Boston City Council Opens August 7 With Prayer, No Legislative Action Taken

BOSTON — August 7, 2024 — The Boston City Council held a ceremonial session August 7 with no formal votes taken. Council President Liz Breadon presided as Father Thomas Conway, executive director of St. Anthony's Shrine in Downtown Crossing and a last-minute substitute for Father Michael Della Pena of St. Leonard's, delivered the opening invocation at the invitation of Councilor Erin J. Murphy. Father Conway highlighted the shrine's services — including a food pantry, a medical clinic for homeless women, a veterans program, and a counseling center he said has current capacity and is open to residents "of all faiths" — and offered to extend social services to other Boston neighborhoods on request. Guests from Bunker Hill Community College, Dr. Ettinger and Mr. Hughes, were recognized at the invitation of Councilor Edward M. Flynn. The session concluded with councilors Sharon Durkan and Henry Santana hosting a recognition of Richard Giordano, the substance of which was not captured in the available record.