THE PRINT EDITION
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74
2018 Christmas Heroics: 600 Served; More Than 200 Unexpectedly by Rick Winterson
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here have been Christmas Dinners served to the people of South Boston for the last 35 years. These are such joyful occasions, one can only hope that these Dinners continue to be served for at least 135 years more. This custom began with the late Msgr. McDonnell (popularly called “Fr. Tom”), who enlisted the help of Frank Kelley, a retired Marine Mess Sergeant. Fr. Tom was inspired by the stories of feasting in Luke’s Gospel, which he called “the Hospitality Gospel”. The Dinners were first held in the old St. Augustine Hall; they now take place every Christmas Day in St. Monica Church Hall. This Year of Our Lord 2018 was the 35th Anniversary of these Dinners. And it was special – very special, indeed. You see, there was a keen demand from all around South Boston for Christmas
The wonderful volunteers serve Christmas Dinner at St. Monica’s. Dinners this year, just as there was for the 2018 Thanksgiving Dinners five weeks ago. Three hundred (300) were to be delivered; another 100 diners were expected to show
up in St. Monica Hall – a total of 400, which actually occurred. It was a really festive occasion. Frank Kelley would have been proud of Christmas Dinner volunteers.
Four hundred (400) is equal to a battalion-sized military unit. But fate intervened. The Academy Homes in Roxbury lost Continued on Page 2
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Continued from Page 1
Christmas Dinner their gas supply over the weekend. A leak led to the discovery that the old gas valves in their gas supply system were frozen open, and could not be safely closed. According to ISD Chief Buddy Christopher, who stopped at St. Monica’s to help deliver some meals, over 20 plumbers/gas fitters are laboring to replace every valve. But the folks at Academy Homes have had no heat, hot water, or gas to cook with for the last few days. And there went Christmas Dinner, of course. At least that’s what everyone thought. Except that the kitchen volunteers who prepared and served the Christmas in St. Monica Hall stepped up – Tommy Butler, Dan Manning with his kitchen crew, and
all the dining hall helpers. They emptied out the St. Monica/St. Augustine Food Pantry and prepared 200+ extra meals – yes, that’s more than 200 extra meals for a total of 600 Dinners (!!!) on the 2018 Christmas morning. Not only that, the dining room volunteers also stepped up, placing these 200+ extra meals into individual containers and big, white delivery bags. The St. Monica volunteer drivers then delivered these Christmas Dinners to the Academy Homes in Roxbury. And of course, all of those volunteers – and there weren’t that many for such a giant task – already had commitments for their own Christmas celebrations. But they all did it, anyhow. What a great, even heroic, way to set the stage for a Happy 2019 New Year.
Chefs Dan, Julia, (another) Dan, Paul, and Jimmy prepare 600 Dinners.
The boys are lined up, and ready to deliver Christmas Dinners.
Fr. Peter wishes Ed, Jean, and Ray “Merry Christmas”.
Brendan, Ed, Tommy, John, (another) John, and Dan serve Dinner.
Michelle, Ashley, and Aisha prep 200 (yes, 200!) extra meals.
Tommy Butler and Bubba Cahill send out 200 meals.
Patty is filled with Christmas spirit and St. Monica turkey.
The ladies are indispensable at Christmas Dinner.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018
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A Christmas Celebration: St. Paul’s Boys Choir by Rick Winterson
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ast Sunday afternoon, December 23, “A Christmas Celebration” took place in the Gate of Heaven Church. It featured the singing of the Choir of St. Paul’s Church, which is located at the beginning of Mt. Auburn Street in Harvard Square, Cambridge. The Choir is an integral part of the St. Paul’s Choir School, a middle school for boys that trains them as choir singers. When trained in singing, and then combined with adult voices, the Choir can sing complex and challenging choral works of great beauty. Their works include many Christmas songs and carols. Such was their presentation of “A Christmas Celebration” this last Sunday. John Robinson was the Director; Jeremy Burns provided the organ accompaniment. Stephanie Scogna performed the solo soprano parts in many of the Sunday concert’s pieces. It was literally a flawless performance, filled to the brim with Christmas melodies and carols from many cultures, here and in Europe. The 90-minute concert flew by.
