Marcella Stapleton
"I really miss being able to walk to daily Mass. It used to be easy to get to St. Brigid, now I don't know which way to go! Taking the bus to other churches can take up to an hour and a half. I also miss seeing all my friends at St. Brigid. We were like a family, and St. Brigid is much more that an ordinary church."

Steve Meany
"The St. Brigid Mariners soccer team just won its fourth title in five year, and I've had the pleasure of playing with them for the last four. My wife and I went through the marriage preparation programs at St. Brigid. Although the church itself remains closed, the St. Brigid community is alive and well. We all look forward to the church reopening."

Rosa St. John
"St. Brigid Church is an important part of my family. Both my children attend St. Brigid School and were baptized, made their First Communion and were confirmed there. There is a great sense of community in the parish. I live near the church and the closing was bad for the neighborhood. Now I see homeless people sleeping in the doorways of the church. Tourists from hotels on Van Ness Avenue would attend Mass at St. Brigid. The ones I spoke with were always impressed by the beauty of the church and the quality of our services."

Miriam Gray
"For years, I have been a Eucharistic Minister for St. Brigid parishioners that are ill or house-bound. Every Friday, I would visit Notre Dame Apartments or On-Lok. I still deliver the Eucharist, but now must go to the Cathedral to get the hosts. I was also involved in the Mothers' Club. Every Friday during Lent, we would hold dinners which were donated by Fisherman's Wharf restaurants. Everyone came to these dinners! We also held folk dances and silent auctions. In this way, we were able to raise the money to build the gymnasium underneath the Church. St. Brigid Church represents a very large part of my life, but now I feel like that has been taken away, with its closure."

Angelina Fioretti
"When St. Brigid Church closed, it broke my heart. This was my parish church where I went to mass. I also graduated from the grammar school and high school. It was like a second home for me. I hope and pray the Vatican will consider what I have written here. God will reward you if you open up this Church. - Always"

Patricia E. Anderson
"St. Brigid is where I was baptized 74 years ago, where I made my First Communion, also attended 1st grade at St. Brigid's grammar school. In the early 20's, we had an earthquake at 2:00 a.m., and everyone sought shelter at St. Brigid. It is a beacon of my belief in Catholicism. Please, please reopen St. Brigid's - please."

Frances M. Lauray
"St. Brigid's was "home" to me. I cannot attend mass anymore as the churches are too far away whereas St. Brigid's was just across the street. I feel I'm being deprived of the Sacraments due to this unjust closure. This beautiful church - inside and out is just going to waste."

(Anonymous)
"It was a place of worship and solace in my younger years. I respected it's history (the Catholics before me) and the sanctity of my time. I realize now, however, that no matter the money the people have put forth in the past or present means anything to Catholic hierarchy. It's the times we live in. This attitude prevails in our government at home and national and in our churches. I was always taught by the nuns, that We the people were the church and without us, they didn't have a job. I was taught incorrectly!"

Robert W. Fowler
"For me, the closure of St. Brigid's Church has resulted in the facts I'm no longer a Practicing Catholics. The politics to justify the closure were reprehensible when the actual reason was based on the value of the property. St. Brigid needed MINOR earthquake repairs, an expense the parishioners were willing to accept and pay, was well attended and in no way any financial drain on the archdiocese. No consideration was given to the many, many loyal parishioners who had their place of worship taken away from them. The final insult shown to the parishioners was the evening of the final service when a police presence was much in evidence - did the archbishop think the parishioners were going to torch their church?"

Mrs. Cleo P. Donovan
"Six years ago, I lost my only child, a daughter at age 26. She had been baptized, educated and confirmed at St. Brigid's. She was also buried from there. After her death, I felt close to her when I attended mass at St. Brigid's. I have not joined another church but have been going to mass at Fort Mason Chapel. Now that has also close. I long for St. Brigid's to re-open so that I can once again be a member of a parish."

Sarah A. Carbone
"St. Brigid Church had great beauty and great warmth. The grace of the angel statuary and the sparkle of the stained glass windows are unforgettable. The kindly spirit of Monsignor Hayburn, all the priests and nuns who assisted him, and the services provided by the parishioners have made a cherished impression. - (a parishioner for 28 years)"

Erin Foye
"Being 1996 graduate of St. Brigid School, it broke my heart to know I wasn't allow to receive my Confirmation and Graduation in our church. To me, St. Brigid means family. Everyone there is family, even if they are not blood related. It also means love, caring, memories, and I promise that when our church is opened again, I will fly 3,000 miles to be there!"

