By Archbishop Thomas Wenski - The Archdiocese of Miami
Homily by Archbishop Thomas Wenski at Mass for the 100th anniversary of St. Patrick Catholic Parish. Miami Beach, March 17, 2026.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate a double blessing: the feast of your parish’s patron, St. Patrick, and the monumental 100th anniversary of this beloved St. Patrick Parish here in Miami Beach.
My congratulations to all of you; but especially my congratulations to your pastor, Fr. Roberto Cid, who has organized a year long commemoration of this milestone. In a Church that is almost 2000 years old, 100 years might not seem like such a long time; but here in South Florida, where everything seems like it was build a day before yesterday, 100 years is certainly worthy of celebration. We can remember the past with gratitude, celebrate the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with hope.
One hundred years ago, in 1926, this parish was founded to bring the light of Christ to this area. Thanks to the missionary work of St. Patrick on that small island we know today as Ireland, this parish was built up by Irish missionaries who came to this smaller island of Miami Beach to bring the gospel and provide a spiritual home, refuge of faith for the Catholics of this area. From the Emerald Isle to Miami Beach, where summer spends the winter.
Miami Beach and indeed all of Florida owe a debt of gratitude for all those priests from the “Old sod” who served us so well here at St. Patrick’s. Many of those priests with Irish surnames have gone to their eternal reward but today you parishioners are served with no less fervor and zeal by priests with Hispanic surnames.
St. Patrick’s famous breastplate prayer says, “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ in me”. That is not just a prayer; it is a program for your next century. As a parish, you are called to be a community with "a heart which sees" where love is needed. Whether serving the tourist, the neighbor, or the vulnerable, you are called to be Christ's presence in Miami Beach.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we celebrate the anniversary of your parish, we are not just marking a date on a calendar; we are honoring a legacy of faith that echoes the call of the apostles in today’s Gospel. Like Saint Patrick, who returned to the land of his captors to bring the light of Christ, our parish was founded on the radical trust that if we cast our nets where the Lord tells us, he will provide.
In the Gospel, Simon Peter is exhausted. He has fished all night and caught nothing. It is in this moment of professional failure and fatigue that Jesus asks him to do something unreasonable: “Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4).
Trust over Expertise:
Peter, the expert fisherman, could have argued with Jesus, the carpenter. Instead, he says, "At your word, I will".
The Abundant Catch:
Because of this obedience, the nets are filled to breaking.
The Vocation:
The miracle is not just about fish; it is about faith. Jesus tells Peter, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men".
St. Patrick knew what it meant to "put out into the deep." He did not choose the easy path. After escaping slavery, he felt called to return to Ireland. Imagine the fear, the odds against him. Yet, he trusted in God’s providence, and his mission was fruitful beyond measure. He didn't rely on his own strength, but on the power of the Gospel to transform hearts.
As we celebrate this anniversary, we are called to ask ourselves: Where is Jesus asking our parish to cast its nets today?
1. Moving Beyond Comfort: Like Peter, we may feel tired, or feel that our "nets" are empty. The Gospel challenges us to move away from our comfort zones—to go into the "deep" of our community, our city, and our neighborhoods to share the faith.
2. A Legacy of Evangelization: Patrick did not just build churches; he converted a nation. This parish is called to be a center of evangelization, not just maintenance. We are called to be missionary disciples, bringing the joy of the Gospel to those who have never heard it or have fallen away.
3. "At Your Word": When we face challenges in our parish, our response should be, "Lord, at your word, we will." It is about trusting that if we follow His direction, he will provide the increase.
As we celebrate the Eucharist today, let us thank God for the generations of parishioners who have gone before us—our forebears in faith—who "put out into the deep" to build this community. Let us pray for the courage of St. Patrick to be bold in our witness, and the trust of Peter to follow Jesus wherever He leads. St. Patrick was not just about shamrocks and snakes. And St. Patrick’s Day shouldn’t just be about corn beef cabbage and green beer, Patrick described himself as a “sinner, most uncultivated,” yet God used him to transform a nation. Patrick teaches us that we do not need to be perfect to do God’s work; we only need to be surrendered to it. We look to his example and beg his prayers that this celebration of his day and this parish’s centenary renew in each one of us faith, hope, and charity that we may be credible witnesses to Christ’s Resurrection.
Let us celebrate this anniversary with joy, not just looking back at a glorious history, but looking forward to a vibrant future. May St. Patrick intercede for us, and may you, the parish community of St. Patrick, continue to shine the light of Christ for another hundred years.
Saint Patrick, pray for us.
Happy Anniversary!