Among the high points, at least to this listener, were the two Catalan carols. They both were highly rhythmic, almost to the point of being “catchy”, and were filled with the joy of this Season. Catalan is the area in Northeastern Spain, which is centered around Barcelona and wants to secede from Spain. The Catalan language actually sounds more like French than Spanish. Fr. Tom Olson sang tenor with soprano Stephanie Scogna in the lilting “Christmas Bell Carol” – definitely another high point.
John Loses Bruins Ring
There were a number of more modern carols and songs performed, many by composers who lived in the 20th Century. These were connected in an interesting way with many older works, but they were recognizably Christmas compositions. And these used period wording, such as “mickle” (so look it up – these days that’s easy with Google). But overall, the audience in Gate of Heaven came to hear and were
enthralled by the boys’ voices. They not only sang beautifully, but their diction was outstanding. Unlike many choirs, the pronunciation by the young singers was easily understandable. “A Christmas Celebration” ended by bringing it home. The next-tolast song was “Jingle, Bells” from the foreign territory of Medford, Mass., where the composer James Pierpont was born and brought up. But there is a possibility that he wrote after moving to Savannah, Georgia. The final song in “A Christmas Celebration” was “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, written (in Latin) by John Francis Wade in the 1700s, which was sung by everyone – all four verses, after which there was a reception in the Gate of Heaven Hall. Let’s hope St. Paul’s comes back next year.
More Photos on Page 12 & 13 submitted by Teresa DeAmicis, South Boston Catholic Academy
HAPPY NEW YEAR! May the peace of God be in your hearts always
John Healey has asked South Boston Online to mention that he lost his treasured Bruins ring somewhere on East Broadway. If you find it, please return it to South Boston Online at Rooney Real Estate, 700 East Broadway. The ring is engraved on its side with “John Healey No. 1”.
Nick Collins State Senator
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Christmas Services in South Boston
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or 19 hours, from 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve until 11 a.m. on Christmas Day, some 25 services celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ took place in South Boston at six churches, one chapel, and a shrine, in five languages – English, Spanish, Polish, Lithuanian, and Albanian. South Boston Online could only attend some of these highly varied services; all of them were stirring events. The Lady of Good Voyage Shrine is the newest church in the Archdiocese of Boston. Fr. Paolo offered Mass there. His homily touched upon the “God became Man” statement in the Gospels, speaking of it as “Christ became one of us”. A Franciscan Friar (whose name we did not catch) spoke at the evening Mass in Gate of Heaven Church about the expected coming of a King, which turned
out to be a much more humble happening, “but that was OK”. The readings are among the most sublime in the Bible: Isaiah – “Wionderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting … “; St. Paul – “Not for what we had done, but because of His mercy …”; and of course the first verses of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Those services that we attended all had music – uplifting music. The singers and the players in the services we attended were all marvelous – performing music we all knew, yet still greatly enjoyed. As usual, trumpets took key parts in the Christmas music we heard, which were inspiring. After all, these were the instruments of choice of the angels. And it goes without saying that Christmas is a religious occurrence and season, well met by South Boston’s many observances this year.
From our Family to Yours, Wishing you a happy, safe, and joyful Holiday Season!
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
Paid for and authorized by the Friends of Ed Flynn
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018
Happy holidays!
