Richard Cardinal Cushing Memorial Park Formally Dedicated on October 16, 1989

-


On Monday, October 16, 1989, Boston citizens came together to officially dedicate the Richard Cardinal Cushing Memorial Park in Bowdoin Square, in tribute to one of the city’s most distinguished leaders. 

The park first opened in 1981 with a bust of the Cardinal by sculptor James Rosati, and the newly designed $450,000 upgrade in 1989 was overseen by Architect Graham Gund, who added benches and greenery, making it a more welcoming space.  Public officials at the dedication included Senator Ted Kennedy and Boston Mayor Ray Flynn, along with family and friends of Cardinal Cushing and parishioners from St. Joseph's Church in the West End.  

Born in South Boston to Irish immigrant parents from County Cork, Richard James Cushing (1895-1970) was a proud Bostonian. He once told reporters, "I was born in Boston. I was bred in Boston. I'm for everything that promotes Boston's welfare." 

Ordained a priest in 1921, Cushing rose through the ranks, ultimately serving as Archbishop of Boston from 1945 to 1970, while also being appointed cardinal in 1958. During that time, he presided over a rapid expansion and strengthening of the Boston archdiocese, doubling the number of priests and brothers and adding almost 100 new parishes between 1944 and 1964. 

He was a prodigious fundraiser for foreign missions in Africa, South America and Asia. Locally, he preached a universal brotherhood and tolerance for others, and became a valued friend of the Jewish community in Boston. 

Cardinal Cushing tries out the Irish bagpipes with local dancers

As the son of Irish immigrants, Cushing was especially close to the Irish community, and took pleasure in trying the Irish bagpipes and accordion or posing with Irish dancers.  At a Thanksgiving event at Blinstrub's Restaurant in South Boston, he danced an Irish jig with two older Irish women and then accompanied them on the accordion. He sponsored an annual Irish Field Day with the Gaelic Athletic Association that aided South American missions, and held Irish functions to aid the Columban Fathers, the Sisters of Notre Dame, the African Missions and many others. 

 Cardinal Cushing was a close friend of the Kennedy Family: he presided over the marriage of John and Jacqueline Kennedy and baptized their children Caroline and John. Cushing gave the prayer invocation at John F. Kennedy's presidential inauguration in January 1961, and he served at the funeral mass for President Kennedy in Washington DC in November 1963. 

 Located at the corner of Cambridge and New Chardon Street, the Richard Cardinal Cushing Memorial Park in Bowdoin Square has become as an urban oasis for workers at Government Center and patients and staff from nearby Massachusetts General Hospital, and for all of the people who pass by.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Declan Crowley is new Cultural Programming Manager at the Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston

-
Image
The Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston (ICC) has announced the appointment of Declan Crowley as its new Cultural Programming Manager. Declan's primary role will be to curate a diverse lineup of Irish, Irish-American, and Celtic artists to perform at the Centre throughout the year, from musicians, singers and dancers to writers, filmmakers, historians and artists, while catering to a wide audience of people who cherish Irish culture. Crowley brings a wealth of experience and artistic vision to his new role.  Originally from Burnt Hills, NY, he is an eight-time Regional, two- time National, and All-Ireland Champion Irish dancer, as well as a two-time silver and bronze medal holder at the World Championships and a NFAA youngArts™️ Silver Medalist in World Dance, Crowley began touring internationally with Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance” in 2009, where he played the principal role of ‘Don Dorcha, the Dark Lord’ until 2013. While completing his B.A. in English at the College ...
Read more

General Edward L. Logan, Namesake of Boston's Logan International Airport

-
Image
General Edward L. Logan (1875-1939), namesake of Boston’s Logan International Airport , died on July 6 1939 from a sudden 'heart ailment.'  His brother, Reverend Leo J. Logan, presided over the funeral mass at the Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston, with tributes by leading politicians like Senator David I. Walsh , former Massachusetts Governor and Boston Mayor James M. Curley and former Mayor John F. Fitzgerald .  Logan is buried at the Calvary Cemetery in West Roxbury.  A first generation Irish-American, military leader, civic leader and municipal judge with family roots in Galway and South Boston,  Edward was the oldest of nine children of Lawrence and Catherine (O’Connor), according to Michael Cummings of Milton, an expert on the Logan Family. Edward’s father Lawrence immigrated to Boston from Ballygar, County Galway, in 1858, and became a successful businessman at a young age when he became president of the Boston Brewing Company in South Boston.  The ...
Read more

Boston's Irish International Immigrant Center now called Rian Immigrant Center

-
Image
The Irish International Immigrant Center, one of Boston’s leading immigrant advocacy groups for over three decades, has changed its name to  Rian Immigrant Center . Rian (Ree-Ann), the Irish word for path, honors the groups Irish roots while reflecting its inclusive mission of empowering immigrant and refugee families on the path to opportunity, safety and a better future for all. The Center’s new logo is inspired by the Giant's Causeway on the north coast of Ireland, natural hexagonal stones formed 60 million years ago by cooling lava. The symbol represents how the Rian Immigrant Center provides the support to chart a pathway forward. “Our work has never been in higher demand,” said  Ronnie Millar,  executive director of the Rian Immigrant Center. “In recent years that path has grown more difficult. Legal obstacles, bureaucratic thickets, even physical barriers obstruct the path to legal status and citizenship. Together with our public and private par...
Read more