SBOL_05_09_2024

Recovery Week in South Boston

Giants’

by Rick Winterson

Recovery Week took place in South Boston at key locations including the Local 7 Ironworkers Hall, the Omni Hotel on Summer Street, and the WS Development/Turner Construction project under

construction in the Seaport District. Recovery Week meetings and sessions were completely filled – standing room only. They were all devoted to Recovery, of course, with their main topic being dealing with substance abuse in the workplace. The slogan for Recovery Week was simple – “Building Wellness” – wellness that results from clean, sober, substance-free living.

The 2024 Recovery Week was created, arranged, and presented by BTEA Northeast (the Building Trades Employers’ Association Northeast). This is an organization that’s a leading voice for union building trades contractors in the New England states and upstate New York. Much of the BTEA efforts are devoted to skilled, professional

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Celebrating First Holy Communion

Congratulations to all the 2nd grade students at South Boston Catholic Academy and the Parish Religious Education Program on making their First Holy Communion that was celebrated this past Saturday at Gate of Heaven Church. Father Casey, the Pastor; along with Fr. Schirripa, Parochial Vicar; and Monsignor Bergin, Priest Assistant in Residence concelebrated at this Mass. A Special Thank you to the 2nd grader teachers...Ms. Caitlin Jackson, Ms. Megan Leslie, Ms. Kerry Buckley and also Ms. Ann Marie Buckley for helping to prepare the children for this Sacrament. May God Bless all these wonderful boys and girls and their families.

More Photos on Page 11

tight end Darren Waller speaks at Recovery Week.

Continued from Page 1 Recovery Week

training, such as Recovery Week and Recovery itself.

Recovery Week’s “Opening Night” took place Monday evening, April 29, at Local 7 Ironworkers Hall on Old Colony. Speakers included Shawn Nehiley, VP of Ironworkers International; Thomas Gunning, ED of BTEA Northeast; NFL New York Giants’ tight end Darren Waller; and Sugar Ray Leonard, the legendary welterweight boxing champion and gold medalist. The remarks from every speaker were highly motivational. Sugar Ray Leonard’s “POWER” speech was truly inspiring.

Much of Recovery Week’s agenda was devoted to teaching participants about the latest ways to combat substance abuse, and to make “Recovery” part of every construction project and workplace. On Wednesday during Recovery Week, there was a training session at the Omni Hotel on Summer Street in the Seaport. Lori McCarthy, the ED

of Herren Wellness, presented it; the session was filled with suggestions on how to proceed. For example, always use kindness and concern when you suggest Recovery to a fellow worker. Advise him or her to seek help –professional help, if needed. Use positive words like “Recovery” so as not to shame your fellow worker. Employers and Managers in any workplace should publish clear, written policies about substance use and abuse, and then review them with each on-site worker now and then. While most of the Recovery Week activities occurred in South Boston, two sessions took place in nearby suburbs. For

“Women’s Wellness” on Tuesday, Lifetime Fitness in Burlington hosted a keynote talk by Gail Brenner Nastasia, the author of “The Fruit You’ll Never See.” Her talk was followed by a complimentary yoga/breathwork session with Alex Amorosi (no experience was required of the participants). In Braintree on Thursday, at Marriott’s Residence Inn, a six-hour training course was taught by experts in occupational first aid. The up-to-date content included modern First Aid, how to use Narcan (for opiate overdoses), Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Automated External Defibrillators (AED)

The final session in Recovery Week, called “Standdown”, was a collaboration with Turner Construction and WS Development. Standdown took place on the partly completed fifth floor of a 17-story structure these two firms are building on Boston Wharf Road in the Seaport. Breakfast was served to more than 400 construction crafts people. Inspired concluding remarks about Recovery were delivered by many who were in Recovery themselves, and were topped off in a talk by Matthew Slater, the Patriots’ all-time special teams member. Overall, this was a highly fitting close to Recovery Week.

