St. Anne to St. Raphael, the St Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal Mass and Dinner History
Courtesy of Sean Markey
Unlike other cities in America, Manchester never had a designated St Patrick’s Parade the likes of Boston, New York, Philadelphia or Chicago, though there were indeed celebrations and displays on the 17th of March throughout Manchester. These were conducted by the various Ancient Order of Hibernian Divisions in the city along with other Irish and Irish-American groups such as the Irish National Foresters (Branch St. Bridget and Court of St Patrick), Irish National League and St Patrick Society to name a few of many organizations. The celebrations were spiritual in nature, but also had a political twinge (Clan Na Gael and other Fenian Socities existed in Manchester), considering Ireland’s age-long fight with Britain along with a martial flair as the Sheridan Guards would display their colors. The Sheridan Guards having been formed from veterans of the American Civil War at St Anne Church in 1865 under the encouragement and guidance of the Rev. William McDonald. They continued as a unit within the NH National Guard, mobilizing for the Spanish-American War and participating in the Texas Border incursions, the Boxer Rebellion in China and WWI where many gave their life in defense of America.
In 1996 Hibernians and non-Hibernians decided that it was time that Manchester, with its rich Irish history, should have a parade. With that parade, and each year hence, a grand marshal was selected to preside over the parade. This person would be of Irish extraction. A person who had contributed to the betterment of Manchester along with being a proud representative of the Irish and Irish-American community of Manchester.
The first St Patrick Mass was held, appropriately, at St Anne Church, the first Roman Catholic Church in Manchester, built by and with Irish immigrant labor. The grand marshal dinner was held in the St Anne Parish Center, and was a huge success, as was each that followed. Bishop Leo O’Neil was the first Manchester St. Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal.
Since Bishop O’Neil, the grand marshal sash has past to Honorable Martin Loughlin, John “Jumbo” Reilly. Tom King, Sr. Angie Whidden, RSM, Robert J. Collins, George W. Smith, Louis J. Craig, Sr. Margaret Ahern, RSM, Charles J. Quinn, James J. Sheehan, Martin Quirk, Richard Walsh, Catherine “Kay” Monaghan and now, the 2010 honoree, Robert E. Murphy.
In 2003 St. Anne Church was twinned with St Augustine Church forming St. Anne-St. Augustine Parish. The 2004 St. Patrick’s Mass was held at St. Anne-St. Augustine and the dinner held at the St. Anne Hall.
2005, grand marshal Charles Quinn, long time Manchester High School West principal and decorated WWII Marine Corps fighter pilot, passed before the parade. However, a sad moment was made joyful when his wife, Betty Quinn, herself a decorated WWII veteran, took up the sash in Charlie’s place.
Amid some confusion, in 2006 there was no grand marshal dinner. Prior, members of the Manchester St. Patrick’s Parade Committee along with parish members approached Fr. Jerome Day of St. Raphael the Archangel about hosting the Mass and dinner. He, and St. Raphael, enthusiastically welcomed their brothers and sisters from St. Anne. One change since the Mass and dinner moved to St. Raphael has been that prior to, the sash was presented by the previous grand marshal to present before the dinner. Today, it is done during the Mass.
From its beginning at St. Anne in 1996 to St. Raphael today, the St Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal Mass and Dinner has been a time of reflection in honoring the patron saint of Ireland and those Irish who came before us. It is also a celebration of the present where Irish and non-Irish alike, gather to celebrate those bonds that make us a community.