January 18, 2004
Our School
Missionary
Outreach
This past week we were joined by a group of Vincentian seminarians
who spent each morning and evening spreading an invitation to join St.
Brigid’s parish. Early each morning the seminarians, members of
the Spanish Young Adult Group and Father George went out to the streets
of the industrial area of New Cassel to bring coffee, rolls and coats,
hats and gloves to the day laborers who were waiting to be hired. In
the evenings they would visit the laundromats in town.
Then they held several prayer gatherings to share faith and to invite
people to be part of St. Brigid’s parish.
Thanks to all who were involved in this effort -- those who donated
coats and food, those who came out on these bitter cold mornings to
literally live the gospel by feeding the hungry and clothing people.
Web Bonus: See
Photos Online
At College?
At St. Brigid’s we like to stay in touch through
e-mail “letters from home.”
Once a person has an e-mail address at school (or if he/she uses a personal
address), please let us know what it is so we can include them when
we write.
Here's a handy college link so you
can send this info online.
e-mail Father Ralph:
Past Columns:
Jan 11: Baptism with Fire
Dec28: Our Holy
Family
Dec 21: Home
For Christmas
Dec14: Meddling
Grace
Dec7:
Moving Mountains
Other Colums from 2003
Columns from 2002
At
the last meeting of the school board we got to talking about what made
St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope School so valuable in the lives of the children
and families who are enrolled there. What I heard didn’t surprise
me a bit because ever since I’ve been at St. Brigid’s I’ve
heard countless stories of fond memories of St. Brigid’s School
proudly told by alumni. There’s something about our school that
has added to the community here for generations.
I wasn’t surprised to hear
what the parents said at that school board meeting because I had personally
experienced what they put into words. It’s nice to know that when
we’re celebrating Catholic School’s Week we’re not just
making up words to make us “look good.” We ARE good!
Here’s what I heard...
“Our school has something
for everyone -- from remedial help to the Academy of Inquiry...it’s
a nurturing environment...the school community is warm, embracing, inclusive,
friendly and dynamic. This is a place where learning is challenging --
but fun at the same time. There are wonderful opportunities for our kids.
We have great teachers here.”
I went to Catholic elementary school
myself and have been involved with Catholic schools for many years. In
my day we got a great basic education and the moral values of our families
were part of everyday school life. There was a religious and spiritual
dimension to school. All of this holds true today too but things have
changed. Decades ago the Catholic school often could not fund the arts
or physical education or science programs the way that public schools
could. Today our Catholic school has cutting edge computer technology,
wonderful art, scienceand enrichment programs.
If you’re looking for a great
school to help raise your children, come over and experience St. Brigd/Our
Lady of Hope during Catholic school’s week.
You are Person
