Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

BRIDGEPORT—Students from Catholic schools in the Greater Bridgeport area marched and displayed their school banners in the 37th Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade held on Friday in downtown Bridgeport.

The St. Patrick’s Day observance formally began when the Most Rev. Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport, celebrated Mass at 8 am at St. Augustine Cathedral. Mass was followed by an Irish Breakfast at the Holiday Inn and the parade at noon.

For the sixth year the parade had a complete division exclusively for the Catholic Schools. Participants included marchers, floats and several bands.

Students from Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, St. Catherine Academy, St. Mark, St. Ann, St. Andrew, St. Catherine of Siena and St. Joseph High School joined this year’s festivities. Peter Carroll, of Stratford and served as Grand Marshal.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians in Bridgeport is the oldest chapter in the U.S. St. Augustine Cathedral was dedicated by Bishop McFarland on St. Patrick’s Day in 1868.

Photos by Amy Mortensen