May 8th

If you have ever read one of my blogs you already know I love gospel music.  Music connects us all and for me gospel  is a powerful expression of my journey with Christ.  On Sunday morning before I go to church I listen to gospel music to get me in the praise and worship mood.   WBLS  107.5 FM is a radio station that changes its tune on Sunday mornings and has what they call Sunday Praise.  They play the latest gospel hits and even count down the top ten of the week.  What really strikes me is that every week at the end of the program, Liz Black the announcer says,  “Don’t  just go to church, be the church”.

Have you thought about why you go to church?  Is it out of habit?  Are you trying to set a good example for your children? And when you walk in those church doors do you feel any different?  How do you feel when you walk out?   What does it mean to be the church?

Recently I’ve been receiving the same message from our pastor and priests.  Have you heard them  during the homily? How can we open our hearts and minds to worship and praise God as a church community as well as in the community at large?  I believe the answer is as simple as WWJD.  (What would Jesus Do?)

To be followers of Christ doesn’t end when we walk out the church doors.  The Apostles realized that to be true followers of Jesus,  they would  have to leave the safety and comfort of the upper room and go out into the world to spread the Word.   When Father Ralph asked us to invite someone to church, I believe he was asking us to be the church, to possibly go out of our comfort zone and talk to others about church.  To be active followers of Christ on the platform at the Westbury train station or during our book club meeting.   While shopping at Stop and Shop, on the golf course or walking down Post Avenue we are to be an example of Christ and His church.  To not be afraid to show and share our faith. The true meaning of being Christian is to be a follower of Christ.   By doing God’s work and simply answering the question “What would Jesus do?”, we show the world what it means to Be the Church.

This week’s gospel song is #1 on the gospel count down written by Grammy award winner Andre’ Crouch and sung by Pastor Marvin Winans.  What I like so much about this song is it’s simplicity.

The chorus is :

Let the church say Amen, Let the Church say Amen
God has spoken, let the church say Amen

“Amen” is that one word which means so much and affirms our faith.  The video has some stunning pictures of the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Corcovado near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I hope you like it.

May 7th

I attended the First Holy Communion celebration for a daughter of friends this past weekend at St. Brigid’s.  What a beautiful celebration!  All of the children were adorable and had a mix of excitement and nervousness about receiving the Body of Jesus for the first time.  In reflecting on the Gospel on Sunday (Johns 15:1-8) in which John writes, “Jesus said to his disciples:  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.  He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears fruit. . . “,  I thought of how we as parents prune our children.
 During the homily it was observed that we prune a branch to make it healthy; to give it shape and so that the branch will bear fruit.  With their gentle guidance, my friends have been pruning their daughter, she has a healthy love of God and they have given shape and direction to her life in Christ with the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and First Communion.  Regarding the fruits of their pruning, their daughter lovingly thanked and hugged everyone at her communion celebration individually for being there to share it with her.

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BLOOD DRIVE TODAY, MONDAY MAY 7th….Stop in at  Code Auditorium at St. Brigid’s School (101 Maple Ave, Westbury) from 4 to 9pm today to give a pint of life-giving blood.

May 5th

May 4

Can I play on your phone? Have you seen Teddy?. .I’m hungry, can we have a snack before dinner? Mommy, are you listening? Although I was “hearing” all these precious voices speak at once, I must admit: No, I was not listening!

I often wonder how God almighty, can listen to all his children at the same time! He knows each and every one’s needs, hopes, weakness and everything there’s to know and never fails to love and care for his children; He always listens! He’s our Good Shepherd!

Last Sunday, during his last Homily at St.Brigid’s before returning to Haiti, Father Wismick spoke about the characteristics of a good shepherd:

• cares for his flock,
• develops an intimate relationship with the ones he cares for,
•  knows how to gather all his sheep together as “one”, just like Jesus did. We come together as one, every time we receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

Father Wismick prayed that people will listen to the voice of Jesus, our good shepherd, to be able to respond and serve God. He asked the congregation to pay close attention to the young people, especially those who express an interest to serve God and consider doing so in consecrated life.

As Father Wismick begins a new mission in his beloved homeland of Haiti, we prayed that he will continue to be a courageous, dynamic and creative shepherd that brings all people as one, united in Jesus. We will miss you, Father Wismick!

May 3rd — From a guest blogger

Christ’s followers started off as part of the audience.  Peter denied him three times, the group locked themselves in the room for fear of retribution, punishment, the unknown.  Yet they eventually had the courage to be more active in their faith; to reach out to other; to preach about the salvation of the world because of Christ’s selfless act of sacrifice.  Many were put to death for their courage and their faith – many still are.  In this country, in our community we do not face nearly the same risk for demonstrating what we believe.  It still is not easy, but will you be willing to make a connection?  Can you take the step to invite someone to join you this weekend?  We – the congregation – can always make room for a few more.
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Catholic Snappleshot #2

Sister Mary MacKillop (1842-1909) also known as St. Mary of the Cross, was an Australian nun who dedicated her life to the education of the children of the poor and aboriginal communities.   She was briefly excommunicated in 1871 for her role in exposing clerical abuse.   Because of this role she is being petitioned to become the patron saint for the victims of abuse.

