SBOL_09_14_2023

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

SOUTH BOSTON ONLINE

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

Fort Independence Repair

by Rick Winterson

I

t probably seems that For t I ndependenc e, the massive structure that dominates Castle Island, is somehow permanent and impossible to damage.

The currently existing Fort has been in place since 1835, except for small modifications and “finishing touches” that were completed in 1851. That’s 172 years ago – seven generations or well over two full lifetimes have gone by since then. Prior to that, the earlier Fort building served America in our War for Independence; it was commanded for a while by Boston hero Paul Revere. After the completion of the existing structure now standing, the Fort actively served the U.S. in our Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and both World Wars. Since then, it has been designated as a historic monument. It attracts

many thousands of visitors each year for guided tours, sunset viewing, and various celebrations.

But just about everything man-made, no matter how sturdy, wears out in time. South Boston Online was fortunate to be granted an interview with DCR team members, who are now completing much-needed Fort repairs. Last Friday, we spoke with Steve McCabe, the Castle Island Park Supervisor; Jessica Rowcroft, Preservation Planner; and Raul Silva, DCR Deputy Chief and a civil engineer.

Just over a year ago, on Friday, September 9, 2022, Steve McCabe reported to the DCR office that a capstone on the interior Fort wall had fallen onto the edge of the Fort’s parade ground some 20 feet below. The capstone itself weighs about 4,000 pounds (two tons); it cracked in two when it fell.

Whatever the cause for Continued on Page 2

Honoring the Heroes of 911

H

undreds of runners and walkers at the a nnu a l Tu nnel to Towers 5K Saturday at Castle Island honored those who were lost during 9/11. Several firefighters ran or walked the course in full gear.

During the opening ceremony, organizer Nick Mancini provided some history about the Foundation.

“Tragedy, confusion, and heartache struck our country,” he said.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was founded shortly

after 9/11 by the brothers and sisters of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller.

“Stephen was off duty on that fateful day and ready to enjoy a beautiful day of golf with his brothers when he heard the news. Without hesitation, he grabbed his gear and headed to the Twin Towers but was stopped at the base of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel,” Nick said.

“He was unable to drive through, so he strapped on his 65 pounds of gear and ran through the tunnel to the towers.”

Stephen was one of 343 Continued on Page 4

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Continued from Page 1

Fort Independence this, it was clear that all of the Fort’s walls had to be carefully inspected, both inside and outside of the Fort. This was carefully done over last winter; it was found that damage and possible displacement was concentrated in Bastion C. Bastion C is the angled wall directly across from the Fort’s sally port; it points nearly due north. The surrounding walkways were blocked off (inside and outside) while the repairs proceeded.

The complicated weighted scaffolding passers-by see on the outside of Fort Independence marks Bastion C. Part of investigating how to make long-lasting repairs involves finding out what caused a problem in the first place. Successive winters of freezing and thawing can cause even the largest building blocks to move a tiny bit each year. Over many years, such tiny movements add up until the stone topples over. The DCR’s Deputy

Director Raul Silva pointed out that not too long ago, blasting had taken place in the nearby harbor waters to deepen them for larger container ships. It’s quite possible the underwater shocks from these blasts also contributed to displacing the capstone that fell.

The DCR repair team expects the repairs to be completed very soon, perhaps by the end of this week. A complete plan for ongoing future maintenance and preservation of the Fort will then be developed over the next year. Activities and observances for America’s 250th in 2026 are already being scheduled. If you would like to quickly learn more about Fort Independence, visit the playground downhill from the sally port. Not only will you find stones embossed with many interesting “Fort facts”, but also (we have been told) the outlines of the playground are the same size and shape of the walls that surrounded the previous Fort – the structure before the existing Fort was built.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

The Fort’s repair team: Steve McCabe, Castle Island Park Supervisor; Jessica Rowcroft, Preservation Planner; and Raul Silva, DCR Deputy Chief.

Exterior scaffolding and safety supports on Bastion

Cypher and E Streets Improvement Project

PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING The nearby playground is a silhouette of the prior Fort building.

Wednesday, September 20, 2023 6:00PM CRISPR Therapeutics 105 West First Street South Boston, MA 02127 This meeting will discuss contractor mobilization for the Cypher and E Streets Improvement Project.

Hours of operation, project and delivery schedule, truck routes and environmental controls will also be presented.

