March 9, 2003
Beasts and Angels
Appeal
Update
Even
though this year’s Bishop’s Appeal goal for St. Brigid’s
was not raised from last year, I recently requested that the Bishop’s
Appeal Office evaluate our goal of $111,309. I noted that we were unable
to reach that goal last year and that was partly due to the fact that
the goal had been raised 21% from the year before.
I’m grateful that our goal has now been reduced by $10,000. If
we achieve this year’s new lower goal, we receive a $33,000 rebate,
which will go a long way to paying our bills.
The good news is that we’re more than halfway to that goal as parishioners
have pledged over $52,000 since the start of this year’s appeal.
Thank you to all who are supporting the work of the church through the
appeal and in other generous ways too. Pledge cards are available at
the back of church, at the parish center or you can pledge online at
our parish website.
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Past Columns
March 2: Lent and Imagination
Feb 23: Sorrow
Far and Wide
Feb 16: Saints
Feb 9: Columbia Lessons
Feb2: Giving At A Difficult
Time
Jan 26: Penny Power
& Catholic Schools
Jan19: Yet Another
Year
Jan 12: Stealing Jesus
Jan5: The Wise Still Come
From Afar
Columns from 2002
This Sunday of Lent we find Jesus out in
the desert surrounded by wild beasts and ministered to by angels. For
us too Lent is a time when we walk amidst “beasts and angels.”
Both are apparent if we only look. It’s not too hard to see the beasts
-- addiction, war, gangs, terrorism, abuse, hatred, prejudice, fear, etc.
It’s not too hard to see the angels either -- love in families, generosity
to those in need, those who work toward peace, folks taking steps toward
unity, etc.
Lent becomes a time when we can face the
beasts, and rely on the help of angels to conquer the beasts. Jesus comes
out of the desert with the prime lenten message: “Repent and believe
in the gospel.” So we go about “repenting” these days.
Repenting isn’t merely saying “I’m sorry,” although
that’s a good thing to do if we have hurt others. Repenting is about
imagining ourselves as being filled with Christ and then living that way.
Jesus offers us a chance to renew our life in him through the sacrament
of reconciliation.
Many children in our parish will be celebrating
this sacrament for the first time this Lent. You’ll get to meet them
and pray for them in the weeks ahead. At the penitential rite at the start
of some weekend masses, ( Saturday 5pm; Sundays: 10am, 10:15 , 11:30am,
6pm ) we’ll call the children forth into the sanctuary and bless
them as they prepare for this sacrament. They and their parents are trusting
our community to be the “angels” who will pray for and guide
these children by our own example. As you see the children stand before
you, imagine yourself in their midst. Feel the peaceful presence of the
Holy Spirit descend upon them and on you. And accept Jesus’ invitation
to experience a real peace and reconciliation that comes in this sacrament.
If has been a while since you celebrated this sacrament, don’t be
afraid. The priests are very happy to guide you through the sacrament
with gentleness and kindness.
Our beasts can be tamed, and the angelic side of our lives can shine this
Lent. We put ourselves in the loving presence of Jesus who survived his
desert experience, and who can help us survive ours.
You are Person
