Special day marks saint’s death

Saint Patrick’s Day, or Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held March 17, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, foremost patron saint of Ireland. Much of what we know of Saint Patrick comes from the Declaration, which was allegedly written by Patrick himself.

Saint Patrick was born around the year AD 389 in Roman-ruled Britain into a wealthy RomanoBritish family. His father was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest in the Christian church. At the age sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland. According to the Declaration, he spent six years there working as a shepherd and during this time he found God. The Declaration says that God told Patrick to flee to the coast, where a ship would be waiting to take him home. After making his way home, Patrick went on to become a priest.

According to tradition, Patrick returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. The Declaration says that, as a RomanoBritish Christian missionary and Bishop, he spent many years evangelizing in the northern half of Ireland and converted thousands.

Patrick’s efforts were eventually turned into an allegory in which he drove “snakes” out of Ireland, despite the fact that snakes were not known to inhabit the region.

Tradition holds that he died on March 17 in around the year AD 466 and was buried at Downpatrick.

ing. A soup supper will follow at Lagro United Methodist Church, 1100 Main St. Free will donations will graciously be accepted.

Over the following centuries, many legends grew up around Patrick and he became Ireland’s foremost saint.

Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival. Modern celebrations have been greatly influenced by those of the Irish diaspora (peoples who are scattered across regions which are separate from their geographic place of origin), particularly those that developed in North America. However, there has been criticism of Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations for having become too commercialized and for fostering negative stereotypes of the Irish people.

Historic St. Patrick’s Church, 950 Main St., is celebrating its 150th anniversary on Friday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) at 5:30 p.m., with Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades officiat-

Kendall Mercer and Auston Garrett were last week’s Norse Honor Students of the Week. Kendall was recognized for improving a lot on a quiz. Hard work pays off! Auston helped clean the Ag room back storage area.

Congratulations to Auston and Kendall.

March 6, 22 seniors from Southwood and Northfield high schools were honored at the MSD of Wabash County Academic Recognition Banquet. For the past 34 years, MSDWC seniors with an ‘A’ cumulative grade point average have been invited to this banquet, celebrating their academic success. Students receiving this honor included: Elise Adams, Zebadiah Herring, Bryn Mealy, Katelyn Ranck, Kyle Smith, Dylan Stout, Aleia Sweet, Dakota Wilson, Alaina Winer, Makenna Younce, Mason Fisher, Malachi Higgins, James Hall, Lillian Hobbs, Ella Hunter, Natalee Keller, Elijah Kroh, Kylie

Leland, Audrey Parrett, Avery Shrider, Brooklyn Stout, and Claire Thompson. This year’s alum speak- er was Dr. Zach Hobson. Learn more about Dr. Hobson at http://ow.ly/BMgg5 0Nbeho.

Food Pantry at Lagro Community Church is open from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, Cont. on Pg. 22.