Brian has been working on a special project to honor his dad Tom who died in 2015. With some help, he built this cross using wood from our ranch, reviving a project his father worked on many years ago.

In 1985, Father Vincent Brady and a good family friend of the Heffernans Vince Flynn discussed the need for something symbolic in front of Sacred Heart School in Red Bluff to visibly reflect its Catholic identity. They wanted a clear sign of the faith the school was built on.

A parent, John Schwaller, who was also an artist, suggested placing a cross and offered to sculpt a figure of Christ from copper wire he had in his garage. It was a simple, generous offer that became something lasting.

In 1986, after Vince lost his life in a tragic small plane crash, the project was set aside. The cross remained unfinished for a time.

Tom moved his family to Red Bluff in 1988 to run the Flynn family farming operation, Pacific Farms, became active in the school and the project was revived.

The wood for the cross came from a black walnut tree on the Flynn ranch. The figure was completed, and in October 1988, the cross was erected by Tom and the men from Pacific Farms.

After 38 years, the wood had deteriorated and the cross became a safety hazard, so it had to be taken down.

At the urging of his mom and Vince’s widow Jane Flynn - their sons Brian and Brendon worked on building and erecting a new cross.

Brian milled lumber from a cedar tree on our ranch, built cross inspired brackets and the figure of Jesus was brought out of storage. On February 27, the new cross was raised. Robert Boyce, one of the original crew members from 38 years ago, returned to help.

Brendon and Brian completed the work their fathers had started, honoring the faith and legacy that began decades ago.