St. Bridget of Ireland

History of St. Bridget of Ireland

The Catholic community of Liberty was planted by Irish immigrants who came to Indiana after the Great Potato Famine. In 1849 they purchased the hilltop grounds that still hold the parish, and Father William Doyle celebrated the first Catholic Mass in Union County in the home of Patrick Gleason. The first church, built in 1854, was destroyed by Know-Nothing arsonists in 1858, but the community rebuilt and a second brick church was completed in 1859. Father Januarius D'Arco, the first resident pastor (from 1872), expanded the property, built the belfry and organized the cemetery. The present pressed-brick church was dedicated on July 2, 1905 under Father Francis Ryves and has served the parish ever since.

• 1849 – Church grounds purchased from George Heavenridge for $300
• 1849 – First Mass in Liberty, celebrated by Father William Doyle at Patrick Gleason's home
• 1853 – Father Henry Peters of Connersville takes charge
• 1854 – First church built
• 1858 – First church destroyed by suspected Know-Nothing arson
• 1859 – Second brick church built and dedicated to St. Bridget of the Gaels
• 1872 – Father Januarius D'Arco becomes first resident pastor; cemetery blessed in 1874
• 1905 – Present pressed-brick church dedicated July 2
• 1950 – Rectory built under Father Edward Bauer
• 1958 – St. Anthony Center built under Father James Barton

Calvary Cemetery

Calvary Cemetery, the parish's consecrated burial ground, was established in August 1858 when Father Henry Peters purchased two acres for $200 from Judge E. Burnside. The grounds lie along what is now State Road 101 (the old Roseburg Pike). Father D'Arco laid out lots and had the cemetery blessed in 1874. It continues to serve as the resting place for generations of St. Bridget parishioners.

Mass & Sacramental Schedule

St. Bridget's weekly Mass schedule is intentionally small and traditional: Sunday morning Mass and one weekday Mass on Friday. The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered in the sacristy immediately after Friday morning Mass, and eucharistic adoration is held once a month through the night from First Friday into First Saturday. Broader reconciliation times and other sacramental opportunities (such as First Communion and Confirmation) are coordinated with the linked parish of St. Gabriel in Connersville.

• Sunday Mass — 8:15 AM
• Friday Mass — 8:00 AM
• Reconciliation — Friday 8:30–8:45 AM in the sacristy after Mass
• Eucharistic Adoration — First Friday 8:30 AM through First Saturday 8:00 AM
• Combined weekly Reconciliation at St. Gabriel: Tue/Thu 7:50–8:20 AM, Wed 5:20–5:50 PM, Fri 7:30–8:00 AM, Sat 9:00–10:30 AM

Sacraments

St. Bridget and its linked parish St. Gabriel prepare Catholics of every age for the sacraments of initiation and walk with families through them. Children typically receive First Reconciliation in the fall of second grade and First Holy Communion in the spring. Confirmation preparation begins in the spring of eighth grade and concludes with the Confirmation Mass in November of ninth grade. Adults enter the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and the Homebound Ministry brings Holy Communion and pastoral visits to those who cannot attend Mass.

• First Reconciliation & First Communion (2nd grade)
• Confirmation (8th–9th grade)
• RCIA for adults
• Homebound Ministry visits
• Anointing of the Sick on request

Faith Formation & Youth Ministry

The combined parish describes itself as 'blessed to have a vibrant and devout youth population' and offers a full slate of formation, fellowship and sacramental prep for children and teens. The Youth Group, open to non-Catholics and to 6th graders beginning in April, meets the 2nd and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, beginning with 6 PM Mass and ending at 8 PM.

• Youth Group (grades 7–12, plus 6th graders from April)
• Confirmation Preparation
• First Communion Preparation
• NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference)
• Homeland Mission
• Bishop Brute Days
• Graced Retreats
• World Youth Day
• Senior Mass
• Joyce Rowland Youth Award
• CrossWord
• Totus Tuus
• Rosary Walks
• Pilgrimage
• Camp Days & Cookouts

Adult Ministries & Parish Life

Parishioners of all ages are invited into ministries that care for the sick, the grieving and the wider community. Homebound ministers bring Communion, the Bereavement Ministry walks with families through loss, and All Hands on Deck organizes hands-on parish projects. The Beacon of Hope evangelization efforts have produced two signature outreach programs: a Card Ministry that mails encouragement to everyone on the parish prayer list, and a Pocket Cross Ministry that distributes wooden crosses with prayer cards throughout Union County.

• Homebound Ministry
• Bereavement Ministry
• All Hands on Deck
• Card Ministry
• Pocket Cross Ministry
• Community Meals (with other Connersville-area faith communities)
• Beacon of Hope Evangelization Campaign

St. Anthony Center

Built under Father James Barton during his pastorate beginning in 1958, the St. Anthony Center sits just behind St. Bridget Church in Liberty and has become an important part of parish life. It houses a gymnasium, kitchen and classrooms that are used for parish dinners and Catholic education, and it is also available for private rental by parishioners and outside organizations. All rentals include five hours of use, with modest fees and refundable security deposits.

• Gymnasium, kitchen and classrooms
• Used for parish dinners and Catholic education
• Available for private rental
• Registered parishioner rates start at no cost (small party, refundable $50 deposit)
• Non-parishioner rates begin at $75 rental + $75 deposit (small party)
• $25 per additional hour beyond five included hours
• Updated rental policy: April 2025

Parish Staff

St. Bridget is served together with St. Gabriel in Connersville as a linked parish family under one pastor. The staff combines pastoral, administrative, communications and youth-ministry roles supporting both church communities and their combined ministries.

• Rev. Dustin M. Boehm — Pastor
• Rev. Matthew Perronie — Parochial Vicar
• Pam Rader — Business Manager
• Melissa Fronckowiak — Youth Minister and Director of Communications
• Terrie Fronckowiak — Administrative Assistant

Visit, Contact & Getting Involved

Visitors and new parishioners are warmly welcomed. The parish encourages anyone interested in learning more, joining a ministry, or registering as a parishioner to use the online contact forms on the parish website or to call the parish office in Connersville during regular office hours (Monday 9 AM–12 PM; Tuesday–Friday 9 AM–12 PM and 1–4 PM).

• Church address: 404 E. Vine St., Liberty, IN 47353
• Parish office: 232 W. 9th St., Connersville, IN 47331
• Phone: 765-825-8578
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon 9–12; Tue–Fri 9–12 and 1–4
• Online forms for New Parishioner Registration, Sacramental Inquiry, Youth Group Registration, Time & Talent Volunteer Interest, and St. Anthony Center rentals