She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995 and canonized in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI.  This beloved saint of Australia has been the subject of a musical, her image projected on the historic Melbourne Bridge, she is on postage stamps and has a  pop song in her honor.  One of her memorable quotes, “never see a need without doing something about it”.

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Yes the Long Island Marathon is going to make “bringing someone to church” at 10am a bit of a challenge since most of roads around St. Brigid’s will be closed.
Again we print the access map:
 The early Christians had persecutions to dissuade them from gathering as a congregation.
We only have the marathon! 

May 2nd

I hope I can clearly explain the habit I tried to purify in myself.  Often, I tend to speak figuratively, or hyperbolically, or both. I realized that this is not always pure honesty, and it tends to blow up a situation into something bigger than it is. So I took on as a challenge the bible verse, “Let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37). I tried to speak plainly, simply, and to complete my thoughts rather than trailing off and leaving my listener (usually my husband) to read my mind and complete the sentence.   And sometimes (gasp!) I decided not to say anything at all.

 There is great fruit that can come of this.  Our responses become pure, and therefore the relationships we are trying to build and maintain have a firm foundation.  Clarity of understanding is increased, and misunderstandings are reduced.  Also, we are encouraged to have integrity, for our responses are not designed to evade or produce any hidden impression.

I am reminded of another measurement for communication that I once learned:  before adding something to a conversation, or bringing up a topic of conversation, one should ask of oneself before the words leave one’s mouth (or before we press send!):  Is it true?  Is it kind?  Is it necessary?

In a time of increased frequency of communication, taking care with one’s words is of increasing importance.  Their power is enormous.

May 1st

Baa! Baa! The sheep were hiding behind the organ, peeking out from behind a pillar and under a pew.  During the family Mass on Good Shepherd Sunday, St. Brigid’s children (the sheep) were playing a game of hide and seek!   There was Father Ralph in the sanctuary counting with his hands over his eyes, and I could almost hear him say, “come out, come out wherever you are!”

Funny I  thought the same thing when Father Ralph challenged us to share our faith by inviting someone to mass with us next Sunday.  Just who would we invite?  Someone from a different faith,  a person you just met who’s looking for a new church home, or perhaps a family member who hasn’t come to church in a while.

At work,  cocktails parties, and some family gatherings the quickest way to clear a room or start an argument is talk about religion and/or politics!  Even on the internet we only forward certain emails to those who we believe won’t be offended.  Clearly the age of  political correctness has its advantages.  We teach tolerance and acceptance.  But I wonder, how comfortable are you asking someone to come to church with you?  And if you are uncomfortable, why?  We are quick to recommend a restaurant or a good movie but CHURCH!  Who would do such a thing?

I would.  I love coming to St. Brigid’s every Sunday.  It helps me center myself for the week.  It’s like gassing up your car for the week ahead.  Nothing moves until the Spirit moves — and the Spirit moves at St. Brigid’s.

So to all my friends and acquaintances, what are you doing this Sunday around 10am?   I’ve got this great place you should check out.  Come out. Come out wherever you are!
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WARNING!!  If you’re coming to Saint Brigid’s this Sunday morning you will be faced with substantial road closures during the Long Island Marathon.
Here’s a map of how to get to Saint Brigid’s if you’re coming from the east.  GIve yourself an extra 30 minutes of travel time.

Basically you’ve got to get to Hempstead Tpke,  go to Meadowbrook Pkwy,  go north to Old Country Road and go West til you get to near Post Ave — then go through the Breezy Hill neighborhood for a couple of blocks.  You can do it!

April 30th

Whew! It has been a long week.  It started out full of joy and celebration.  Our daughter reaffirmed the promises that we, her parents, and her godparents made on her behalf when she was baptized.  She accepted the gift of the Holy Spirit and she was filled with Jesus’s love.  When she spoke the words “I do”, our hearts swelled at the sound of its sincerity and conviction.  As Peter said when he was filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus is the cornerstone by which the human race is to be saved. Her faith in the promise of salvation the Holy Trinity represents for her is the cornerstone that will guide her life.

Then my DH (that’s internet-speak for dear husband) was laid low by a very painful, but temporary illness.  Not having any experience with his condition, I was very distressed about how to handle his care.  After two days at home with him I returned to work, fretting about leaving him with family members.  As I rode on the LIRR I was seated in front of a man who was reading his newspaper.  About half way to Penn Station, he folded his newspaper and stored it in his briefcase.  He then closed his eyes and made the sign of the cross.  I could see his lips moving lightly as he prayed.  In that moment, I felt God’s presence.  It was as though the Holy Spirit filled me with a sense of peace and purpose when I too began to pray.  I felt the concern and anxiety fall away and I knew DH would be alright.