First we want to wish all of you a Happy New Year and pray that God’s blessings will be upon you and your family throughout the year ahead.

Classes are back in session starting today and we look forward to seeing everyone again after a wonderful Christmas.  (Note:  Teen Classes start again NEXT week and the Level II Confirmation classes start again the week of January 23rd.)

Here are some things of interest we want to call to your attention…

PARISH PHOTO ALBUM
Over 600 families have signed up and many have already had their photos taken for this parish ‘yearbook’ — although we won’t do another one for ten years.  So be sure you’re signed up.  You get a free album and a free 8×10 portrait just for participating. (You can buy other photos if you’d like but there’s no requirement to do so.)
Check out these people who had their photos taken over the past couple of weeks…

For info on how YOU can sign up (and hurry…dates are closing out fast)
go to http://www.saintbrigid.net/y_upcoming/photoalbum.html 

FIRST RECONCILIATION
The group photos of the children who celebrated their first reconciliation are online.
http://www.saintbrigid.net/communion/communion12/reconciliation11/rec11.html
Click on the photo of the session your family attended and you can print out a large photo of the children.  And parents,  if you haven’t already done so,  please fill in our survey here:
http://www.saintbrigid.net/communion/communion12/reconciliation11/recfeed.html
Thank you!

CONFIRMATION • LEVEL ONE
For those who did not yet become candidates for Confirmation,  Father Ralph says he’s been enjoying meeting individually with those who still wish to do so.  E-mail him at
shepherd@saintbrigid.net to set up a meeting.
Here’s a couple of photos from the Rite of Acceptance…

 And we’re still waiting to hear feedback from the candidate and their parents.  You can take of that right here:
http://www.saintbrigid.net/confweb/12conf/accept/feedback.html

ARE YOU SUBSCRIBED?
If you haven’t subscribed to this blog,  you might miss out on some important info in the days ahead.  Be the first to know about the date of Confirmation and other updates.
Simply go to: http://www.saintbrigid.net/blog/reled/subscribe-for-free and enter your e-mail address.

If the Friday after Thanksgiving was called “Black Friday,”  the weeks before Christmas (the four weeks of Advent) might be called “Purple Weeks.”  When the priest wears purple vestments,  you can tell your children that it is a “getting ready” season.  (Advent is the “getting ready” season for Christmas.  Lent is the “getting ready season” for Easter.)

This time of year we are getting ready for Jesus to come — not just at Christmas,  but did you know he’s coming into your life now?  In fact on the first Sunday of Advent in our new missal we ask God to help us to “run” to Jesus.  Question: How can we lead our children to Jesus?

Here are a few things you can do with your children for Advent.

MAKE AN ADVENT WREATH…
There are many ways to do this.  CLICK HERE for an article on how to make a basic advent wreath.   Start this week by lighting the first candle.  Then each week,  light another candle so that by the fourth week all four candles are burning.

JOIN IN THE ADVENT PAGEANT ON DECEMBER 17th at 3pm…

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Two rehearsals will be held in St. Brigid Church

Rehearsal Dates
Thursday, December 8th from 4:30 – 5:30 pm Dress Rehearsal – Wednesday, December 14th from 4:30 – 5:30 pm

We’re looking for angels and shepherds of all ages. Simply come to rehearsal. If you are in 2nd, 3rd or 4th grade and are interested in one of our lead parts (Mary, Joseph, Innkeepers, Wise Ones, Angel Gabriel, or Shepherd Angel), submit your name by November 28th.

Of course, we will need a baby Jesus. So if you know of a baby who is six months or younger, please submit his or her name as well.

Submit names to: Liz Hegarty at 997-5089 or ehegarty@optonline.net
or Karen Simons at 876-2163 or karenmsimons@hotmail.com

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Hey Mom and Dad!  NEED SOME BABYSITTING SO YOU CAN DO SOME SHOPPING?  

Our teen group at St. Brigid’s, Youth@SaintBrigid once again offers
parents the chance to do some holiday shopping and leave the kids with us.

