St. Bridget of Kildare Catholic Church

Dear Friends of St. Bridget of Kildare Catholic Church,

We invite you to be part of something truly special—a chance to make a lasting impact on our beloved parish church, a sacred place where generations have worshiped, celebrated the Sacraments, and encountered the living God.

Our parish is currently engaged in an ongoing campaign to raise $85,000 to purchase and install a pipe organ in our choir loft—an instrument that will lift hearts to Heaven and serve the Sacred Liturgy for decades to come.

Our future pipe organWith many pipes

Why a Pipe Organ?

The Church teaches that music in the liturgy is not simply an addition—it is prayer.

The Second Vatican Council, in Sacrosanctum Concilium, teaches:

“The pipe organ is to be held in high esteem in the Latin Church, since it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up the human spirit to God and to heavenly things.” (SC, no. 120)

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) echoes this teaching, stating:

“In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is a traditional musical instrument whose sound is capable of adding a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and of powerfully lifting up people’s minds to God and to higher things.” (GIRM, no. 393)

In other words, the pipe organ is uniquely suited to the Mass. Its sound supports congregational singing, sustains prayer, and helps express the beauty, dignity, and solemnity the Sacred Liturgy deserves.

A Living Instrument for Living Worship

The proposed organ for St. Bridget’s will be crafted using a blend of historic, time-tested pipes and modern technology. Pipes—both wood and metal—will be played by wind, recalling the very breath God first breathed into humanity at Creation. This “living sound” is one reason pipe organs endure for generations, unlike electronic instruments that quickly become obsolete. This is the reason why the pipe organ at nearby St. Patrick's Old Rock Church is still functioning and in good working order today, after being installed over 100 years ago!

This instrument will feature:

• 15 speaking stops across 18 ranks
• A movable console with two manuals and full pedalboard
• Flexible registration and memory levels to support a wide range of liturgical music
• Custom façade pipes designed specifically for our church space

This organ will serve not only Sunday Mass, but also weddings, funerals, feast days, school liturgies, and moments of prayer yet to come—supporting our parish’s worship life for generations.

An Investment in Our Spiritual Legacy

This is more than the purchase of an instrument. It is an investment in:

• Reverent, beautiful worship

• Strong congregational singing

• Faith formation for children and youth

• A lasting musical heritage for our parish

As the Church reminds us, sacred music is meant to give glory to God and sanctify the faithful. A worthy pipe organ will help us do both.

How You Can Help

We humbly ask you to prayerfully consider supporting this ongoing campaign. Every gift—large or small—moves us closer to hearing this instrument fill our church with the sound of prayer and praise.

Ways to Give

• Give online on this website.

• Mail or drop off your donation at the Shared Parish Office
  120 W. Osage, Pacific, MO 63069. -- Please indicate "Pipe Organ" with your gift.

Your generosity directly blesses every child, every family, and every person who enters St. Bridget Church. Please keep this effort in your prayers, that our parish may continue to offer liturgy that is worthy, beautiful, and transformative.

Together, let us continue to Love God, Serve His People, & Unite All in Christ.

With gratitude and hope,
St. Bridget of Kildare Catholic Church