~ HISTORY ~
I Father
Duffey and Sister Mary Watson sent forth a
“Clarion Call” of desperation and need of help. The year was 1978 and the Cass Corridor was a
rather grim and desolate area of vacated boarded up edifices, occasionally
occupied by businesses catering to academia, or second-hand shops, a few
restaurants, some soup- kitchens, and bars. Most importantly for our
purposes, there were hundreds of economically deprived senior citizens;
indefensible targets for the numerous predators roaming the then nearly
empty streets of the “Corridor”. For example, a 76 year old blind
parishioner risks leaving his apartment early one Sunday morning to attend
Mass and noon meal. Upon his return he finds his apartment ransacked and,
what little food, clothing and few personal items he possessed are gone!
Even his only contact with the outside world…his table model radio. This
was the fourth such robbery of his apartment in almost as many months, the
others occurring while he was obtaining medical attention or grocery
shopping.
Father Tom or Sister Mary
related to the F.O.U.I.s many heartrending stories of the plights of the
forgotten seniors whom they encountered on a daily basis. They expressed
their hopes and aspirations of a program encompassing nutritional, medical
and dental care, recreational and physical therapy activities, legal and
religious guidance, and most of all, restoration of self-respect and
dignity.
Upon hearing of St.
Patrick’s plans, the newly formed social/fraternal organization, the
Fraternal Order of United Irishmen met, discussed and voted unanimously to
adopt the St. Patrick’s Senior Center and St. Patrick’s Church because as
it’s primary charitable function and has espoused their mission ever since.
The F.O.U.I.s, by whatever
means necessary, have endeavored to promote St. Pat’s humanitarian goals
through fund-raising events as well as community awareness via personal
advocacy, and involvement in the Irish community year round by it’s
membership in the United Irish Societies since 1978. Our membership is
comprised of non-denominational, multi-ethnical men of varied professional
backgrounds with an appreciation of Irish music and culture. We are
non-politically affiliated; however we help to foster an awareness of the
human rights problems in Ireland,
past and present.
While St. Patrick’s is and
always has been the Fraternal Order of United Irishmen’s primary charity,
we are also proud to include in our membership, and support, as well as
receive support from, the Irish Pallottine Fathers of Wyandotte, Michigan
and their Missions in Tanzania South Africa; their Annual Golf Tournament
and their Annual Golf Tournament and their Bi-Annual Dinner Dances.
Our F.O.U.I. Singing
–Marching Chowder Society, and all-male, members only choir has performed
at many seniors residences, convalescent centers, charitable functions and
organizational fund-raisers in the state of Michigan.
During our many years of
existence, we have grown from an initial six founding members to a vast
city-wide and suburban membership, enjoying a lasting camaraderie of our
fraternal brotherhood, and the satisfaction of successful efforts on behalf
of St. Patrick’s Church, The Irish Pallottine Fathers and Missions and the
Irish Community.
We meet the 3rd
Tuesday of the month at 8 pm at the Gaelic League. You are always welcome
to come and join us.
Pavers installed at the UIS Irish Plaza
Honoring the memory of our deceased Brothers
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FOUI
Chowder Society performing at Annual Souper Bowl
Fundraiser 10/15/17
l-r: D.
Henkel, N. Massa, R. Cooley, D. Keem, J. Dewan, B. Quaine, F.
Kenny, B. Gunkleman, J. Connolly, J. Bentley, J.
Murphy,
Director
D. Mulrenin - seated
FOUI President
Brian Dunleavy presenting FOUI donation to Souper
Bowl Chairman Paul Gowdy with FOUI Chowders
10/15/17
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WNZK c/o
Kathleen O’Neill receives generous Irish Radio support from the F.O.U.I.s on
July 21, 2015 at the Gaelic League
l-r: Jim Dewan. Dave Wurtz, Joe Parsky, Gary Marchetti, Bill
Boyd, Jerry Stewart, Kathleen O’Neill, Save LaBerge, Bob Mundt, Brian
Dunleavy, Pat Ewing
F.O.U.I.