Charles Bret
"We returned to the church at St. Brigid's. Four years ago our twelve year old daughter announced she wished to be Catholic. We received a warm welcome, instruction, her Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation, all in one year. We happily walk to Sunday masses, celebrated Easter and Christmas Eve and then - the church was closed - nothing. She attends mass at her school - St. Ignatius, but it is not "her" church."

Jackson Tan
"St. Brigid means a person who did a good job for God and Human society. As a Catholic family, we should have faith, love and spirit of community. In one God, we trust, let us pray and fight with legal action not only for our senior parishioners but also next young generations. So please keep in mind do not let St. Brigid Church for the real estate use only. It is the House of God."

Daria Pellegrini
"St. Brigid means everything to me. There was no reason for the closure which makes it even harder to understand why such an action was taken. It has made me feel that they can care less about the parishioners' feelings. That is why after three years, I am beginning to feel that it will never open again. WHAT A PITY - It has lost so many parishioners - WHAT A WASTE."

Mary Greene
"When St. Brigid closed, it was a tragedy and a day it gave so many "broken hearts" remains so. Please open this beautiful church with its beauty inside, its serenity, comfort that is so drastically missed. We pray daily for the great day when you will send the message "Open St. Brigid." "

Victor F. Berardelli
"St. Brigid, is in the best location in San Francisco best transportation, climate, main highway to Marin County, and Canada, to BART, and the Peninsula South and Bay Bridge, the Street, lights, sidewalks all in, the hotel chains are willing to pay fine to six million to tear down. The Bishop wants this money for other use (THIS IS A FACT ( DON'T LET IT HAPPEN!"

Mary V. Mortensen
"The Church can be easily reached by foot or by very convenient public transportation. More important is the earthquake stability of the area. The nation's leading seismic experts are predicting there will be a 2 in 3 chance of a major quake in the San Francisco Bay Area. St. Brigid's withstood two major earthquakes without incurring any damage. I would feel more secure being in St. Brigid's, than in any other church in the bay area, in the event when it occurs. "

Faye Aparicio
"First of all, thank you for sending me this note. Now I can express my feeling. I was a member of St. Brigid for 35 years. However, I did leave for 4 years to work in Seattle, Washington. I, for one really miss our Parish. I think its so unfair to close such beautiful church. Sure now I attend Sts. Peter and Paul, but my heart isn't in it. I pray that as soon as possible, St. Brigid will be open soon. Thank You."

Margery B. Townsend
"The beauty of St. Brigid, its beautiful stained glass windows, wood carvings, and altar were always a real inspiration to me. Being so central a location and good parking made it so desirable, too. I miss the community and this beautiful church. I pray for its reopening."

Robert & Debbie Ramos
"St. Brigid means "family." It is a community of love and support and this closure has "separated" parishioners by having them gather in various other parishes! Family-ties at St. Brigid's is strong in the sense of tradition and adding new generations of family members. St. Brigid's means "family value" and unspoken bonds of loyalty and friendship."

(Anonymous)
"Dear Mr. Bryan, we read the June 11, 1997 newsletter of the Committee to Save St. Brigid Church. and our comments are as follows. All of the church property came from the donation of the parishioners. A church is intended solely for Mass, not to be sold for "maximum density residential housing." We consider this an act against the parishioners as well as God. The Committee should publicize the facts to as many San Franciscans and parishioners as possible. An one page ad on the Chronicle to inform the public of the facts is a very good idea, we think. - Our Names are Withheld"

Maria Esain
"St. Brigid to me was not only a meeting place for my church friends and members but it was the only church my daughter ever grew up in was initiated many times into church through 4 of the 7 Sacraments. Finding a new church that reminds us of those memories is impossible since everything is different. You may have taken the building but her memories and certificates will always stay open!"

Germaine Berges-Yeu
"The continual closing of St. Brigid's is very unfair and not justified. God is all kindness, he could not appraise what his church is doing. Give us a valid reason!"

Claire Buckley
"When I came to this country many years ago, I was directed by a bus driver to St. Brigid's. It has been my spiritual home ever since. Why it was closed is a mystery. It had not only a thriving congregation, but lots of activities for youth, the future of the Catholic Church. Father Cyril O'Sullivan is a treasure, and should be re-instated."

Flora Adiego
"I was a parishioner of St. Brigid since 1987. I am 86 years old. After St. Brigid was closed, I was able to attend Mass at the Fort Mason Chapel. Now that chapel has been closed. If St. Brigid were to be opened, it would be in walking distance. St. Brigid Church is a beautiful church. Please reopen it."

