Welcome to St Bridget of Sweden Catholic Church Van Nuys, California

The sacraments are the lifeblood of faith. Through the prayerful and powerful actions of the parishioners and the parish priests – Fr. Patrick McGoldrick, Monsignor John Young, Fr. Robert Jabro, Msgr. Lawrence Clarke, Fr. John Kesterton and Father Ray Morales, St. Bridget of Sweden Parish has developed a strong sacramental life.

The first Baptism took place when Robert Albert Marchione was baptized on July 3, 1955. On February 23,1957, Paul Lyle Kay was the first to receive the sacrament of Baptism in the newly built church. During the course of the next 50 years, over 20,000 baptisms have taken place in the parish.

In May 1957, the very first group of students of the parish received the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Over 100 communicants gathered for their portrait after the mass with Father McGoldrick. In May 1958, Sister Francis Paul and Sister Joseph Paul proudly sponsored the 1st class of second grade communicants from the newly built school.

Since that time, over 8000 children have received the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist under the auspices of the school’s Religious Education Program. Many teachers and volunteers have been responsible for the education of young members of the parish.

Over the past 50 years, there has always been a strong Sacrament of Confirmation program for the youth in the parish. Between the year 1995 and l 2005, over 3000 students who attend various high schools surrounding the parish have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

On April 26, 1969, Fr. William Kerze became the first young man to be ordained to the priesthood from St. Bridget of Sweden Parish. Father Paul Koenig, a member of the parish, was ordained as a Carmelite in Sept. 4, 1943. On May 19, 1979, Mr. Carmine Mendicino was ordained to the permanent deaconate and worked with the community for many years. In January of 1982, Deacon Ray Rivera moved to St. Bridget of Sweden to help the needs of the rapidly growing Hispanic community. Deacon Ray takes and active role in the masses, quinceaneras, marriages, baptisms, Spanish Bible study classes and graveside services of the Spanish speaking community in the parish.