May 16, 2004
Celebrating our Parish
Father
Leonard's Case
Why did the diocese withdraw sponsorship of Father Leonard’s application
for permanent residency? It used to be fairly common for a foreign priest
to apply for permanent residency even if he didn’t intend to permanently
stay here. This gave him freedom to come and go. But after 9-11, homeland
security rules changed things and the diocese only acted as sponsor
for priests who actually planned to stay permanently and become part
of the diocese. Father Leonard made it clear that he was going to return
to his diocese in Nigeria. In fact, he was originally scheduled to return
in June 2004 -- when his bishop gave him the opportunity to stay for
another year, we were glad.he could stay -- but then the status of his
visa came into play. His current visa runs out and he cannot legally
stay. We have tried a variety of approaches to appeal this.
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:
May 9: Facing the Future
May2: Resurrection Sequel
April 25: Chapel Design
April 18: Oh what a week!
April 11: Easter Life!
April 4: Palms & Passion
March 28: Plenty Good Room
March 21: More Passion
March 14: Reconciliation
March 7: A sequel from Mel?
Feb 29: Come to
Life!
Feb 22:
An Adventure to Life
Feb15: A rose
by another name?
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
Colums from 2003
Columns from 2002
Each
year we celebrate our volunteer ministers with a “thank-you”
party and this year we’re planning to celebrate on Saturday, June
5th from 3 to 7pm with a barbecue at the school.
This year we have four guests of honor. Deacon Jim Morris and our retired
Deacon Phil Mattheis will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of their
ordination to the diaconate, so we’re honoring them at our thank-you
party. As we announced last week, Father George and Father Leonard will
be leaving St. Brigid’s and so we’ll be honoring them at our
party as well.
How can you be part of the celebrating? All we need to know is how many
people from your family will attend. You can use the form in the bulletin
to RSVP. If you’re the coordinator of any of the parish ministries,
I ask you to contact your members to let them know they’re invited
-- after all, this celebration is for them, as a way of saying “thank
you” for all the time and talent they share with our community.
The number one question I’ve
been asked about losing Father Leonard and Father George is: “ Will
we get priests to replace them?” The good news is that (as of this
writing) there is a plan to send two priests to us -- one who is fluent
in Spanish. I have interviewed three English-speaking priests this past
week who are eager to come to St. Brigid’s. Ultimately, the final
decision about the assignment of priests lies with the Priest Personnel
Board and Bishop Murphy.
I appreciate the outpouring of
prayers and support for Father Leonard, Father George and for myself --
so many of you have reached out to me with caring words. It is SO hard
to face the loss of these two brother priests (and they ARE like brothers)
so your kindness really helps during these days.
You are Person
