Catholic Trends
June Catholic Trends

The Church of St. Bridget, located in DeGraff, MN, is busily preparing for their 125th anniversary which will be held Sunday, July 22, 2001.

It is from very humble beginnings that St. Bridget’s has evolved into a spiritual haven for its members and those who visit.

It is with great pride that St. Bridget’s continues to bring life to the spirit through liturgy and worship as a small parish. The agricultural area, predominately Irish, was first established as a faith community during the time of Bishop John Ireland. St. Bridget’s is the first Catholic church in Swift County to be incorporated and have a church building. Through the years many changes have taken place and many spiritual leaders have come and gone. The people have continued to be church by prayer, participation in RENEW, worship, social gatherings, education, service in the church and in the civic community. One of their areas of service is Habitat for Humanity.

In 1977, St. Bridget’s became part of a pilot project, Catholic Area Parishes, clustering parishes which could then share resources and spiritual ministers. Only with undying faith, determined leadership, and compromising, devoted parishioners, could this feat be accomplished. Currently, St. Bridget’s parish is described as a very healthy, vibrant faith sharing congregation working collaboratively with area parishes to continue to serve and be served. The book, Excellent Catholic Parishes, written by Paul Wilkes, provides a birdseye view of new models of cooperation and how the Catholic Area Parishes and other churches have met the challenges of changes in church and society. As a result, ten pastoral team members and parishioners will travel to New Orleans this spring to present their experiences at the First Pastoral Summit. They are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to share ideas on effective ways to be ministers of the Good News with other Christians.

In the past two years as preparation began for the celebration, St. Bridget’s embarked on a massive improvement project that was named "Restore, Renew, Rejoice." This fundraising effort was able to support the completion of the church tuckpointing interior repair and painting, stained glass window refurbishments, church steeple repair, and a variety of smaller undertakings. A new cross for the cemetery was also purchased. Parishioners have displayed a tremendous pride in their church to have accomplished all these projects.

Schedule for 125th anniversary activities: At 11:00 a.m. there will be a prayer at the cemetery and dedication of a newly acquired cross. Father John Goggin, native of St. Bridget parish, currently serving in San Lucas, Guatemala, will be the presider.

At noon there will be a celebration of Mass at the church. Father Ron Huberty and Father Steve Verhelst will co-preside.

Following Mass there will be a pork loin dinner on the church grounds as well as a short program, music, dancing, ice cream social, opportunity to visit, view historical exhibits, and pick up previously ordered mementos. A sweepstakes drawing for a time-share condominium will be held.

Parishioners of the Church of St. Bridget invites everyone to join them for their 125th anniversary, Celebrating Our Journey in Faith.

Reservations for the dinner are required and must be received by June 15. Dinner tickets and mementos (St. Bridget afghan, coffee mug, or newspaper) can be ordered from Bob Dineen, 755 10th St, SE, DeGraff, MN 56271.

For further information contact Bob Dineen, (320) 843-3711 or Sister Darlene Gutenkauf, (320) 842-4271.