The parish of the Church of St. Brendan in Norwood wrapped up its centenary celebrations last Sunday with a multilingual standing-room-only Mass that included a homily by Cardinal Egan and drew the attendance of over two dozen guest clergy and about 1,100 worshippers.  

The year of commemoration included a multicultural festival, a dinner dance and a fund-raising effort that secured $230,000 for the church’s physical renovation, including roof restoration and electrical upgrades that will ensure the parish’s future as a pillar of the Norwood community well into its second century.

“I couldn’t put a dollar amount on being here,” said Rory Mullins, 29, a former parishioner who once served as a St. Brendan’s altar boy and flew in from Florida for the Mass.

Old and new parishioners crammed into St. Brendan’s upper church as the Mass opened with a procession led by Cardinal Egan and St. Brendan’s pastor, Rev. George Stewart. Later in the service, parishioners read blessings in six different languages, including Tagalog and Albanian. A children’s choir and two adult choirs sang hymns from several national traditions.

“I am humbled to be a part of this,” said Stewart, reflecting on the church’s history and on its founders. “I’ve always admired how people will give away what little they have to secure a future for their children.”

At the time of the church’s founding in 1908, its 642 parishioners were primarily poor Irish immigrants. Nevertheless, Pastor Denis O’Donovan was able to raise $2,000 – the equivalent of $46,000 in 2007 – from his struggling congregation for the down payment on a parcel of land on 207th Street and Perry Avenue.

In May 1909, the cornerstone was laid. New residential construction and expanded public transportation increased the parish population, and by the 1960s, the structure was bursting at the seams. A new building — intended to evoke the shape of St. Brendan’s ship as he sailed to the new world — was dedicated in 1967.

Today, the church’s several dozen groups include the children’s choir, a teen group, and a senior exercise club. Services include ESL and a food pantry. For many loyal parishioners, this is what gives St. Brendan’s its character.

“For me, it’s not just about going to the service,” says parish council member Pat Kennedy. “It’s about helping other people, feeding the homeless and the poor.”

Even the school is flourishing, bucking a national trend of declining Catholic school enrollment.  It opened in 1912 with 96 pupils and now counts 342 in addition to the 175 children who attend Sunday school. “The school is doing quite well,” said Stewart. “The numbers are what they ought to be.”  

Today, as in 1908, the parish is comprised of immigrants. In May 2007 an internal parish census tallied representation from 46 countries. Other than Ireland, Spanish speaking countries were the most numerous, followed by Italy and the Philippines.

Josefina Bueno, mother of two daughters, came to Norwood from Mexico 12 years ago. She first attended St. Brendan’s because it offered a Spanish Mass, but stayed involved because she enjoyed the diversity. “There are so many groups here,” she said, “Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans — but they all come together at church.”

She is also inspired by the energy and dedication of Pastor Stewart: “When you see someone like that, you have to help.”

Even more than usual, the centenary celebrations have united older and newer parishioners. “For me, the highlight of the year was the multicultural day,” said parish leader Rose Moran. “We had dancing and food from parishioners’ home countries. It showed such a wonderful spirit, especially in the younger people.”

Moran, a Bronx native, moved to Norwood from Concourse Village in 1974. She co-chaired the 100th anniversary dinner dance and is active in fund-raising and in teaching new Catholic adults.

Reflecting on the parish’s accomplishments, Moran said, “We look to the past, because that is what we inherited, but we are working for the future. It’s always been a highly motivated parish — many of us come in daily to volunteer. It is a truly wonderful feeling to be a part of that.”