August 18, 2002
Commemorating September 11th
Thank
you!
Before
I left for vacation I mentioned that we were “out of money”
and I suggested that if people could give a little more in the weekly
collection, contribute to the Bishop’s Appeal and pay their Millennium
Pledge, it would all help. You responded very quickly -- several people
gave rather generous donations in the collection; people made enough
pledges to the Bishop’s appeal that we went OVER our goal -- and
that’s great news since now we receive 75% of every dollar contributed
over goal! (Some people actually increased their pledge.) And thanks
too to those who are helping us to reach our $2 million goal in the
Millennium Fund Drive. We’ll still finish this fiscal year with
a deficit, but thanks to your generosity, we’re able to meet payroll
and cover existing expenses. If you haven’t had the chance to help
us at this “low ebb” in our fiscal year, I invite you to join
with fellow parishioners in helping out. Thanks!
Going
Away to College?
Some
families are getting ready to pack the car and drive their sons and
daughters off to college -- some for the first time, some back to continue
what they started. Being away from home is a little less difficult these
days because of e-mail. Most colleges provide their students with an
e-mail account, and families and friends can stay in touch. For the
past year I’ve been sending a “letter from home” almost
every week to our parishioners who are away at college. The feedback
on this was great as our college students felt really connected to parish
life here.
To receive the “letter from home”, take this bulleting with
you to college as a reminder to send in your e-mail address. Just 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.
Technology Ministry
If you’d like to give your time and expertise at helping our parish
connect its telephone systems or work on its website, you can let us
know by filling in our
online form
Want
to e-mail Father Ralph?
Past Columns:
Aug 11: Taking Time
To See
August 4: Moving
Music
July 28:Meet
the Missionaries
July 21:
Press One Now
July 14: Having
Our Say
July 6: One
Nation Under God
June 30: Anointing
the Sick
June 23: Giving Thanks
to God
June 16: Father's
Day
June 9: Fall Mass
Schedule
June 2: Summer Plans
May 26: Spreading
the Faith
May 19: Passing Grace
May 12: Changing
Times
May 5: Reason for Hope
April 28: Changing
Ministry
April 21: The Poor Are Hurt
Again
April 14: Celebrating
50 Days
April 7: Where have
they put him?
March 31: Alleluia!
Alleluia!
March 24: Hardly
Hosanna
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
Last fall we were blessed with some of the
most beautiful weather ever, yet that clear and golden morning of September
11th was assaulted by terror and uncomprehensible death. Soon we will
reach the first anniversary of that dreaded day and throughout the nation
people are seeking suitable ways to remember our loved ones who perished,
to recall the heroic efforts of so many firefighters, police officers,
emergency service workers, to pray that God will help heal our pain and
heal our world.
On September 11th, we will commemorate this
day at St. Brigid’s at each of our regularly scheduled masses (7am,
9am 12:10pm) and at a special 7:30pm prayer service. St.Brigid/Our Lady
of Hope school community is also planning a special commemoration. I hope
that the people of our community will find comfort and hope in being able
to pray together in a special way on this day. Why not consider inviting
someone in your neighborhood or family to come with you to one of our
masses that day?
In the midst of all the confusion last year
what I especially remember was the way in which so many people wanted
to do something, anything, to help. People were bringing in all manner
of food, water, buckets, clothing, etc. So many people were offering to
donate blood, that many had to be turned away. And this brings me to a
special way to commemorate that horrid day last fall. Give blood now.
You see, a year later, there are no longer lines at blood donation centers
-- rather we’re facing a blood shortage and while we were frustrated
to no end that giving blood last year could not save the thousands of
people who instantly perished in the World Trade Center, now we have a
chance to save lives of those who are injured in accidents or who are
having life-saving surgery.
Will you join me in this simple memorial
act? Donate a pint of blood in the days ahead. To sign up to give at a
blood center nearby, just call
1-800-933-2566 click here www.nybloodcenter.org
for more information on locations and times.
For those who are personally experiencing
the effects of the death of a loved one, know that we still pray for you
each day and will continue to be with you as you face this anniversary.
May the strength of God’s love be with you.
