St. Brigid's Parish Lent, 2003
St. Brigid's Parish Lent, 2003 |
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Fasting, by choice or by law, has always been part of the Christian
experience. But why do we fast? And from what do we fast? We
fast to remind ourselves that no "thing" can ever dominate our
lives. Fasting is also a way of restoring right order to our lives.
Fasting restores good health to parts of our spirit that are
troubled. Fasting brings us closer to the Jesus who died
so that we might live. In fasting we nail to the Cross of
Jesus the parts of our hearts that trouble us and are not
of God. In doing so, we discover peace and joy. Fasting also
brings us closer to the poor and the suffering. In our little
inconveniences that we call "fasting," we become united with
those who are always fasting and always in pain-the Poor. Jesus
asks us to fast from hate, self-concern, despair, guilt, suspicion,
fear, laziness, pettiness. What clutters your heart? Give it over
to Jesus this Lent. Allow Him to fill your heart and mind with peace.
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Lent is a time to feast on God's goodness. It is a time to bask in the Love
of our God. It grows into a feast of Gratitude as we praise the Lord for
all our blessings. We feast on Forgiveness as we forgive ourselves and
all who have hurt us. Our feasting is filled with Compassion as we
open our hearts to the suffering of the human family. Our feasting
gives us new Hope as we believe in the goodness of our
world and the goodness of people. Our feasting has generous
portions of Commitment as we say our "yes" once again
to the Lord. Our feasting is a sharing in Truth. We take a
stand based on truth and conscience and we stick with them.
Lent is a great feast of Patience. We know that personal growth
takes time. God invites us to accept our frailty and wants us so
much to realize the goodness in ourselves and others. Finally, our
great feast is completed by generous doses of the Mercy of God,
for Jesus' mercy is our hope for the present and the future. May we
feast together on the greatest love the world has ever known.
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Ash Wednesday March 5 The signing of ashes is a solemn reminder that life here on earth is not permanent;
that a greater place is being prepared for us. They also remind us that
Jesus calls us to change a part of ourselves-not necessarily a change of activities,
but a change of heart. What do you have your heart set on?St. Brigid's Church: 7:00 AM Mass & Distribution of Ashes 8:00 AM Mass & Distribution of Ashes 9:00 AM Mass & Distribution of Ashes 12:10 PM Mass & Distribution of Ashes followed by Confessions 3:00 PM Service & Distribution of Ashes for our Senior Citizens 4:30 PM Children's Service & Distribution of Ashes (until 5:30) 7:00 PM Italian Mass & Distribution of Ashes 8:00 PM Mass & Distribution of Ashes Our Lady's Chapel in St. Brigid/OLH School: 4:30 PM Children's Service & Distribution of Ashes for Wednesday Religious Education Classes & their Families 8:00 PM Spanish Mass & Distribution of Ashes |
"Come back to me with all your heart."
Confession goes far beyond the forgiveness of sin. In the
beautiful sacrament of Penance, wounds heal, prejudices
break down, misunderstandings are worked out, issues that
have been difficult to face are met head on and relationships
are renewed. The effects of this sacrament seep
into every part of our life experience. Reconciliation will
make you whole again. St. Brigid's offers many opportunities
to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance. We encourage
you to receive Penance especially during the season of
Lent. If you haven't been to the confession in a long time, maybe NOW
IS THE TIME. Experience healing and peace . . . come home to the Lord.Opportunities for Confessions:Each Weekday from Monday through Friday: following the 12:10 PM MassSaturdays: 4:00 PM-4:45 PM Following the Jesus Evening on each First Friday of the Month Also available by appointment by calling 334-0021. All Day Confessions on Monday, April 14 from 7:30 AM until 9:00 PM Special "No Questions Asked" Penance Service begins at 8:00 PM. Detailed schedule will be in Holy Week Mailing. |
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| Fr. Ted Cassidy, SM will kick off our Lenten Preaching series to help us begin imagining what the world could be like if
it were truly rooted in Christ. Fr. Ted will offer us some challenging words on the effects of racism our society. He, and our
other guest speakers, will tap our imagination with ways we can work with Jesus to turn this broken world around. On March 17,
Fr. Bob Smith, moral theologian from our Seminary in Huntington, will offer some profound thoughts on the Church in crisis.
