Senior Events – February February 1, 2012 ^
Don’t forget to call ahead for events – where reminded to do so. It helps us serve you better.
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From Alicia’s Desk January 30, 2012 ^
The IPC looks forward to the St. Brigid’s celebration on February 4th. Children, parents and grandparents are welcome for an afternoon of arts and crafts from 3 to 5, St. Brigid’s pageant and Mass 5-6 followed by dinner and dancing. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Children under 5 are free and children over 5 are $5.00. Westbury Farms will provide Irish stew, shepherd’s pie, lasagna, chicken nuggets and hot dogs for the children.
Sew What! January 30, 2012 ^
A stitch in time!
Have you ever wondered how to sew a hem, replace a button or repair a tear in your child’s clothes? Would you like to learn how to make a fairy skirt for your child or the basics of stitching by hand or perhaps how to embroider items. Rosemary O’Koren will offer sewing lessons at the IPC on Friday mornings beginning February 3rd from 10 to 12. Price for 4 weeks is $50 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the IPC. Call Alicia to reserve your spot. 617-265-5300 ext. 15.
St. Brigid’s Day Celebration January 23, 2012 ^
Feile Bride Poster 2012Join us once again for this wonderful celebration, activities for all the family – we are looking forward to seeing you.
Getting stripped of your Green Card January 23, 2012 ^
Another Immigrant stripped of Green card
Once again this week we had a call from another legal permanent resident who had to surrender her legal permanent residency card to Customs and Border Enforcement officials. She had left the US and remained outside for more than one year, for a total of 18 months, to attend college abroad. She failed to apply for an obtain a reentry permit before leaving the US.
She was given a parole to allow her into the USA for a hearing on her legal permanent residency status before the immigration courts.
Attorney Chris Lavery said it’s a case he would be prepared to fight before the immigration court if the lady maintained ties to the US, can show evidence of these ties, and had never the true ‘intent’ to abandon her LPR status. These can be difficult cases, and attorneys charge several thousand dollars for full representation before the courts.
In general, after you become a permanent resident, you must demonstrate at the time of any re-entry that your trip outside the US was temporary and that you are returning to your un-abandoned primary residence. If you remain outside the US for a lengthy period or engage in activities which indicate that your permanent residence is no longer inside the US, US Immigration officials may consider you to have voluntarily abandoned your US residency and deny your entry. Clearly, in your case, port of entry inspectors determined you were living in Ireland and had abandoned your US residency and this is why they took your card.
Once lost LPR status can be regained only be beginning the immigrant visa application process over again by routes like the Diversity Visa, family or employment based sponsorship.
Re Entry Permits
The Form I-131 is a relatively easy form to complete if a person wants to remain outside of the US for an extended period of time. There are fees of course, but we urge anyone who is thinking of leaving the US for an extended period to consult with us and our team of attorneys at our monthly clinics.
US citizenship
The cases above outline the importance of applying for US citizenship when a legal resident is eligible to apply. The Form N400 is available free on line at www.uscis.gov However, there are a lot of eligibility requirements and we would encourage anyone thinking of applying to contact us ahead of time for prescreening and forms assistance.
Calls from Ireland
We had more calls from Ireland this week from people looking for visa information. We reminded some callers who were currently in college to apply early for summer J1 visas. USIT in Dublin is one of the agencies involved in the issuance of these visas. For more information, visit their website: www.usit.ie
Legal clinic update – FREE
Our next free legal clinic at the Banshee will be on Tuesday Feb. 7th. Thanks to our volunteer attorneys Chris Lavery and Dan Harrington who donate their time every month at these clinics. Clinics are held on the first Tuesday of each month *weather permitting* starting at 6:30 PM
Disclaimer: Please note that the information contained in it is provided to inform generally, and is not intended as a substitute for individual advice. Immigration law is subject to frequent changes and individual circumstances can affect the application of certain legal provisions. For individual legal advice, please contact the Irish Pastoral Centre directly regarding upcoming legal clinics or consultation with an immigration attorney.
Thank you to the St. Brendans Society January 23, 2012 ^
From the Director’s Desk
By: Alicia Connors, Executive Director
Heartfelt thanks to the St. Brendan Society
The IPC received a very special surprise at our monthly Mass and luncheon in Canton on Thursday. Peter Moloney announced that the St. Brendan’s Society/County Kerry Association will be ceasing all activities and closing its doors after 160 years and that the Irish Pastoral Centre was the recipient of one half of the funds remaining in their accounts. He presented a check for $3,700 to the IPC. We are very, very grateful for this generosity and we hope that the members of the Society will join us at our luncheons, dances and special events. We truly appreciate all the support that the St. Brendan Society has given us over the years.