The Fort’s fallen capstone (two tons). Note the gap left above after it fell.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

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Over Thirty Years in South Boston Featuring: Lynn Morris

By Carol Masshardt (This series will introduce people who have called South Boston home for more than thirty years and others for three and under)

A

ny neighborhood would be lucky to have a Lynn Morris, and South Boston has been that for the past fifty-eight years.

Working for over twenty-five years in Corporate and Event Marketing and Graphic Design, Lynn still manages to keep a loving and astute eye on the neighborhood where she was born, raised and lives.

She represents the best of South Boston to those who have known her for generations and the many who move in from different states, cities, and countries. Her roots are deep but that doesn’t imply a lack of interest in new neighbors.

“I have had the bond of lifelong friendships; some established as young as in kindergarten through to the current day. My circle of friends remains through marriages, divorces, deaths, births. It is very rare, and I feel blessed,” she said.

Her stories of children playing on the streets until nighttime, and families looking out for each other, a sense of safety, and a steady faith could make it sound idealized, but that wasn’t all of what formed this rem a rk a ble wom a n.

“I was number five of six children. My father died when I was fourteen, and my mother, in the process with my father of buying the house where I now live, had to work full-time. She also went back to college. We had to

contribute, and it was then that I realized how important it was to have a community,” she said.

Her mother, Mary “Marie” Morris got her college degree the same year Lynn graduated from high school and went on to be a most respected counselor for those struggling with mental health, substance use and family issues.

Lynn went on to graduate from Cardinal Cushing High and attended Bunker Hill, all while helping her mother maintain the family home they loved in South Boston. Both humble and persistent, she avoids the attention she well deserves and prefers to focus on meaningful values, and with a ready laugh and keen insights.

“Just yesterday I was walking and thought about how someone new would come here and think ‘this is so beautiful.’ I miss that it is was a hidden gem, but change is inevitable, and new people do bring a certain vibrancy and excitement,” she said. “As long as there is respect.”

Respect is at the heart of her relationship to the community, and she reaches out time and time again to a steady stream of new neighbors, finding whatever common quality there may be, and always offering to be helpful. She doesn’t resent people who may stay a bit and leave, though she prefers to see young people and families stay. Her thoughts are very much seniors don’t have what they need, and live with the anxiety of housing, food and connection.

“This is a home, and it can be for a short or long time, but there has to be respect for people who live here and are committed,” she said. Lynn learns everyone’s

names and patiently repeats norms established for such things as trash and noise. She is remarkable in her ability to give the benefit of the doubt in the process. She is the first to know who is moving in or out, and her welcome even extends to utility workers drilling away!

Does community still exist?

Lynn Morris doesn’t hesitate.

“It does. I recently had surgery and in addition to my family, I had a number of neighbors helping out and checking in.

It is just so important that people k now each other.”

There are a lot of things Lynn Morris values, her family, friends, her art, and work. And, make no mistake, her South Boston community is large in her heart and mind. Bridging a changing community with all of its challenges begins with a simply stated but rare practice.

“Introduce yourself, talk and offer to be helpful,” she said, and this is the message of welcome.

Rep. Lynch to Host Service Academies Information Session on October 1st 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

On Sunday, October 1st, 2023, Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA08) will host an information session at Braintree Town Hall for all high school students interested in applying to one of the United States Service Academies. All students and their families are welcome to attend.

Representatives from each of the following academies will make brief presentations and be available for questions: United States Military Academy at West Point, NY United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY United States Coast Guard Academy at New London, CT Massachusetts Maritime Academy at Buzzards Bay, MA

For more informaiton contact: Seamus Buckley, 617-428-2000 For those unable to attend, more information on the Service Academy nomination process is available on our website: https://lynch.house.gov/ service-academy-nominations

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Continued from Page 1

Tunnel to Towers firefighters to lose his life that day.

“Our goal for all of our events is to honor local first responders like Stephen, to remember 9/11, and never forget those lives lost on that horrific day in 2001,” Nick said. “And we hold all those lost in our hearts and memories.”

In honor of those lives, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation developed the In the Line of Duty program, which provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children. The Foundation also builds specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.

The Foundation has supported 22 families in New England and 13 in Massachusetts, Nick said. On Saturday, the Foundation honored US Secret Service Agent Garrett FitzGerald. He and his family are the recipients of a mortgage-free smart home, which should be finished by the beginning of the year.

About seven years ago, Garrett was a rookie Secret Service agent in the Boston office when the car he and three other agents were riding in was hit head-on. It left him paralyzed from the neck down.

Garrett and his family are truly grateful for all the support they’ve gotten from the Foundation.