Marie G. Ghezzi
"St. Brigid has been my parish since 1944. I was able to go to Mass at the Fort Mason Chapel but now the army has closed that also. I am a senior citizen of 90 years old. Please reopen St. Brigid."

Ann L. & Patrick J. Maher
"Neither my husband nor I were born/bred San Franciscans. My husband, Irish born, and myself, from Washington, D.C., had a hard time feeling part of a community. Joining St. Brigid's parish was delightful. Particularly with the heartfelt and warm sermons of Father "O". We were blessed with Father O'Sullivan performing our 1st son's baptism. He was scheduled to baptize our second son when he was abruptly removed from the parish and not allowed contact with parishioners. We were crushed. We did have our second son baptized at St. Brigid's. But it was not the same as Fr. "O" was not our celebrant. Our third child has never been part of St. Brigids. We feel that Fr. "O" is such an honorable man and truly represents what our Lord meant to be a priest. We miss him and St. Brigids. My husband is having difficulty resolving "his betrayal" with the Archdiocese and no longer attends mass. I hope he will resolve his hurt and return for both, himself and our children."

Mrs. Mario Valli
"Please reopen St. Brigid Parish. I miss my parish church. I moved to St. Brigid parish in 1944. Since the closing of St. Brigid, I went to Fort Mason. Now the army has closed it and I have no place to go. I am 88 years old and can't take buses. But with St. Brigid with all my time I can walk."

Helena Chen
"Please save St. Brigid Church!!"

Eileen Parsliffe
"It was a flourishing church when we were shut down (with police presence) in June 1994. It's the church with the most beautiful stained glass windows in the City and one of the finest schools. We yearly donated $100,000 to the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. Nobody has given a plausible reason as to why we were ousted from our religious home . Pleas reopen St. Brigid's Church."

Otilia T. Semblante
"A community needs a spiritual place and its one way of reviving and continuing the spread of a more better Christian life. We need so very much of reopening the St. Brigid Church so that Catholicism will live in the hearts of the people in the community. As a good Catholic and with high hopes through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, I am therefore requesting to reopen the said church. In the Name of the Lord, be it granted."

Rev. Cyril O'Sullivan
"St. Brigid have represented Catholicism for over 134 years in San Francisco, and even though its doors presently remain closed, it still in the hearts of many of its people represents the faith of the faithful. It has stood for what the church stands for, "Right to Worship, in a House of God built for that purpose; by the community." It is imperative for the integrity of faith that of all institutions the diocesan church stand firmly and supportively behind its local churches. It is the strongest hope within me to have the doors of St. Brigid Church reopened once again to its community, "The Community never left, they were shut out." "

Louisa B. Stanton
"My church St. Brigid's means everything to me. It is my refuge, it's where I went to Daily Mass, and participated in all of the activities. Since St. Brigid Church closed, I am devastated and very very angry. Coming from Ireland where churches are never closed. It's a Mortal Sin. The last church closures in Ireland were done by Oliver Cromwell. Are we in San Francisco following his example? I ask you."

Teresa & John O'Beirne
"I was educated at St. Brigids College, a boarding school in Buenos Aires run by Irish Sisters of Mercy, and have very pleasant memories of those days. Therefore, when John and I decided to marry, I chose St. Brigids to celebrate our wedding on August 6, 1996, and have attended Mass there every Sunday until the closing of the church in 1994. We then adopted Fort Mason Chapel as our parish, but same was also closed as of June 22, 1997, so one more time we have been left without a church to attend Mass. We would therefore very much appreciate hearing about the possibilities of re-opening St. Brigid Church."

Rita Nowlin
"When I moved to San Francisco in 1960, St. Brigid's was my anchor in a new life. It made me feel at home in my new surroundings. My husband & I were married at St. Brigid in 1965, and came back for Mass on our anniversaries. He is now deceased. We have many friends in the parish and I would love to be able to join them at St. Brigid's again."

Mr. & Mrs. T.J. Cooney
"St. Brigid's was our parish church for 37 years. We loved it and felt a very spiritual uplifting in attending Mass and the various services there. It is such a beautiful Church, both inside and outside. Being Irish, we felt a true and beautiful connection to our beloved St. Brigid. It's history is such a lovely, lengthy one - over 100 years."

