Rev. Msgr. Francis V. Strahan

stbridgetparish.org
accessed November 14, 2019

https://www.stbridgetparish.org/about/meet-our-priests/

Monsignor Strahan was born and raised in Everett. As a youngster he attended Immaculate Conception School, Boston College High School, Boston College and St. John’s Seminary in Brighton. Monsignor then Father Strahan was ordained to the priesthood on February 2, 1959 by the late Cardinal Cushing.

His first priestly assignment was at St. James Parish in Boston’s Chinatown, where he faced the difficult challenges of an urban parish. It was while serving here that the Archdiocese, aware of Msgr. Strahan’s exceptional musical gifts, sent him on to continue his education at the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied voice, composition and conducting, and then on to Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart for studies in Liturgical Music. In addition to continuing his own education, Msgr. Strahan taught Homiletics & Basic Liturgy as well as Liturgical Music for 18 years at St. John’s Seminary all while directing the Seminary Choir. In 1979, Saint Pope John Paul II unexpectedly planned a visit to Boston. It was then that Msgr. Strahan received a unique assignment from the Cardinal to form a choir and perform at Boston Common for the Papal Mass. In less than 6 weeks, a 300-person Archdiocesan Papal Choir was formed and performed on that historic day, October 1, 1979, in a pouring rain storm. Msgr. Strahan continued to compose music and lead the Papal Choir for many years after that. In April 1998, Msgr. Strahan was made a Prelate of Honor by Saint Pope John Paul II, therefore receiving the title Monsignor.

On March 3, 1983, he was appointed Pastor of St. Bridget Parish in Framingham where he serves to this day. Upon arrival, Monsignor did a full assessment of the St. Bridget’s faith community, and concluded that the parish needed an infusion of lay people involvement. His record of accomplishment in this area is truly astounding! During those 35 years, many ministries and organizations have been formed helping parishioners in every aspect of life. From starting the “Food Pantry”, which provides food to needy Framingham families and its companion program, “Christmas Outreach”, which provides gifts to approximately 300 children up to the age 15, to establishing the “CAP Program”, which chauffer’s parishioners who are unable to attend Mass, to starting a “CYO Program”, which provides a haven for High school teens to socialize and bond together within a safe Catholic environment. (Msgr. would often accompany them on their outings), he worked tirelessly. He initiated the “Adopt a Sister Parish Program” in which our parish helped support Most Holy Redeemer Parish in East Boston with money and food from our Food Drives. To add to the parish’s spiritual life and faith formation, he started a “Family Mass” to expose our youngsters to the true meaning of the Liturgy and the lessons of the Gospel at an early age to help with their faith formation, and for many years led our youth in the “Walk for Life” against abortion setting a wonderful example. Also, to honor our Holy Mother he established the annual “Marian Festival” culminating with the crowning of the statue of Mary in the grotto. Administratively, he established the “Parish Pastoral Council” (PPC) to provide parishioner input about parish matters as well as the “Parish Finance Council” (PFC) to advise him on all financial matters concerning the parish and school. Regarding the school, he established the “Help-A-Student (HAS) Fund” which provides critical tuition assistance to the financially needy candidates attending Saint Bridget School most of whom would not have been able to attend without the help. As an example, last year the HAS Fund provided $93,000.00 to 72 students, or 26% of the enrollment. Outside the parish Msgr. Strahan served as a chairman (10 years) of the “Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission” which was a resource for other parishes on all Liturgical matters as well as serving as a chairman (10 years) for the “Pastors Advisory Committee” for the annual “Catholic Appeal” and served as “Regional Vicar”. Despite all his responsibilities, he still found time to be an “Adjunct Faculty Member” at St. John’s Seminary teaching Liturgy courses for over 20 years.

The above is only a partial sampling of what has been put in place. Under his pastorship, St. Bridget Parish became a vibrant beacon in the greater MetroWest area and the envy of many other parishes. Msgr. Francis V. Strahan will forever be a priest of the people, a humble leader and the shepherd of our faith community. We are blessed to still have him!