March
18, 2007
Take
a Step
Convent
Countdown
Still
waiting for a new tenant...tick...tick...tick...
We’re going to rely even more heavily this year on the Easter
Collection, the rebate from the Catholic Ministries Appeal, and increased
giving to make up for the $18,000 a month loss in revenue now that Nassau
County no longer pays rent for the use of the building. If everyone
helps in whatever ways they can, our programs can survive until we get
a new tenant.
Give
it a Rest
Those who’ve had a chance to come to our weekly Lent retreat have
been uplifted and refreshed by our time together. If you haven’t
had the opportunity to be at one of the Tuesday retreat sessions yet,
why not come this Tuesday -- either at 12:45pm in St. Anthony’s
Hall or at 7:30pm in Code Auditorium?
It’s a good chance to make a “rest stop” on the journey
through Lent.
Online
Masses
We are now going to be able to stream masses and other events live over
the internet to homebound folks and to relatives who live in other lands.
If you’re interested in this, in this, click
here.
Away
at College?
Are you or your child away at 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.
e-mail Father Ralph:
Past Columns:
March 11: Cold Enough for
You?
March 4:Stocking the Shelves
Feb 25: Basket Case
Feb18: Ashes and Desert
Dust
Feb11: Get Ready, Get Set,
REST!
Feb.4: Lent Lurking
Jan.28:Catholic Schools
Week
Jan.21:Crying in Church
Jan.14: Love ahead
Jan.7:
So How Was Your Christmas?
Columns
from 2005
Columns
from 2004
Columns from
2003
Columns from 2002
You
might have noticed a little more mail from St. Brigid’s in your
mailbox lately. First there was the annual Lent/Easter letter inviting
you to be part of our retreat this year and asking for support of our
Easter Fund collection. Then there is a mailing from the Catholic Ministry
Appeal Office (sending the letter I wrote last autumn) asking you to support
the ministries beyond St. Brigid’s (and don’t forget -- we
receive up to 20% percent of those charitable donations back to use as
parish funds). This is also the time of year we ask each family to consider
whether they can take a step in their regular contributions to the parish.
Finally, there’s one more mailing on the way with the Holy Week
and Easter Schedule.
Today I’d like to focus on
the “Take a Step” invitation. Why do we do this? We want people
to think about their charitable giving. We’re grateful to God for
the money we have -- money is just one of the blessings we have in life.
And compared with much of the world, we’ve got plenty of blessings.
But what do we do with the financial blessings we have been given? Sometimes
we get in a rut when it comes to what we do with our money. Did you ever
write down how you spend your money for a week? We learn something about
ourselves, our “addictions,” our desires for comfort, our
generosity, our fears, and our hopes when we look at what we spend money
on.
Take a Step is one way to evaluate
where we want to spend our money. It is a chance to consider how we can
take some of what we’ve earned and turn it around (“pay it
forward”) to make a difference in the world that’s ongoing
and lasting. So, in the spirit of Lent -- which is a time of reflection
and almsgiving -- please take some time this week to consider whether
you choose to take a step in giving to St. Brigid’s this year. Sometimes
people wonder if an increase in their contributions would make any difference.
Since many families choose to give something more, that adds up in a powerful
way. Last year our regular collections increased by 16% because of the
people who chose to take a step in giving something more. I, along with
our staff, am very grateful. This year, not everyone can take a step to
give more. Indeed, some may take a step “back”. Others will
choose to continue to give at their current level. All I ask is that you
reflect on what you choose to do.