The South Boston Historical Society Looks Ahead

informative. SBHS Treasurer Pat Reid brought everyone up to date on the SBHS’s finances, which are in good shape. Because the SBHS fiscal year goes from September (four months from now) until the following August 31, Pat’s figures were only estimates but overall, the Society has the funds to continue. Many of those at the meeting renewed their $6 annual SBHS memberships on the spot.

by Rick Winterson

Professor Robert J. Allison has served as the President of the South Boston Historical Society (the SBHS) since early in this century. Bob teaches History at Suffolk University in Downtown Boston, where he is a key member of Suffolk’s academic staff. Until recently, Bob and his family lived here in South Boston. He and his wife Phyllis Allison have now relocated to East Boston, and he has tendered his resignation as SBHS President. In Bob’s words, he states, “I am stepping down – it is important, I think, for the Society’s President to live in this neighborhood.”

At 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, Bob chaired a general meeting of the SBHS that was called for several reasons – to establish the future goals of the SBHS, to arrange for elections of its officers (including a new President), and to appoint a new Board of Directors to determine future SBHS directions. Attendance at the meeting was notable – 32 people showed up, many of them long-time residents of South Boston. And several others were comparative newcomers. Everyone professed a strong interest in continuing the work of the SBHS.

The general discussion that followed was informal and very

The role of South Boston in our War for Independence – notably on Evacuation Day, March 17, 1776 – was mentioned as a key reason for continuing the efforts of the SBHS. The 250th Anniversary of the original Evacuation Day is less than two years from now. As just one memorial item, a statue of Henry Knox is being considered for Dorchester Heights.

Bob brought up the fact that the SBHS has lost its space in what was originally the Convent at St. Augustine Church, which then became the McDevitt Center housing the Paraclete. South Boston’s Neighborhood Development Corporation has now purchased this building and will convert it into 35 affordable units for the elderly. It’ll be called the McDevitt Senior Residences. Bob informed the meeting that Dave Pogorelc of Core Investments has kindly agreed to provide space for a new SBHS home at the “On the DOT” project in the Andrew Square neighborhood.

Kathleen Clifford, our Branch Library’s Program & Outreach Librarian, explained a new program that may well interest the SBHS. The program is entitled “Mass. Memories”; it’s a community event. It involves patrons of the Branch Library bringing a few of their favorite family photos to the Library, where these will be digitized and archived for future generations to view and enjoy.

meeting, the six following members of SBHS were appointed as its new Directors: Brian Ahern, Paul Conley, Linda Kanavich, Justin Lovelace, Greg Deber, and Bob Allison himself. Even though he has stepped down as President, Bob will serve on the Board of Director, reflecting his dedication to the Society and to an effective transfer of responsibilities. Ray and Cathy

Flynn were in attendance. When Ray’s name was mentioned as a possible SBHS Director, he quickly replied (with his usual sense of humor), “No, I can’t accept. The last time I accepted a new position, President Clinton sent me to Vatican City”. We’ll close by expressing our gratitude to Bob Allison for his many years of service as President of the South Boston Historical Society.

Happy Mother’s Day

From Senator Nick Collins & Family

At the end of its two-hour

SBHS President Bob Allison (r., standing) convenes the Society’s planning meeting.

Kathleen Clifford, Program & Outreach Librarian, describes a BPL history program.

South Boston Graduate: Stephen Flynn

By Carol Masshardt

(The series will feature 2024 high school graduates from South Boston)

Stephen Flynn, 18, will graduate from the Boston Latin School this year. He has many reasons to be proud, including successful completion of

a demanding academic program, playing for the varsity baseball team, and involvement in the Christian Athletic Club, Peer Mentoring, and Student Leadership group. In addition, and perhaps foremost, is his appreciation for people and their experiences.

“I liked Latin School and I learned how to be better disciplined academically and it made me more resilient. But what I loved was meeting people I may not have met and from all over the city. The school gave a sense of belonging. Baseball has been one of the most enjoyable things of my life, but it isn’t about winning, but about the team. It is a second family. After a game you go out for food, blast the music, and know you are a team,” he said.

A daunting first year via zoom was most trying, “because the person -to-person is most important to me,” he said. Returning to the classroom, he developed a support system of new and old friends.

Still deciding among college choices with acceptances from

Merrimack and UMass-Amherst, he knows better than many that the process will bring unimaginable opportunities for growth.

