St. Mary, Star of the Sea celebrates St. Patrick's Day

St. Mary, Star of the Sea congregants still celebrated St. Patrick's Day on March 14 — at a safe distance. 

The holiday event was one of the island's only parties to take place over a weekend when almost all public life ground to a standstill in the wake of the rapidly spreading novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. Attendees still gathered, but only six sat at a table, no one was allowed to serve food besides gloved waiters and everyone had to wash their hands upon entering the social hall. 

"We had the option of cancelling, but our parishioners wanted to come," office manager Antoinette Brill said. 

The event was also held to celebrate the life of Monsignor Gerry Finegan, the church's longtime pastor who died earlier in the year. Finegan was the "quintessential Irish priest," men's club vice president Ken Simpson said. Congregants kept his memory with them at this year's celebration by continuing their tradition of reading the Irish blessing before dinner was carefully served.