By Linda Busetti
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 1/3/02)
The homilist, Msgr. James McMurtrie, pastor of St. Theresa Parish in Ashburn, reminded old friends, family and about 50 priests who joined Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde at a Mass of Thanksgiving that Msgr. Bradican’s great joy as a priest had been the building of parish schools.
Holy Spirit School students rang handbells and sang as Bishop Loverde, Msgr. Bradican, Holy Spirit Pastor Father Frank Ready and Msgr. McMurtrie processed into the church followed by their brother priests from throughout the diocese.
Bishop Loverde thanked Msgr. Bradican for asking him to celebrate the anniversary Mass. "You can’t know the joy you bring me, being with you today," Bishop Loverde told the 90-year-old monsignor, who concelebrated Mass.
Msgr. Bradican was the youngest of 10 children of a Pennsylvania coal miner and attended St. Charles Seminary near Baltimore before studying at the University of Louvain in Belgium, according to Msgr. McMurtrie. "The vestments he is wearing this morning at Mass were given to him when he was studying at Louvain," Msgr. McMurtrie said.
Msgr. Bradican was ordained on Dec. 19, 1936, earlier than the rest of his class at the North American College in Rome, because he was not expected to live long after undergoing serious surgery. After recovering his health at home in Dunmore, Pa., Msgr. Bradican began his pastoral work at St. Elizabeth Parish in Colonial Beach.
With warm humor, Msgr. McMurtrie recounted Msgr. Bradican’s starting St. Bernadette Parish in Springfield "from scratch" and building Holy Angels School in Craddock and St. Bernadette School. Msgr. McMurtrie once asked Msgr. Bradican about never having had the opportunity to build a parish church. "What’s really important is to have a place where children can learn about God. We can pray in the school. We can pray in the gym," Msgr. Bradican replied. "But I want a place where the children can learn about God."
"The group he loves the most in the Church are the children," Msgr. McMurtrie said. "You’re his children. He loves you…He wants you to know about Jesus, to be able to come to school and talk about Jesus," Msgr. McMurtrie told the many rows of eager faces. The children know Msgr. Bradican who is retired, but in residence at Holy Spirit.
"Over the years he has done so much, so much that is unknown…always with a great deal of zest and a great deal of zeal…No one really knows the sacrifices he has made for his people…. Sixty-five years — Thank God he didn’t die. The diocese would have lost a treasure," Msgr. McMurtrie said.
"On behalf of all my brother priests…I say thank you," Msgr. McMurtrie concluded.
The Offertory hymn, "Servant Song," was very appropriate: "What do you want of me, Lord? Where do you want me to serve?"
Following Mass, Bishop Loverde noted Msgr. Bradican’s 65th anniversary was a "unique milestone." Bishop Loverde embraced Msgr. Bradican and the congregation rose in a long ovation.
"Thank you for the 65 years of faithful, devoted ministry in two dioceses — Richmond and…Arlington. Imagine the graces that have come through Monsignor’s priestly ministry … because this man said ‘yes’ to God’s call. Dear young people…open your heart to listen to what God is saying to you. I am convinced that he is calling some of you present to be priests, to be a religious sister, to be a religious brother, because God wants to use you as he has been using Monsignor and all of us priests and deacons and religious to be an instrument of his mercy and love to so many people in the future. I can think of no better way to celebrate Monsignor’s anniversary than for all of us to pray for an increase in vocations…from our families and for those of you to listen carefully and to say ‘yes,’ because that is what he did. He said ‘yes.’"
Bishop Loverde repeated Msgr. Bradican’s own advice to young priests on how to have a happy priesthood (ACH 12/13/01). "This anniversary of yours, Monsignor, gives us the occasion to be encouraged…We need to be encouraged and indeed are as we look upon your life and ministry," Bishop Loverde said.
Msgr. Bradican expressed his thanks to the children, priests and parishioners gathered for the celebration.
The children’s choir concluded by singing an old Irish prayer for Msgr. Bradican, "May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back…until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand."
Copyright ©2002 Arlington Catholic Herald. All rights reserved.
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