April
9, 2006
Jesus,
the Source of Peace
Sad News, Happy News
I don’t know how else to describe the phone call Father Jim Mannion
received from Bishop Murphy last week. Our bishop has invited Father
Jim to become the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Hicksville in June.
Father Jim accepted. So this is sad news for me and for us here at St.
Brigid’s where Father Jim’s care and spiritual guidance
has touched so many lives. We are going to miss this wonderful priest.
But it’s happy news too. The people of Holy Family parish are
going to be very blessed. And Father Jim is blessed to be a pastor again.
Please pray for him during his last Holy Week with us. We look forward
to his leading us in the prayers of this week.
Crowded
at Easter
We’ve
added extra masses on for Easter Sunday but even so you might find it
crowded.
Smile at others anyway!
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
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Sign up here!
e-mail Father Ralph:
Past Columns:
April 2: NOW, Can you Hear
Me?
Mar 26: Can You Hear Me
Again?
Mar 19: Can You Hear Me
Now?
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
We
can feel the excitement today, Palm Sunday, as people come from all over
to begin the holiest week of the year. With joyful praise we raise our
palms heavenward and wave them at the start of each mass.
But all too soon we are faced with
St. Mark’s stark account of the Passion of Jesus. While Matthew,
Luke and John tell of moments of comfort or glory or forgiveness in their
gospels, Mark paints a picture of one abandonment after another. Jesus’
last words are “My God why have YOU abandoned me?” And after
a loud cry, he breathes his last breath.
Over the last month or so I have
been involved in the stories of many people who have experienced abandonment
-- death of loved ones, attempted suicide, people whose loved ones have
fallen to additions, people who have lost their jobs, kids who have been
bullied, one of my relatives who was beaten by a gang,
people unfairly being sued, people struggling with depression, marriages
in trouble, relationships broken...oh how the crucifixions go on and on!
The power of the Passion of Jesus
in Mark’s gospel comes from knowing that Jesus understands all the
betrayals, injustices, and pain in our lives. He suffered what we suffer,
and yet in the end he gave his last breath as a breath of forgiveness.
On behalf of our whole staff at
St. Brigid’s I would like to extend our prayers for any who suffer
at this time. Know that you have caring and compassionate people who serve
here and who are ready and willing to be a listening ear, a source of
strength and comfort.
One way to experience the peace
and comfort of Jesus is to be part of our all-day Reconciliation day on
the Monday of Holy week. Priests will be available all day (except during
mass times) and we’ll conclude the day with an evening Penance Service
at 8pm. Come and know the healing love of Jesus.