On Saturday, December 10 from 1pm-5pm and again on Sunday, December 11
from 2pm-5:45pm babysitting services are available for children ages 4-12.

One child $20, 2 children $25, 3 children $30 for the session.

Please bring a bagged lunch for your child.  Snacks and juices will be
available.
Advanced registration is required as there is limited space.
Please e-mail the names, ages and date you are interested along with your
phone number to youth@saintbrigid.net by Thursday, December 8.

Bring your kids to BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AND SAINT NICHOLAS

On Sunday, December 4th, St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope School will again be hosting a breakfast for ALL parish families.  We start by attending the 9:15 Mass in the school chapel with the children and their parents.  Breakfast then is served in Code Auditorium.
Advance tickets are DEFINITELY needed for the Breakfast (of course no tickets are needed for the mass.)  Tickets are only $5 per person and are available at the Parish Center and at the school office.

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We Begin “Roman Missal 3.0″ this Sunday!

For the past month Father Greg and Father Ralph have been teaching the children in our program about the new missal.  On this,  the first Sunday of Advent,  we start with the new prayer.  Please be sure to bring your family as we start this new way of praying.
And remind your children, when the priest says “The Lord be with you.”  all should respond: “And with your spirit.”

ONE LAST THING>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Check out our FAMILY BLOG for daily help to raising your children (and yourself) in the faith.

We just want to wish you a safe and Happy Halloween!
And to remind you that there are no regular religion classes this week.

TOMORROW (Tuesday) is All Saints Day — one of the Holy Days in the church.
Come see our “saints” on the lawn:

 
And come to Mass with your family.  Haloween at 5pm or Tuesday,
ALL SAINTS DAY at 7am,  9am, 12:10pm or 7:30pm
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Wednesday is All Soul’s Day when we pray for all our loved ones who died.
In addition to the morning masses (7am, 9am 12:10pm)  we have a special 8pm Candleight Mass for those who died and were buried from St. Brigid’ds during the past year.
All are invited. 

Parents are very busy people. Did you know that by being a parent, you are serving God in “Family Ministry”? You help your children in so many ways and you are the disciples of Jesus by doing the ordinary day-by-day tasks for your children with love. Feeding, clothing, getting that extra drink of water for them, helping them with their homework, getting them ready for bed, are precious parent moments.

In these moments, putting God first is a priority. Children desire, as well as you do, moments to communicate with God. So before you eat and/or before they sleep, take time to ask God to bless the food that you are about to eat. Thank God for it. Before they sleep, ask your child to kneel at the side of their bed. Make the Sign of the Cross together. Ask God to bless people that they know by name. Pray for those who are sick. Pray the Our Father together. Say you are sorry or ask for forgiveness, if hurtful things happened in the family that day. Close by blessing your child with the sign of the cross on their forehead, as you did at their baptism. Ask them to bless you.

There are added blessings to the family who prays together. Come to the 10am Family Mass on Sunday (or any other Mass). When families pray together and thank God for their week together, the whole parish community is strengthened in a new way by the Holy Spirit.
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Sister Ann Horn is a Dominican Sister and is one of our Directors of Religious Education at Saint Brigid’s.  She also works with adults who are seeking to join the Catholic church.
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Now that we’ve got your attention,  let us explain about two upcoming events:
Our Fall Blood Drive will be on Monday,  November 7th from 4pm to 9:30pm in St. Brigid’s school auditorium.  After all the fake blood that will be in circulation on Halloween,  it’s time for the “real thing.”  Stop in and give a pint.  Save some lives.  Bring photo ID.
To sign up to let us know you’re coming:  click here 

And now….CUPCAKES!
 When you come to the Family Mass (10am at church) this weekend, plan on staying a while after for our cupcake decorating party.  Children get to decorate their own cupcakes (to share with their parents, of course).  Just another “St. Brigid Moment” to share with families.
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FIRST RECONCILIATION FAMILY RETREATS START THIS WEEKEND
Parents and the first-reconcilation child come to one of these retreats:
Saturday, October 29  either 10am or 1pm
OR
Saturday, November 12 at 10am

