Rev. Louis Brum's 25th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood.
December 2nd 1999



Father Louis Brum raising the Chalice during his Silver Anniversary Mass
(Photo by Phoenix-Times)

Another Portuguese immigrant who had a dream and fulfilled it in America!

Father Louis Brum came from Texas, to Bristol, Rhode Island, to renew his vows and to celebrate his Silver Anniversary of being ordained a priest.

The beautiful and moving ceremony took place, on Sunday, November 28, 1999, at the Saint Isabel Church, in Bristol, RI. The mass was celebrated by six priests, and before the alter Father Brum renew his solemn promise to continue serving Jesus Christ as a Catholic priest. The church was filled with members of his family, many friends and admires.


Father Brum giving his Homily during the Mass
(Photo by Jennifer Neves)

In the evening there was a testimonial banquet attended by 5000 people at the Venus De Milo, in nearby Swansea, Massachusetts.

My wife and I attended his celebration 25 years ago, when he was ordained priest. I had the honor of being his master of ceremonies at the banquet in the Venus DeMilo Restaurant. Father Brum asked me again to be his master of ceremonies at the same restaurant, and I glad did it, with the promised that we will repeat the same performance at his golden, (50th Anniversary) celebration of his priesthood and he agreed….

Here is the article written by the Emeritus Publisher Roswell Bosworth of the "Bristol Phoenix", describing the full day festivities.


Thursday, December 2, 1999

Family, clergy, friends join in tribute
to Father Brum on his 25th anniversary

Relatives, clergy and friends of the Rev Louis L Brum gathered on Sunday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Close to 500 attended the joyous occasion, which included an anniversary Mass at St Elizabeth's Church and a banquet at the Venus De Milo Restaurant.

The outpouring reflected his popularity here, where he served for four years as pastor of St Elizabeth's. He is currently pastor of Resurrection Church in Alamo, Texas. He was a popular and energetic leader of Bristol's largest parish. He brought about extensive renovations to both the church building and St Elizabeth¹s School during his term here. At that time he was "on loan" from the Bishop of Brownsville for two years, which was extended to four years.

Father Brum was ordained in the Diocese of Brownsville in 1974. Prior to migrating to this country from the Açores at age 19 he studied at the seminary in Angra, Terceira, for five years. He earned a degree in philosophy at St Mary's College Seminary in Kentucky, and a degree in theology at St Mary's University Seminary in Baltimore.

His current parish, which is in a new building with a seating capacity of 1,250, is of Mexican-American origin and has a membership of 3,200 families. There are 60 choir members. Alamo is a farming community located 60 miles from Brownsville and 20 miles from the border of Mexico.

Sixteen priests and deacons participated in the Mass, which was accompanied by the choir of Our Lady of Fatima Church of Peabody, Mass. Carmen West, a choir director and guitarist, and Eddie Ramirez, cantor, from Father Brum¹s parish in Texas, played a prominent role throughout the service.


Father Louis Brum giving Communion to his Mother
(Photo by Jennifer Neves)


Some 30 members of Father Brum's family attended, including his mother, Maria Gloria Brum, three of his sisters and two of his brothers. Also in attendance were 10 sisters of the Order of St Dorothy led by their provisional Sister Dorothy Schwartz.

During the Mass, Father Brum renewed his sacred vows, with the Rev Fernando Freitas leading that portion of the service. Various members of his family also took active roles in the two-hour service, including readings by his sister, Sandy Moitoso, and her husband, Herbie. Prayers of the faith were offered by Coralia Brum Costa, Maria Louisa Brum, Elizabeth Brum, Sherry Ann Brum and Kevin Moitoso.

In his homily Father Brum said, ³Within my heart I feel like I did 25 years ago, with wonderment at God's creation. He noted how the thanksgiving anniversary of his priesthood fell on the first Sunday of Advent.

He urged all present to help in recruiting new clergy. We all need to do our part. We are all called to be disciples, he told the large congregation, adding that the call to the priesthood should be nourished by the faithful.²


The four girls with the Offerings for the Mass
(Photo by Jennifer Neves)

Later in the service he paid a special tribute to his mother, during which the song "Mother" was sung by the visiting choir.

In addition to Father Brum and Father Freitas, priests concelebrating the Mass included Monsignor William Varsanyi, vicar general of the Diocese of Providence; the Rev Kevin Lynch of Pawtucket; the Rev Joseph Reis, RI Hospital chaplain; the Rev Anthony Lolli, rector of Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston, Mass; the Rev Francisco Signoterelli, provincial of the Xaverians; the Rev Fernando Freitas, formerly of St Elizabeth's and now retired; the Rev. Joseph Hemi, pastor of Sts Peter and Paul Church in Coventry; the Rev John O'Brien and Deacon John Sardinha of St Elizabeth's; the Rev Jack Oliveira, pastor of St John the Baptist Church in New Bedford; the Rev John McNulty, formerly of St Mary¹s in Bristol and now pastor of St Augustine's Church in Newport; the Rev Augustine Mendonca, retired Navy chaplain of 35 years; the Rev Sam Turillo, native of Bristol and now retired in South County, and Deacon Joseph Medeiros of Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

The choir from Peabody was directed by Norine Gallopin. The organist was Ann Bettencourt of Coventry who played 25 years ago during Father Brum¹s first Mass.  Four liturgical dancers from Our Lady of Fatima High School under the direction of Sister Colleen presented an interpretive prayer. A poem was read by Juliette Lima, a friend of the family.


Artistic rendition done by Jennifer Neves

Banquet at Venus DeMilo

Dr. Manuel DaSilva, an old friend of Father Brum, was master of ceremonies at the banquet which followed. Dr DaSilva served in the same role 25 years ago. Various speakers praised Father Brum for his work at St Elizabeth's, as well as his determination and hard work in reaching the priesthood. They recalled how he overcame the language barrier and the lack of funds by hard study and working long hours at summer jobs.

His brother-in-law, Herbie Moitoso, recalled a humorous episode in which Father Brum asked to see his first Patriots football game, and how he spent the afternoon protecting the priest from the profanity of the stadium.  Mr. Moitoso praised Father Brum for the numerous renovations at St Elizabeth¹s, and for his love of his fellow human beings and his strong family ties. ³My only regret is that he is not a priest in New England where we need Portuguese American priests, Mr. Moitoso said.

Father Freitas, Father Lynch, Father O¹Brien, Monsignor Varsanyi and Sister Dorothy all spoke of their fond respect for the guest of honor. During the ceremonies, Father Brum again gave his mother a warm embrace. His sisters, Coralia Costa of Coventry, Sandy Moitoso of Bristol and Maria Louisa Brum of California, were introduced and presented with religious figures. His brothers, Alfred and Edward, also were introduced.

Public officials who were introduced included State Sen. Mary Parella, Town Administrator Joseph Parella, and Council Chairman Richard Ruggiero. Special guests from Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, were Capt and Mrs. Nicola Cabral. Before returning to Texas at mid-week, Father Brum admonished everyone to remember that we are all brothers and sisters.


Father Louis Brum with his mother,  brothers and sisters at the end of the testimonial banquet
(Photo by Jennifer Neves)

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