Kenneth W. Epley
"At the age of 35 I choose to enter the RCIA program after months of spiritual counseling from a priest, now pastor of a neighboring church. That experience, along with the daily and weekly prayer and mass attendance has filled me with spiritual wellness I had not previously known. The St. Brigid community welcomed me into their parish only months before the closure. It's reopening will once again reconnect me with the spiritual community missing for the last 3 years."

Mel J. Ciena
"St. Brigid the beautiful church with European style means lot to me. It easy to go to Church more often when it was open and it's great for the Neighborhood. Thanks, God Bless."

Singa Saputra Hatta
"Pray hard, don't give up. Our Father in heaven is watching and he is very happy for what we are doing to save His Home (Church)."

Marie McGough
"Saint Brigid's has been a home to me since 1972 when I moved into the parish. I always had peace of mind and a good spiritual feeling and it has helped me every day of my life. I miss giving my Sunday Collection. I hope this will soon change."

Eva S. Bates
"My religious life fuller and more meaningful. I have to take a bus to Sts. Peter and Paul's Church. It is not my parish church. St. Brigid Church is and has been for 37 years. I taught school there in 1960 and 1961. It is a beautiful Romanesque edifice, a life in this neighborhood."

Clare C. Cooper
"St. Brigid means "home." While it was a place for Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Graduations, and our wedding, it was also a place for quiet reflection. It was a welcoming place for an eight year old as well as an 24 years old woman. I am now 62, it has become a "home" to save so that others, young and old, may enjoy it as a welcoming place - a place to know God and His Love for us."

(Anonymous)
"I feel saddened when the beautiful St. Brigid Church was closed because my daughter attended St. Brigid School there and my son is still currently attending. I pray that it will open soon."

Annette & James Saghi
"Our son, Michael, was married in St. Brigid Church and his (+ Heidel's) son, Harrison, was baptized there - thus it has a special meaning for the Saghis. We attended Mass on Sundays and Holy Days there and enjoyed being members since 1978!"

(Anonymous)
"In a time when more and more people see the church as irrelevant, how can the Catholic hierarchy turn its back on the faith, the devotion, the love, of St. Brigid's parish members? You can maintain religion without buildings, without money (may be even improve it ... ) - but you cannot sustain a religion without followers."

Fumiko Satoda
"It is the symbol of injustice and corruption of the San Francisco Archdiocese and Catholic Hierarchy as a whole, most notably the Vatican bureaucracy."

Encarnacion S. Ramos
"Saint Brigid is very important to us. Every times I go out of our building, I always pray that they please open our Church. Especially on Sunday and every day I don't know what church I am going. It is really very hard and very sad. Can you please do something to open our Church? Many thanks."

Denise & Alfred Ollagnier
"For 30 years we attended St. Brigid Church before moving from Broadway Street to Divisadero Street. We still think of St. Brigid as "Our Church." "

Jan Robinson
"St. Brigid's is a church like no other. In it, I would feel as though I had approached God's heavenly throne. Without it I feel like I have lost the most sacred, Holy ground that I have ever known. I miss my church terribly and can only pray that some day it will be restored to those who love it."

Juliet Samonte
"The re-opening of St. Brigid means the fulfillment of a dead man's last wish! The late Mr. Jess Esteva wanted to do the right thing for his wife, Carmen. He was so touched by her love and devotion to him, especially through his illness that he bought her a condominium unit across St. Brigid. He knew that Daily Mass for her was a source of strength and consolation. Thus, re-opening the Church would mean that Jess' gift to Carmen would be a reality."

Gilda Betta
"I was born in Italy, in a small town in the province of Treviso. My town was very Catholic and faithful to the Church. I remember growing up and the priests asking for offerings for the missionaries in Asia because they wanted to build churches there. Now, in San Francisco, they have closed the beautiful church of St. Brigid. When you enter St. Brigid I immediately feel inspired with the faith of God and the Saints. By closing St. Brigid Church many will lose the faith and belief in our religion. Think also of the many sacrifices made by the emigrant families to construct this beautiful place of worship."

Clementina Garcia
"When I first entered St. Brigid's Church almost three decades ago, I was deeply impressed by its beauty. Since then, attending there has meant continuation of the Catholic faith that I inherited since the time I was born. It has been a place near home where I could hear talk about God, His Commandments, and most of all of Jesus's love, justice, mercy and His zeal for saving souls. I cherish the efforts and sacrifices of those who built this church."

