Community stalwart Bridie receives medal from the Pope

TALLAGHT community stalwart Bridie Sweeney received a medal from the Pope in recognition of her tireless work in the community and her parish over many decades.

Bridie, 93, was presented with a Benemerenti Medal at a special Mass in St Martin de Porres Church in Aylesbury last Sunday, June 30.

The medal is awarded by the Pope to clergy and lay people in recognition of their work in the Catholic Church.

Bridie received the accolade after parish priest Fr James Daly nominated her, and at the Mass last Sunday, he commended her for her work over the years.

“Benemerenti (meaning ‘well-deserved’) is a very apt word for Bridie, a well-deserving person indeed,” Fr Daly told parishioners.

“Bridie, as you know, has been a faithful parishioner here in St Martin’s down through the years.

“Bridie has worked as a volunteer with St Vincent de Paul for over 60 years and continues to work in their shop in Tallaght village.

St Martin’s SVDP Conference Members – Peader Whelan, Adeline Meagher, Bridie Sweeney, Carol Rutherford and Mary Coyle

“Her work with St Vincent de Paul meant she was working with families in need down through the years and has dealt with them all with great respect and discretion.

“Bridie also served for 47 years as a volunteer with the Tallaght Welfare Society’s Day Care Centre, and this work involved managing activities for the elderly who visited the centre on a weekly basis.”

Bridie also founded a club in the parish for older parishioners, called the Twilight Club, and has been a Eucharistic minister in St Martin’s since the church opened in 1976.

“In all of this, I think we can see how Bridie lives her faith with great sincerity and authenticity,” said Fr Daly.

“While Bridie’s great contributions to her local community have been recognised by awards in the secular sphere, today is the day that the Catholic Church formally recognises Bridie’s long and exceptional service and commitment to her faith and her parish.”

Pat O’Byrne and Deacon Padraic O’Sullivan (middle row): Ann O’Connor (Parish Secretary), Fr James Daly PP, Kay Cooling, Iris Dowling, Canon Michael Hurley and Bridie in St Martin de Porres Church. Photo by Jimmy Clarke

Bridie then went to the steps of the altar to be awarded the medal by Fr Daly, and she received a standing ovation from the parishioners.

Speaking to The Echo on Monday, Bridie said the entire occasion felt like a dream to her and it still hadn’t fully sunk in.

“I can’t describe it,” she said. “I’m a better giver than a taker. I just go out and about and fill my day, and I like what I do. I like helping people.”

Photos of Bridie were put up in St Vincent de Paul shops around the country to celebrate her receiving the medal, and she has been congratulated by many people in the community.

“I’m not over the shock yet, to be honest with you,” she said. “I never even knew the medal existed before.

“After I was told about the medal, I would wake up and I would think I was dreaming all of this, that it wasn’t happening – but it’s real and now I have the medal.”