some of these saints went to Europe to spread Christianity and open monasteries. St. Columba (Colmcille) and St. Columbanus were but a few of these learned and holy men. St. Columba travelled to Scotland and St. Columbanus blazed a trail across Europe for Irish Missionaries to follow in bringing back the Light to the continent following the 'Dark Ages'. "

Rev. James M. Pribek, S.J., PhD, assistant professor of English,

Joyce Scholar Will Celebrate 2nd Annual Festival Mass

Father James Pribek, SJ will celebrate the Irish Festival Mass on Sunday, August 30th at 10:30 am. A professor of Irish Literature at Canisius College Father Pribek, a renowned James Joyce scholar spent five years in Ireland where he completed his doctoral studies in Ango-Irish literature and drama. While sharing his extensive knowledge of these topics with his students at Canisius he encourages them to study abroad at the National University of Ireland in Galway. "My mother's family is Irish-American but I also like that Irish literature is non-traditional and much of it is faith-based," says Father Pribek, quoted on the Canisius College website. Father Pribek brings a treasure of scholarship to this year's mass theme: 'Ireland: Land of Saints and Scholars'. His study and his work gives credence to the fact that Ireland has remained true to this designation from its 6th Century inception to the present day. The mass will be preceded by a thirty minute Sacred Seisiún. Local musicians, singers, poets and dancers will lead us in meditative works as we prepare our hearts and spirits to celebrate the Eucharist. A procession consisting of members of Irish and Irish American organizations and clubs together with traditional Irish dancers and football players will begin the liturgy. Members of these groups will also proclaim the readings and lead the Prayer of the Faithful.The St. Augustine/ St. Monica Scholars (a Jesuit run Buffalo inner-city school) will be the recipient of the love offering. Festival musicians and singers have been invited to share their talents in the choir with Amhran O'Ciar, the Leftovers, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and Kindred(Coordinators).

A traditional Irish breakfast will be available following the Mass.

Further information can be had by calling Margaret McGrath at 310-0840 ( after Aug. 8th) or email: margaretmcgrath@msn.com