Warm wishes for the season, from our house to yours. DAVID M. GIBBONS
@MassConvention
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
/MassConvention massconvention.com
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Branch Library Hosts SBAA Gingerbread House Building by Rick Winterson
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ast We d n e s d a y afternoon, the 19th, the SBA A (South Boston Arts Association) held its annual gingerbread house building session at the South Boston Branch Library. This is now an annual South Boston custom, open to all. Perhaps 50 youngsters showed up, along with their parents, who also became child-like for the afternoon. Perhaps the most intriguing question when building gingerbread houses has to do with ginger itself. Its name derives from a truly ancient word that means “horn body”, which is the shape of ginger root. Ginger was originally found wild in the jungles of Southeast Asia, and for longer than recorded history, it has been used as a medicine – mostly to cure upset stomachs, including “morning sickness”. It was popular in Ancient Greece and Rome, but fell out of use during the Dark Ages, after the Roman
Empire crumbled. In Medieval times, the Crusaders “re-discovered” ginger, by now an essential spice in most Eastern cuisines. It was customary for Crusaders to return to their home countries in the wintertime. They brought back dried ginger, arriving at their castles around Christmastime. As a result, ginger became widely used during the European winters, and it was closely
associated with Christmas feasting. Several members of the SBAA volunteered to take part in the 2018 gingerbread house building sessions. They were overseen by the SBAA’s Deb Putnam, who is a well-known South Boston painter. She paints in an American Realist genre – what better qualification could there be for building gingerbread houses? Around 50 young people came by the Branch Library, each of whom built
a house. It was a festive afternoon, especially since the SBAA volunteers were dressed in elven costumes. It was debatable who enjoyed the gingerbread house building more, the children or the adults. Your writer took goodnatured charge of distributing M&Ms. And the Branch Library deserves thanks for letting the young craftspeople of South Boston use the Library’s Public Room. A good time was had by all.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Think About the Winter Solstice
The tree in Perkins Square.
by Rick Winterson
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he Solstice actually occurs twice in every year. In 2018, the Summer Solstice occurred on June 21, and the Winter Solstice took place just last Friday, December 21. The sun set 9 hours and 5 minutes after it rose; the darkness afterwards then lasted for an achingly long 14 hours and 55 minutes. The word “Solstice” comes from the short Latin sentence, “Sol sticet.”, which literally means in English “The sun stands”. Stands still, that is. Late in both June and December, the
sun sets in the same place on the horizon for a couple of weeks. Most of humanity’s ancient ancestors were either huntergatherers or shepherds, so they spent a lot of time outdoors, even after dark. There wasn’t any time off from work back then, but these ancestors of ours were observant folks. They noticed where the sun rose and set at all times of the year. Even though it was cold and dark, the Winter Solstice brought rejoicing, because days would gradually get longer, until spring’s warm weather arrived. In Rome, the Winter Solstice set off several days of feasting they called “Saturnalia”. To the north, Germans burnt their Yule Logs to celebrate the warmth and additional light that would begin coming with longer days. Druids in England and Ireland festooned their homes with mistletoe, and Nordic people adorned their homes with pine boughs. Some Germanic folk even brought complete evergreen trees indoors – partly because of their fragrance and partly because these were green, the color of spring and new growth. And you well know that ever y yea r, Sout h Boston places brightly lit Christmas
trees in severa l key spots around our fair neighborhood. Now, both of the Solstices occur because of the Earth’s revolutions around the Sun, while its axis is at an angle of 23 degrees from the plane of its rotation. But there’s no need to get into planetary mechanics here. Just contemplate the Winter Solstice, and the promise it holds of better, more pleasant days to come less than three months into 2019. And by spring, we’ll have had the opportunity to observe and celebrate both St. Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. You really don’t have to believe that Valentine sent valentines or that Patrick sermonized about a shamrock. But they did! As you think about the Winter Solstice, you might make an (understandable) connection with Christmas Day happening on December 25. The New Testament is silent on the date of Christ’s birth. If anything, the Gospels of Matthew and Luke imply His birth was in the spring. The travels of the Magi to Bethlehem and the shepherds tending their f locks in the fields would most likely have happened when good weather had arrived, just before the lambing and planting seasons had begun.
The tree at the Branch Library. However, around 350 AD, Pope Julius I declared Christmas Day to be December 25, in place of three pagan Roman solstice festivals. Later on, church scholars and popes intentionally matched holy days with other pagan festivals. In 600 AD, Pope Gregor y I encouraged missiona ries in Brita in to replace pagan observances with Christian saints’ days on the same dates. So there you are. We hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and will have a Happy New Year. And as you meditate on the 2018 Winter Solstice (perhaps by your fireplace?), please give a thought to those who’ll be in need as 2019 approaches. Thanks.