“I think it is a mistake at eighteen to try to know exactly what your course will be. All I know at 100 percent is that I want to have an astronomical impact on people for the better. That is my way forward,” he said.

Happy Mother’s Day

“Happy Mother’s Day to my mom & all mothers on this special day!”

City Councilor Ed Flynn

Working at the summer camp of the South Boston Neighborhood House each summer and the front desk at other times, he observed how people were treated especially in a community of people with vastly different resources.

“At first my mom signed me up for the Neighborhood House, and I was like why do I have to do it, but I love it there and wouldn’t change anything. I like the way they work. Kathy (Lafferty) and Caitlin (Murphy) reach out to so many people. It is a small building with big impact,” he said.

The son of Boston Counselor Ed Flynn and his wife, Kristen, and grandson of former Mayor of Boston and Ambassador Ray Flynn, Stephen is not new to values of community and political action.

“I learned a lot from my family and could talk to my grandfather for

hours about anything, but nothing is forced on me. My parents taught me about community, but the passion to make a difference is all mine. I plan to major in Political Science, and built on my favorite courses at Latin, which were the history classes.

Stephen Flynn has a quiet sense of humor, endless love for people and his family of parents, a sister, grandparents, 17 cousins, and close friends. He has had a fine education, and athletic abilities among other talents, and in that alone, he is bound to do well. And, his potential for leadership, even that which he may not fully own yet, seems natural and fitting.

“I do have to leave home now. It is for independence and to branch out and learn. Your mother can’t make you a sandwich for lunch your whole life,” he joked. His quality of thinking in this modest personal way is bound to enhance any community lucky enough to have him as a member. Congratulations, Stephen Flynn.

(If you are, or know of another graduate who is willing to share their experience, please contact carolhardt@comcast.net)

Stephen Flynn

Over 160 Cruise Ships to Visit Boston this Season

Against the backdrop of the Norwegian Gem, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) joined elected officials and community stakeholders to celebrate the start of the 2024 cruise season at Flynn Cruiseport Boston. The Gem is just one of the eight ships homeporting in Boston this season and offers weekly sailings to Bermuda through August, followed by sailings to the Canada/New England coastline through October.

At the event, Massport recognized State Representative David Biele with the 2024 Maritime Champion Award for his support and advocacy of the maritime economy in Boston and throughout the Commonwealth. Representative Biele was key in advocating for $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the modernization of Conley Terminal.

Since 1986, over 7 million passengers cumulatively have traveled through Flynn Cruiseport Boston to experience a vacation to Bermuda, Canada/ New England, and other international destinations. Flynn Cruiseport is an important part of the Massachusetts visitor economy, and supports businesses located throughout the Commonwealth that service and provision homeport

ships, provide transportation to passengers, or serve as destinations for port-of-call visitors. Flynn Cruiseport Boston supports $135.5 million in annual economic impact. Flynn Cruiseport Boston is home to nearly 2,200 jobs (direct, induced, and indirect jobs) and generates $40 million in federal, state, and local tax revenue, according to the 2018 Martin Economic Impact Report.

“We are excited to kick off the start of the 2024 cruise season at Flynn Cruiseport Boston. We are proud the growth we’ve seen in our cruise operations over the last few years, and we couldn’t do it without our cruise partners,” said Massport Port Director Joseph Morris. “Boston is the preeminent cruise port for New England and plays a very important role in our tourism economy. It supports thousands of jobs and serves as an economic engine for the Commonwealth. We look forward to welcoming cruise passengers to Boston and New England so they can explore all this region has to offer.”

Flynn Cruiseport Boston will also welcome 13 maiden calls this season. Flynn Cruiseport Boston will have a record six cruise lines offering eight homeport ships and voyages:

“Boston is an exceptional city that our guests enjoy sailing from, and it plays a critical role to our long-term presence on the east coast,” said Juan Kuryla, Senior Vice President of Port Development and Construction of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “While we are excited to celebrate Norwegian Gem’s return for another season, we are equally eager to continue to explore improvements.

