Msgr. Cornelius P. Higgins 1918-May 11, 2001

A native of Cork City in Ireland, Msgr. Higgins graduated from the Christian Brothers School there and All Hallows Seminary and the National University in Dublin, where he received a master’s degree in education. He was ordained to the priesthood for the diocese on June 24, 1944 and returned to Ireland to pursue studies and receive a licentiate in canon law from St. Patrick’s College in Maynooth in 1946.

After serving as assistant pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Sacramento from 1947-48, he was secretary of the diocesan tribunal for 10 years before being named chancellor in 1958. He was appointed Chaplain of His Holiness by Pope John XXIII in 1959 and elevated to the rank of domestic prelate by Pope Paul VI in 1965.

A Short History of

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish

 

The Parish came into being in 1961 when Monsignor Cornelius Higgins, Diocesan Chancellor, arranged for its establishment on 6.5 acres of property on the corner of Norris and Robertson Avenues in Sacramento.

Even before the location or boundaries had been set, however, Monsignor Higgins, who was also to become the first Pastor had arranged for a community of Presentation Sisters from Cork, Ireland to staff the yet-to-be built school, and for the parish to be named "Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

The first Mass was said on February 16, 1961, and the gigantic task of building a convent, school and temporary church was undertaken.  Largely as the result of volunteer labor, the convent was completed when the Sisters arrived on August 22, 1961; the school was ready for classes in September; and the first Mass was celebrated in the temporary church (now the gymnasium) on October 1, 19661.  Under the auspices of many of the parish organizations still in existence, fundraising efforts were begun.  By the time Monsignor Higgins left in 1968, the debt had been retired.  The new church was erected and dedicated by Bishop Alden J. Bell on May 11, 1975.

The Presentation Sisters, who the Parish were named after, left the area in 1991.

 

We would like to develop a more comprehensive history of our Parish, including all the religious staff who have served here.  If you have any of the early yearbooks or directories please  contact David McAfee at davidmcafee@sbcglobal.net to add information to this brief history.