Hardly Hosanna

The Night Before He Died
At each mass we recall how on the night before he died, Jesus took bread and wine and said, “This is my body....this is my blood.” But at one special mass each year we recall one other moment of the Last Supper -- when Jesus, the Lord of all, humbly washed his disciples feet. It was so uncomfortable for them, yet they learned a lesson of service that they (and we) could never forget. For years at St. Brigid’s we have been welcoming our children to this moment of service at a special mass (1:00pm this coming Thursday) in which we wash their feet. This year we extend that sign of service to the evening mass (8pm) where we will offer everyone the opportunity to have their feet washed and to wash the feet of another.

Own A Father Augustine Original
Outreach is planning on purchasing a bus to be used for transporting Senior Citizens. To fund this project, we’ve been selling mugs. Did you know that the artwork on the mugs (a drawing of St.Brigid’s church) is the work of Father Augustine. Though he has returned to India, his legacy lives on here. You too can own a “Father Augustine” original -- or share this little work of art with others by including it in an Easter basket or two!

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
CLICK HERE!

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
"Then you shall know that I am the LORD,
when I open your graves and have you rise from them,
O my people!
I will put my spirit in you that you may live,
and I will settle you upon your land;
thus you shall know that I am the LORD.
I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD."
-Ezekiel 37
Technology Ministry
If you’d like to givee 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

Want to e-mail Father Ralph?

Past Columns:
March 17: Roll The Stone Back
March 10: Here's Mud In Your Eye
March 3: Our Local Drought
Feb 24: Welcoming Bishop Murphy
Feb 17: We Will Rise Again
Feb 10: Very Good Now
Feb 3: The Multi Cultural Church
Jan 27: Appealing Words
Jan 20:Our Wonderful School
Jan 13: Changing Times
Jan 6: Farewell Father Augustine

Columns from 2001


		March 24, 2002 Hardly Hosanna
The Night Before He Died At each mass we recall how on the night before he died, Jesus took bread and wine and said, “This is my body....this is my blood.” But at one special mass each year we recall one other moment of the Last Supper -- when Jesus, the Lord of all, humbly washed his disciples feet. It was so uncomfortable for them, yet they learned a lesson of service that they (and we) could never forget. For years at St. Brigid’s we have been welcoming our children to this moment of service at a special mass (1:00pm this coming Thursday) in which we wash their feet. This year we extend that sign of service to the evening mass (8pm) where we will offer everyone the opportunity to have their feet washed and to wash the feet of another. Own A Father Augustine Original Outreach is planning on purchasing a bus to be used for transporting Senior Citizens. To fund this project, we’ve been selling mugs. Did you know that the artwork on the mugs (a drawing of St.Brigid’s church) is the work of Father Augustine. Though he has returned to India, his legacy lives on here. You too can own a “Father Augustine” original -- or share this little work of art with others by including it in an Easter basket or two! 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 CLICK HERE! 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 "Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and have you rise from them, O my people! I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the LORD. I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD." -Ezekiel 37 Technology Ministry If you’d like to givee 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 Want to e-mail Father Ralph? Past Columns: March 17: Roll The Stone Back March 10: Here's Mud In Your Eye March 3: Our Local Drought Feb 24: Welcoming Bishop Murphy Feb 17: We Will Rise Again Feb 10: Very Good Now Feb 3: The Multi Cultural Church Jan 27: Appealing Words Jan 20:Our Wonderful School Jan 13: Changing Times Jan 6: Farewell Father Augustine Columns from 2001	We’re here to celebrate Holy Week which starts with the palm-waving hosanna-singing triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Ever since I was little I found it hard to join in the hosannas ‘cause I knew what was about to happen later that week -- how Jesus would offer his own life in service at the last supper as he washed his disciples’ feet, how he gave them his body and blood -- first at the last supper and then on the cross. I knew that Judas would betray him, Peter would deny him and his friends would run away, leaving his mother to watch his painful death. I’m finding it hard this year too. It’s been two thousand years since Jesus walked the streets of Jerusalem and the place where Jesus lived is still filled with violence and hatred. The papers are filled with stories of priests abusing children and subsequent mishandling of assignments of such priests. Hardly hosannas here. The violent murders of Father Larry Penzes and Eileen Tosner that took place at Our Lady of Peace destroyed a hope for peace that we’d expect to find in church. We’re watching holy week all over again as the disciples of Jesus betray and deny, as we face suffering death up close. How can “hosanna” be our song at this moment? Yet we can’t escape the hosannas or the crucifixion. But then again we can’t escape Easter either. No matter what form the horror of Holy Week has taken down past centuries, there’s always Easter. Betrayal yields to forgiveness. Denial gives way to acceptance. Abandonment turns into reconciliation. “Peace be with you,” Jesus says on that first Easter and these words are offered to us during the coming Easter as well. So maybe there is something to sing “Hosanna” about.

	P.S. Monday of Holy Week, we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation all day from 7:30am til the evening Reconciliation Service at 8pm. (We’ll break during the times mass is being celebrated.) This is a sacrament of peace in which experience the forgiveness of Jesus and also his healing -- and in a special way his freedom. Stop in and experience what God has to offer during this Holy time. (If it’s been a while since you’ve “been to confession”, don’t be afraid: we’re really good at helping people celebrate this sacrament. )

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