What crowd is ours?

Protecting our Children
Did you know that every employee and volunteer at St. Brigid’s is expected to have completed training in creating a protective environment for all God’s children? We just finished training an additional 250 people over the last couple of weeks (hundreds more had been trained earlier) and we’re offering these “Virtus” training sessions in the future.
The goal is to have as many people as possible know about situations that can be harmful to our children and to work to create a safe environment not only in our parish, but in the larger society.

Early Easter
If you received your Holy Week Schedule in the mail this week, there was one error:
no, Easter is not April 8th -- it’s NEXT WEEK-- March 23rd. And if you didn’t get the mailing, please be sure you’ve filled in a parish census form and you’ll be on our mailing list.

e-mail Father Ralph:

Past Columns:
March 9: We believe, yet...
March 2: Oil or Mud
February 24: What are you thirsting for?
February 17: Who are You Wearing?
February 10: Just Say No
February 3: The Power of the Cross
January 27: How I Turned Out
January 20: Being Safer
January 13: Conversations in 2008
January 6: Matthew's Magi
December 30: Matthew's Magi
Christmas 2007 Homily

Columns from 2007

Columns from 2006

Columns from 2005

Columns from 2004

Columns from 2003

Columns from 2002

Columns from 2001


		March 16, 2007 What crowd is ours?
Protecting our Children Did you know that every employee and volunteer at St. Brigid’s is expected to have completed training in creating a protective environment for all God’s children? We just finished training an additional 250 people over the last couple of weeks (hundreds more had been trained earlier) and we’re offering these “Virtus” training sessions in the future. The goal is to have as many people as possible know about situations that can be harmful to our children and to work to create a safe environment not only in our parish, but in the larger society. Early Easter If you received your Holy Week Schedule in the mail this week, there was one error: no, Easter is not April 8th -- it’s NEXT WEEK-- March 23rd. And if you didn’t get the mailing, please be sure you’ve filled in a parish census form and you’ll be on our mailing list. e-mail Father Ralph: Past Columns: March 9: We believe, yet... March 2: Oil or Mud February 24: What are you thirsting for? February 17: Who are You Wearing? February 10: Just Say No February 3: The Power of the Cross January 27: How I Turned Out January 20: Being Safer January 13: Conversations in 2008 January 6: Matthew's Magi December 30: Matthew's Magi Christmas 2007 Homily Columns from 2007 Columns from 2006 Columns from 2005 Columns from 2004 Columns from 2003 Columns from 2002 Columns from 2001	“Hosanna to the Son of David!!” “Let him be crucified!!” Two very different cries from two different crowds, but read on the same day. On Palm Sunday we first hear of a crowd that praises Jesus as he enters Jerusalem, and then moments later, during the reading of the Passion, we find ourselves joined to another crowd yelling for his crucifixion. So that raises the ultimate question -- what crowd do we “run with?” Or what crowd do we become? Surely, none of us starts the day with the desire to see someone crucified, but on our worst days -- when we’ve been badgered or betrayed, when we’re weary and worn, we might find ourselves ranting; we might find that the words coming out of our mouths are more crucifying than healing. We sometimes become the crowd that inserts negativity into our workplaces, our homes, our neighborhoods. And the crucifixions go on. We don’t really want to be part of this crowd. It’s awfully embarrassing to have to say “Let him be crucified!” when we participate in today’s gospel. How much better if we could just be part of the crowd that praises and rejoices! Well, why not? Easter is nearly here and we are Easter people who remember that because we are baptized, we do what Jesus would do. We speak like Jesus. We come to worship God each week like Jesus. We forgive like Jesus. If you, or anyone else you know, is having a struggle with this “being like Jesus” part of life, why not come tomorrow to our day of Reconciliation -- priests will be available from 7:30am to 9am; 12:40pm to 7:30pm for confessions. At 8pm we’ll have a communal penance service where a simple confession and absolution is available. If it’s time to “switch crowds”, tomorrow is a wonderful day to do that. Finally, I’d like to welcome you to join in the many celebrations of Holy Week -- especially 8pm on Holy Thursday (in the school); 3:15pm on Good Friday (in the church in English--3pm in the school in Spanish and Kreyol).