February
12 , 2006
Passing
Pastor
Priorities
again
After a hiatus of several months, our parish Pastoral Council is meeting
again and reflecting on the hundred or so comments we received about
the Council’s description of eight priorities for St. Brigid’s
parish. (We published these in the bulletin several months ago.) I’m
mentioning this because the council would like to hear from a few more
people and if you have internet access you can read other people’s
comments and add your own at:
www.saintbrigid.net/
survey.html
The Council’s next step is to begin to recommend strategies to
develop the priorities for the future of our parish.
Baby
Bottles
Thanks to the many people who took baby bottles for the support of pregnant
mothers in need. Be sure to pray each day and to return the bottles
on the weekend of February 25/26th.
Census
Continues
Of the approximate 6,000 families we usually send mail to, we’ve
received completed Census booklets from over 2,000. So we’ve got
a ways to go.
Is your booklet in?
CollegeStudents
If you know students who are away at college, let us know so we can
keep touch via e-mail.
Sign up here!
e-mail Father Ralph:
Read Father
Ralph's Christmas Homily for 2005
Past Columns:
Feb 4: Annual Appeal
Jan 22: Abandoned Nets
Jan 15: Everlasting Life
Jan 8: I'm not going to
jail..
Jan 1: Happy New Year
Dec 25: Christ
Will Come Again
Dec 18: Angel
Approaching
More
Columns from 2005
Columns
from 2004
Columns from
2003
Columns from 2002
Father
Pastor Arroyave received a notice this past week in which he is to return
to his home diocese for pastoral reasons. Needless to say, we are all
surprised and saddened by his departure. Please pray for him.
He wrote this farewell message:
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
It's often not easy to arrive in a place where you do not know anyone
and where people do not know you, yet from the moment I arrived at St
Brigid, I was made to feel welcomed by so many wonderful people in the
community of Westbury, beginning with the group of priests, and finally
with the humble people of all the cultures represented here.
It's also very hard to leave a parish, yet this
a part of the reality for people who are called to serve. I'm writing
this letter to let you know that because of a decision of my superior
in Colombia, I am returning there this week. I am very grateful for your
love and the welcome that you gave me during the last four months that
I have shared with you. I pray that God will repay you and I will keep
you in my prayers and I ask for your prayers.
Thanks to Father Ralph and the rest of the priests.
Thanks to all people that work in the rectory and the parish offices.
Thanks to all my brothers and sisters.
With feelings of love and affection:
Padre Pastor Arroyave
+ + +
Right now we are praying for a
successor to come to St. Brigid’s soon who can minister full time
in the Spanish-speaking community. In the meantime, we’ll have visits
from other priests (including Father José) and Father Jack and
I, (and occasionally Father Charles) will celebrate the Spanish masses,
with the able assistance of Deacon Manuel. Please pray for our whole community.
Father Pastor's Message in Spanish
Mis queridos hermanos:
No es fácil llegar por primera vez a un lugar desconocido, pero
se hace fácil cuando al llegar, encontramos personas tan maravillosas
como las que encontré en la comunidad de Westbury, comenzando por
el equipo de sacerdotes y terminando por las personas más humildes
de todas las culturas aquí representadas. Sin lugar a dudas es
mucho más difícil partir, pero esta realidad es inevitable
en las personas dispuestas a servir sin importarle el lugar. Por decisión
de mi superior en Colombia, hoy me toca decirles por medio de estas letras:
Adiós, les agradezco muchísimo el amor y la acogida que
todos me brindaron en estos escasos cuatro meses de compartir con ustedes.
Dios les pague a todos y los llevo en mis oraciones y a la vez les pido
sus oraciones.
Gracias padre Ralph y demás sacerdotes, gracias personal que colabora
en la casa y en las oficinas, gracias hermanos todos.
Con sentimientos de cariño y afecto.
Padre Pastor Antonio Arroyave.