“And we’re thankful that you guys support the work that they do,”

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

he told the runners and walkers.

Garrett has had the chance to meet a number of individuals from Tunnel to Towers. “This is a fantastic

organization, a large group of folks that care. They’re looking to do the right thing and bring a lot of expertise and background to these projects.”

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

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The HUB Church at Ten Years

Matt King erects HUB Church’s Sunday pennants.

by Rick Winterson

T

en years ago in the summer of 2013, the HUB Church of South Boston began its mission in South Boston. Its first Sunday gatherings took place in HUB members’ homes. This custom continued for the better part of a year thereafter. Now that the Summer of 2023 nears its end, it is a distinct pleasure to announce that HUB Church has reached its Tenth Anniversary in South Boston and has embarked upon its eleventh year.

The founder of the HUB Church of South Boston, as well as its current full-time Pastor, is Charlie Dunn. Charlie, his wife Abby, and their three daughters – Brooklyn, Ezri, and Charley Grace – are on vacation right now. Heading up a

new church isn’t easy, so perhaps it’s more accurate to say that Charlie and his family are taking a much-needed, well-deserved family sabbatical for themselves.

But they’ll be back soon. In the meantime, South Boston Online has had two interviews about HUB Church’s Anniversary with Matt King, a devoted HUB volunteer.

Matt gave us a short history of the HUB Church’s first ten years in South Boston. He considers that September 1 is HUB’s correct date of birth, which is when it began getting started for real, after some summer weeks filled with planning and organization. HUB’s first gatherings in homes resembled how the early Christians started – an adventure that eventually led to a Christian community. HUB held their initial outside Sunday services at the B.A.C., followed by worshipping in the art gallery on Second Street between I and K. Then, HUB moved to the Aloft Hotel on D Street in the Seaport for four years. In 2020, in-person services were necessarily interrupted by the pandemic; at that time, HUB continued on ZOOM. Presently, HUB Church meets every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the dining and activity area of the South Boston Neighborhood House (136 H Street). By now, they have been there for more than a year. Matt expressed HUB’s deep gratitude to Executive Director Kathy Lafferty and her Staff for their marvelous

Volunteers at the HUB Church include Speaker Tyler Speck (2nd r.).

cooperation so far. As a unique part of its service each Sunday, HUB now serves a brunch consisting of breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and pizzas, along with cereal for the kids and an infinite supply of coffee (at least it seems that way).

This has led to the HUB referring to itself as “The Brunch Church”.

Thery are extremely grateful to The Broadway and Dunkin’ Donuts for helping them join the South Boston Sunday brunch custom, which is already a local tradition.

Last Sunday’s service opened with a Welcome, followed by a recorded hymn by Matt Redman called “You Never Let Go” – a gentle melody with a distinct, country flavor. Hub’s congregation sang along. A Responsive Prayer was narrated, and then a contemplative time for silent prayer and personal confession took place. 1 John 3.1 was the Gospel Proclamation. A second song was Bethel Music’s “No

Longer Slaves”. Then, HUB paused in their service. For a few minutes, HUB’s members refreshed their breakfast plates and ate from them, in a ceremony entitled “Connection and Communion”. This interval was really unique. Tyler Speck was the service’s main Speaker; he called his talk “A Life Centered on Others”.

The entire service began around 10:45 and was concluded before noon.

HUB Church is also active in the community during the week.

Many members have joined HUB Church’s “Missional Families”. The word “Missional” first appeared early in this century and has since become commonly used to describe church activities – it can even be found in Wikipedia. It stands for efforts to engage the community outside of churches, in the secular world during the other six days of the week. Look up “Missional” when you have a free moment.

HUB Church is a fine example.

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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Last Summer Cruise to Georges Island

T

his summer nearly 5,000 community members joined Save the Harbor/Save the Bay for free harbor island cruises to Georges and Spectacle Islands, including around 30 kids from the South Boston Neighborhood House.

“There’s no better way to beat this summer’s recordbreaking heat than to spend the day out on the harbor and the islands,” said Save the Harbor E xec ut ive Di re c tor Ch r i s Mancini. “Swimming in the clean waters off Spectacle Island and exploring the ‘Dark Tunnel’ in Fort Warren are two of the best places to be during a heatwave.”

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 300-500 kids from around the region meet at the Leader Bank Pavilion or Fan Pier where Harbor Historian David Coffin tells them how Spectacle Island went from a landfill on fire to the beautiful park it is today.

