February 10, 2002
Very Good Now
Have
You Pledged?
We're still collecting pledges for our Bishop's Annual Appeal which
supports the work of the church throughout Long Island and in our parish.
To pledge online
All
the News
One of the quickest ways to stay up to date with what’s going on
in the church, here on Long Island and throughout the world, is to read
our Diocesan Newspaper The
Long Island Catholic. If you don’t already subscribe, you can
start your subscription by using one of the subscription envelopes in
the lobby of the church. If you already receive the paper, this is the
time of the year to renew with your subscription payment. Just drop
your envlope in the regular collection.
Cool Way to Pray
If you’d like to try out a new interactive prayer site online,
go to the St. Brigid’s home page and click on the “Church
Interactive” link.
Away
at College?
If you know of a St. Brigid parishioner who
is away at college, you can help us stay in touch through our parish’s
weekly “letter from home”. Send in their name and e-mail address
just click here.
Today’s
Bible Quote
“You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world.
”
--Matthew 5
Technology Ministry
If you’d like toggle your time and expertise at helping our parish
connect its telephone systems or develop its computer networking or
work on its website, you can let us know by filling in our
online form
El
Salvador Trip
If you’d like to see the parish’s mission trip to
El Salvador online, you can see photos and a travelogue by
clicking here.
Want
to e-mail Father Ralph?
Past Columns:
Feb 3: The Multi
Cultural Church
Jan 27: Appealing
Words
Jan
20:Our Wonderful School
Jan 13: Changing
Times
Jan 6: Farewell Father
Augustine
I am going to miss Bishop McGann. He became
bishop of our diocese when I was in college and he ordained me in 1983.
(And I was surprised to see that this photo of me being ordained is featured
on the
diocesan online photo album)
Throughout the years he asked me to be involved
in variety of projects, most recently RENEW 2000 as part of the diocesan
Jubilee celebration. I always knew I could be honest and straightforward
with him, that he would listen, and then guide me with his own bigger
perspective of life here on Long Island.
There were a number of occasions when I asked him to help me with video tapes I was preparing and he would tape messages to
Long Island Catholic
One of the most powerful and personal legacies that Bishop McGann leaves is his own reflection on dying. About seven years ago he almost died from aplastic anemia, a disease which is almost always fatal. Through the prayers of countless people, he recovered and then later wrote a beautiful pastoral letter on his experience. The letter is more than just personal reflections though. It is a careful examination of the church’s teaching on the value of life and the way we can get ready to go “home” to heaven.
Often Bishop McGann would end a conversation with the words, “Very good now.” It was a little clue that he was going to move on to the next person or activity. And, like so much of what he said, it was positive. “Very good now.” So I’m imagining what greets him when he goes to meet the Lord. I suspect God will look lovingly on John McGann and say, “Very good now.”