Bits ‘n Bobs January 16, 2012 ^
Senior Program Coordinator – Catherine Moloney
Call 617 265 5300 x 12
Congratulations to Cora Flood and her family on the birth of their little baby boy on Thursday 11th January. No other details as yet other than mother and baby are both doing well. Cora will be missed by the staff and all our senior participants while she is gone but we wish her all the best over the next few months. We know she will have her hands full! I will be covering for Cora while she is on leave and will also continue as the Social Services Coordinator to offer individual support, counseling, referral and advocacy services to seniors. Please feel free to call me in confidence at 617 265 5300 x 12. I will be picking up Cora’s messages in her absence.
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On Wednesday this week we had four (4) student Externs from Boston College who spent the day with us at the Irish Pastoral Centre. They introduced themselves to the large crowd who attended the Dorchester Coffee Morning and helped the volunteers with the teas and coffees and refreshments. They really enjoyed and appreciated the welcome they received from the seniors.
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The monthly Mass and Luncheon at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton is on this week on Thursday 19th January. Please RSVP by Tuesday morning 17th January at the latest. Maximum seating is 180 so it is very important to reserve your place in advance. We had a huge crowd at our monthly mass in December and people came from far and wide to the mass, lunch, social. Thank you for everyone’s patience and cooperation as, due to the large numbers who attended, the wait for dinner, teas and coffee was much longer than usual.
We have been very lucky with the weather so far this year but as it is the winter season it is always good to be prepared. For weather cancellations/updates as well as day to day program updates always call the Boston Irish Senior Connection at 1 855 579 2472 ahead of time before you travel.
Missing Coat -
Dark Blue/Navy wool coat, double breasted, lined, three quarter length, woman’s coat was taken from the rack in the corridor of the Irish Cultural Centre, Canton at the Monthly Mass and Luncheon on December 19th 2011. If can help us to retrieve this coat please contact the Irish Pastoral Centre at 617 265 5300 x 12. Thank you.
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Seeking Mini-bus Garage Space/Shelter for Winter/Spring 2012
The Irish Pastoral Centre is seeking a covered parking space for our 13 passenger mini bus for the months of January through April 2012. Longer if suitable. Close to St. Brendan’s Parish, East Milton Square/Neponset or North Quincy would be ideal. Need to be able to access days and evenings. Contact 617 265 5300 x12 to follow up.
Casiono Trip:
There are still some places available on the Foxwoods Casino Day Trip, Tuesday, January 31st. If you are interested please contact Mike Shields directly at 617 471 9380. The coach will leave St Ann’s Church Parking Lot, Quincy at 8am sharp, departing from the Casino at 4pm. Cost is $25 Dollars and tickets are non-refundable. The trip will only be cancelled in case of severe weather conditions and at the discretion of the coach company.
Please feel free to call Catherine Moloney at 617 265 5300 X 12 for more information on IPC Senior Citizen Outreach Program activities and services.
January Senior Calendar January 12, 2012 ^
Happy New Year
Please check out the events for the upcoming Month.
Don’t forget to call in to RSVP for the ever growing Monthly Mass & Luncheon - 855-479-2472
Senior Citizen Outreach – Janauary Program
Kids just wanna have fun December 26, 2011 ^
The Brighton Mom and Tots Group have found a new home at The Presentation School Foundation’s beautiful renovated space. Until the community space is available, The Little Sprouts group has loaned the space in their section of the building. The group met for the first time last week and had a great time. Brand new toys to play with, dress up costumes, a kitchen to play with, books to read, even a mini sink to wash hands and to clean up after the morning’s fun. The group meets on Tuesday mornings from 10 to 11:30.
The St. Mark’s Mother/Toddler Group facilitated by the IPC enjoyed a visit by a very special guest this past Wednesday – Santa Claus! Santa gave toys to all the boys and girls. Enjoy the photos.
For those interested in joining any of these groups, contact Sr. Marguerite at the IPC or Rita O’Leary for St. Mark’s Group at 617-407-9623.
Successful Senior Monthly Mass December 20, 2011 ^
The Monthly Mass and Luncheon at Canton this month to celebrate Christmas was a huge success with a record crowd of more than 220 seniors attending. Guests included one person from California and another from Florida. There were many old friends and new joining the group. Music was provided by John Connors and Martin Battle and there was hardly an inch to spare on the dance floor. There were raffle prizes galore and it certainly was a jolly ole time was had by all.
