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Pastoral Center Gets Boost As Fr. Kelly Arrives from Dublin

By Ann McGough

Jimmy Kelly. In the Boston area, this name is most commonly associated with the controversial, scrappy and hard-working city councillor from South Boston. However, another Jimmy Kelly has come to call South Boston home and he is sure to be a strong voice in his own right.

Dublin native Father Jimmy Kelly is a member of the Order of Servites, or Servants of Mary. Before entering the Priesthood in 1976, Jimmy Kelly was a bus conductor. His most recent assignment was at Blakestown in Dublin. He heard Bishop Paul Byrne, speak about the worldwide shortage of chaplains to work with the Irish immigrant community. Father Kelly asked his Provincial for permission to pursue the position in Boston and the rest is history. Father Kelly is the new Chaplain for the Quincy-based Irish Pastoral Center. He has been in Boston since October and is enjoying getting to know his new home and expanding his flock.

Father Kelly came to Boston in August to explore his future home. Before that, his only experience in America had been a few trips to California. He is now stationed at Saint Augustine's Parish in South Boston, which he says is very central to his ministry.

"It is unbelievable how Irish Boston is! I was also impressed with how important faith is here. In the parish in Dublin where I last served, there was a great indifference towards the Church. I do not find that here. People's faith seems to be very constructive."

Saint Augustine's Pastor, Monsignor Thomas McDonnell says of Father Kelly, "He is a marvelous and positive person. He is like a breath of fresh air."

The day to day ministry of Father Kelly is not set in stone. " I am fairly open to the unfolding of my ministry to Irish immigrants. I have been making myself available to the Irish community. I wish I could have an office next to Green Hills Bakery (in Adams Corner, Dorchester) as part of my "Hello Ministry." I have also been doing a lot of outreach at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton and at local Irish pubs.

"I would like to concentrate on connecting different groups together. Jesus' message is about empowerment, about getting people to view themselves as empowered. People recognize Jesus' message. People recognize weakness and have forgiveness, for others as well as themselves."

Father Kelly continues, "The Church is still a very positive place for me, even with all of the current negativity. The light is still much stronger than the darkness."

The 51-year-old Kelly is the youngest of six children. One brother and one sister live in England. The rest of the family, including Kelly's ninety-seven year old father, James, is still in Dublin. Mary Kelly, the matriarch of the family passed away in 1979. Father Kelly returned to Dublin for ten days at Christmastime.

What was the biggest challenge in transitioning from Dublin to Boston living?

"Well, I had to learn to walk again, and then to drive again. People cross the street differently here (Bostonians are known worldwide for their jaywalking, he says). Boston is English speaking, just like Dublin, but there are so many different words to get accustomed to, like "sub." It is just a roll," Kelly jokes.

Sister Veronica Dobson is with the Order of Saint Brigid of Ireland, or the Brigidines. Sister Veronica, a native of County Offaly, founded the Irish Pastoral Center with Father Daniel Finn fifteen years ago.

She says of the Center's new Chaplain, "We are absolutely delighted to have him at the Pastoral Center. Already, he has done great work and made himself available to so many."

Father Kelly's mission in Boston is clear, "I am here for the Irish immigrant community. The more people that I meet, the more I get into this, and the happier I am. Faith is why I am here. Going forward, there is refreshing new interest in the Church as a People's Church, not the Church of the past."

Father Kelly encourages people to contact him, either by phone, 617-269-8749, or via email at jimmykellyosm@aol.com.

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