Jim McDermott

3 days ago | sojo.net | Jim McDermott

When Pope Francis’ condition first began to in February, I found myself suddenly feeling the kind of vertiginous paradigm shift usually reserved for the loss of close family or friends, that sense of a curtain being torn aside and a truth being revealed. The detail that really broke me was the news that as he had gotten sicker, Francis continued to text and call the people of Holy Family Parish in Gaza. It was so far beyond what anyone would expect of a critically ill 88-year-old man.

1 week ago | americantheatre.org | Jim McDermott

New York has long been home to a vibrant community of Irish artists. As early as the 1910s, in fact, three different Irish-focused companies—the Irish Theatre of America, the Celtic Players, and the Irish Players—were producing work. “The community theatre idea has all at once come to life,” reported The New York Times on Feb. 14, 1915, with the announcement of the Irish Theatre of America.

2 weeks ago | provincetownindependent.org | Jim McDermott

I remember hanging out on the corner with the tough guys, waving at passing cars, preening for girls, bumming Winstons, planning turf fights. Stupid stuff. I once was arrested for hanging out there, but that’s another story. One day, an older kid, Moondog, suggested we march to the White City Bridge that spanned Lake Quinsigamond, separating Worcester from Shrewsbury. Our mission: to stop traffic with clownish behavior before leaping off the bridge into the dark water below. Very stupid.

3 weeks ago | johnmenadue.com | Jim McDermott

In December while I was visiting Australia for a month I met a young woman who told me she would be running a local campaign in the upcoming federal election. She was a member of the Liberal Party, she noted, admitting that she had hoped to be the candidate herself, but the preselection had gone to someone else. But she seemed personally undeterred. Were going to win, she said, her face alight with her eagerness for the contest.

1 month ago | eurekastreet.com.au | Jim McDermott

It’s something I’ve noticed about Frank many times since: For as prominent a priest and lawyer as he is, he wears his standing lightly. He’d rather tell you stories about his parents, his siblings and their kids; an Aboriginal friend who just came to visit; or the book club of concerned Catholics that he’s a part of than trumpet himself. And though he always seems to be doing 100 things, he somehow always also has time for a chat, a visit, a meal.