Hundreds of local residents last week gathered to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of St. Brigid's Catholic Church in Westbury.

A Jubilee Mass held by the parish on Sunday, Sept. 17 was led by Bishop James McHugh, who was joined by Reverend Frank Gaeta, pastor of St. Brigid's and fellow clergy from the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

Rev. Gaeta, in his greetings to the parish on the occasion of the 150th Anniversary, stated, "We celebrate today the long and beautiful history of a little part of the Kingdom of God - St. Brigid's Parish. As our Bishop James McHugh leads us in celebrating the Eucharist and sharing with us the Body and Blood of Christ he reminds us that the very meaning of our life is to celebrate the Eucharist in our homes, schools and places of work." He added, "Even after 150 years, today is the first day of our new creation. It is the holy moment when God creates us again. It is a new beginning of a new day filled with hope and expectation."

The Mass was followed by outdoor festivities, held on the parish grounds, which offered parishioners a chance to mingle and share refreshments.

Also to complement the Mass, the parish has organized several projects to celebrate the 150th anniversary. These have included a 52-page journal commemorating St. Brigid's history of service, and its deep roots in Westbury. St. Brigid's, when opened in 1850, became the first Catholic church in Nassau County, at a time when most of rural Long Island's earliest Catholics were holding Masses in their homes.

Included in the journal is a history of St. Brigid's written by parishioners Alfred and Estelle Peck. Entitled "History of St. Brigid's Roman Catholic Church: 1850-2000 AD," it is the latest chapter in a book the Pecks are writing on the parish, called Book of Love. The history traces the growth of St. Brigid's membership, facilities, and services from the time its first Mass was held in a converted farmhouse on the grounds of Holy Rood Cemetery, to its current strong presence in the local community. The parish facilities today include St. Brigid's Church on Post Avenue, Our Lady of Hope Church on Cherry Lane, St. Brigid's/Our Lady of Hope School on Maple Avenue, The Schaefer Center on Post Avenue, as well as St. Brigid's Well and Casa Maria Johanna in New Cassel, and St. Brigid's Attic on Post Avenue, which are used in parish outreach efforts.

As the celebration of the church's 150th Anniversary continues, St. Brigid's Parish is planning a Sesquicentennial Gala Dinner Dance. The event will be held Thursday, Oct. 5 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. For further information or tickets to the event, one may call Elaine Trentacoste at 294-9748.