Smaller congregation marks 186th gathering in honor of St. Patrick’s Day at Corktown parish, where blessings flow and history abounds

DETROIT — It wasn’t the “packed house” normally associated with St. Patrick’s Day Mass at Most Holy Trinity Parish, but the faithful did gather to give God thanks for the Irish patron’s spreading of the faith on the Emerald Isle. 

An estimated 300 attended the famed Corktown parish for Mass with Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron on a subdued but still faith-filled March 17. 

“How appropriate for us to begin the Holy Eucharist by praising the Holy Trinity,” Archbishop Vigneron said in reference to the opening hymn, “Sing Praise to Our Creator,” and its homage to the Holy Trinity. “This is the great mystery Patrick taught in Ireland: this gift God has given for us to be with His Son.” 

Most Holy Trinity’s pastor, Msgr. Charles Kosanke — who was keen to mention his mother’s maiden name is the far more Gaelic “Clancy” — told those gathered about how his grandfather immigrated to Ellis Island in 1914, making his way to Detroit to work for the Ford Motor Company. 

Most Holy Trinity was built in 1834 by the Irish community who established the Corktown neighborhood as a bastion of Irish culture in Michigan, including the landing ground for the Ford family whose descendants would take charge in restoring Corktown’s famed Michigan Central Station. 

The St. Patrick’s Day Mass still featured Irish songs before the liturgy, a color guard of Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians and pipers. The Mass, dubbed the “Sharin’ o’ the Green,” is a prominent fundraiser for the Most Holy Trinity community, including its schools and nonprofit Cabrini Clinic. 

Fr. Brian Hurley, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Lapeer, delivered the homily, recalling how, as a seminarian, he went on a trip to Ireland, where he got to venerate the relics of St. Patrick and St. Brigid of Kildare and St. Columba, the three patron saints of Ireland. 

Fr. Hurley admitted being underwhelmed by the experience, until he saw a large hill the sun had illuminated and decided to walk up it. 

“There was this beautiful green hill, and walking out, on top of those hills, there are these statues of three saints that look small from below, but (up close) they are mammoth; they are stunning,” Fr. Hurley said. “These amazing statues overlook these green hills, the blue of the water, and it was amazing to see this amazing country God had created. 

“It is a foreshadowing of what God has promised us,” Fr. Hurley continued. “Ireland was enslaved to paganism, and it was Patrick, the second bishop of Ireland, a former slave himself, who set the prisoners free. He cut a path to the very heart of Christ for others to follow. He wants to make open a path for all the graces and blessings of Christ.” 

Fr. Hurley said the faithful can look to the saints in times of uncertainty and trouble, knowing they are powerful intercessors whom people can call upon.  

“A year ago, I did a Mass and procession around (the parish) campus to protect us from the plague,” Fr. Hurley said. “We wanted to protect ourselves, our loves ones, our businesses and jobs. Our Lord understands those pains and trials. St. Patrick understands those pains and trials. They give us the blessings we need. ... The more we are in love with the saints, the more we grow devoted to the Lord.” 

Following Communion, a rendition of “Our Lady of Knock” was sung, celebrating the Aug. 21, 1879, Marian apparition in Knock, County Mayo, where the Blessed Mother was seen with St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist and Jesus, depicted as the Lamb of God. 

After the song, Archbishop Vigneron asked the congregation to pray for a restoration of the Irish people’s faith. 

“Pray for the renewal of the faith throughout Ireland,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “For today we give God thanks for sending Patrick to preach the Gospel in Ireland, and for all the sons and daughters of Ireland who came to this country with their faith.” 

The annual luncheon wasn’t held this year because of COVID-19, but people were invited to take a tour of the new Peter and Connie Cracchiolo Community Center at Most Holy Trinity, with coffee and treats to go. 

Msgr. Kosanke asked the faithful to patronize neighboring Corktown restaurants and pubs safely, if possible. 

It wasn’t the typical St. Patrick’ Day celebration, but it was a small step toward normalcy for the parish community. 

“I think everyone is very grateful. This is a tradition that stems back many, many years,” Pat Lynch, who has been singing before the St. Patrick’s Day Mass for the past 35 years, told Detroit Catholic. “My grandfather used to come to this Mass back in the 1920s and 30s; I celebrated St. Patrick’s Day always here. 

“People come to this Mass because there is a feeling of roots here in Corktown, particularly with Most Holy Trinity, the oldest English-speaking parish in the state of Michigan,” Lynch said. “There are deep roots for the Irish and others who have come to know this place as a place of refuge, a place of support with the Cabrini Clinic and many other things sponsored here to assist people in need.”