On the Feast Day of St Patrick, Bishop of Armagh, and Enlightener of Ireland (March 17), Holy Trinity parishioner Barbara E. Lacey, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of History at the University of St Joseph, Hartford, Connecticut, delivered an inspiring presentation on the life of St Patrick.

It was St Patrick, along with others who brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to Ireland in the 5th century. Dr Lacey pointed out the festivals and parades normally associated with St Patrick actually begun in the 1950’s in New Haven, CT. His followers have multiplied over the years since then.

More closely associated with festive activities, it was helpful for we at Holy Trinity to learn more about the Christian life of this holy man. Although more normally associated with the western Roman Catholic Church, St Patrick also belongs to the ranks of saints of the Orthodox Church, and is honored by the Anglican Communion and the Lutheran Church.

Another Holy Trinity parishioner, Mary Ellen Junda, Ph.D., commented that the she had hoped the festivities which accompany St Patrick’s Day in America, would perhaps inspire others to learn more about his holy and blessed life.

Dr Lacey’s presentation is part of Holy Trinity’s monthly Adult Education Series in which our parishioners are encouraged to research the life of a saint, and then present that life to the community. The series has been well received, with often more than 20 parishioners staying after Divine Liturgy to learn more.

Dr Lacey has been our most frequent presenter and in the past has shared with her Holy Trinity community the life of St Nina, Equal-to-the-Apostles and Enlightener of Georgians (+355), Saint Genevieve of Paris, and Saint Xenia of Petersburg (Russia).

The author of several books, including The World of Hannah Heaton: The Diary of an Eighteenth Century New England Farm Woman (2003), Dr Lacey recently wrote the historical timeline for the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame (www.cwhf.org).

Click:  Saint Patrick Presentation to download a transcription of the lecture electronically