September 5th, 2004
Got Two Hours?
September
11th
The first days of September were blessed with the same kind of perfect
weather we had on that fateful September 11th when terrorists attacked
our nation. So while we were breathing in this clear end-of-summer air,
our collective memories were shuddering with a memory that won’t
go away.
Again, our prayers go out to those in our parish who lost loved ones
in the attack on the World Trade Center. As a parish we will be remembering
them at mass at the 9am Mass and the 5pm Mass next Saturday. All are
invited to join us for these special masses..
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:
August 29: In My Humble
Opinion
August
22nd: Hot Asphalt, Cool Church
August 15: A Big Assumption
August 8: Do It Anyway!
August 1: Parking Lot Joys!
July 25:"Doh!"
July 18: Taking Church Home
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
Got
two hours? We have168 hours a week and much of that is spent sleeping,
eating and working. But somehow we lose hours in front of the TV or the
computer and convince ourselves that we needed to “relax”
so the mind-numbing TV time is justified.
I’ve got a way to spend two hours that will enliven, refresh, challenge,
satisfy even the busiest among us: teach a religion class.
One hour of prep time; one hour
to teach. That’s it -- two hours a week. And you get to renew your
faith (actually it will be the Holy Spirit renewing your faith in you)
and you get to share the knowledge and love of God with the children of
our parish.
So you already have children of your own? Thus too busy to teach? Look
at it this way -- you already have to drive them to and from class. Why
not stay for the hour and skip one of those traffic-filled trips? What
a nice way to give example to your children about how much God means to
you? And there’s no better way to appreciate your own kids more
than to teach other people’s kids!
So you’re single and don’t
see how you fit into the life of the church? Here’s “instant
family” -- a group of kids who will come to see God through your
eyes. (Take it from a “single guy” -- it’s really rewarding!)
You get to be like a“parent in faith” without worrying about
paying their college tuitions or be kept awake nights when they’re
sick.
So you don’t have a degree in theology? Not to worry. Our directors
of Religious Education will train you, guide you, and give you what you
need for each lesson. We have good materials -- we’re looking for
good people. And you’re”good people”, aren’t you?
If you’ve read this far and counted yourself out as a catechist,
the please first have a prayerful chat with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit
might surprise you --indeed if the Spirit doesn’t lead you to teach,
you might discover what you’re meant to do in our parish this year!
If you're interested in becoming a catechjist, e-mail our Religious
Education Office or give them a call at (516) 333-9434.
You are Person
