July 18th, 2004
Bring Church Home
Last
Week's Mission Appeal
Thanks to everyone who gave so generously to last week’s mission
appeal. $5,791 was donated.
For
the Protection of
Children
St. Brigid’s is participating in the diocesan program which seeks
to create a a safe environment for children (and all people, for that
matter). We’re currently doing criminal background checks on all
employees of the parish and of the school, as part of the diocesan-wide
program. In the fall we will be asking each parish volunteer to sign
a “code of conduct” in which our ministers and volunteers
agree to help create a safe environment for all people here at St. Brigid’s.
We’ll publish the code in the bulletin for all to see.
Sommer
in the Summer
Got some things you’d like to ask a priest? Want to have a nice
conversation about God, the church, the world, the future? Like hosting
gatherings in your home? Got dessert? Then you’re a candidate
to host one of this year’s Sommer in the Summer sessions. Father
Ralph Sommer wants to visit folks throughout the parish throughout the
summer for as chance to hear what people are thinking, wondering about,
or questioning. The process is casual and simple. Pick a date with Father
Ralph (during the day...or evenings). Then invite friends or neighbors
to come. (Twelve people is a good number for this.) Tell them to prepare
some questions or topics they’d like to talk about. Get dessert.
This is a good way for a pastor to get to know folks in an informal
setting.
E-mail or call Father Ralph if you’d like to host.
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:
July 11: Seven Eleven
July 4th: Independence Day
June 27: God Bless Father
George
June 20: Our New Priests
June13:Missing you
June 6: Farewell Father
Leonard
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
We recently had the chance to have
a scale model of St. Brigid’s Church made and we were able to order
a limited number of these so parishioners could have a “mini-St. Brigid’s”
in their own home. (For some, it’s a keepsake, reminding them of all
the special moments that took place in the church -- weddings, baptisms,
communions, etc. For others it is a beautiful addition to a Christmas village.)
The model comes complete with lighting.Some people have seen the sample at the Parish Center and reserved their copy. The shipment of these churches has come in and they can be picked up during office hours. If you haven’t seen the model and would like to see it or buy one (or more), come over to the Parish Center after mass or during the week. Or check it out at our online store.
What’s the cost? (The good news is that due to the generosity of a parishioner, no parish money was used to fund this project.) Each model is being sold for $25. (Once we run out, if we need to re-order, the cost will be higher in the future so this is the best time to get one at this price.)
Now that I’ve finish “selling” the church, may I invite you to “sell” our parish? That is, encourage others to come with you to mass on Sundays or to any of the many activities that make St. Brigid’s a center for God’s life and love. So many people are hungering for a deeper life with the Lord and as you know, we can find that through the community here, through the sacraments here. The little model of the church is cute. The model of living as a church community is awesome. Let’s bring folks to that experience of God’s presence among us.
You are Person
