May
20, 2007
Making
(up)the difference
Good
Lord!
I don’t think my recent visit to Pope
Benedict’s hometown had anything to do with this, but Bishop
Murphy told me last week that the Holy Father had accepted me as a member
of the “papal household”, with the honorary title of “monsignor”.
I’m very grateful for the honor --and no, there’s no increase
in salary!
It’s an affirmation of St. Brigid’s parish and the ministry
I’m involved in here. The term “monsignor” actually
is originally a term from the French royal court meaning “my lord.”
Well as you can imagine, I’m not going to be comfortable if people
call me “my lord” in any language. Jesus is our Lord. So,
I’d be most grateful if you would rejoice with me in this affirmation
and keep calling me “father” instead of monsignor, ‘cause
that will remind me of the kind of relationship I’m supposed to
have. And besides, I like being “father” of this parish
family.
Save
the Dates
Father Jim Hannon celebrates his 50th Anniversary on Sunday, June 10th
at the 11:30am Mass. Refreshments to follow.
Father Cine will finish his term at St.Brigid’s at the end of
June. Celebrate his ministry the evening of June 24th. Details to follow.
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:
May 20: Loving our Mothers
May 6: About Father George
April 29: Hearing Voices
April 22:Three Stones
April 15: What a week!
April 8: Alleluia! Alleluia!
April 1: Holy Week
March 25: Climate Change
March 18: Take A Step
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
Over
the last few months we have lost the income from the rental of our convent
building and we need to (a) find a new tenant and (b) start making up
the funds we’re losing. We’re planning some fun fundraisers
for later in the year, but these generally raise $5-10,000 at a time --
we need something bigger.
Then it was pointed out to me by
a parishioner that if we reached our goal in the Catholic Ministries Appeal
this year, we’d get back over $20,000. That would be an excellent
thing.
Actually, even without the “rebate”,
our participation in the Catholic Ministries Appeal is a good thing because
it supports Catholic Charities, the seminary, the education of our children
and other pastoral programs that so many of us rely on throughout Long
Island. Over the past few years some people resisted giving because they
had “issues” with the bishop. I read with interest the challenge
my brother pastor in our neighboring parish in Carle Place gave to his
people. He wrote, “I’m frankly tired of the excuses that ‘I
won’t give one cent to the bishop.’ All that is an excuse.
If once it had a point, the point is long past. The bishop is not punished
by witholding contributions. Rather, the poor, the Catholic Charities
clients, the students in the seminary, the Catholic High School kids,
even our own regional school which has received diocesan subsidies --
they are the ones who are short changed. They are who is punished by non-participation
in the appeal.”
He makes a valid point. And there
are those who don’t give because well, they just never did before
and they figure someone else will take care of these charities. Actually
so far 209 parishioners (and me and the other priests) have pledged $43,780
toward the $109,400 goal. (Thank you to all who gave so far!) So you can
see we do need others who haven’t given to help out. Over $20,000
is “ours for the taking” when we give to this charity. Everyone
benefits.
So I’d like to make this
request: would you join me in reaching our parish goal for Catholic Ministries?
These days it does involve some sacrifice. Please make
a pledge.
