Saint Patrick Day Parade 2025
-Michael Sullivan
The Church of Saint Luke marched in the Stroudsburg Saint Patrick Day Parade for the second year in a row on March 23rd, 2025. In Stroudsburg’s biggest parade in the history of the town, according to local media reports, our Parish was well represented and made a great impression on the parade spectators. Led by the 2025 Confirmation students, over 50 Parishioners, including over 20 children bore witness to the Church of Saint Luke and our Catholic Saint Patrick.
The Confirmation students carried a sign reminding the town of the importance of the Saint in Saint Patrick’s Day.
The Confirmation students leading the Parish at the parade.
Confirmation Students carrying the Keep the Saint in Saint Patrick’s Day sign, accompanied by their teachers, Michael Sullivan and Mrs. Stephanie Motz.
Following the Confirmation students were the dozens of Parishioners who came to show support for the Church, and the Saint Patrick Day parade. We were greeted to a warm welcome as we passed by our Church by the hundreds of people gathered on the steps of Saint Luke’s and in the surrounding area.
Marchers greeted by the parade watchers at the Church of Saint Luke.
Father Michael Quinnan was chauffeured by Gene Halterman in a red convertible and was cheerfully greeted by the teeming streets of downtown Stroudsburg as he made his way through the parade route.
Father Quinnan at the Stroudsburg High-School before the parade with Michael Sullivan standing on the side, and Gene Halterman in the driver’s seat.
Father Quinnan in his ride for the day.
Father followed in the convertible behind the men in suits. The young men led by catechumen, Philip Siebert, stole the show from the rest of the marchers and were pictured in the Pocono Record’s article highlighting the parade. They carried our “Real Irish go to Mass” banner from last year and would have been the stars of the parade, if we did not have Saint Patrick following in the rear seated on his Bishop chair in the back of the float surrounded by the children.
The men in suits carrying the banner
Although the young men in their ties, and silly green leprechaun hats, drew a lot of the attention, the real focus of the Church of Saint Luke was the Saint of Ireland, Bishop Patrick.
Saint Patrick getting ready for the parade.
We designed our float to display the Saint, who has often been overlooked at the parade, but who still remains the reason for the celebration almost 1,600 years after his death in 461 AD. The Church of Saint Luke made a conscious effort to “Keep the Saint in Saint Patrick’s Day” and we hope that the residents of Stroudsburg were reminded of the Bishop of the Eire when they saw Shawn Dougher dressed as the legendary Catholic hero.
Saint Patrick passing the Church of Saint Luke
We also hope that our participation in the parade succeeded in bearing witness to Jesus Christ, Saint Patrick, the Catholic Church, and our Parish, the Church of Saint Luke. Thank you to everyone who helped with the float, marched in the parade, or cheered us on as we passed by. We hope that it was a memorable day for the Parish, the community and all the children who were there.
