June 6, 2004
God Bless Father Leonard
See
the Pictures
People sometimes ask me what I do with the photos I take at various
parish events. Would you like to see? If you have internet access (or
a family or friend who does) go to the St. Brigid Web Site
www.saintbrigid.net
and click on the “photos”
link.
This month you can see the photos from this past Lent and Easter seasons
-- Holy Week celebrations, Confirmation, Communions, various parties,
award ceremonies, etc.
You might even see yourself! Then you cane-mail others to let them see
you and St. Brigid’s online.
Easter
Milestone
We received more Easter fund contributions during the past few weeks
which brings the total donations to over $100,000 this year! Alleluia!
and thanks!
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 30: Going & Coming
& Going
May 23: P.O.P.S.
May 16:Celebrating Our Parish
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
Later
this month Father Leonard will be returning to his homeland after having
earned his Masters Degree in
Computer Science. During his stay in the United States we were blessed
by his presence and ministry at St. Brigid’s. And it is with a heavy
heart that we let him go home.
“Good morning church!”
Who
among us didn’t smile when hearing Father Leonard’s familiar
greeting at mass. It made us realize that we are all the church, in union
with one another through the Holy Spirit. During these past weeks, people
have been commenting on how Father Leonard’s ministry here has touched
their lives -- of course he moderated certain ministries -- the altar
servers, the Black Catholic Ministry -- but beyond these particular responsibilities,
he really made a difference.
One woman told me how his prayers
had healed her. Another parishioner told me of his comforting words at
a funeral-- and Father Leonard celebrated a lot of funerals here, ministering
to so many families who lost a loved one. He has been a good confessor,
a caring counselor, a joyful presence in the midst of some troubling times.
Certainly he has been a brother
to me and the other priests in the rectory, always willing to help fill
in for one of us. I know that my perspective about the world, the church
an life has been expanded because of our dinner-time conversations. Father
Leonard can leave here knowing that he has made a difference.
We continue to pray for him down
the days ahead. God bless you Father Leonard. May God continue to reward
you for your goodness.
You are Person
