September
3 ,2006
Back
to School
Priests
Coming and Going
Thanks to Father Francis who spent a couple of weeks with us while I
was on vacation. We’re still awaiting official word as to who
is replacing Father Jim. In the meantime, we’re happy to welcome
Father Irinel Racos, from the diocese of Rieti, Italy who will be helping
us for the next month. And since Father Anthony has finished his work
at the hospital and returned to Ghana, the diocese has assigned Father
Luke Anameze to become the new chaplain at Nassau University Medical
Center with residence at St. Brigid’s. While his full time job
will be at the hospital, he will be celebrating mass from time to time
at St. Brigid’s. Father Luke is from Nigeria. We’re happy
to welcome him to our home.
Merry
Christmas!
Our “Christmas in August” debt-cancelling campaign is up
to over $25,000 in donations in just two weeks. Thanks!
Off
to College?
Are you going off to college? Is your child going to college? At St.
Brigid’s we like to stay in touch via occasional e-mails as we
send photos and news from “home”. College students wishing
to be connected through our “Letters from home” can sign
up online here
or you can mail or
e-mail thecollege names and e-mail addresses to Father Ralph and he’ll
put them on the list.
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:
August 27: Merry Christmas
August 20: Wine or No Wine
August 13: Mangia...
August 6: Mixed News
July 30: Impossibly Little
July 23: Come away!
July 16: Got a Mission?
July 9:Missing God
July 2: Jesus Interrupted
June 25: One Here, One to
Come
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
Sorry
kids...school starts this week! After a last soggy week of vacation, it’s
time to load the backpacks, take a deep breath and get ready to head out
for another year of learning.
What if you could take someone
with you who
• is your best friend?
• can protect you from your worries?
• lets you be your best?
• makes you smile, even when things are tough?
• helps you to know that you’re really fine?
You can! It’s Jesus. Here’s
how it works: If you’re old enough to receive Jesus in communion,
you know that Jesus comes to you at mass. On Sunday, you’ll receive
Jesus in communion so take some time later in the day to talk to Jesus
who is living in you. Tell him about your week ahead -- what you’re
looking forward to...what you’re worried about...who you’re
going to be in school with. Listen in your heart as Jesus tells you how
much he loves you. Listen as Jesus invites you to act like him in treating
other people with patience and understanding. Listen as Jesus promises
to help you during the school day.
Then, when you’re in school,
you can always think about Jesus in your heart and say a prayer to him
as you face different parts of your school week. I’ll bet you’ll
notice a wonderful difference because Jesus is there to help and guide
you.
What about if you’re still too young for communion? Don’t
worry. Even though Jesus hasn’t come into you through communion,
he is still at your side. He loves you just as much (and he’s helping
you to grow so one day you can receive him in communion each week too).
You can talk to Jesus in your heart and he will hear you. You can listen
quietly in your heart and you’ll hear Jesus say, “[your name],
I love you very much. I’ll help you to be like me. I’ll be
with you throughout the day and at home too. You are my special friend
so you don’t have to worry or be afraid.”
Moms and Dads, thank you for bringing
your children to Jesus each week. With Jesus, this will be a wonderful
year.
PS...If you're away at college, check this out: CLICK
HERE