members Sunday, March 1, 2015 at the Parade Fundraiser held at the Gaelic
League.
l-r: Pat Ewing, Grand Marshal Jim
Dewan, Marty Dunleavy, Paul Doulette, Gary Marchetti, Joe Parsky, Brian
Dunleavy, Jim Murphy, Sid Pardo
St Pat
Church Christmas Decorating December 2013
l-r:
Daryl Gray’s Sons 1.2,3, D. Laberge, E. Cullum, D. Gray, J. Dewan, C. McCarver,
B. Dunleavy, P. Ewing
St Pat
Church Christmas Decorating December 2007
F.O.U.I.
CHOWDER SOCIETY PERFORMANCES *
F. O. U.
I. Chowder Society performs on Sunday, September 11, 2015 at the 27th
annual Souper Bowl for the Capuchins
l-r: John Connolly, Jack Dwyer, Ron Cooley, Jim Dewan, Frank Kenny,
John Bentley, Bill Gunkleman, Brian Bonner,
Director Don Mulrenin, Joe Parsky,
Bill Boyd
F. O. U.
I. Chowder Society performs on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at the Parade Fundraiser
held at the Gaelic League.
l-r: on floor in front of stage (not seen John Bentley – Keyboard, Jim
Pardo – Guitar) Director – Joe Parsky,
seated Bill Boyd
l-r on stage: Dean Henkel, Pat Ewing, John Connolly, Grand Marshal Jim
Dewan, Brian Dunleavy, Frank Kenny, Bob Quaine, Ron
Cooley, Bill Gunkleman, Jim Murphy
l-r: Jack
Dwyer, Tom McClarey, Jim Byrne, Bob Davis, Nick
Massa, Pat Kennedy, Director-Don Mulrenin
The Foui Chowder Society
performed at the St. Patrick Senior Center Irish Festival on Sunday, June 12,
2011
Director D. Mulrenin,
(l-r Front) J. Bentley, J. Dwyer, J. Dewan, F. Kenny, N. Massa, J. Murphy
(l-r Back) B. Bonner, G. Pelyak,
J. Reed, P. Kennedy, T. McClary, B. Boyd
The Foui Chowder Society
performed at the St. John Senior Home on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
Director D. Mulrenin,
(l-r) B. Gunkleman, B. Davis, B. Head, N. Massa, T.
McClary, J. Dewan, J. Byrne, B. Boyd, B. Bonner, P.
Kennedy, G. Pelyak, J. Murphy
Fouis prep & clean the UIS
Irish Plaza for the annual ‘Painting of the Shamrocks’ on March 8, 2009.
Painter Extraordinaire, Jim Murphy (center), Moral
supporters & clean up crew (l-r) G. Marchetti,
J. Dewan, B. Boyd, G Pelyak
The Foui Chowder Society
performed at the Fr. Solanus Casey “Souper Bowl” on Sunday, October 12, 2008.
American Polish
Century Club, 33204 MAPLE LANE,
STERLING HEIGHTS, MI
(Please send picture to Jim Dewan
if you have one)
The MAGNIFICENT young men of the
Foui Chowder Society entertained
Fr. McGoldrick,
August, 2008 as he recovered from his broken arm at St John Senior Home.
L-R; Jim Reed, Don Mulrenin,
Pat Kennedy, George Pelyak, Bill Gunkleman, Brian Bonner, Jim Byrne, Bob Davis, Jack
Dwyer, Nick Massa, Jim Dewan, Tom McClarey, Jim
Murphy with Fr. Bill McGoldrick seated
The crowd
pleasing Foui Chowder Society bask in the glow of the applause from their
fans at the 2008 St. Patrick Spring Festival
L-R; Bill Head, Jim Reed, Bill Gunkleman, Nick Massa, Jim Dewan, Jim Byrne, Don Mulrenin, Tom McClarey, Bob
Davis, Jim Murphy, Bill Boyd, George Pelyak.
Not shown – Joe Parsky, Brian Bonner
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