June
25, 2006
One
Here, One to Come
Postponing the Raffle
In order for us to give away $10,000 in the Super Raffle, we need to
sell 250 chances. So far, we’re up to 90. Therefore we’ll
postpone the raffle until the fall so we can sell the rest of the chances
over the summer months.
Sommer
in the Summer
Each summer, I look for opportunities to get together with parish families
for conversation (and dessert). It works like this -- give me a call
(or e-mail me) with a possible date; invite friends and neighbors over
(around 12 is a good number); think of questions or topics you’d
like to discuss; make dessert.
This is a good way for me to hear what people are interested in or concerned
about and to get to meet them outside the church setting. You can reach
me via e-mail:
shepherd@saintbrigid.net
Welcome
Home
Many of our college students are home for the summer and we’re
happy to see them back at St. Brigid’s on the weekends. Congratulations
to all who successfully completed another semester and especially to
all who graduated Congratulations to all who are graduating from high
school too.
Census
Continues
Of the approximate 6,000 families we usually send mail to, we’ve
received completed Census booklets from over 4,000. So we’ve got
a ways to go.
Is your booklet in?
e-mail Father Ralph:
Past Columns:
June 18: A Father's Gift
June 11: Charity Begins
At Home
June 4: Turning Silver
May 28: Eight Years •
Eight Months
May 21: If Any
May14: Celebrating Mothers
May 6: Celebrating Priests
April30: Baked Fish
April 23: What we hear
April 16: Out of the Tomb
April 9: Jesus, Our Source
of Peace
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
It’s
time for some good news. After a long wait, we received notice that Father
Derlis Benitez has been assigned as Associate Pastor at St. Brigid’s
for three years. (We’re still waiting to hear which priest will
be assigned to replace Father Jim, but in the meantime I’m very
happy with the news of Father Delis’ assignment.)
Father Derlis has been living at
the rectory for the past few months, but hadn’t been assigned here
until now and we’ve really gotten to enjoy his company.
Father Derlis was born on July 24 ,1967 in Guaira, Paraguay; in a very
religious Catholic family . He is the fourth of six children,three boys
and two girls. His father died in January of 2005 and his mother is 69
years old and she is happily living with her other sons and daughters.
Father Derlis was ordained on October 22, 1995 and since that time he
has been working in the diocese in Pilcomayo , in the region of Chaco,Paraguay,
a undeveloped area with various indigenous indian groups. He like to play
sports and write poetry.
Father Derlis speaks Spanish and
a native Paraguayan language and has been studying English at Nassau Community
College.
Soon he will begin to celebrate English masses during the week.
During his stay at St. Brigid’s,
Father Derlis will be studying communications. When he returns to his
diocese, he will be bringing back knowledge of technology to help communicate
between the far-flung communities.
Now we’ll wait to see who
will replace Father Jim who is leaving this Wednesday to become pastor
of Holy Family Parish in Hicksville. We expect to hear by mid-summer.
Our new priest might not be coming til the end of the summer. Keep praying.