“I am excited to join Massport, the ILA and the cruise industry to kick off another successful cruise season,” stated Senator Nick

recognized State Representative David Biele with the 2024 Maritime Champion Award for his support and advocacy of the maritime economy in Boston and throughout the Commonwealth. Representative Biele was key in advocating for $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the modernization of Conley Terminal.

Collins, who represents the Port of Boston. “As the industry grows, I look forward to working together to ensure that we are addressing the impacts and moving towards a Net Zero facility at Flynn Cruiseport Boston. That starts with ship-to-shore power and the infrastructure to enable it.”

State Representative David Biele

Massport

Representative Biele accepting his award

‘Our Biggest Fight’ McCourt Visits South Boston to Get Technology Conversation Started

By Ginger DeShaney

The Internet as we know it is broken, according to the book “Our Biggest Fight.”

Renowned author, advocate, and Project Liberty founder Frank H. McCourt’s latest book delves into the alarming consequences of technology on today’s youth, shedding light on its role in exacerbating mental health challenges, fostering a sense of isolation, and leading to teen suicide.

As a longtime ally and former board president of the South Boston Neighborhood House (SBNH), McCourt visited South Boston last week to bring his message to the neighborhood, spark meaningful dialogue, and drive collective action. By hearing directly from parents and community members, he hopes to glean valuable perspectives that can inform effective strategies for addressing technology’s adverse effects on youth mental health.

SBNH Executive Director Kathy Lafferty welcomed about 30 people to the Ollie Friday night for

the discussion. “I’ve always known Frank to be a visionary. I’ve always known him to be a forward thinker and to be able to pull people together when he believes in something. I’m really happy to welcome him back.”

McCourt said he was happy to be back in South Boston because “I know this community can start things happening.

“Our intention is to have a conversation with you all and try to process a few things together,” McCourt said. “We want to learn from you in terms of what’s really going on.”

McCourt’s work is a clarion call for action, urging society to confront the detrimental effects of technology on our children. He and co-author Michael Casey explore how pervasive screen time, social media pressures, and digital distractions are contributing to a growing mental health crisis among youth, often with devastating outcomes.

“Project Liberty is about reimagining the way the Internet works,” he said, “so that we all kind of reclaim our personhood, reclaim our data, and not be in a situation where we kind of feel out of control, helpless, and for some, even worse.”

McCourt, who is executive chairman of McCourt Global, said we could have the best ideas for how you fix a broken Internet, but “it won’t matter unless we create a groundswell around a demand for change and a real movement.”

After showing a video in which parents talked about how social media changed their kids, how cyberbullying led to suicides, how “viral” challenges led kids to do dangerous stunts,

McCourt opened up the conversation. Here are some of the comments from those in attendance:

One grandmother limits the time her granddaughter can be on the Internet. “Every time I let her get on the Internet to watch a movie, to do whatever, and it was time to stop, it was a big blowup every single time.”

An after-school teacher noted: “They’re addicted to the screen in front of them. And you’re starting to see it in the posture, you’re starting to see it when you’re having to remove them from it.”

It will be a balancing act because so much of what happens in school and work involves the Internet.

One mother commented: “We need to be afraid of the system, and that’s scary. We need to be afraid of online predators, and that’s scary. But the fact is that kids also need to be wary of their peers and people who are supposed to be their friends. And the power that they yield with the platforms that are out there, it’s just appalling.”

Kids aren’t the only ones affected by the Internet. Adults get addicted to it, as well.

It’s the parents’ job to put guardrails in place regarding Internet usage.

One person pointed out that the Internet listens to what people are saying. McCourt asked if anyone experienced talking about something in person and then seeing ads and such related to that topic pop up on the Internet. Everyone in the room raised their hands.

Seniors are getting scammed on the Internet.

There are so many mental health issues going on with children and adults that pediatricians, mental health providers, and parents need to be on board. “And you have to bring this to the world’s attention,” one person said.

The book describes a groundbreaking solution: a “thirdgeneration Internet that would replace the status quo with a new model marked by digital property rights, autonomy, and ownership.”

“It’s very much part of our lives,” McCourt said about technology and the Internet. “So if it’s going to be such a part of our lives, shouldn’t it be something that is a positive, useful, constructive part of our lives, rather than something that we need to protect people from? Anything that you need to protect people from is probably not inherently right. So this is about problem solving.”

