MILWAUKEE - Everyone has the chance to "become Irish" this weekend in Milwaukee. Irish Fest, the nation's largest Irish festival, kicks off Thursday on the lakefront. Festival executive director Jane Anderson said that Irish Fest will have a particular focus on two regions of the island nation.TMJ4
"This year, we're going to celebrate the counties of Derry and Donegal, in the northwest of Ireland," said Anderson on Newsradio 620 WTMJ's "Wisconsin's Morning News."
"There's going to be a showcase there, not only with all the entertainment, but a lot of lectures, history, arts and crafts, great exhibits."
Anderson says there's also a lot of great entertainment this year, including Kintra, Different Drums, Gaelic Storm, and the Red Hot Chili Pipers
And then, of course, there's the traditional mass - the "Liturgy for Peace and Justice" - on Sunday, that starts at 9:30 a.m. with Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki.
"Those who bring a non-perishable food item (and attend the Mass) will get onto the grounds free," said Anderson.
Someone shoot me.
Uh, folks I don't think it is the Traditional Mass, but a Mass which has become a tradition.
Although I had pictures of dancing nuns and felt banners, I wonder if it's meant to be a Mass for Justice for Ireland, aka, kick out the northerners....
But then again, go to Mass and Irishfest is free. Really if you think about it, wouldn't free beer bring a ton of people back into the Church? Go to Ireland, can all the bishops, set up Fr. Ted as the primate, and have free beer
On a related note, did you know Irishfest in La Crosse didn't even invite their Irish bishop to celebrate Mass? They bring in their own priest not from the diocese(and I heard don't check in either). I mean it's one thing for a private Mass or at a parish, but a public event in the seat of the diocese?
This is what you get for a post at 10:30 pm after a Guinness.