February 8, 2004
A rose by another name?
Where
in the World?
Matt Lauer last week, Carmen Sandiego last decade, and now “where
in the world” is the pastor? Would you believe England?
Two reasons for this: my cousin lives there and there was this tempting
$127 airfare on sale. If I get a chance between sights, I’ll post
some photos online so you can
travel with me. See you next weekend.
Our
New Bulletin
How
have you enjoyed our new bulletin so far? People say its simpler to
find their way around, it’s easier to read and nicer to look at.
But did you know it also pays the parish? All church bulletins are provided
free to parishes since the cost is paid for by the advertisers. Some
bulletin companies engage in “revenue sharing” with parishes
and our new bulletin company has already sent us a check after only
a few months. In the course of a year we’ll be getting over three
times as much as we did in the past!
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:
Feb 8: If at first...
Feb 1: Our Patron Saint
Jan 25:A View From Inside
Jan 18: Our School
Jan 11: Baptism with Fire
Dec28: Our Holy
Family
Dec 21: Home
For Christmas
Dec14: Meddling
Grace
Other Colums from 2003
Columns from 2002
In the weeks ahead you’ll hear a lot
about the Catholic Ministries Appeal. This is a diocesan-wide effort to
collect money for Catholic Charities, education and pastoral ministries,
and parish support. Some may ask, “didn’t this used to be called
the ‘Bishop’s Annual Appeal’?” I’m happy to say
that this us not just a “rose by another name.” So what’s
the difference?
Bishop’s Appeal: The money
collected went to “the diocese”. It was hard to tell what it
was used for -- certainly it was used for feeding the hungry, educating,
helping others, heath care, etc. But it was also used for some administrative
expenses.
Catholic Ministries Appeal: The administrative departments
of the diocese will no longer be using the money raised in the appeal.
80% of the donations go directly to such entities as Catholic Charities,
the Seminary, support of Catholic Education, Respect Life Office, formation
of laity, etc. ...20% comes right back to our parish.
Bishop’s Appeal: We had to wait until our goal
was met to get any of the rebate money.
Catholic Ministries Appeal:
Our parish can get rebates much earlier on in the process. The
sooner we start giving, the sooner start getting.
Bishop’s Appeal: It was
not clear to many people exactly why we were raising this money.
Catholic Ministries Appeal: We’re
collecting donations not to “raise money” but to spend money!
We want to make a difference as the Catholic Church on Long Island and
we do that through Hospital Chaplancies, Religious Education and formation,
Catholic Schools, Social Service Ministries, Prison Ministry, Campus Ministry,
and so much more. Every dollar we collect is a dollar we spend on this
important work. If we don’t have it to spend, we cut back on the
work.
I hope that as a parish, St. Brigid’s
will wholeheartedly support this new way of funding these important programs.
You are Person