Shop, Sip, & Save at the South Boston Spring Stroll Tonight

SPRING STROLL

Free Summer Fitness Series

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) are pleased to announce the 2024 Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The series offers free weekly classes both virtually and in 17 City of Boston parks from May 5 to August 31, 2024.

Boston NDC in celebrating the annual Spring Stroll on Thursday, May 9.

Kicking off at 4 p.m., take a leisurely evening walk along Broadway and its surrounding areas to indulge in a delightful array of discounts, refreshments, and special promotions offered by our local small businesses and restaurants. This is the perfect opportunity to do your Mother’s Day shopping!

The Late Risers will provide musical entertainment along East and West Broadway from 5-7 p.m., adding an extra layer of charm to the event.

As a special treat, complimentary Pedicabs will be available from 6-8 p.m., ready to whisk you to and from your preferred destinations along Broadway and beyond.

For more details and updates, please visit southbostonchamber.org/spring-stroll.

The 2024 Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series is being launched with a kick-off event on The Boston Common on Thursday, May 16, at 5:30 p.m., featuring free ZUMBA®from Z-Spot and Yoga plus fun giveaways.

The series offers a wide range of classes, including Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Chair Yoga, HIIT, ZUMBA®, Family ZUMBA®, Kick It By Eliza®, Afrobeats Dance, Walking Group, Strength Training and Conditioning, and Salsa Dance. The program is tailored to the interests of residents and participants, including age-friendly classes for families, older adults, and

those new to fitness classes. For more information and a link to the full schedule, visit boston.gov/fitness.

“The Summer Fitness Series provides a free opportunity for residents to be active in our City’s parks while bringing our communities together to connect socially,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “Being active is one of the best ways to prevent many chronic diseases as well as improve mental health. The series is available in most neighborhoods and online and is a continuation of the work being done to improve the health and well-being of all residents.” events, and improvements in Boston parks—including weather-related cancellations for outdoor fitness classes—call (617) 635-4505, visit Boston.gov/ Parks, join our email list at bit.ly/ Get-Parks-Emails, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

The Resilient Moakley Park “Connectors” Site Walk

by Rick Winterson

On Saturday morning, a Resilient Moakley Park “Connectors” Site Walk was held along Day Boulevard where it passes Moakley Park. The walk was centered around an extensive display table on the streetside of the McCormack Bathhouse at Carson Beach. Additional smaller display tables stretched along the walk from Mother’s Rest at the beginning of Dorchester Shores all the way to the MWRA Pump Station headworks on Babe Ruth Park Drive.

Resilient Moakley Park “Connectors” is a joint project of the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Saturday’s Site Walk was the first step to inform the public about improving access into Moakley Park and protecting the Park from future floods as temperatures become warmer and the oceans continue to rise.

Please take note of the important word “Connectors”. It stands for areas to the North and to the South sides of Moakley Park, where safer crossings will anchor both ends of Moakley Park. Equally as important,

“floodproofing” grades, methods and equipment will be located on, near, or even under both of these North and South “Connectors”. This could include dikes, retaining walls, raised walkways, modern pumping stations, bigger drainage systems, raising the levels of playing fields, and so on.

The Resilient Moakley Park “Connectors” project will be very large and long-term. In discussions with John Frey, the project’s Deputy Manager, and his people, they said that Moakley Park will be affected by sea rise that could cause occasional coastal flooding up to 22 feet. Final plans will take three years to develop before any work can begin. The project will be able handle the sea level rise expected 50 years (or more) from now, into the

2070s. Approximately two million dollars ($2,000,000) has been granted to Boston by FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) to fund the design of the project.

