Grasping the handle on a polished bell like ones that locomotives used to carry, Bishop Barry C. Knestout called the parishioners of Holy Name of Mary, Bedford, to Mass on a cool, clear Sunday morning.
“Whenever we hear the ringing of the bell, we will remember that we are one family coming together to show our unity in Christ,” the bishop said, after blessing the bell tower, built by Eagle Scout Joseph Payne and completed in time for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the parish Sept. 8.
More than 250 people came for the Mass, celebrated by the bishop and concelebrated by Father Nixon Negparanon, pastor of Holy Name of Mary and Resurrection, Moneta, assisted by Deacon Mark De La Hunt, who serves at Holy Name of Mary.
“Through God’s mercy and greatness, we have arrived at this moment, continuing to grow in faith and trust as we join together in his work,” Father Negparanon said at the close of Mass.
“Because of his abundant blessings, we celebrate this tremendous milestone, the 150th anniversary of our parish,” he added. “Thank you, Jesus, for your unfailing power, and thank you, Blessed Mother, for your constant intercession.”
The bishop paid tribute to the 19 soldiers from Bedford who died in the first landings on D-Day, the most per capita of any community in the United States, who “were struck down and sacrificed their lives for our nation.”
“Catholics were joined with all those of other faiths in praying for the good of those soldiers who were fighting overseas, and for the victory that ultimately was won … that would save Europe and save the nation as well,” said Bishop Knestout.
From mission to parish
Like many historic parishes in the western end of the diocese, this one devoted to the Blessed Virgin was founded by Irish immigrants, railroad and canal workers who brought their faith along with their brawn.
In the mid-19th century, many had settled in the Bedford County town of Liberty. Priests from Holy Cross, Lynchburg, would come on horseback to offer Mass in homes and later in the basement of the county courthouse.
“Ordinary Catholics gathering regularly for Mass, for the sacraments, [were] called to an extraordinary life of joining in the sacrifice of Christ and growing in holiness,” the bishop said.
By 1874, they had built a church, named St. Mary. A cross on the steeple of that first brick building is on display in the vestibule of the current building.
Some 80 years later, the parish had a new building and a new name. The church that stands today where some 300 families worship is the result of a major renovation in 1995.
For many years, those parishioners have included members of the Fraternal Order of Elks, who had come to live at the retirement center the group built in Bedford. The nine stained glass windows in the church were the result of a national fundraising campaign by Elks lodges across the country.
Jane Bellieu helped with much of the research on the history of the parish for the anniversary celebration. “A hundred and fifty years of following the Lord,” she said just before Mass. “It’s an amazing celebration. We’re all very proud to be parishioners here.”
Among the more recent changes are the refurbishing of the sanctuary, and a new baptismal font in a quatrefoil shape reminiscent of Notre-Dame and other Gothic cathedrals. A parishioner for over 20 years, Margene Rivera watched workers put the final touches on the re-tiled basin and fill it with water, just in time for the Mass.
“The love of the people, the welcoming of the people, is phenomenal,” she said. “When you sit [in] church … close your eyes because you’re going to feel the Holy Spirit in every direction. That is one thing that this parish is so special for, the Holy Spirit. And he is alive and well in our parish. Alive and well.”
Love of Mary, Christ and each other
An ecumenical spirit has long been alive in the parish. It has always been part of the annual Blessing of Bedford, when representatives from most of the denominations in Bedford gather at Town Square to pray for the town and its residents. The parish also formed an ecumenical youth group a few years ago.
“We make a concerted effort through various ministries to make sure that we are reaching out to anybody that walks through that door,” said Paul Roderique, pastoral council member. “If we don’t recognize them, we’re introducing ourselves. We want them to feel like, ‘Hey, come back.’ Our ministries are active and growing.”
Rita Zimmermann met and married her husband, Phil, here some 40 years ago. She’s always found it a welcoming parish, with a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin.
“We have a statue of Our Lady that people can sign up for, to take it home for a month or a week,” she said. “When you have it in your home, of course, you display it in a prominent place, and your family prays for vocation to the priesthood and religious life.”
Father Negparanon is starting his fourth year as pastor. “What I admire most about this parish is their great reverence and love for the Eucharist, both young and old,” he said. “They love adoration and holy hour. They know the liturgy.”
As the parish remembers its past, it is also looking to the future. It recently finished work on a vision statement: “Love God above all, love others as God loves us.” It hopes to care for the spiritual needs of its people through prayer and the sacraments, work for justice and peace, and ministry to those in need, continuing look after the needs of “ordinary” people through the extraordinary gifts of the Catholic faith.