Bring scissors, glue, crayons or markers with you.  You’ll need these to complete the retreat project. Bring some pebbles with you too.  Why?   You’ll see!
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FIRST COMMUNION PARENT MEETING: (ENGLISH)  FOR PARENTS ONLY
Parents come to  one meeting –either Wednesday, October 26th at 7:45pm or
Wednesday, November 16th at 7:45pm

REUNION PARA LOS PADRES DEL NIÑOS QUE VAN A RECIBIR LA PRIMERA COMUNION (EN ESPAÑOL)
Domingo, 6 de Noviembre a las 1:30pm  Code Auditorio en la escuela
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LEVEL ONE CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES AND PARENTS
Attend ONE of the Spirit Sessions:
Sunday,  October 30th 2:45 in the School Chapel
OR
Sunday, November 6th 2:45 in the School CHapel

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And don’t forget,  Father Greg and Father Ralph are doing their “AMAZING MASS MOMENT” presentation during religious education classes in the School Chapel on these days:
October 24, 25, 26…
November 7th & 9th…
November 14,15 16
Parents are invited to sit in on any of these presentations to learn about the new prayer book that we’ll start using at Mass at the end of November.
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FIRST RECONCILIATION PARENT MEETING…
Tonight,  Wednesday October 19th,  7:45pm  School Chapel
For all parents of children receiving first reconciliation this year.
(This meeting is not designed for the children;  it is a prep meeting for the parents.)

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REFLECTION OF THE WEEK: TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED

What are you grateful for?  Your family?  Your education?  A good job? 
Lots of gadgets and devices?  The freedom to do, say, and obtain whatever you want – whenever you want it?

Do you awake each morning in gratitude with anticipation of the joy you will find throughout the day?  What do you wake up each morning seeking?  What is your focus?

It’s easy to identify and rattle off our lists of things we are happy for in our lives and we are more likely to bring our gratefulness before God when it’s all going our way, but what about the need to thank God for prayers unanswered… or in reality, answered with a “not yet” or even a “no”?  What about mining the gold that can be found in our pain and suffering?  What about the gold that can be found throughout the seemingly mundane?

I was going through a particularly hard time filled with much stress and anxiety that was impacting my relationships and my overall health.  A friend presented me with a gift… a coffee mug inscribed with this message… “Too Blessed to Be Stressed”… it jolted me back a few years to an experience in an elevator where I asked a woman how she was as a polite greeting.  Not really expecting anything but a response of “fine” or “OK” … she responded “To Blessed to Be Stressed” and back then, and again with the coffee mug, God was inviting me to take stock of the blessings I take for granted throughout the average day…. family, friends, employment, the breaking of morning, the ability to see and hear birds singing,  the gift to start anew… the truth that no matter what happens, I am not alone.  God walks with me in and through every joy, every pain, climbs every mountain and sometimes just sits by my side and hopes I will notice him.

There was TV show a few years back called “Joan of Arcadia”.   Joan was a teenage girl who was able to physically see God in various forms… a teenage boy….the cafeteria aide…a stranger in the park.

One particular scene stays with me to this day.  Joan asked the teenage boy version of God to prove himself by showing her a miracle.  He pointed to a tree at which Joan quipped “that’s just a tree” and he replied “let’s see you make one.”

We need to be diligent in our seeking and allow God to reveal himself in ordinary and extraordinary ways.  Look for God and you will find him…  in relationships- your parents, your spouse, your children, your friends, in your circumstances, in your joys and in your sorrows, in the exciting and the mundane, and yes… perhaps even in a tree.
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Vince is a husband, father, and when he’s not working in the financial market, he’s  our High School Youth group coordinator who reminds kids that the next meeting of Youth@SaintBrigid is on Sunday November 6th at 7pm.  All parish HS teens welcomed.

