March
19, 2006
Can
You Hear Me Now?
Thank
You
Two weeks in a row our collection topped $21,000 which shows that many
people have responded positively to our Take-A-Step appeal to increase
regular weekly offerings at St. Brigid’s. Many people returned
their cards and indicated that they would give more each week. Some
wrote that their means didn’t allow them to give more but that
they were still committed to giving what they could to the church. I
thank those who took the time to add little notes about what they appreciate
about all that happens at St. Brigid’s. And only one anonymous
card was sent back with the suggestion that I “drop dead”.
(While I usually try to be responsive to parishioner wishes, I’m
afraid I’m going to decline that request, God willing). I express
the gratitude of all of us here at St. Brigid’s for the steps
you’re taking to make our ongoing ministry possible.
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?
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Past Columns:
Mar 12: Now Take 4Steps
March 5: Take A Step
Feb 26:Coming Home
Feb19: Visiting Heros
Feb 12: Passing Pastor
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
Columns
from 2005
Columns
from 2004
Columns from
2003
Columns from 2002
The
wireless phone company commercial features a man walking through different
neighborhoods saying “Can you hear me now?” It’s a good
commercial because most cell phone users have used this phrase at least
a few times. But our parish staff got an insight one day that this phrase
has probably been used by God ever since Adam and Eve were created!
“Abraham, can you hear me
now?”... “Moses, can you hear me now?”... “Jeremiah,
can you hear me now?”... “Mary, can you hear me now?”
God has been calling people for generations. So we thought to use this
slogan for our upcoming Lenten Mission at St. Brigid’s. During the
week of April 2nd we’ve planned a great mission program in which
we can take four simple steps to hearing God’s call in our lives.
In addition to a mission presentation after the 12:10 mass each day, and
the evening mission program, we’ll also be doing a dynamic presentation
for all the children in our school and Religious Education Program. Parents
are invited to stay for the Religious Education session that their child
attends so they too can experience this mini-mission for kids.
Now I’d like to ask for your
help again. A few weeks ago I asked you to consider bringing more contributions
to church. Now I’d like to encourage you to bring more people to
church. When you see your neighbors, when you’re talking to your
local relatives, when you have an opportunity to speak with others, would
you invite them to come to our Mission? (Click
here for details.)
So often I hear those who attend a program at St. Brigid’s “Oh
I wish more people were here to experience this!” Well these next
two weeks are an opportunity to pray for some inspiration about (a) who
to invite and (b) how and when to invite them. You can invite folks to
come to all or part of the mission. Invite them to meet you here..or come
with you...or volunteer to pick them up. Whether it’s the daytime
session or one of the evening sessions, it will be a blessing to hear
God now!
