Mystic Irish Parade Foundation Announces the 13th Annual Parade Grand Marshal

The Irish would say, “Capall an tsaoil an grá,” which means “Love makes the world go around!” On March 20th of 2016, family and friends from near and far will join together as one community to celebrate this love, hope & Celtic culture at the 13th Annual Mystic Irish Parade!

Not only is the parade Mystic’s largest landmark event and one of the Southeastern CT region’s most prominent, it is also one of the state’s most renowned and celebrated Celtic cultural events! The Sunday afternoon festivities will begin at the Mystic Seaport and journey downtown, concluding at the Mystic Arts Center. Over 32,000 people will fill the streets of Mystic for celebration and observance of the Irish holiday of St. Patrick’s Day!

Go green, for year thirteen! In special commemoration of the 13th year, the Mystic Irish Parade Foundation is honored to have Father Tom Hoar, President of the St. Edmund’s Retreat at Enders Island off of Masons Island in Mystic, serve as the Grand Marshal of for the 2016 Mystic Irish Parade! This honor is bestowed to an exceptional member of Eastern Connecticut who dedicates time, energy and effort into giving back to their local community each day.

Father Tom Hoar, formally announced as the Grand Marshal of the Mystic Irish Parade on January 29th, 2016, has resided in the beautiful town of Mystic since 1993. He grew up in South Boston in Quincy in an Irish Catholic ghetto where a peninsula of families of Irish descent had established homes after the war. Growing up in an Irish Catholic family, religion was an integral part of his life and even as a child, he felt very connected to the church.

He journeyed to St. Michael’s College in Vermont where he originally pursued a pre-medicine major with the goal of one day becoming a doctor. During his time there, he was impressed with the Edmundites at St. Michael’s and Father Ray Doherty, who was the college chaplain. He soon realized that God had a different plan as to how he would offer hope and healing and instead of thru medicine, it would be thru ministry.

After entering the Society of St. Edmund in June of 1971, he continued to profess his religious vows on August 22nd of 1972. He currently holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Michael’s College, a Masters of Divinity from the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto, a Master of Arts degree in Religion and Religious Education from Fordham University in Bronx, NY, a PhD in Higher Education Administration from Michigan State University, and lastly, an MBA & PhD in Culture & Technology and Religious Broadcasting from Salve Regina in Newport, RI.

In 1991, Father Tom was a part of a task force responsible for evaluating Ender’s Island and the vitality of St. Edmund’s Retreat. He took a strong position on how the island and the ministry could be revived. In 1993, he took on the challenge as the Retreat Director. Over the years, he served also as the Director of Development, Director of Enders Island and since 2003, has been the President of St. Edmund’s Retreat.

When asked what his favorite part of being dedicated to the island was, he said, “You never know what will happen, because every day is different, but the fundamental message of hope and healing stays the same. God gives us gifts and challenge us to use those gifts to help people discover the wonder of his love. In sharing a message of hope, you can change the world. By helping one person, you can change the world.”

Father Tom is most proud of his staff, who he describes as “kind and compassionate” as well the people that the island has transformed who came to the retreat suffering from addiction, grief, depression and more. “God walks in and thru all of us. This is an active Catholic retreat and the fellowship and community helped it blossom. People come to the island and hear the message of hope.”

He has traveled the world, but because of his love for the country, has been to Ireland 13 times and hopes to visit again. His favorite part is the village of Spiddal on the shore of Galway Bay in the Connemara region. He also took lessons at the Mystic Valley Hunt Club and fulfilled his dream of becoming not only an avid horseback rider, but riding on the beaches in Sligo County.

In addition to serving as the Chaplain of the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, CT, he also established both the St. Michael’s Institute of Sacred Art and the St. Maximillian Kolbe Recovery Residence. “Father Tom is a special man who has helped countless individuals get their life back on track. He is a true asset to the community and his helping hand reaches far beyond our town,” says Dan Santos, Assistant Resident Director of the Recovery Residence.

“I feel silly that I am being honored as the 2016 Grand Marshal of the Mystic Irish Parade, but I am grateful for the community recognition for the Ministry of Enders Island.” Father Tom also expressed how deeply moved he is by the people who support the ministry, whether it is with $5 or $50,000, or anything in between. His love of Mystic and commitment to St. Edmund’s Retreat and the community is inspiring and the Mystic Irish Parade Foundation is honored to have him serve as the 2016 Grand Marshal!

“Father Tom has been a beacon of light for our community and I’m in complete admiration and appreciation that he’s been chosen for this year” says Neil Ryan, Vice President of the Mystic Irish Parade Foundation. A sincere thank you to Father Tom Hoar for serving as the Grand Marshal and supporting this year’s Mystic Irish Parade! For more information please visit www.MysticIrishParade.org