We will then take a little detour from the usual serene style of our Tenebrae prayer and be treated to a night of praise, gospel
music, outstanding preaching by Rev. Jim Goode, and energy-filled prayer. Then on our final night we return to Tenebrae with
US Navy Commander Paul Martirano. Paul, a husband, father and committed Christian, will share his personal journey and the
many challenges he and his family face in service to God and country. Hate and evil threaten our world and our lives; the troubles in our Church have deeply wounded us; the prospect of war frightens us. From the uncertainty of our personal future (and the future of all people) to living the present, we wonder . . . we hope . . we trust . . . Will (I) we be OK? Where do I (we) stand in the midst of all this turmoil?  Our speakers have graciously accepted our invitation to share their personal witness and knowledge about
these sensitive and controversial issues. As responsible, mature Christians we join them in their faithful witness
and prayerful journey on the path to justice. Please come to listen, to pray and to discern to what the Lord is
calling you. Bring your family, a neighbor, a friend to Church on Sunday and on these Mondays of Lent.
Let us together "Imagine this world . . . rooted in Christ.""I will come to you in the silence, I will lift you from all your fear. You will hear my voice. I claim you as my choice. Be still and know I am here." ~You Are Mine by David Haas©1991GIA. License # 3594. | |||||||||
 Feast of St. Patrick Monday March 17 9:00 AM Mass ChurchBlessing & Distribution of the Blessed Shamrocks
Irish Refreshments
& Sing-A-Long in
St. Anthony's Hall
follows 9:00 AM Liturgy
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Lenten Activities for Families & Children!
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Sunday Mass Schedule St. Brigid Church Saturday:  Daily Mass Schedule Church Monday to Friday: |
 St. Brigid's Lenten Family Retreat"How Does Your Garden Grow?"Saturday March 22, 2003 9:45 AM-4:00 PM St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope School The Parish of St. Brigid is sponsoring a Lenten Family Retreat treat given by the Marianists Team for Life (Long Island Family Experience). This team of lay and religious Marianists have staffed retreats at Shelter Island, NY and at the Marianist Family Retreat Centers in Cape May Point, NJ, North Carolina and Maine. Specifically designed for Lent, the theme, "How Does Your Garden Grow?" includes topics of affirmation, communication and reconciliation. The program also includes peer, family and group activities for parents and children of all ages. All families-two parent, young, blended-are welcome! Contact: Estelle Peck St. Brigid Parish 75 Post Ave. Westbury, NY 11590 516-334-0021 ext. 102. |
Lenten Retreat An Evening of
Prayer & Reflection
for Men & WomenMaggie McCartin as Facilitator Friday Evening~ March 28 5:30-9:30 PM Our Lady of Grace Retreat Center $30.00 per person Prayer, Reflection & Supper For Reservations: Call 627-9255 Our Lady of Grace Center Manhasset, NY |
The Rules: U.S. Guidelines for Abstaining and FastingDuring Lent, healthy Catholics age 14 and older are required to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday during the Season of Lent. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday as well, healthy adult Catholics (age 18-59) are required to fast fast, limiting food to one full meal with minimal food at the other two meal times and nothing in between.Strict observance of the rules of Fasting will do very little to change our hearts and are in and of themselves not good (except perhaps for our waistlines!) The Church suggests fasting in order to place ourselves in solidarity with the poor and hungry. Most of all, remember that your Lenten tasks are best done with joy. Joyfulness is a perfect prayer that confirms how much God's love for us.
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 A Call to Prayer,On Wednesday, April 2 at 7:30 PM a new
support group will meet in the school library
for infertile couples and those that love
them. The session will include prayer,
voluntary sharing and reflection.
For more information contact Vincent
Buzzeo at xxx@aol.com or call 718-242-
7366. |
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Feast of
Blessing and Distribution of Bread
Fellowship in St. Anthony's Hall
Pasta Fagioli, Italian Dessert & Coffee. |
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Wednesday March 26
"Learn as your children learn."