St. Bridget's Day celebration hits 25
LeNore Stumpf
Sunday [June 4, 1995] was a big day in the life of St.
Bridget Church. It marked the 25th anniversary of the
celebration of St. Bridget Day, an annual event organized in
1970 by the newly formed St. Bridget Historical Society.
Archbishop James P. Keleher of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas was the celebrant and homilist. He was escorted to the altar by eight fourth-degree Knights of Columbus.
Concelebrating with the archbishop were nine priests: the Rev Paul Miller, first non-resident pastor, when the church became a mission parish in 1949; the Rev. Jim Shaughnessy, great-grandson of one of the founders of St. Bridget's; the Rev. George Klasinski, former pastor at Baileyville and Marysville; the Rev. John Stitz, who grew up in Baileyville; the Rev. Al Frey, pastor at Baileyville; the Rev. Henry Deters, pastor at St. Benedict; the Rev. Roderic Giller, pastor at Seneca; the Rev. Francis Broderick, associate pastor at Seneca; and the Rev. Tom Dolezal, pastor at Axtell and Summerfield.
A former St. Bridget pastor, the Rev. Stanley Loncaric, who served the church from 1938-1941, was expected but was unable to attend.
An estimated 350-400 people attended the Mass. Norma Stallbaumer, a former parishioner, was lector and cantor. Altar servers were Dan Mathewson, Andy Wagner and Kevin Reinecke.
Dawn Bailey, Axtell music teacher, directed a choir of 16 and six musicians who provided accompaniment on the organ, mandolin, guitar, clarinet, trumpet and flute. Irish hymns were used as part of the liturgy.
In his homily, Archbishop Keleher recognized the beauty of the
church and its impressive stained glass windows, the fortitude
of the settlers who started the parish in 1862 and persisted in
spite of hardships and many setbacks.
He credited the Irish saint for providing a perfect, sunny day in the midst of many weeks of rain and storms. He commended the St. Bridget Historical Society, whose efforts saved the church from the wrecking ball in 1969.
The historical society was formed in an attempt to gain permission to preserve the church and provide care, maintenance and financial support for it.
At the end of the Mass, Father Dolezal presented a plaque of appreciation to Vince Buessing, Baileyville, one of the three founding officers of the historical society. A plaque for Leo Eagan, a founding officer who was unable to be there, was accepted by his son, John. The third officer, Nell Glynn is deceased.
A portrait of Archbishop Ignatius J. Strecker, retired, was given by Father Dolezal to Bill Sunneberg, Pawnee City, current president of the historical society. It will be hung in the church's vestibule in recognition of the archbishop's agreement to allow the society to preserve and maintain the church.
The historical society has made application to have the building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Sunneberg, on behalf of the historical society, presented a plaque to Father Dolezal in appreciation of his help in the planning for the day and for researching the history of St. Bridget and writing a commemorative book about the parish and parishioners.