The tree at Medal of Honor/M Street Park.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018
South Boston Probation and School Children Team up to Spread Holiday Cheer to the Homeless and Senior Citizens
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Join the “L Street Brownies” for the Annual New Year’s Day Plunge On Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at 9:00 a.m., one of Boston’s oldest traditions will continue with an estimated 600 people plunging into Boston Harbor for the annual “L Street Brownies” New Year’s Day Plunge. The plunge is hosted by the L Street Brownies at the BCYF Curley Community Center, 1663 Columbia Road in South Boston, “M” Street entrance. Due to the tide schedule, it will start at 9:00 a.m. Other information you should know: Doors open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 10:30 a.m.
Participants should arrive dressed for the water as the men’s and women’s locker and shower rooms will not be available until after;
South Boston Probation Officer Barbara Loftus and 5th graders at Joseph Tynan Elementary School have teamed up to spread holiday cheer and warmth to Boston’s homeless and senior citizens as part of Cold Hands, Warm Heart, a lesson in empathy.
Water shoes are suggested due to shells and rocks left by the tide; Pets are not allowed, please leave your furry friends at home; There is no need to pre-register. You will be asked to fill out a short form when you arrive; Lifeguards will be on duty;
On Thursday, December 20, 11 am, Loftus and her Probation colleagues will go to the school, located at 650 E. 4th Street, to pick up the gift bags the students decorated and listen to several of the students read the personal messages they wrote which will be tucked into each bag and distributed to the homeless and elderly. The bags will be filled with items collected by Probation including cold weather gear such as hats, gloves, and hand warmers as well as holiday goodies including cookies, candies, granola bars, tea and hot chocolate. Tynan School Principal Leslie Gant said of this effort, “I think it is important to teach the children to be selfless and to introduce the concept of generosity and the importance of being in service to others.” South Boston Probation is distributing 160 of these bags this season and will be handing them out to the homeless after they leave the school.
Participants must be age 16 and older.
This event has taken place for over 100 years. The Brownies are the oldest “polar bear” club in America. The Brownies promote health, fun and friendship. Each year, the plunge is dedicated to past and recently deceased Brownies. Spectators are welcome and creative costumes are encouraged.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Compass on the Bay Holiday Party Compass on the Bay brought all of the staff, residents, and families together for their annual holiday party with this years theme being It’s a Wonderful Life! They enjoyed some singing by Peter O’Malley, and some piano and singing by southie native Kenny Morrell. Raffle prizes, passed hors d’oeuvres, specialty holiday cocktails, and a visit from Santa were just some of the highlights from the party!
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
A Christmas Celebration: St. Paul’s Boys Choir at Gate of Heaven Church (by Teresa DeAmicis, South Boston Catholic
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
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First Night Boston Before we can welcome 2019, the city first needs to send off 2018 in true Boston-fashion at its annual First Night celebration. Since 1975, Boston has rung in the new year with ice sculptures, live music and fireworks at its First Night event. More than 200,000 people are expected to attend this year’s celebration, according to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. From where to watch the fireworks, to when headliner Chadwick Stokes is expected to take the stage, here’s everything you need to know about First Night Boston 2019. All First Night events are free and open to the public. You can catch most of the scheduled events in Copley Square and Back Bay. First Night festivities start at 12 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31 and last through 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1. You might want to stick to public transportation. Parking is tight and the following roads are closed throughout the event: Dartmouth Street from St. James to Boylston Trinity Place and Blagden Street Boylston Street along the parade route from Dartmouth Street to the Boston Common, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 The most direct access via public transportation is the Green Line to Copley Station. The MBTA will operate on a weekday schedule, with the subway and commuter rails running a late-night service. It will operate a Sunday schedule on Jan. 1. Performances will kick off inside Boston Public Library and within the Copley Mall at noon on Monday. Grab the kids and head to the Puppet Showcase Theater starting at 12:15 p.m. At 12:30 