Scouting News
This weekend when you come to the church on Post Ave, you’ll see St. Francis ready to greet you -- in anticipation of the blessing of the Animals next Saturday (October 4th at 11am). The large cut-out of St. Francis is only one of a series of saints that Eagle-scout candidate Travis Rochon has designed and fabricated as part of his scouting project. As each saint’s feast comes along on the church calendar, you’ll see the saint appear at the church. Thank you Travis.
Scout Anthony Barraca was honored this past Sunday at St. Agnes Cathedral with the Bishop’s Emblem , given for outstanding service to Catholic Scouting. Congratulations Anthony!

High School Students
If you know of high school age students, please invite them to attend the opening night of Youth@SaintBrigid next Sunday evening following the 6pm Mass in the Youth Center in the school. Sign up here.

e-mail Father Ralph:

Past Columns:
Sept 21: Congratulations Socorro!
Sept 14: Lift High the Cross
Sept 7: Happy 90th Birthday
August 31: From "saint" to "Satan"
August 24: So you're not the Pope
August 17: When God says "no"
August 10: The Tiny Whispering Sound
August 3: A Proud and Tender Moment
July 27: What would you ask for?
July 20: Waiting for the Wheat
July 13: What we Wear
uly 6: We Welcome Westbrook
June 29: Sommer in the Summer
June 22: Welcome Father Jaime
June 15: Father Gonzalo Lopez
June 8: What happened on Sunday
June 1: Where do you belong?
May 25: We are the Body of Christ
May 18: Trinity, It's About Unity
May 11: We are One in the Spirit
May 4: Who's in Your Top Twelve?
April 27: Now that he's gone...
April 20: Yay Deacons!
April 13: Here comes the Pope
April 6: Fresh Oil
March 30: What are you doing for Easter?
March 23: Can Easter come too early?
March 16: Which crowd is yours?
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 January 20: Being Safer
January 13: Conversations in 2008
January 6: Matthew's Magi
December 30: What's Next?

Columns from 2007

Columns from 2005

Columns from 2004

Columns from 2003

Columns from 2002

Columns from 2001


		September 28, 2008 Flip Flopping
Scouting News This weekend when you come to the church on Post Ave, you’ll see St. Francis ready to greet you -- in anticipation of the blessing of the Animals next Saturday (October 4th at 11am). The large cut-out of St. Francis is only one of a series of saints that Eagle-scout candidate Travis Rochon has designed and fabricated as part of his scouting project. As each saint’s feast comes along on the church calendar, you’ll see the saint appear at the church. Thank you Travis. Scout Anthony Barraca was honored this past Sunday at St. Agnes Cathedral with the Bishop’s Emblem , given for outstanding service to Catholic Scouting. Congratulations Anthony! High School Students If you know of high school age students, please invite them to attend the opening night of Youth@SaintBrigid next Sunday evening following the 6pm Mass in the Youth Center in the school. Sign up here. e-mail Father Ralph: Past Columns: Sept 21: Congratulations Socorro! Sept 14: Lift High the Cross Sept 7: Happy 90th Birthday August 31: From "saint" to "Satan" August 24: So you're not the Pope August 17: When God says "no" August 10: The Tiny Whispering Sound August 3: A Proud and Tender Moment July 27: What would you ask for? July 20: Waiting for the Wheat July 13: What we Wear uly 6: We Welcome Westbrook June 29: Sommer in the Summer June 22: Welcome Father Jaime June 15: Father Gonzalo Lopez June 8: What happened on Sunday June 1: Where do you belong? May 25: We are the Body of Christ May 18: Trinity, It's About Unity May 11: We are One in the Spirit May 4: Who's in Your Top Twelve? April 27: Now that he's gone... April 20: Yay Deacons! April 13: Here comes the Pope April 6: Fresh Oil March 30: What are you doing for Easter? March 23: Can Easter come too early? March 16: Which crowd is yours? 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 January 20: Being Safer January 13: Conversations in 2008 January 6: Matthew's Magi December 30: What's Next? Columns from 2007 Columns from 2006 Columns from 2005 Columns from 2004 Columns from 2003 Columns from 2002 Columns from 2001	We’ll be hearing lots of charges of “flip flopping” in the upcoming debates and in ads for political candidates. Thank God that both Ezekiel and Jesus walked this earth years ago, because they would have been accused of encouraging “flip flopping!” Today’s readings remind us that God actually encourages us to “change our minds” about things. Indeed, when we listen to God, we naturally change our minds, hearts and actions because -- as we heard last week -- God’s ways are not our ways. We are called to change to be more like God. “Change” is the other big campaign word these days -- with both sides claiming to offer true change. (Odd isn’t it, that if a candidate actually changes his/her position, the other side criticizes the candidate for changing.) The ultimate campaign -- that is, the campaign for the reign of God-- not only promises change, but delivers it. When we let God into our lives, we naturally change. In fact if we don’t change, we’re either crazy or dead. Albert Einstein allegedly said, “Insanity is doing the same thing you've always done and expecting different results.” You see, if we don’t change, it’s not rational to expect different results. When we’re changed by God’s presence in our lives we WILL see different results around us. As the Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation says, “Your Spirit changes our hearts: enemies begin to speak to one another, those who were estranged join hands in friendship, and nations seek the way of peace together.” So, let’s get ready to do some personal flip-flopping. If there’s someone you don’t normally talk to at work because of a past grudge -- flip! flop! -- at least start smiling or nodding in their directions. If you’re not the kind of person who gives to charity -- flip! flop! -- now would be a fine time to start. If you’ve been reluctant to get involved in a parish ministry, or some other volunteer activity in the community, go ahead -- flip! flop! -- You’ll really enjoy sharing your talents and time. If you haven’t been coming to church on Sundays -- flip! flop! -- Jesus will bless you and your family for coming to worship him.