Arlington Bishop Establishes Diocese’s 70th Parish

 

May 30, 2017 

 

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, announced that Saint Bridget of Ireland Mission, located in Berryville, will be established as a parish, effective Wednesday, July 12, 2017. Reverend Stanley J. Krempa, who has been pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Winchester since June 28, 1999, has also been pastor of Saint Bridget because it is a mission of Sacred Heart. Father Krempa will now be the first pastor of the new parish.

 

“It gives me great joy to announce the establishment of Saint Bridget of Ireland Church in Berryville as a parish in the Diocese of Arlington, effective July 12, 2017,” said Bishop Burbidge.  “I thank all those who have given their time, talent and treasure to build up the Catholic community in Berryville over the years.  I especially thank Father Stan Krempa, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Winchester, for his attentive ministry to the Mission of Saint Bridget of Ireland over the past 16 years. Fr. Krempa will be the founding pastor of St. Bridget of Ireland Parish.”

 

Saint Bridget of Ireland Mission was established in 1999 to serve the growing Catholic population of Clarke County.

 

A mission becomes a parish when it is financially stable and when land is secured for a church building, if there is not a church already. Saint Bridget already has a church building, which was dedicated by Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde on May 25, 2002.

Saint Bridget of Ireland will be the 70th parish of the Diocese. The Diocese of Arlington is home to more than 600,000 Catholics living in 21 counties and seven cities in central and northern Virginia. Parishioners live out their faith at 69 parishes and five missions, and 17,600 students attend 44 Catholic elementary and high schools.