August 19, 2001
Just Like Family
Thanks
& Blessings
We give thanks for the blessings of Father
Wismick and Father Giuseppe who have been visiting us and ministering
to us this past month. We ask God to bless them as they return home.
Big Assumption
Some people imagine that we’re only going to have souls in heaven.
But our faith teaches us that “we believe in the resurrection of
the body...” This past week’s celebration of the Feast of
the Assumption of Mary reminds us that Mary went to heaven soul AND
body.
Today’s
Bible Quote
“Persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping
our eyes fixed on Jesus.”
Hebrews 12
Technology
Ministry
If you’d like togive 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:
Aug 12:Incredible
Forgiveness
August 5: Diocesan Doings
July
29: On A Mission
July 22: Piecing Together
July 15th: Unpacking St Brigids
July 8th: Happy to Be Here
July 1st : First Words
During my first few weeks here I have been
meeting many people over dessert and in my office (where I am still unpacking
boxes -- but there is progress!). “So tell me about what you do at
St. Brigid’s”, I ask. And then I listen to how we care for one
another from cradle to grave.
I expected to find that we baptize people,
that we visit the sick, bury the dead, wed people, etc. and we do. But
when I listen to the ways in which we do these holy things, I am moved
with joy and amazement at the many personal ways we minister. Each person
explains not only what they do, but also they are sure to share the reason
and meaning behind what their actions are -- just to be sure that I’ll
understand that we love people like family.
The people I meet mention their involvement in different ways... “I’ve
been involved at St. Brigid’s for all my life...” (I heard this
from 80 year old folks and 9 year olds alike.)... “I don’t really
live in St. Brigid’s but I just have to be involved in the life of
this parish”.... “I just moved here a year ago and I’ve
been involved ever since -- and I’ve been welcomed just like family.”
That a community could support the life-long
ministries of some and at the same time welcome newcomers with eagerness
is a sign of health and vitality. That a community shows care for all
from the beginning of life to the time we leave for heaven, is a sign
that the gospel is being lived in a vibrant way.
I’ve also been listening to the parents
who are about to send their children off to college (some for the first
time). So I thought it would be just like family for our parish to stay
in touch. These days most college students have e-mail at school and we’d
like to send a “letter from home” each week while they’re
away. So please encourage our college students to send in their e-mail
addresses -- just click here to sign up
online! We’ll continue to treat them just like family.
Come Visit Our Online Tour of our Youth Group's Trip To El Salvador!
For the Record..
See Father's Ralph's first spoken greeting to the community at St. Brigid..
Italian Mass
(translation provided)
(translation provided)
Haitian Mass
(translation provided)