“It’s one of my favorite stories

Kids from the South Boston Neighborhood House at Fan Pier Marina before their departure to Spectacle Island. Photo by Kristen Barry. to share with the kids,” said Coffin, “And it emphasizes the importance of the park’s carry-in, carry-out policy. They take that experience home with them and become the next generation of environmenta l stewards.”

The trips are organized and run by Boston Public School students in Save the Harbor’s

Youth Jobs Program. Once on the island, they lead fun, STEAMbased education activities like Fishing 101, the Treasures of Spectacle Island archaeolog y exploration, and hikes through Fort Warren on Georges or to the top of Spectacle’s drumlins for a great view of the Boston Skyline and the outer harbor.

“All of these free cruises are only made possible with leadership support and partnership from Cronin De velopment, t he Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Massachusetts Office of Environmental Protection, Bay State Cruise Company, and Mass Bay Lines,” said Mancini.

Commentary: The 2023 Primary Municipal Election

by Rick Winterson

T

he 2023 Primar y M u n i c i p a l Election is over.

Ba sica lly, this wa s a n election to select two District City Council candidates for each of Boston’s nine districts, along with eight candidates to run for the four Councilorat-Large offices. District 2, which encompasses most of South Boston, already has only one candidate – Ed Flynn, the current City Council President.

And just eight Councilor at-Large candidates have declared they are running. So a Primary Municipal Election was not needed for any of those slots.

But as you k now, the South Boston neighborhood is split between City Council District 2 and District 3. Frank

Ba ker, the current District 3 City Councilor is stepping down at the end of his term.

Seven candidates for District 3 City Councilor campaigned to replace Frank. As of this writing with more than 90% of the votes counted, the District 3 race has been dominated by John FitzGerald. He garnered almost half the votes cast.

Both of the next two District 3 candidates – A nn Walsh and John Richards – received less than 20% of the votes.

It was interesting to see that FitzGerald campaigned almost exclusively on his past experience in Boston City Hall – 17 years in total. The other District 3 candidates campaigned on the issues – education, public safety, affordable housing, and so on.

W hile t he ot her Cit y Council District Elections

aren’t really our business, we think it’s necessary to mention that voters “cleaned house” in certain other races. That’s good.

Stated simply and to the point, “The Voters Have Spoken!”

We’ll close by reminding you to vote in upcoming elections over the next few years. The 2023 General Election for District and at-Large City Councilors takes

place on Tuesday, November 7.

Even more important, nationwide elections including the U.S. Presidential Election occur in 2024. We vote for the Mayor of Boston in 2025. What better way to prepare for America’s 250th Birthday in 2026 than to cast your own votes in every single election over the next few years?

Please Vore!

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

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Hearing on Gun Trafficking & Illega Firearms Schedule on 9/18

B

oston City Council President Ed Flynn ha s schedu led a hearing next Monday, September 18, 2023 at 10 a.m. to discuss amending the City of Boston Code relating to the Study and Report on trafficking of illegal firearms. The hearing is co-sponsored by Councilor Brian Worrell, and follows the unanimous adoption of a City Council Resolution declaring gun violence as a public health emergency in October 2022.

Gun traff icking and the

illegal f low of firearms is a major contributor to gun violence, with the Boston Police recovering more than 900 firearms in 2022.

Since 2015, there have been over 1,700 shootings recorded in the City of Boston, with more than 170 shootings in 2022. According to the Nationa l Integrated Ballistic Information Network, only 10 percent of the firearms recovered at crime scenes that were traced were purchased in Massachusetts, while the rest were brought into Massachusetts f r om 18 ot he r states.

“Gun violence is a public sa fet y emergenc y in ou r city and countr y. We need a comprehensive study and review of the f low of firearms into Boston to help our law enforcement and policymakers better understand the impact of illegal gun trafficking, and enable the development of more effective strategies to reduce gun violence,” said Council President Flynn.

“I look forward to discussing the amendment language and getting this critical annual review work started for our City.”

For more information, please contact Council President Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 a nd E d .Fly n n@B oston.gov.

The 2023 Boston Seafood Festival

by Rick Winterson

B

rief, sporadic rain showers made little or no dif ference.

Hundreds of ex hibitors on the Fish Pier were visited by thousands of spectators at the Tenth Annual Boston Seafood Festiva l held la st Sunday, September 10. The Festival (c oi ncident a l ly, t he tent h time it has been held) was presented by that local group of hard-working seafarers – the Boston Fisheries Foundation.

