Reverend Bradley Pierce, M.S.A., 82, of Cromwell, formerly of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at the Autumn Lake Healthcare at Cromwell. He was born in New Haven on September 6, 1936 and was the son of the late David and Marguerite (Fultz) Pierce. Predeceased by a sister Nancy Black, he is survived by a nephew Kurt Black. In his younger life Father Pierce started a few night clubs in New York and after having a spiritual conversion to the Church in 1974 at age 38, he had the opportunity to volunteer with (Saint) Mother Teresa in Calcutta, and he joined the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles. He was ordained to the priesthood on September 8th, 1983, serving for many years as Formation Director of Holy Apostles College and Seminary and Spiritual Director of the Mary Heart Crusaders in Meriden, Ct.
Viewing will be from 3:00 to 5:00 pm on Friday, January 11, at the Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Queen of the Apostles Chapel, 33 Prospect Hill Road, Cromwell, CT 06416 with a prayer service to follow.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the chapel at 11:00 Saturday morning. Interment will be private at a later date. Memorial donations in honor of Father Pierce made be sent to: Missionaries of the Holy Apostles Scholarship Fund, 22 Prospect Hill Road, Cromwell, Ct. 06416.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.
From the priests and brother of the MSA Washington DC Community,
Rest in Peace with Christ, Father Brad
R.I.P. Dear friend and mentor
I thank God for this man, his conversion, and cooperation with God’s call upon his life. Fr. Brad was the first “missionary” I met as I discerned a late call to the priesthood over 10 years ago. I will never forget my first interview with him as I described my journey through the “…the good, the bad and the ugly…” He responded: “Don’t worry Skip, whatever you’ve done, I’ll make you look like a choir boy!” Wow! Brad was always an encouragement and blessing to all he met. He will be dearly missed — and greatly celebrated. See you later old friend. Be at peace. Blessings, Fr. Skip, Cromwell, CT
Eternal rest grant unto him, Oh Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.
A wonderful priest and spiritual director who served the Lord with such compassion and gentleness. You are greatly missed.
You were the Best Father. What an example of humility and service. Such a good shepherd. God blessed you with such a beautiful smile, steady uplifting stable happy disposition. You ministered faithfully to the lonely and downtrodden at Cromwell crest for 30 + years. And continued to conform yourself to his holy will until he took you to Himself. So glad you were in my life here on earth. Help me to follow your example. Look forward to being with you again in heaven. Holy love and gratitude for all you did for me and everyone. There is so much rejoicing in heaven over you. Your friend in Jesus and Mary Julie
The Angel’s sang when he entered heaven. This man was the epitome of Christ on earth. His love and guidance changed the lives of many, myself included. His life was lived for the glory of God, bringing throngs of people to the faith over the years. If you were lucky enough to be in this man’s presence, you knew he was touched by God. I will miss you my dear, dear friend, but we will meet again soon and relax and chat over a soy latte!! Much love, Sue
Suzanne, I need to talk to you! Very, very important!
203-440-4662
RIP my dear friend. We were seminarians together and we always said that you would not make it. But you did. Thank God for your vocation.
We had a wonderful reminiscing time when I visited you last month.
God be with you always.
Thank you Fr. Brad for your prayers, your counsel, and your kindness. May you rest in the peace of our Lord Jesus whom you loved and served so well.
All here at Holy Apostles mourn his loss and pray for his eternal peace. Well done good and faithful servant!
Father Anthony McLaughlin
Vice-Rector, Holy Apostles College
I was so blessed to know Father Brad. He had a powerful spiritual presence. You could feel God’s love all around him. He just emanated God’s love. Going to confession was pure joy, and you could feel God’s healing grace through his beautiful words he was inspired to say. May God bless Father Brad and may he rest in God’s eternal glory! I know you are up there in heaven celebrating, free at last, and enjoying pure happiness!
Sad to hear of Fr. Brad’s passing, I can still remember the joy it used to exhibit at the seminary. Both he and his family will be in my prayers.
Father Brad was like family to my family. He was a wise and funny advisor, who gave me courage when I needed it to change my life. My brother Tony was a spiritual son to him, and will grieve his passing dearly. I am privileged to have known him, and pray that he receives a great reward for his life of holiness.
God called home a spiritual giant.
He joins now the Eternal Light.
My life will be forever enriched for
having known this extraordinary soul.
Amen, Father Brad.
Although I never had the chance to meet Father Brad in person, I had the privilege of speaking with him by phone on a few occasions. He shared his life story with me after I learned that he was the priest who ministered to the spiritual needs of the residents at the former St. Elizabeth nursing home (which, at the time, was a Roncalli-owned property). My father was a resident at St. Elizabeth’s from June of 2002 through December of 2002 which was during the time Fr. Brad was the nursing home’s chaplain. It gave me a deep sense of peace knowing that Fr. Brad ministered to my father’s spiritual needs while he was at St. Elizabeth’s. It also eased my anxieties knowing that Fr. Brad ministered anointing of the sick to my father during his last days. Fr. Brad’s life was a testament to the healing power of God!
Blessed God. All ways and always.
Fraternally, through the Society of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles’ (MSA) motto:
UNITED IN THE LORD JESUS.
so sorry to hear of your passing so late! Only found out on May 21, 20019!!!
How can I ever forget all you did and were for me over the years?
So happy I was at least able to visit you twice at the former Cromwell Crest.
Rest in peace, Fr. Brad! When we meet in heaven, we will both remind each other that
“if you and I made it, any one can!1”
Love, SR. PAULA (the hard-headed Italian)