The reasoning behind the Resilient Moakley Park Connectors project can be simply stated: In future years, as sea levels rise, Moakley Park will eventually become a huge pathway for floods into South Boston, Dorchester, and even parts of the South End and Roxbury. This will impact as many as 35,000 people and two local BHA housing projects. Serious coastal flooding has already happened in South Boston. Just think back to 2017-2018, when a succession of storms and high tides combined to flood the Fort Point neighborhood and parts of

the South Boston’s Seaport District. Take a look at the photograph in which three project team members are holding a stick. The top of that stick is the high-water level that likely will occur in Moakley Park 50 years from now. Major inputs from both the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as support from the Federal level, will be required to prevent this from happening. Become involved and let your own thoughts and opinions be known. Articles in other neighborhood weeklies that support the Moakley Park “Connectors” project are already appearing. And as an added benefit, we’ll repeat that the “Connectors” will provide safe crossings into and out of Moakley Park in the future.

Living the Dream Mission Alive

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston’s 11th Annual Dinner Honors the Brett Family.

By John Joseph Fahey

The venue was the Seaport Hotel in Boston on April 23rd and the occasion was the Living the Dream Mission Alive annual dinner hosted by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston.

The gathering was definitely celebratory, as Mission Alive raised over $800,000;

The theme of Mission Alive as Sister Mary L. Murphy, CSJ, President of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston indicated at the well-attended dinner is a continuation of the goals which the original congregation of Sisters had when first arriving in Boston over 150 years ago. Although their first ministry was in education (and impacting countless students) ensuing ministries and community outreach followed.

Sister Mary spoke of how the Living the Dream 2024 Dinner will help guarantee those ministries continue as “The proceeds…will support our retired sisters and the many ministries in which the sisters, associates, agregees, and partners in mission are involved.”

And those ministries are many and varied and often life-changing: “We fulfill our mission through a diversity of ministries inspired by the ever-changing needs of the Church and the world; we build right relationships and community where we live and work. These ministries address the interconnectedness of housing, literacy, justice and peace, education, healthcare and more. They embrace our core values of gracious hospitality, love and service of the dear neighbor without distinction, peaceful resolution of conflict, and care for all God’s creation.”

One ministry in particular for which the Sisters of St. Joseph are noted is education. The current Director of Shelter and Stabilization of Children’s Services of Roxbury, Crystal Parker, the evening’s Testimonial Speaker is undeniably witness to how significant the Sisters and their role as educators were in her early life.

Crystal holds a responsible position and has for quite some time; however it was not always easy – in fact, Crystal’s background growing up was replete with substance abuse and attempts at self-infliction. But with her positive experience at St. Ambrose School in Dorchester, and later at Cardinal Cushing Central High School in South Boston, her path in life transformed to one of success:

“At CCCHS, Crystal not only received a quality education, but received quality crises intervention from her active abusing and self-harm. Upon graduation, Crystal received the Christian Herter Scholarship. From there, she went to Regis College where she earned her degree in Social Work.”

As Crystal’s biography indicates, she “continues to respond to her call to serve the homeless and to speak about the needs of the poor and disadvantaged.” Crystal’s story is definitely a tribute to the missionary zeal that the Sisters have had and continue to have for those whose lives can be transformed because of the Mission Alive program.

The needs of the marginalized are addressed in other ways too. There are those in the community who work tirelessly in aiding the less fortunate and underprivileged and truly try to make a difference; and this is the intention of the “Dear Neighbor Award” –to formally appreciate those whose “lives of service and commitment to the betterment of life for all are an inspiration.” The Honoree this year was the Brett Family of Dorchester.

The contributions of the Brett Family, individually and collectively are too numerous to mention; however, the following biography from the evening’s program exemplifies why the family is deserving of this designation:

“The Brett Family (Harry, Peggy, Bill and Jim) embraces everyone with love. Each, in their own way, has the heart of their mother and the soul of their beloved brother, Jack. When the doctors suggested to Mary Ann that she place her special needs son, Jack, in an institution, she said no. Instead, Jack was raised with love and profoundly influenced each of his siblings. Because of the love they had for Jack, and he for them, the Bretts have always embraced

Gospel values. It is their generous and faith-filled spirit for the most vulnerable and alienated among us that makes the Brett Family the perfect choice for this year’s Dear Neighbor Award.”