Everyone was welcomed

by Sout h Boston’s newest installation - ”BOXES” on the Boston Fish Pier, which contains

a mural by Artists for Humanity at A and Second Streets. For two full miles, from the Fort Point Channel to the Conley Termina l on the Reser ved Channel, South Boston’s section of Boston harbor is a beautiful vista for work and for play.

What would South Boston be without its harbor, especially at the 113-year-old Fish Pier.

Obviously, the Festival was all about good things to eat, focused on seafood served in an incredible variety. Tables to enjoy these treats were arranged to give maximum views of Boston Harbor, especially from the docks around the Fish Pier Exchange building. Restaurants played their parts as well, starting

with TRIO Café at the Pier’s entrance and featuring that perennial favorite “The Daily Catch”. Chef contests kept the momentum

going from start at 11 a.m. to finish at 6 p.m. And live music and youth activities kept children of all ages occupied and happy.

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THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Sports by the Numbers

by Rick Winterson

Y

ou’ve certainly noticed that Boston’s pro sports numbers have not been very exciting recently. Obviously, the problems with the Bruins and the Celtics earlier this year were not with their regular seasons.

The Celts did very well, especially as their season progressed. You already know the Bruins decisively smashed the NHL’s existing WinLoss regular season record. Then they both washed out in the playoffs. And that’s the weakness with sports numbers – once a winning team fails to follow up in those everlasting pro playoffs, their regular season numbers become almost meaningless.

The Red Sox’s numbers are weak, although they are still in the win column at .510 (73-70 W-L). It’s not much consolation that the Yankees are slightly worse right now, at .497 (71-72 W-L).

Simply stated, the Sox are 7 games

behind Toronto for a playoff spot and there are only 19 games left to go. Go figure! As for hockey and basketball, with major changes in the Bruins’ and Celtics’ rosters, the only key question before their new seasons begin is how well the Celts will do without Marcus Smart.

And it’ll be interesting to see what comes from the likely World Series match-up between Atlanta (.657, 94-50) and Baltimore (.634, 90-52).

The only other recent numbers occurred during Sunday evening’s last-moment, five-point Patriots’ loss to the Eagles – 25-20. We can start by saying “It was close most of the way.” And it really was. If nothing else, it was enjoyable to watch (and even to hope!).

Remember that the Pats, who had a losing record last season, were playing the NFC Champs, who went to the Super Bowl in February.

Actually, if you disregard the Pats’ two mistakes early on, it could have been a winning

Virtual Public Meeting

performance by them. These goofs literally gave away 10 points to the Eagles – more than their final winning margin. The Pats closed out the half down by only two points at 16-14. They bounced back with 20 points over the final three quarters, while holding the Eagles to just three field goals for nine points over the entire second half.

And even though we are discussing a Patriots loss here, we’ll repeat that the Eagles were the NFC Champs last year with a 14-3 2022 Season record. And only seven months ago they lost a 38-35 offensive squeaker to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

Sometimes, losing numbers by the Patriots can mean something!

Flying Low in the Fog

118 B Street Residential Project OC TOBER

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6:00 PM - 7: 30 PM

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3Lf2AQj Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 160 952 2298

Project Description: East Way Development LLC Project/Planning Initiative Description: The BPDA is hosting a virtual Public Meeting for the proposed 118 B Street Residential Project located in the South Boston neighborhood of Boston. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Proponent’s responses to the comments received at our last public meeting reviewing the Small Project Review Application (SPRA) and potential impacts. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the public. mail to:

phone: email:

Scott Greenhalgh Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.918.4271 scott.greenhalgh@boston.gov BostonPlans.org

Close of Public Comment Period: 10/10/2023 Website: bit.ly/118-B-Street @BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

A Korean Air passenger liner was seen flying low through the thick Castle Island fog earlier this week. It’s shown passing over the Island’s Lt. John J. McCorkle Fishing Pier that extends for some 200 feet along the shore. Rough onsite timing showed that, despite the fog, planes were landing at Logan every two minutes or so.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid Parishes News Gate of Heaven Parish All are welcome to come for Coffee and Conversation Sunday, Sept 17th after the 9 a.m. Mass Downstairs at Gate of Heaven Church St. Brigid Parish All are welcome to come for Coffee and Refreshments Sunday, Sept 17th after the 10:30 a.m. Mass Downstairs at St. Brigid Church

Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid Religious Education Grades K – 6 http://www.gateofheavenstbrigid.org/religious-education 2023-2024 Registration: Sunday, Sept. 17th, following the 10:30 Mass downstairs at Cushing Hall, St. Brigid Church. Classes Begin: Sunday, Sept. 24th, 9-10:15 AM, Cushing Hall followed by 10:30 AM Mass Our Sacramental Program is a two-year program in accordance with Archdiocesan Guidelines. Please note that parents should enroll their children in the 1st Grade Program for their child to receive their Sacrament of First Holy Communion in the 2nd Grade in 2025.

