The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-27

James church in lower New York city, and within a few months the then largely populated parish, which mas served by the fathers i of St. James church, was alive with activity in preparation for the es- tablishment of the foundation of the order in America. Divisions were formed throughout the city of New York and the order met with immediate success. Thereafter a na- tional and state organization was former throughout the nation. The officers and sponsors were the prominent men of their rate at that time whose names are found among those active in civic affairs of the day. Today we find that 1t is the largest fraternal organiza- tion in the United States of one race and one creed, and ranks well among the oldest of such orders.
 Century of Progress
 In enumeration of its centennial, the order is sponsoring a century of Hibernian progress in America, in various parts of the United StateS, particularly in the city of New York. where, over the week end of May 2 and 3, 1936, there will be series of events commem- orative of the progress already de- veloped. The preliminaries for the celebration have been developed THarin1 of under the direction of some of the most representative citizens of our country. Inasmuch as the first charter in America was issued to group of New Workers of Irish birth or descent and the first di- vision of the order in America was established in the county of New Y--k, in New York city, the order throughout the nation decided that the place of its inception should be that at which the pincipal cele- bration of the centennial should be held. The members of the order in New York county are therefore the hosts of their brothers and sisters throughout the nation who are converging on New York from all i points of the compess to attend the gala celebration. The celebra- tion, in addition to assuming a his torical and civic aspect, will be one of the most distinguished events sponsored by the Catholic church authorities.
 The committee on hotel and rail- road reservations has been working in cooperation with the various hotels throughout the city, arrang- ing for the comfort and entertain ment of the visiting guests.
 Spectacular Parade
 In anticipation of the general celebration, particular attention was given to the St. Patrick's day of this year, which was inall probabil- ity the most spectacular parade held on Fifth avenue in many years. The various organizations of persons of Irish birth or descent throughout the nation aer acting in ful cooperation with the mem bers of the Ancient Order of Hi- bernians to make the celebration all
 that 1t should be.
 The first of the activities of the celebration will be parade of the Hibernians, escorted by the 165th Infantry, the old Fighting Irish Sixty-ninth Regiment, which will be led by Colonel Alexander E. An derSon, one of the distinguished heroes of the World war. The pa- raIe will be to St Patrick's cathe- dral n Fifth avenue to attend pontificial high mass at Il a. n., at which His Eminence Patrick Cardinal Hayes, archbishop of New York, will preside.
 The mass will be sung to the &C., compartment of program of rare old Irish music which hase been especially selected for the occasion.
 At o'clock Saturday evening, at teh Hotel AStor the New York hosts and their visitors from the various parts of the country will participate in banquet and dance. Justice William T. Collins of the supreme court will be the toast master, with His Eminence Cardi- nal Hayes, Hon. James M. Curley, governor of Massachusetts, Hon. Michael T. MacWhite, minister of the Irich Free State and John E. Fenton, national president of the Ancient Order of HibernianS, as the speakers. The addresses will be broadcast throughout the country by a nationwide radio hookup. On Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, two bronze tablets, one upon the outside wall of St. James church in lower New York city, and one upon the old St. Patrick's cathedral in Mott street, both commemorat- ing the century-old activities of the order in New York city, will be ded- icated by His Eminence Cardinal Hayes, assisted by prominent local and other church dignitaries who will be here for the celebration.