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COMING SOON TO A CHURCH NEAR YOU…

Over the next few weeks, children in religious education classes are being treated to “Fr. Greg and Fr. Ralph’s Amazing Mass Moments” — a multi-media show about the new prayers that will be starting at the end of November.  Parents are invited to stay in the school chapel for this presentation during the regular class time so they can learn about these new prayers.  And if your children were at this Tuesday’s 4th, 5th and 6th grade presentation,  what did they think of it? It’s time for the “reviews”…you can share these in the reply section below.

Hey parents….show your children this picture of a Roman coin.  When they listen to the Gospel this weekend, they’ll understand it better.

It’s the story of the people who were trying trap Jesus over the issue of taxes.  (TAXES!!  Imagine that!  Even back then!!)

In order to get out of the trap Jesus asks to see one of the coins. He asks “Whose head is on the coin?” and he famously says, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,  but give to God what belongs to God.”

And thank you for bringing your children to Mass this weekend.  After all,  by doing this you are “giving to God what belongs to God.”  – both the gift of time AND the gift of your children.  Jesus loves when the children come to him.
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IF YOU HAVE TEENS IN HIGH SCHOOL…

This Sunday (October 16th)  we’re having the next meeting of Youth@Saint Brigids at 7pm -9pm  in the school.  All high school teens welcome.  It’s “hero night” — this week we serve heros to eat and talk about the heros in our lives.

I am looking forward to welcoming children and their parents/guardians/caregivers as they gather for class each week in the chapel……I am looking forward to seeing our children and their parents when I am at Mass on Sunday…. I am looking forward to seeing our dedicated catechists teaching our children….I am looking forward to being with First Reconciliation and First Communion parents at their parent meetings;  parents/children on their retreat days; all families at the reception of First Reconciliation First Communion, and Confirmation as well.   Sister Ann M. Horn O.P.

An invitation to parents…

Al comenzar este año escolar en la formación religiosa de su niño, haga una promesa que este año será uno en el que ud. va participar activamente  involucrándose  más en lo que implica el esttudio de su niño.  El traerlo a clase y recogerlo una ves a la semana no debería ser la única forma en que ud fisicamente participa.  Sea una parte viviente en el aprendizaje de su hijo mostrando interés y curiosidad en su estudio.  Ud. dirá que ya está cumpliendo con esa misión trayendolo semanalmente  a clases de religión.  Esto desde luego es lo más importante, pero no es suficiente.  Lo que falta aquí es us presencia en su desarroyo.  Si ud. se pregunta, “cómo podría yo hacer esto”?    Aserquese a mi que con gusto le doy una respuesta.

This year promise yourself that you will want to be an active participant in your child’s religious education experience.  Dropping off & picking up your child from religion class is only a start. Be a living part of your children’s religious education process by showing interest and curiosity in their faith formation. Bringing them to class is important, but it is not enough.  YOUR  active participation in his religious upbringing will have a more lasting effect. Ask yourself,  ”How can I lead my child closer to God and the church through my example?”   Please ask me, I’ll be glad to share my experience with you.
– Soccoro Moreno

I’m looking forward to…

• being part of the team here at st brigid whose desire it is to help each other see God in our lives…

• the chance to help our teens see God’s action in their lives through His Gifts and to help them straighten their relationship with God…

• helping to lift and be lifted by the dedication and spirit of our catechists…

• helping our middle schoolers connect what they hear to what they do and how they treat others to God…

• another chance  to help students and parents know that the Sacraments are not magic moments celebrated and put in memory but to help us live better and closer to God
–Meg Westfall

As we begin a new year in Religious Ed,  I am looking forward to the opportunity to help our young people to put their faith in motion in practical ways.  It is important that we cover the curriculum, but we all
–catechists and parents — must also recognize the teaching power of the lives we lead.  I pray that my life will witness to the faith I profess and I hope to be able to influence young people to use theological reflection as a tool for their own spiritual growth. – Vince Buzzeo

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Question:  What are YOU looking forward to this coming year?