St. Bridget’s Journey Filled With Faith, Hope, and Charity

OUR MANTRA – WE ARE CATHOLICS AND CHRISTIANS

We are Catholics and Christians. . . is the boisterous mantra repeated over and over after each Mass celebrated by Father James L. Swenson, the feisty and charismatic pastor of St. Bridget Catholic Church of Las Vegas, NV. This mantra has energized the faith and optimism of every parishioner whenever he asks the question – Why are you happy? The parishioners respond with great joy - we are Catholics and Christians.

FR. JAMES L. SWENSON AND THE DAUNTING TASK OF CLOSING ST. BRIDGET

Father James L. Swenson who is affectionately known as Fr. James celebrated his 30th Ordination Anniversary January 2004 and his 76th birthday July 2004. He was assigned to St. Bridget’s in 1985. For the past eighteen years Fr. James has witnessed the challenges and successes to keep St. Bridget’s alive and well. He was asked to manage the arduous and daunting task of closing St. Bridget. Fr. James, the eternal optimist implored the support of our Blessed Mother Mary, St. Joseph, and the saints whose statues adorn the hallowed halls of St. Bridget today. Fr. James’ faith in Divine Providence and his parishioners enabled him to keep St. Bridget open and grow its faith community. He opened his arms and his church so everyone can pray and practice their religious beliefs and traditions.

FOSTERING FAITH THROUGH OUR DEVOTIONS

St. Bridget opened its doors in 1948 and since then we saw the veneration and celebration of the lives and contributions of St. Bridget, St. Joseph, St. Jude, St. Francis, St. Anthony, Our Blessed Mother Mary, St. Philomena, Padre Pio, St. Michael The Archangel, Santo Niño, Our Lady Of Perpetual Help, Our Lady Of Mount Carmel, Our Lady Of Good Remedy, Our Lady of All Nations, Our Lady Of Fatima, Nuestra Señora Guadalupe, and San Lorenzo Ruiz to our Catholic faith.

FR. JAMES A STAUNCH DEFENDER OF PRO-LIFE

Fr. James is a fiery defender of Pro-Life and has delivered very thought provoking homilies on the subject. Every last Tuesday of the month, St. Bridget is the Pro-Life Center of Las Vegas. A 6:00 p.m. Mass is celebrated usually by Fr. James and hosted by the Knights of Columbus. A soup supper takes place right after the Mass. John Galvin of the Knights of Columbus initiated this practice four years ago.

PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL – ONE ON ONE DIALOG WITH GOD

One of Fr. James’ best kept secret in fostering and practicing one’s faith is through the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration. It is open 24 hours a day 365 days of the year. It is not only Catholics who come and pray in the Chapel. We have seen individuals of various religious persuasion come from all over the world at different times of day and night to honor and give thanks to their creator.

AMEN CHOIR – THE GIFT OF MUSIC

Eight years ago, Fr. James welcomed the AMEN Choir to St. Bridget. Since then the AMEN Choir has enriched the faith not only St. Bridget’s parishioners but of Prince Of Peace, Holy Family, and many other Catholic Churches in Las Vegas through the gift of music. The AMEN Choir sings at 3 different Masses on weekends, first Fridays and Saturdays, and holy days of obligation at St. Bridget.

CELEBRATIONS OF DIVERSITY

Fr. James has encouraged the celebration of ethnic traditions such as the Fiestas (Feast Day Celebration) in honor of Santo Niño (Holy Infant Jesus), San Lorenzo Ruiz, and Nuestra Señora Guadalupe. The Knights Of Columbus which was organized September 2003, coordinated the celebration of the Simbang Gabi (Christmas Novena Masses), a celebration of a Filipino tradition consisting of 9 novena Masses in anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ. St. Bridget was packed all 9 nights; parishioners brought dry goods for the homeless, and filled the baskets with donations. Families took turns in hosting the Simbang Gabi reception after the Mass. The nine nights were celebrations of St. Bridget’s growing faith community.

WELCOMING AND FORMING FAITH COMMUNITIES

St. Bridget has witnessed the formation of the Filipino American Council of St. Bridget in 2004 and Comunidad Hispana Cristo Pan De Vida in 2005, another manifestation of the ever-growing faith community at St. Bridget.

GENEROSITY WITHOUT BOUNDARIES

We thank you the parishioners of St. Bridget, as well as, Fr. James L. Swenson for your generosity for supporting our mission and our parish community. These are familiar responses from missionaries, priests, and lay individuals who came to St. Bridget Parish and asked for financial help. They came from all over – India, Africa, Philippines, and states of this free land. These guests were welcomed warmly and none of them went home empty handed.

FR. JAMES’ AND PARISHIONERS’ GENEROSITY

They all say charity begins at home. Fr. James is a prime example of this axiom. He has always put St. Bridget’s welfare first and foremost. He has donated all stipends received. St. Bridget has parishioners who were very generous then and generous now. Fr. James would not forget the parishioner who bequeathed a million dollars to St. Bridget, which he used to buy the parcel of land next to the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration. Fr. James is very appreciative and proud to say that he has saved almost three million dollars towards the building of the new St. Bridget Church.

ST. BRIDGET HELPING LOCAL OUTREACH ORGANIZATIONS

Another example of charity beginning at home is our Parish involvement in helping St. Vincent De Paul, Catholic Worker, Poverello House, and the Pro Labore Dei. All parishioners are encouraged to bring non-perishable goods or donate money for these outreach organizations every last Sunday of the month. Monies and goods collected are divided amongst these organizations and distributed by the AMEN Choir and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Knights of Columbus.

LOOKING AT WHAT LIES AHEAD

Fr. James predicts that St. Bridget Catholic Church will become a “Special and holy place of worship and prayer.”