Hoosick Grange met on Wednesday, March 11, with David Cornell, Master. It was an open meeting with Marion Hynick in charge of the Lecturer’s program. Marion’s theme was St. Patrick. She had Irish music playing before the meeting. Marion had a speaker, Mr. William Ely, who told us the history of St. Patrick. He said St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and a saint of the Roman Catholic Church. He was born at Bannavem, which may have been in England or in Scotland. The saint’s British name was Sucat. Patrick is the English form of his Latin name, Patricius. At the age of 16, he was captured by pirates from Ireland. They took him back there. They had him take care of flocks of sheep. Six years of slavery made him a devoted Christian. He knew the horror of slavery, and he prayed both night and day that one day he would be free. He escaped to France and became a monk. A vision he had led him back to Ireland, where he was made a bishop of the church. He worked hard in Ireland the rest of his life. He knew the language, and the people loved him. He was so successful in converting the people that he became known as one who “found Ireland all heathen and left it all Christian.” His great aim in life was to find the man who made him a slave and convert him. Many legends are told of St. Patrick which are not true. He left a sort of autobiography called “Confessions,” written in Latin. He died about 461 and his feast day is March 17. Marion thanked Mr. Ely for his very informative talk. She also had a very funny tape of Hal Roach who told many Irish jokes. Marion was in charge of delicious refreshments.
The next meeting is on March 25. It’s an open meeting with a covered dish supper at 7 pm. At 8 pm the speaker will be Terri Ptacek from The Agricultural Stewardship Association, speaking on purchasing developing rites. All interested persons are invited to attend.