BRIDGEPORT—Reverend Jose de Brito Alves died, this morning, September 6, in Portugal. He was 78 years of age.
“Many in our Diocese will fondly remember Fr. Alves for his long-time ministry to the Portuguese community at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Bridgeport,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano. “Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Alves and the consolation of his family.”
Jose de Brito Alves was born on May 25, 1944 in Portugal, the son of Manuel Jose Alves and Isaura Mendes de Brito, in the parish of Mei, municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, Diocese of Viana do Castelo.
From an early age he felt the call to the priestly life, attending the Braga Seminaries from 1955-1967.
On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima, he was ordained a priest on August 15, 1967, in the Sanctuary of Fátima, by Cardinal D. Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira.
On August 29, 1967, he was appointed by the Archbishop of Braga as parish priest of Cossourado and Linhares, municipality, archpriestship of Paredes de Coura. After two years, he was released from the parish of Linhares to take over the community of Sapardos, municipality of Vila Nova de Cerveira in June of 1969.
Father Alves requested permission from his bishop to come to the Diocese of Bridgeport to serve the Portuguese community of the city of Bridgeport. Bishop Walter Curtis agreed to receive Father Alves and in May 1975, he was appointed as the Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Bridgeport. He served in that capacity until 1996, when he was appointed Administrator of the parish. Father held this appointment until his retirement in 2019.
In his retirement Father Alves returned to the Diocese of Viana do Castelo, residing and collaborating pastorally in Arcos de Valdevez. On October 18, 2019, he was temporarily appointed parish priest of the parishes of Álvora and Portela, archpriestship of Arcos de Valdevez.
All services will be conducted for Father Alves in Portugal.
