When planning was underway at St. Dominic Parish, Brick, for the investiture of Father James J. Brady to the title of monsignor, the self-effacing pastor told organizers to expect about 300 people.

Good thing no one took that recommendation seriously.

The church was standing room only at the 10:30 a.m. installation Mass April 11 when Bishop John M. Smith formally invested the new monsignor.

Indeed, Anne Cramer, who headed up planning for the event, said the best guess is that 1,400 parishioners, students, friends, family members and members of the community at large filled the pews that morning.

Some 850 packed the parish community room and two meeting rooms for the lunch that followed.

The numbers caught the eye of Bishop Smith who remarked during the Mass that the turnout was a testimony to respect and esteem in which Msgr. Brady is held by his flock, at St. Dominic, one of the largest parishes in the diocese.

That 30 family members – including 16 from Ireland – traveled in for the investiture was but one more indication of “how much he is loved and respected” said Bishop Smith who added: “When I was small, I used to watch the Brady bunch. Now I have them in front of me.”

Twenty-one priests and deacons were in attendance along with many members of the parish organizations and the grade school which have all flourished under his administration in the 12 years of his pastorate.

Piped into the church by several bagpipers in recognition of the country of his birth, Msgr. Brady, his face wreathed in smiles, was vested by Bishop Smith with the assistance of Father Philip Brady, who had traveled in with his family from Ireland.

“You are now installed as a faithful servant of Pope Benedict XVI,” Bishop Smith said as parishioners accorded the new monsignor a standing ovation.

Msgr. Brady responded to the acclamation saying, “It’s great and I’d like to thank (The Holy See) and Bishop Smith for recommending me.

“I’m truly humbled by this honor.

It’s not just an honor for me, it’s an honor for you, the parishioners, too.”

He spoke of the faith born in his Irish homestead where family values were nurtured around the table, at Mass and at home again with the nightly recitation of the Rosary.

“We were taught,” he said, “to be good neighbors and that is what Christianity is all about.”

Msgr. Brady was born in County Cavan, Ireland and prepared for the priesthood in St. Patrick College and Seminary, Carlow, Ireland. He was ordained a priest in Carlow, June 10, 1972 for the Diocese of Trenton.

His first assignment in the diocese was as associate pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold.

He subsequently served as associate pastor in St. James, Red Bank; Our Lady of Sorrows, Mercerville; St. James, Woodbridge; St. Thomas the Apostle, Old Bridge and Holy Family, Union Beach.

Named temporary administrator of Ascension Parish, Bradley Beach, April 30, 1987, he was appointed pastor on June 12 of that year.

On Feb. 10, 1998, he was named temporary administrator of St. Dominic Parish and two months later, on April 9, 1998, was named pastor.

In addition to his parish assignments, Msgr. Brady has also served on the Vocation Council of Priests and as spiritual moderator of the Holy Name Society in Monmouth County.

At St. Dominic, spiritual home to 4,000 families with an elementary school attended by 600 students in grades kindergarten through eighthgrade, and a religious education program attended by 850 children, parishioners credit Msgr. Brady with energizing and empowering the laity, and fostering an atmosphere where Catholic education flourishes.

During the investiture Mass, Bishop Smith spoke of Msgr. Brady’s gifts for encouraging the laity to get involved in parish life. He noted that some 28 parish organizations and ministries have been created on Msgr. Brady’s watch.

His sentiments were echoed by parishioners Ed and Irene Weireter, Lakewood.

“The two nicest words I can say about him are priest and friend,” said Ed Weireter, one of many Knights of Columbus from the Msgr. Baldwin Assembly who attended the Mass.

“As a priest, he performs miracles every day at Holy Eucharist. As a friend, anybody who really knows him, knows that he can be counted on to lend an ear, a shoulder.”

Irene Weireter chimed in: “If I had to sum up what I know and think about him, I’d say that he is greatly loved by the people of this parish for his compassion. In almost all his homilies, he (focuses) on the fact that God loves us. I think that is such a very important thing.”

Msgr. Brady spent most of the luncheon following the Mass on his feet, circulating from table to table. They said he reached out enthusiastically, as he does after every mass, to thank those who came.

The Weireters say such enthusiasm has enlivened the parish. “Since he has been here, about 28 organizations and ministries have been created,” said Ed Weireter.

“If you have a goal in mind that you would like to achieve, he will be supportive. People have great respect for what he has created here.”