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2009 SESSION

099075606
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 921
Offered February 17, 2009
Commending Saint Bridget Catholic Church on the occasion of its 60th anniversary.
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Patron—Loupassi, Athey, BaCote, Bouchard, Bulova, Caputo, Cline, Gear, Hamilton, Herring, Janis, Marshall, R.G., Mathieson, Miller, P.J., Morrissey, Nichols, O’Bannon, Purkey, Saxman, Shannon, Tata, Toscano, Vanderhye, and Ware, R.L.
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WHEREAS, Saint Bridget Catholic Church, located on Three Chopt Road in Richmond, celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2009; and

WHEREAS, during the 1940s, the area of Three Chopt Road in the former Village of Westhampton became a part of the City of Richmond, and Catholics who lived there were members of the Cathedral Parish; and

WHEREAS, in 1948 Annie Irvin passed away, and she bequeathed funds to build a new church in the West End of Richmond to be named in honor of Saint Brigid of Ireland and in memory of her mother, Bridget Murphy Irvin; and

WHEREAS, as Annie Irvin wished, Saint Bridget Church was named after Saint Brigid, who was dedicated to proclaiming the good news of Jesus, teaching the faith, and reaching out to the poor, tenets that would be carried on by members of the new church; and

WHEREAS, on May 18, 1949, Bishop Ireton named Father Francis J. Byrne as Saint Bridget Church’s founding pastor, and the first Sunday mass was held on September 11, 1949; and

WHEREAS, while the new church was under construction, early masses were held in the Westhampton Theatre on Grove Avenue; and

WHEREAS, the beautiful new Saint Bridget Church on the corner of Three Chopt and York Roads was dedicated by Bishop Russell on May 21, 1950; and

WHEREAS, through the church’s early years, Monsignor Byrne led Saint Bridget Church and the parish, which extended from Hamilton Street to Fluvanna County, with vision, compassion, and great skill; and

WHEREAS, in 1974 when Saint Bridget Church celebrated its 25th anniversary, Monsignor Byrne celebrated 50 years as a priest of the Diocese of Richmond; and

WHEREAS, today, Saint Bridget Church offers many opportunities for parishioners, from Vacation Bible School for children to senior adult Bible studies, and the Saint Bridget School offers a Christian Formation program for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, youth programs for middle and high schoolers, and ongoing adult education opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Saint Bridget Church has been served throughout its 60-year history by many immensely dedicated and able pastors, including the Reverend Monsignor Francis Byrne, the Reverend Monsignor Thomas Shreve, the Reverend Fred Feusharens, the Reverend Monsignor Thomas Miller, the late Reverend Monsignor William Sullivan, the Reverend Michael Renninger, the Reverend Joseph Metzger, and the current pastor, the Reverend Monsignor William Carr; and

WHEREAS, for 60 years, Saint Bridget Church has provided its devoted parishioners, its neighbors, and the community a place to worship, to help others, and to grow in faith and service; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Saint Bridget Catholic Church on the occasion of its 60th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Saint Bridget Catholic Church as an expression of the General Assembly's best wishes for a joyful celebration and future success in its ministry.