It’s time to dig through your dresser drawers for the green T-Shirt, socks, or scarf that you’ll wear on Thursday, March 16th. St. Patrick’s Day is once upon us! If you want to indulge in a traditional Irish meal, you will find a welcome at the Senior Center or the United Methodist Church at noon on March 17th , more on that later in this article.
These days it’s common practice to ‘be Irish for a day’ on St. Patrick’s Day, just as many enjoy a smashing a pinata at a ‘ Cinco De Mayo’ party on Mexico’s Independence Day, May 5th. Celebrating the diverse ethnic heritage of our family or our community neighbors is much more than the opportunity to down green-tinted beer or quaff salt-rimmed glasses of margaritas. It’s fascinating to learn about the true history and customs beyond the hype pf green shamrocks, pots of gold and sprightly-jigging leprechaun’s.
In his book, “How the Irish Saved Civilization,” Thomas Cahill tells the story of Patrick (389-461 CE) who was the son of a Briton, living under the rule of the Roman Empire. Sea-faring Irish pirates frequently raided and harassed the Britons, whisking away animals and people to be enslaved on the Emerald Island, Erin (Ireland in Gaelic tongue). Patrick was stolen as a young lad, and spent many years tending the cattle on the green pastures, praying to God for deliverance, while gradually learning the Gaelic language, songs, beliefs and customs of his captors. One day, his prayers were answered, as he looked out over a harbor and spotted a moored ship--flying the colors of the British Romans!! He promptly left his cattle, running and then swimming to the ship, which returned him to his family in Briton. Patrick became a Roman Catholic priests and served the Britons until he was an old man, perhaps considered past his prime of life. He’d been petitioning to be a missionary to the Irish, for many years, and was finally allowed to follow his deepest yearning to introduce the God of Jesus Christ to his former captures.
The Northumbria Community tells a story of Patrick’s courage and evangelistic efforts during the Holy Week.
“When Patrick arrived at Tara it was Easter Eve and he lit a fire so he could keep vigil….it was also a Druid festival for which every fire in the land must be put out in preparation. Patrick’s Easter light shone boldly, so he as brought before the King.” Patrick explained his custom of lighting the fire as he preached to the listeners about Jesus of Nazareth’s death and subsequent Resurrection from the dead, with many of the listeners turning from the old Druid religion to embrace the Christian faith as modeled by Patrick.
In his jealousy and fear of losing of control over the people, King Laeghaire arranged for men to ambush ‘Patrick, and his companions, including a young boy called Benignus as he left. Many credit Patrick’s prayer, called the Breastplate Prayer of Patrick, with their escape as the ambush party saw only ‘a company of stags with a little fawn running behind them.’
Today, many Irish descendants in the United States prepare a feast on St. Patrick’s Day for family and friends. Special traditional foods are served: Colconnon, Irish Soda Bread, Corned Beef Roasted with Potatoes, Cabbage, Rutabagas.
If you would like to try some of these Irish treats, please drop by the Big Sandy Senior Center ($12) or the Big Sandy United Methodist Church (free will offering) on Friday, March 17th, 2023.
Here’s ONE of our favorite Recipes that we will be
serving at our Methodist Potluck, along with the Corned Beef with Cabbage, Potatoes and Rutabagas, Irish Stew and Irish Soda Bread.
COLCONNEN
2 AND 1/2 POUNDS OF POTATOES PEELED AND CUBED
4 SLICES OF BACON
1/2 SMALL CABBAGE CHOPPED
1 LARGE ONION CHOPPED
1/2 CUP MILK
SALT AND PEPPER
1/4 CUP BUTTER , MELTED
1. COOK POTATOES TILL TENDER
2. COOK BACON, DRAIN, RESERVE DRIPPINGS, AND CRUMBLE---SET ASIDE.. IN DRIPPINGS SAUTE CABBAGE AND ONION TILL SOFT.
3. DRAIN POTATOES, MASH WITH MILK AND SEASON WITH SALT AND PEPPER. FOLD IN BACON, CABBAGE AND ONIONS.
4. PUT IN BIG BOWL.MAKE WELL IN CENTER AND POUR IN MELTED BUTTER
