August 26, 2001
Holy Walking
Off
to College?
If you or someone you know is leaving for
college, help us stay in touch through our weekly letter from home.
Send in their name and e-mail address --
just click here.
Almost There
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.
As of last week we were only $3,000 away from paying all our pledges.
If this money is paid by August 31st, our parish receives $24,000 in
rebates from the diocese. So if you haven’t sent in your last pledge
payment, please do so this week.
Today’s
Bible Quote
“Strengthen your drooping hands and weak knees. Make straight paths
for your feet.”
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:
August 19: Just Like
Family
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
Since I’ve arrived at St. Brigid’s
(it’ll be two months tomorrow) we’ve had four processions through
the streets of town. The first occurred on the night I arrived as the
Haitian Community celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Then the Durazzano Society held a Sunday morning procession during my
first weekend here. Last week there was a procession for the Feast of
the Assumption (led by the Del Assunta Society) and a procession for the
Feast of St. Rose of Lima led by the Peruvian community after the Sunday
Spanish mass.)
Why processions? There are several levels of why this form of prayer captures
the imaginations of so many people.
• First, it shows that we’re a people “on the move”.
Mary and the saints didn’t sit still in their efforts to live out
the gospel -- and neither do we.
•Second, the church lives out in the world -- “being
church” doesn’t involve locking ourselves inside the stone walls
of the church building, but rather it involves going forth into the community
to witness to our faith.
• Third, we’re proud of our faith. On TV we see professional
athletes and entertainers give thanks to God and witness to their faith
in Jesus at award shows and press conferences. While we don’t have
those media opportunities given to us, we do have the opportunity to show
our neighbors and fellow travelers that we are happy to believe in God
and that our Christianity is something we take seriously. 
• And fourth, they’re fun! Religion is meant not only to challenge
us, but also to uplift us and fill us with joy. Singing songs of joy,
marching to lively music, seeing the floats and flowers all give us a
sense that this faith family is enjoying it’s journey to heaven.
I know I am!
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)