By Joseph Myers • Posted August 5, 2024

Numerous benefactors can keep Irish eyes smiling, but what can prove so constant as to make Irish hearts forever hopeful? Since 1839, St. Patrick Parish in Philadelphia has been a beacon of faith and service for the faithful of Irish heritage and everyone else residing in the city’s Rittenhouse Square area.

As the parish nears the December celebration of its 185th anniversary, a new documentary film that premiered July 16 is touting St. Patrick’s role in strengthening Philadelphia’s Catholic identity and offering encouragement to all who enter.

“There’s so much life within the entirety of the Catholic faith and, in particular, St. Patrick’s,” said Dominican Father Timothy Danaher. “This work shows just how much [it] has meant to countless individuals.”

Serving at St. Patrick’s as a parochial vicar from 2018 to 2021, the Dominican priest narrates the film that began to take shape just as the COVID-19 pandemic descended on the world. Having sought a visual means to tell the story of such an esteemed parish, he saw the completion of the documentary hit a snag three years ago. But this spring, the concept wrapped when Gus deSimone’s Gus D Media finished the tribute.

“Everyone who has set foot inside the church appreciates the utter beauty that it possesses,” Father Danaher said, echoing a sentiment by architecture historian and documentary participant Michael Lewis that St. Patrick’s exists as “an essay in color.”

“That lure, though, certainly includes the majesty of what has happened within its walls, too,” Father Danaher said.

One can only imagine how many souls have sought solace from St. Patrick’s priests, nuns, and fellow parishioners over the course of the 19^th, 20^th, and 21^st centuries. The documentary reverently explores the beginning days of the parish and finds deSimone using artificial intelligence to bring to life pictures of pastors and significant figures associated with St. Patrick’s.

“(With) the bones of the church being Irish,” according to the pastor, the film chronicles the camaraderie that early Irish parishioners shared. It also includes comments by contemporary church-goers to explore the special place the parish holds in the hearts of the faithful.

“It’s quite an understatement to say the parish has moved mountains for people,” said Father Danaher, now the chaplain at Dartmouth College. “We tried hard in the documentary to show the variety of ways that St. Patrick’s has meant something to so many individuals while also commenting on how its very existence celebrates the Archdiocese (of Philadelphia) and American Catholicism overall.”

Through its 67 minutes, the commemorative documentary looks at the tenures of all 14 pastors, notes major dates that have molded the experience of believers living in the surrounding Center City community and beyond, and captures the selflessness that being a disciple of Christ demands.

No matter what call to service that the parish has responded to — sending parishioners to fight in historic conflicts for the United States, including 1,715 American Civil War servicemen; safeguarding citizens during the 1918 influenza outbreak; or overseeing a soup kitchen at the start of the Great Depression — discipleship has tied everything together.

That rings especially true today, given that the parish’s proud Irish roots now welcome contributions from people from many other backgrounds.

As the documentary states toward its conclusion, particularly by mentioning the parish namesake’s breastplate, Christ “is responsible for it all.”

“She is the bride of Christ,” Father Danaher said of the universal Catholic Church. “She continues to honor what Mother Teresa instructed us to do in doing something beautiful for God.

“For so many years, St. Patrick’s has helped his wonderful example to live. I’m thankful to have served there and glad that so many people have given him praise and honor there.”