Columban Fr. Timothy Mulroy, U.S. director, was in Los Angeles, Calif., October 7, for the dedication of a plaque honoring three Columbans who were instrumental in the founding of St. Bridget Chinese Catholic Church and the Chinese Mission Center. The event was part of the Columban Fathers' centennial festivities in the U.S.
The plaque commemorates Columban Fathers John Cowhig, Anthony O'Doherty and Matthew Quinn for their "40 years of selfless dedication to the beginning of Chinese Catholic mission in Los Angeles and the founding of St. Bridget Chinese Catholic Church."
Fr. Cowhig founded the Chinese Mission Center in Los Angeles 1939 and administered the Center until 1954. Fr. O'Doherty followed and, for the next eight years, continued St. Bridget's growth and expansion. Fr. Quinn administered the Center for 19 years. He considered his time at St. Bridget as "a special blessing." In 1980, as he was ending his stay at the Mission Center, Fr. Quinn was honored by the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission for his community service to the entire Chinatown neighborhood.
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.