p.m., Boston-based Sweet Harmony will take the main stage and the Handel and Haydn Society will follow at 1 p.m. Both the Old South Church and the First Church of Christ, Scientist host organ concerts at 3 and 4 p.m., respectively. Comedy performances will run in the BPL until 4:30 p.m. Starting at 7:45 p.m., performers including hip-hop duo STL GLD, hard rockers Flight of Fire, singer Sonika Vaid (who you might recognize from American Idol), alt rock band Ménage and poppunk outfit Single By Sunday take the main stage at Copley. Then, to lead the city into 2019, Chadwick Stokes takes the stage at 11:20 p.m. (Ever hear of that band Dispatch? Stokes was the frontman of the band as well as the rock trio State Radio.) Boston has two rounds of fireworks. For the first, Mayor Marty Walsh will kick off the People’s Procession from Copley Square to the Boston Common at 6 p.m. Fireworks will fill the sky at 7 p.m. on the Common. For the big celebration at midnight, fireworks are at the Boston Harbor. (Or you could check out the midnight pyrotechnics and light show that takes place off the roof of the Fairmont Copley Hotel.) You can sneak a peek at some of the ice sculptures before New Year’s Eve. On-site ice sculpting depends on the weather, but it will begin during the days leading up to First Night. If you want to watch the performances and fireworks from the comfort of your own, warm couch, segments of the show will air live on NBC10 Boston, New England Cable News and Telemundo
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018
Two Boston Residents Prepare to Run 123rd Boston Marathon on Behalf of Youth Enrichment Services (YES) On April 15, 2019 nearly 30,000 runners will start the running of the 122nd Boston Marathon. The 26.2-mile route extends through Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline and Boston. For Boston residents, Maren Tober, age 40, this will be her first Boston Marathon®, and for Kelsey Irwin, age 29, this will be her third. Maren and Kelsey will be running for Youth Enrichment Services (YES) through an entry provided by John Hancock. YES is proud to have received 4 bibs in this year’s Boston Marathon. YES is a non-profit organization that provides affordable and impactful sports-based youth development and leadership programming for Boston children and teens. YES was founded in 1968, and has served over 100,000 youth over its 50-year history. Maren’s children have been involved with YES programs since 2008, and they have been able to have many new experiences through YES, such as skiing and completing a triathlon. Kelsey has a passion for running that she was able to use when volunteering with the YES Track & Field program one summer. Each year John Hancock donates guaranteed entries to select nonprofits, which use these entries to recruit individual runners to raise money for their cause. Last year, John Hancock runners raised more than $13.1 million for over 160 different organizations. For over 30 years John Hancock has been the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon®. The Company’s continued support of the Boston Athletic Association, which has directed the race since 1897, ensures that the race will continue to be a world-class event and an important facet of Boston’s culture and heritage. Approximately 500,000 spectators line the 26.2-mile course annually, making the Marathon New England’s most widely viewed sporting event, according to estimates by police and public safety officials from the eight cities and towns along the route.
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Tynan Happenings Gym Notes FLOOR HOCKEY Our 2019 Floor Hockey League will kick off on Friday, January 18th. Registration will be Monday through Friday, 4-8 pm in the gym until January 16th. The league is for boys and girls ages 7-11 and all games will be played on Friday afternoons. If you have any questions contact Greg Lally, Athletic Director @ (617) 635-5110.
FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE In the first game last week the Vikings took on the Chargers. The Vikings proved to be too strong, and took the victory by the score of 72-54. Evan Pierce had 4 touchdowns for the Vikings and Bobby Rehm scored 3 touchdowns for the Chargers. The following game was a thriller between the Bears and Falcons. The Bears had a 38-36 lead at halftime. Tin the second half, each team continued to exchange touchdowns. In the end the Falcons took the victory, by the score of 76-72. Zaidan Pickup had an awesome game for the Falcons, scoring 7 touchdowns. Ronan Manning had 4 touchdowns and Sean Bianchi 3 touchdowns for the Bears. With one game remaining for the regular season, the standings are very close in wins and losses. Playoffs will begin on Tuesday, January 15th. The standings as of December 18th are as follows:
Vikings 5-2 Bears 3-4 Chargers 3-4 Falcons 3-4
At this time the Tynan Staff and Council would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!!!!
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018 THE PRINT EDITION
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