Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, along with the Irish Catholic community of Breezy Point welcomed the Taoiseach of Ireland, Enda Kenny, on St. Patrick’s Day.

Taoiseach Kenny, who is the head of government in Ireland, joined Blessed Trinity parish for Mass at St. Thomas Church, a worship site of the parish. He served as lector and joined the community of faith in receiving the Eucharist.

“I think it’s important to be able to demonstrate solidarity with a people who have come through a difficult time,” he said. “We hope that the community in Breezy will continue with its heart and soul and that in years to come it will rebuild even stronger than ever before.”

Professional athletes from the Gaelic Athletic Association, in collaboration with the Irish government, traveled from Ireland to Breezy Point in order to help with recovery from Superstorm Sandy. In less than 10 days, the athletes completely renewed the Msgr. Connelly Parish Center.

This allows parishioners to have a clean and modern place to gather for social events. It affords them a sense of normalcy as they struggle to restructure their lives after Sandy.

Parishioner Jennifer Lineghan, who is still unable to return to her home, said the athletes have given the community more than just a physical building. They also brought a reassuring and caring presence.

“We were hurt over seeing our community so badly destroyed that it was nice knowing ­­­­that they came to help,” she said.

It was, in part, for this great generosity that Msgr. Michael Curran, pastor, was honored to welcome Taoiseach Kenny, who is also referred to as prime minister.

“It was an honor for the prime minister to come so we can welcome him and through him to thank all the people from the Irish community in Ireland who have been so generous to us,” he said.

Bishop DiMarzio said he also was grateful to the Irish government for its generosity.  Aside from serving as main celebrant at the Breezy Point Mass, he also reviewed the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Manhattan to show his gratitude to the Irish people and their faith.

“The faith of the Irish people is inspirable from their national identity,” he said. “It defines them as a people.”

It is on that faith that parishioners like Maryellen Barnes rely to get­­ through the aftermath of Sandy. Barnes lost her home to the fires caused by Sandy.

“We are a strong people and we have been through a lot,” she said. “We are together in good times and in bad times. And it is our faith that gives us our joy in our life and it is our faith that gets us through the hard times.”

Serving as a symbol of hope, the now famous statue of Mary, which survived the fires at a neighborhood residence, now rests in the sanctuary of St. Thomas More Church.

Msgr. Curran said he looks toward the future with hope because the Breezy Point parish has a strong foundation of faith and community.

“We are coming back slowly but surely,” he said. “Whatever it looks like physically, the soul of Breezy Point will be what it always has been: a place of faith, neighborliness and generosity.”

Msgr. Curran said evidence of recovery is readily visible. Mass is celebrated daily at all three worship sites of Blessed Trinity parish  and most other parish activities have resumed.

­­­­­­“God bless you all,” Taoiseach Kenny told those gathered at the hall his countrymen helped restore. “Keep your courage up. Keep your spirit up. You will never be beaten when you do that.”