Parishioners today are as proud and as happy as the parishioners a century ago. The real story of the parish is written in the hearts of her people. For those first people in 1869. predominantly Irish and immigrant. the church was a focal point for their faith. their hopes and their love. Succeeded by their children and new waves of immigrants. St. Bridgets is still a stabilizing force in the community. The history of St. Bridgets Church. its serving of the tens of thousands of immigrants who came to New Jersey upon their arrival to America. reminds me of the message Pope John Paul II. the pilgrim of peace. delivered on October 5. 1979. in his homily at Grant Park in Chicago: I see also the whole people of America. one nation formed of many people: "E pluribus unum." In the first two centuries of your history as a nation. you have travelled a long road. always in search of a better future. in search of stable employment. in search of a homestead. You have travelled "From sea to shining sea" to find your identity. to discover each other along the way. and to find your own place in this immense country. Your ancestors came from many different countries across the oceans to meet here with the people of different communities that were already established here.
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