Julia M. Yee
" (16 years old) St. Brigid was the only church I felt comfortable in [My definition of God's home] I grow up in St. Brigid. From my Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation, also I have many fond memories of St. Brigid, Christmas pageants, chorus rehearsals, and performances. I guess St. Brigids Church was the only House of God I felt was like my own home. It was always my dream to get married in St. Brigid for me. Hopefully my dream can still come true."

Janie Yee
"From a mixed marriage and being a convert myself - trying to raise three kids as Catholics was very difficult. St. Brigid means a lot to me because the children were able to attend Mass regularly from infants till teenagers. Without St. Brigid Church in our neighborhood, it is really sad to watch all three of my children not attending Mass and losing their faith. God, Please Help All of Us!"

Eugene Sander
"I am not a Roman Catholic. I am not even a Christian. But I support you to the best of my limited ability because I have loved St. Brigid's ever since I first saw it. I know your goal is to restore it as a fully functional house of worship and center of parochial activity. But please, also, keep up the fight on behalf of the rest of us who treasure it as a gem in the City's historic heritage of architectural beauty."

Anna R. Schmitz
"I would have the pleasure of attending mass daily which I miss. I also miss visiting with my friends and having coffee after mass. I also miss the participation in several of the many activities we had at St. Brigid's, i.e. St. Vincent de Paul Society, R.C.I.A, the Sodality, etc."

Helen & Tillie Piscevich
"After being parishioners of St. Brigid Church for over thirty-five years, we were devastated when it closed. We both felt a part of St. Brigid and have not been able to duplicate this feeling in another church. The statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Anthony in the church hold a special meaning for us. We pray each day for the church to reopen. What a joyous occasion for us and others to be able to pray again in St. Brigid's Church."

Gertraud Albert
"Although I am not a member of St. Brigid's, I wish you well and would attend Masses there again. (I got a perfunctory letter from the Archdiocese when I wrote regarding St. Edward's and St. Francis Xavier. Apparently there is no intention to reopen these two churches to their congregations."

Charles J. Astrue, Jr.
"My mother and grandparents were from Russian Hill (Green Street) and a part of St. Brigid's from about 1865 onward. My mother - Ida Kathryn Renfold - and four sisters, brothers went to St. Brigid School - My mother graduating with only five others from the final year of its high school, with gold medal for scholarship. The family also lived on Vallejo Street and Van Ness. We are parishioners since 1846 - Why destroy both St. Francisco and St. Brigid!!!!"

Carmen R. Esteva
"One of the main reasons why my late husband and I bought our own place, nine and a half years ago, half a block across from St. Brigid's Church, IS ST. BRIGID'S CHURCH. When he was recuperating for nine months, and when he passed away last March 13, 1997 at home, there was no parish priest to call to give him Communion and the final blessings. It was fortunate that the pastor of St. Patrick's Church is an old family friend and the final services were done by him at St. Patrick's Church, San Francisco. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT WE DO NOT HAVE A PARISH CHURCH. Economics is not a valid reason to close St. Brigid's Church."

Siu-Mei Wong
"Part-I. What St. Brigid means to me: 7:00 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. used to be my favorite time on a regular work day. That was the time I usually attended the daily mass. St. Brigid is not just any church, it is part of my home. Just about two blocks away from my apartment, it is to me a fortress, to maintain my religious outlook in life and constantly reminds me of the need in practicing it in my daily life. It has been three long years since the last time I entered this magnificent church, I still remember vividly how, every time when the doors gently closed behind me upon entrance, it closed off at the same time the madness of the world where only materialism matters. Unfortunately we are now at the other side of the walls of St. Brigid Church. We no longer have the opportunity to reflect ourselves each day in front of Christ, but only have to wait till Sunday when we drive to another church, where although people are friendly there, we know that we are "guests" to them and their church will never be our "home". We, the working generation of the society, works are demanding and life is in fast pace for us. It is a very saddening thought when I feel that the "Church" is no longer there to care for my generation, and gradually we will all unconsciously slip into an indifferent and atheistic bunch!
Part-II. What St. Brigid means to San Francisco: The Olympic torch passed right in front of St. Brigid Church. So did President Clinton, and thousands and thousands of tourist from all over the world each year. When we used to count collections in Sundays, we often fascinated by all kinds of foreign currencies amidst the American dollar bills. I was so proud of my home church. It is not just a church for our neighborhood, it is a "universal" Roman Catholic Church welcoming anyone, Christians, non-Christians, historians, architects, fatigued tourists, homeless - anyone who needs a peaceful place to reflect. After all, I don't think anyone who walks into St. Brigid Church can be an atheist. For there, you feel God's presence with you."