Labor Leaders Support Our Mission while Honoring Mercy Home Friends

May 22, 2025

Fr. Scott once again joined labor leaders and members at the Operating Engineers Local 150 in Countryside, Ill., for the annual Irish American Labor Council’s (IALC) James Connolly Dinner, where he gave the invocation.

The dinner helps support the group’s efforts on behalf of social and community welfare and honors individuals who have made significant contributions

This year, the Council honored Paul Connolly, Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer, (Laborers’) LIUNA Local #4, and Peter O’Brien, President and CEO of MADO Management LP. O’Brien is a long-time close friend of the Home and member of our Ambassadors of Mercy Board. He also founded the Illinois chapter of the Kennedy Forum, which works to advance mental health parity.

At the event, Council leaders presented Fr. Donahue with a donation to Mercy Home. In addition, this year, James Coyne, Business Manager of the Chicago Plumbers Local 130 presented Fr. Scott with a donation of proceeds from the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which has been hosted by the union since 1962.

Comprised primarily of men and women working in the building trades, the IALC began as a movement to erect a monument to Irish labor leader James Connolly, who was killed by firing squad for his role in the Easter Rebellion against British rule in May 1916. The group worked to raise funds for the statue in Union Park commemorating Connolly’s life’s work on behalf of working people. The Council achieved its goal in 2008 and continues to dedicate their efforts to aiding nonprofit organizations like Mercy Home.

Fr. Scott has given the invocation at the dinner for many years, and in 2023, his name was added to the Connolly Statue in recognition of his contributions to the community. He was honored at the dinner that year.

Our sincere thanks to everyone for their support of our boys and girls, the members of the Irish American Labor Council, its President Patrick Hosty, its Director, Rich Daniels, and its Secretary-Treasurer Patrick McCarthy,  and Jim Coyne and the Plumbers Local 130.