This exciting event will be hosted by Comedian Jack Ryan

Check out the events for the Month of April

Irish Senior Connect News

The Irish Senior Connect helpline has enlisted ten volunteers for the recently launched senior helpline program at the Irish Pastoral Centre of Boston.  Each volunteer will provide two to four hours per week of helpline assistance.  Volunteer roles include direct helpline coverage, administrative work, program advertising, and special projects.

A comprehensive training will be provided on April 25^th for all volunteers to learn the skills and procedures required to provide supportive and empathic listening and information services to senior callers. The presentation will be made by members of the IPC staff and the senior helpline coordinator at the Irish Pastoral Centre.

Based on a very successful helpline operating in Ireland, Irish Senior Connect is a listening and information line which seeks to connect Irish and Irish American seniors with a supportive and empathic listener for a friendly chat or for referral to helpful services. Information is also available about events and activities in the Irish community. It is a pilot program of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, an umbrella agency for Irish Immigration Centers throughout the United States. The Irish Pastoral Centre is the host site for the project, having been carefully chosen based on existing successful senior outreach programs.

Anyone who would like to learn more about the helpline service or who has an interest in  volunteering can contact Susan Doody, Coordinator, Irish Senior Connect at tel: 857-266-8311 or email: susan.doody@ciic-usa.org.

By Sr. Marguerite Kelly, Pastoral Associate

Email me at: Srmkelly@ipcboston.org

He is Risen, Alleluia!

Our Easter Gospel is a story of Hide and Go Seek. Mary Magdala goes to the tomb and finds emptiness. The stone has been removed from the burial opening and Jesus is gone. When she informs Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved, they run and find emptiness as well, except they find evidence that Jesus had been there in a burial posture. “Now- you- see- him, now-you-see-him-differently continues during these Easter days. For us it can seem a game; for Jesus it is a process of inviting his followers to deeper faith. He seems to hide, then appears, then vanishes and all so that his followers will keep seeking.

It is this “seeking” which is so central to Easter grace. Jesus is the primary seeker and his foundlings are ourselves. He moves through the “Resurrection Narratives” collecting, consoling, confronting, and eventually missioning the early believers, or doubters. In turn, we are the seekers as well. We are invited to keep looking for Jesus, even in the emptiness of life. Jesus is “translocational”. We would like to grab hold of him, and he would say to us, “Do not cling to me, but go to my new body, my different, but real presence in community, in relationships, and within your own emptiness.”

C.S. Lewis, in his wonderful book, Surprised By Joy, writes that real joy is more in the seeking than the finding. We might have trouble with that idea until we live it for a while. What do we find when we find what we have been seeking? Eventually we will find that every answer leads to the next question. So there is an empty tomb in all of life’s joys and that invites us to “seek” and you will find. What will we find? We will gracefully discover the invitation to seek some more.

Larry Gillick,S.J.

Immigration and US Citizenship News

By Kieran C. O’Sullivan

Immigration Counselor

Email me your immigration query or a topic you would like us to cover today: Kieran@ipcboston.org

Rory Staunton, Rest in Peace

Our deepest sympathy goes out this week to the Staunton family in New York on the tragic death of their 12 year old son Rory, may he rest in peace. Rory’s father, Ciaran and his family have remained very active in the Irish community down through the years. While running a successful restaurant in New York, Ciaran has spent countless hours as an Irish immigrant activist lobbying Congress for reform of immigration laws.

We cannot even try to imagine the shock, grief and agony of losing a child in such tragic circumstances. Our thoughts and our prayers are with their family and friends at this very difficult time.

Immigration News

Geri Garvey of the Irish Apostolate USA’s Washington DC office was in touch with me this week regarding the proposed rule on cases of spouses of US citizens. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) this week posted a Notice of Proposed Rule making in the Federal Register that would reduce the time U.S. citizens are separated from their spouses, children, and parents (i.e. immediate relatives) who must obtain an immigrant visa abroad to become lawful permanent residents of the United States. This rule would allow certain immediate relatives of U.S. citizens to apply for a provisional waiver of the unlawful presence ground of inadmissibility while still in the United States if they can demonstrate that being separated from their U.S. citizen spouse or parent would cause that U.S. citizen relative extreme hardship. The proposed rule will not alter how USCIS determines eligibility for a waiver of inadmissibility or how an individual establishes extreme hardship.

