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~ 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.
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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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