Among his many contributions to the local area as well as state and national levels, Jim’s biography includes the following: “Prior to joining The New England Council, Jim served for 15 years as a member of the MA House of Representatives. In May of 2022, President Joe Biden appointed Jim to serve as the Chair of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) and reappointed him as Chairman in 2023. He previously served on PCPID under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, including a term as Chairman from 2011 – 2013. In 2016, Congress appointed Jim to the National Council on Disability where he served as Vice Chair; and he currently Chairs the Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission.”

Jim is involved with the Mary Ann Brett Food Pantry in Dorchester which recently had a very successful fundraiser.

Jim’s brother, Bill is certainly not unknown in Boston; indeed, if one may not know Bill personally, chances are one may have seen his photos: “Most know Bill Brett, an awardwinning photojournalist for his long career at The Boston Globe. Bill has published six books featuring the lives of those who have influenced Boston, starting with his first book Boston: All One Family which was published in 2005, which featured the iconic photo of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and his two predecessors, Raymond Flynn and Kevin White…In his 60+ years as a photojournalist, Bill has

photographed thousands of events and fundraisers, with his coverage helping to raise awareness and funds for the many organizations he has covered.”

Harry Brett is part of the family too and, like his brother Bill is a photographer. As the Sisters of St. Joseph include in their biography of Harry: “He is generous to a fault, so very kind and thoughtful. In very quiet ways he is always doing something for someone to make their lives better or more manageable. It might be taking someone to a doctor’s appointment, giving someone a bag of groceries or using his gift of photography to memorialize an event or to bring life to a story in a local paper. In all these situations he does it with no fanfare and not a thought of getting anything in return.”

And then there is Peggy Brett McCobb. Peggy, and as her biography states “is in many ways the glue that keeps the family together. During the pandemic, each Sunday, no matter the weather, the brothers were welcomed to Peggy’s backyard (not her house) for Sunday prayer. It was a time to catch up with each other, discuss the happenings of the world and just enjoying each other’s company.

“Post-Covid she is again very involved in her parish, and also the quiet loving presence of Jesus for the dying and their families at a local hospice. She, like her mother Mary Ann, is a concerned, caring and available friend to her many dear neighbors.”

Congratulations to both the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston as they embark on their 151st year of service here in Boston and to the Brett Family in receiving the “Dear Neighbor Award,” truly demonstrating the message of the Gospel.

The recipients left to right: Jim Brett, Harry Brett, His Eminence Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, Peggy Brett McCobb and Bill Brett. (Photo by Tim Brett)

“Another” Star Studded Visit to Condon CC

While touring the country promoting their upcoming feature film, South Boston born actor and director James Michael Cummings and actors Kevin Daniels, credited in over 100 movies, and Toshia Galligan, Rhode Island native and successful model, took a break from their busy Boston press tour, with the amazing Peggy Rose, to visit the Condon Community Center’s youth and teens for the afternoon.

The excited audience filled the Teen Center and welcomed them with open arms. The staff and kids listened intently as their guests shared their inspiring and relatable life

experiences. After the heartfelt Q & A, dinner and photos were enjoyed by all.

Kevin Daniels left 200 D Street stating “You can do anything you want to do in life – work hard, ask for help,

and read. One important key to being successful is reading.” Great advice!

Special “Thank You” to the CCC’s friend and supporter, Peggy Rose, one of Condon’s “Strong

Women of 2024” who always brings special and fun events and activities to the Condon.

“Not Another Church Movie” opens in theaters nationwide May 10th!

Celebrating First Holy Communion

Congratulations to all the 2nd grade students at South Boston Catholic Academy and the Parish Religious Education Program on making their First Holy Communion that was celebrated this past Saturday at Gate of Heaven Church. Father Casey, the Pastor; along with Fr. Schirripa, Parochial Vicar; and Monsignor Bergin, Priest Assistant in Residence concelebrated at this Mass. A Special Thank you to the 2nd grader teachers...Ms. Caitlin Jackson, Ms. Megan Leslie, Ms. Kerry Buckley and also Ms. Ann Marie Buckley for helping to prepare the children for this Sacrament. May God Bless all these wonderful boys and girls and their families.

Play ball!

Little League Baseball is in full swing in South Boston. In action Monday night at Evans Field, the Marr Companies Cardinals took on the JF O’Brien & Sons Astros, with the Astros coming out on top, 12-7.