Alcohol/drug abuse and immigration medicals

The Department of Homeland Security in the past have ordered that applicants for immigration benefits by people with a history of alcohol related driving offenses may have to be reexamined by the civil surgeon performing medicals to insure the applicant is not inadmissible on health related grounds. When we refer to grounds for inadmissibility, we are dealing with classes of persons who are not eligible for visa and admission to the USA.

It is possible that any previous issues, arrests, convictions or history of alcohol abuse could pose a problem to the spouse of a US citizen gaining legal residency in the US.

Before filing any paperwork at USCIS, applicants should have an immigration attorney review your case. If there are any court docket sheets available on any arrests you have ever had, you should bring them to one of our legal clinics to have your case assessed by one of our volunteer immigration attorneys.

Immigration cases can be reviewed at IPC Legal Clinic

Given the recent detentions of long term permanent residents, we want to highlight our ongoing clinics. Marriage, immigration and family petition cases, visas, arrests, and US citizenship topics are discussed each month at the clinics. On Tuesday May 1st, we have a free legal clinic beginning at 6:30 pm at The Banshee, 934 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester. Leading US immigration attorneys including Chris Lavery and Dan Harrington provide free one to one consultations on a range of immigration topics from visas to US citizenship.

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

By Sr. Marguerite Kelly, Pastoral Associate

Email me at: srmkelly@ipcboston.org

Live all life’s ups and downs with God

This weekend’s liturgy, like much of life at times, is marked by wild contrasts.  One day Jesus rides into Jerusalem in triumph.  He is greeted with joyful shouting:  “Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  The people greet the One who will fulfill all their hopes: their King, their Savior, the Messiah who will give them heaven on earth!

But within days everything changes.  Jesus is betrayed by one of his closest followers; he is arrested, beaten, humiliated, tried on trumped-up charges, and sentenced to crucifixion.  His friends fail to comfort him in his darkest hour, and his chosen successor denies him.  The crowds, who days earlier cheered him, are offered a chance to pardon a man: they choose a notorious thug and murderer over Jesus, crying, “Crucify him!”  And they do crucify him, between two common criminals.

What a wild descent in only a few days.  Our lives can sometimes seem like that.  As the song says, “That’s life…You’re riding high in April, shot down in May.”

But notice Jesus’ calm acceptance of both the high and the low.  In his cry to God – “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you.  Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will”- Jesus demonstrates commitment and equanimity.

This is the lesson of Jesus the man: bear all things equally; with God all things are possible.

Living with Christ                                                                 Patrick M. Doyle

And…

The IPC bids farewell to Cora Flood, Senior Program Coordinator – Cora has decided not to return to employment at the IPC following the birth of their third child, Conor!

Although she will not be here, she is not far away and will be volunteering for the IPC’s Music for Memory Program.  Cora has been wonderful and very instrumental in the implementation of a very successful Irish Senior Citizens Outreach program – she will be sadly missed by everyone.

Thank you both…

Volunteers are in integral part of  a non profit organization and the IPC would like to acknowledge and thank two of the finest for their continued support over the years.  We hope you can make it.

On Friday, March 16, 2012, The Irish Pastoral Centre of Boston was the site for the launch of the Irish Senior Connect listening line of Boston.  Frances Fitzgerald, Irish Minister of Children & Youth Services, was the guest of honor for the occasion, and officiated at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Based on a very successful program in Ireland, the service is a project of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, an umbrella group for all of the Irish Immigration Centers throughout the U.S. The Irish Pastoral Centre was chosen to host the Boston project which will serve as a model at other centers throughout the country. The goal is to provide a listening ear, information and a link to resources that can help with various needs or concerns. It will also serve as a connection to the local Irish and Irish American community, and will provide a network of support and friendship for seniors.

