CROWN POINT – The City of Crown Point will be glowing in shades of green on March 17 as the annual Nighttime St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off at dusk. The lineup includes dozens of participants, such as the Orak Shriners, local dance academies and community organizations. Among those taking part will also be members of St. Mary.
This will be the third year St. Mary, a church in the Diocese of Gary’s South Lake Deanery, will participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Crown Point. And they have hopes that the float will win an award this year.
Suzie Hartman, parish life director, said the parish has an amazing family that has allowed the church to use a flatbed trailer to decorate for the parade. There are even handrails around each side to keep folks safe as they ride along the route.
Over the last two years, the parish’s float featured a large rainbow created with balloons and numerous white twinkle lights, as the parade rules require a minimum of five strings of lights. There were also lots of green twinkle lights along the handrails.
“Glitter is overused with letters wishing folks a happy St. Patrick’s Day,” Hartman explained. “Last year, we added a pot of gold and convinced Father Peter Muha to ride in the SUV towing the float. Folks loved seeing him along the parade as he handed out candy.”
This year, the parish had a suggestion from one of its Youth Group members to add the trinity shamrock to the float. A trinity shamrock is a 3-leaf clover traditionally used in Irish Christian folklore to explain the Holy Trinity.
“We are working on the best way to display that in addition to the rainbow, pot of gold and glitter,” Hartman said. “It will be amazing!”
The first year the church participated in the parade, it was in hopes of bringing St. Mary’s parishioners to a Crown Point event and starting a better relationship with the city. The parish’s visibility within the parade has not gone unnoticed. Hartman said last year people were shouting, “Hi Father Peter,” a sign the parish isn’t just a building, but part of the community.
Father Muha said being a part of the parade last year was a lot of fun. He also noted that it’s good for the parish to have visibility in the community.
“Crown Point is a tight-knit town, and many people belong to both St. Mary and St. Matthias,” he said. “Being involved in the community is a great way to promote evangelization.”
With the St. Patrick’s Day weather expected to be chilly, Hartman stated the temperatures might not be favorable for the parade, but added that it won’t stop them from having fun, nor will it stop all the folks lined up along the streets.
The parish does have an Amazon wish list, allowing people who may not want to ride on the float or are not able assist in its creation. Those in attendance will be able to vote for their favorite St. Patrick’s Day Parade float by visiting www.crownpoint.in.gov on March 17.
After the parade is over, all volunteers are invited back to the office to enjoy snacks and warm drinks to thaw out. It allows parishioners to visit because sometimes, while preparing for an event, they each are doing their specific part and don't always get to visit with each other.
“It's a great way to reflect on what went right and what we can improve,” Hartman said. “It's a lovely way to wrap up an event.”
Who was St. Patrick?
The patron of Ireland, this bishop was born in Roman Britain, kidnapped at 16 by Irish raiders and sold into slavery in Ireland. He was a lonely shepherd for six years before escaping and returning home. But his dream of converting the Irish pagans propelled him to priestly studies in Gaul (now France), and, in about 432, Pope Celestine I consecrated him bishop and sent him to Ireland. For nearly 30 years, he preached tirelessly, made countless converts, founded monasteries and established the primatial see at Armagh. Toward the end of his life, he made a 40-day retreat in Mayo that gave rise to the famous ongoing Croagh Patrick pilgrimages. Stories of him using the shamrock to explain the Trinity and driving snakes from the island are legend. (OSV News)