For those students enrolling in 1st Grade who were not Baptized in either St. Brigid or Gate of Heaven Church, please provide a copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate to register. Our first class will be held on Sunday morning, Sept. 24, 2023, at 9 AM at Cushing Hall, downstairs at St. Brigid Church Any questions, please visit our website at www.

Gateof HeavenStBrigid.org/religious-education and fill out our Online Registration Form under “Religious Education” or you can come and fill out a form in person on Sunday, Sept. 17th, following the 10:30 AM Mass in Cushing Hall, at St. Brigid Church.

Confirmation Class Information Grade 9

Confirmation Class - Sunday, September 17th & September 24th at 4 pm to 7 pm in Cushing Hall, Lower St. Brigid Church Confirmation Rehearsal - Sunday, October 1st at 12 Noon at Mass at Gate of Heaven Church, followed by rehearsal until 2 pm (Student and Sponsors in attendance) Confirmation Ceremony - Wednesday, October 4th at 5:30 PM at Gate of Heaven Church (Students and Sponsors to arrive at 5 pm)

Grades 7 and 8 Parent & Student Information Meeting - Sunday, October 15th at 5 pm in the Cushing Hall, Lower St. Brigid Church. Followed by the 6 pm Mass.

October 22nd - 7th grade – 4 pm to 7 pm October 29th - 8th grade – 4 pm to 7 pm

For all Confirmation Questions: Please email Fr. Peter at SBGHParishesRelEd@gmail.com

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

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2023 “Boston Blooms with Daffodils” bulb giveaway Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will distribute over 15,000 daffodil bulbs for planting on public ways citywide through the “Boston Blooms with Daffodils” beautification initiative started in 2011. Individuals, civic associations, church groups, sports leagues, scout troops, open space advocates, and parks friends are encouraged to sign up to participate. Last year, nearly a hundred community groups planted bulbs in neighborhoods across the City.

Those interested in participating may fill out a form online at boston. gov/boston-blooms. The online application form will remain open until late September on a rolling basis. Due to limited supply, groups are not guaranteed bulbs, but the Parks Department will strive to accommodate all requests. The application deadline is September 29

(or sooner if demand exceeds supply).

The plantings are anticipated to take place in approved locations on the weekends of October 21 and October 28. The Parks Department will contact interested groups and provide bulb pick-up instructions and dates. Groups and individuals are asked to use their own tools.

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department encourages volunteers to take photos of their groups on planting days and share them via social media using the hashtag #BostonBlooms.

The Law Office of

Paul J. Gannon PC General Practice of Law

Criminal Defense Personal Injury Motor Vehicle Accidents Establishment of Corporations, LLCs Wills & Estate Planning Real Estate Litigation Probate No Charge for Initial Consultation

82 West Broadway South Boston, MA (617)269-1993 pgannon@paulgannonlaw.com

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THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Welcome Back to our Current and New Students, Families, Faculty and Staff!

By Principal Helenann Civian’s

W

e are so thankful that we are starting t he school year with such an amazing staff. Thank you for entrusting us with your child/children. We are honored to ensure they are learning and receive the highest quality of support and love. The student’s at SBCA are amazing!

Inspired by the traditions of our Catholic faith, family spirit,

and academic excellence, we are committed to meeting the spiritual, academic, physical, and social needs of individual students within a learning environment that is both stimulating and supportive.

New families are welcome to email our admissions team at admissions@sbcatholicadacademy. org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.”

The First Grade students had fun with their First Day of School Classroom Project...The children

shared how they felt returning to school on their first day. The First Grade teachers enjoyed reading a story entitled “First Day Jitters” by Julie Danneberg and the children were so surprised by the ending! (Author’s message- even teachers can be nervous on the first day of school.) Then the students and even their teachers had a chance to drink some “Jitter Juice” just in case there were still some “jitters” lingering! It was a fantastic start for all students, families, faculty and staff and we are looking forward

to another wonderful new school year at South Boston Catholic Academy.

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THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

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THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

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