Upon her arrival, Minister Fitzgerald, who was accompanied by her husband, was warmly welcomed by Boston Irish seniors, volunteers, and staff of the CIIC and IPC Boston.

Alicia Connors, Executive Director of the IPC welcomed Minister Fitzgerald and other guests including Consul General Michael Lonergan, and Vice Consul Deirdre Ní Fhallúin and introduced IPC staff and volunteers to all.

Susan Doody, CIIC Senior Connect Coordinator, thanked Steve Greeley of the American Ireland Fund, and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs for providing the funding for the program. Thanks were also given to all of the seniors, volunteers and staff at the IPC, and staff and board members of the CIIC for their help and support in establishing the listening line in Boston. She noted that important objective of the listening and information line will be to reach out to seniors who may be homebound or lonely and isolated.  Partnerships with youth organizations will be formed to create intergenerational programs for senior support. The coordinator and Senior Connect volunteers will also be reaching out into the community to publicize the listening line service at community agencies, churches and events.

Minister Fitzgerald thanked program staff and volunteers for all of their work in the varied service program areas which provide much needed assistance for new immigrants, and those Irish and Irish Americans who are already established in the United States. She emphasized the strong bonds between the US and Ireland, and spoke about intergenerational programming as a key to success in both countries.

Maureen and Gerry McNally performed traditional Irish songs with vocals and guitar, accompanied by Andrea Mori on flute. Irish breads, pastries and streusel cake, coffee and tea were provided by Greenhills bakery.

Anyone who would like to learn more about the Irish Senior Connect helpline, if would like to volunteer, please contact Susan Doody at susan.doody@ciic-usa.org or call 857-266-8133.

Senior Notes

By Catherine Moloney, Social Services and Senior Program Coordinator

Email me at catheriemoloney@ipcboston.org or call 617 265 5300 x 12

Cora Flood, our Senior Outreach Program Coordinator, has been on maternity leave since January. At this point, with three young children at home, Cora has decided to take some time off work (of the paid variety!) and she will not be returning to her post. Cora has been a dedicated staff member at the IPC for many years. She will be hugely missed by the staff and by all those involved in the Senior Program. However Cora will not be leaving us altogether. She plans to remain involved with the IPC and to volunteer with the Music for Memory Group and the Irish Senior Connect.  We will be honoring Cora and her contribution to the IPC at one of our 25^th Anniversary events on May 19^th at the Irish Social Club in West Roxbury from 7-11pm. Put the date in your diary and be sure to join us.

Cora Flood came to visit at both the Cara Club and the Dorchester Coffee Morning with her beautiful little baby Conor.  Everyone was delighted to see Cora and to meet the newest addition to the Flood/Crosse family. We had singing as always at the Cara Club with a new quartet of our volunteers Emer Mezetti, Evelyn Flaherty and Mai Gallagher along with Catherine Moloney singing ‘I Wore a Black Shawl’.  Thanks to Marie Burke, Visiting Angels, who offered blood pressure screening and to Teresa Kelly who did Arts & Crafts for Easter for the group at Dorchester on Wednesday

We had a huge early response to our monthly Mass and Luncheon at the Irish Cultural Centre. Because of fire and safety regulations we can only accommodate 180 so as a result we had to stop taking reservations at the end of last week and place people on a waiting list. We are very sorry that unfortunately some of our loyal regular attendees did not get to come.. For those who missed the event we hope to see you on April 19th at our next mass and luncheon. For those who did get to attend a lovely day was had by all with music from the popular Dan Hallissey. Thank you, as always, to all the volunteers who make the day possible.

Mike Shields is organizing a trip to Foxwoods Casino on Tuesday 24^th April. Tickets are $25 per person. This includes coach transport from Quincy, $15 lunch voucher and $10 gambling voucher. If you are interested in signing up please contact Mike Shields at (617) 471-9380 for tickets and information.

We were very sorry to hear about the recent death of Michael Coffey. Michael’s wife, Bridie, has been a very active participant and volunteer at the IPC. We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Bridie, to her children and family.

Please feel free to call Catherine Moloney at 617 265 5300 x12 for more information on IPC Senior Citizen Outreach Program activities and services