New statue complements church’s ancient Irish link to past

HIGH BRIDGE — At first glance, when looking at the foundation of St. Joseph Church,  all looks normal, but when you take a closer look a cornerstone is visible beneath the cornerstone. What is the story behind this?

According to St. Joseph’s retired historian, Greg Boyle, “In 1874, the stone was shipped from Ireland to Junction by Dr. T.M A’Heron. His ancestors were from Britway, County Cork. Before the stone left County Cork, it was engraved with a Celtic cross and the legend, ‘St. B. Abbey 724’ to commemorate its origin from one of the many abbeys established in Ireland during the 8th century. Many of those abbeys were plundered by Viking raiders during the 9th and 10th centuries.”

The cornerstone that was brought to High Bridge and placed beneath the church was from the ruins of St. Brigid’s Abby near River Bride in County Cork, Ireland.

Currently, St. Joseph Church is in the middle of a capital campaign. Father James A. Kyrpczak, administrator, has made it a priority to relocate the tabernacle to the center of the church’s sanctuary during the three years of Eucharistic revival. The moving of the tabernacle left an opening for a statue to be placed where the tabernacle once resided.

While researching the history of the parish, Father Kyrpczak learned of the cornerstone buried beneath the church. He knew St. Brigid belonged there. The saint was best known for her virtue of charity. Her desire was to work with the poor, to tend to the sick and to relieve every misery.

The cornerstone was laid in the church more than a century ago.

“How many churches in the world have that? This is something very unique — that we have a piece of St. Brigid right here,” Father Kyrpczak said.

“The founding members of the parish brought their faith with them and brought the cornerstone with them from ruins of the abbey in Ireland,” he added.

The new statue was donated by the Wright and Ford Funeral Home, Raritan Township. The stand that holds the statue was built by an anonymous carpenter to match the wood in the church, but the materials were paid for by the Martin Funeral Home, Clinton. The Naughright-Scarponi Funeral Home, High Bridge, donated the vigil candle holder that stands next to the statue.

“I am grateful that the funeral homes were able to make this happen. It was exciting when she came it was like she belonged here,” said Mary Jean Fiore, parish secretary.

On Jan. 28, parishioners gathered for Mass and the dedication of the newly placed statue of St. Brigid. The statue depicts St. Brigid, the Abbes, holding a crosier in one hand and her Abby in the other hand.

The prayer of St. Brigid was recited by all at the Mass. Fiore noted that even the prayer on the back of the prayer card is perfect for today. It says, “You brought bright light to the darkness, you brought hope to the downcast. May the mantel of your peace cover those who are troubled and anxious.”

“My goodness, in the world we live in today everyone has troubles or a little anxiety. I have to keep this prayer card in my back pocket,” Fiore said.

When the railroad was built through High Bridge, St. Joseph Church was founded for the Irish immigrants. Mary Murdock, the cantor for the evening Mass said, “I’m Irish. This statue is very important to me because my grandparents came from Ireland and my faith has been very strong due to that. As a young girl I read about St. Brigid teaching the poor children to read and it inspired me to become a teacher.”

“St. Brigid is still here with us,” noted Father Kyrpczak. “Whose decision was it to put her statue here? When the whole thing is said and done, I can’t help but think it was St. Brigid up in heaven who decided that she wanted her statue in this place where her cornerstone is, where she has been procuring graces for this parish. St. Brigid, welcome to our parish.”