RIP: 08/09/2022 - La Mirada (USA)
Fr. James Bradley was born in Navan, Co Meath, on 16th August 1931. After leaving school at 14, a year later, he began secondary school studies with the Salesians in Limerick, and then went to Breakspear College, A Late Vocation establishment, at Abbots Langley, Herts. This was followed by a novitiate at Christleton Hall, near Chester, where he remained after his first vows on 11 October 1955, for his seminary studies. He was ordained to the priesthood on 29th June 1961. After ordination he went to Swansea University where he took a diploma course in Youth Leadership. This was followed by teaching at various places, such as St Michael’s, Garston; Christleton Hall, (by then a Junior Seminary) and St Bede’s High School, Chester. This was followed by appointments at Clontarf parish, and Sallynoggin, Co Dublin, before he eventually became Provincial (1990-93). A few years later, for health reasons, he transferred to St Bruno’s Parish, Whittier, California, where he eventually retired to a retirement facility in La Mirada, where he continued to administer to the needs of the residents whether it be to lend a listening ear, hear confessions, anoint the sick and the dying as well as celebrate mass every Sunday. He passed there on Thursday 8th September 2022.
