September 16, 2001
This Week's Tragedy
Quote
of the Week
“This morning all of us have shared the horrific experience of
the apparent terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in Manhattan.
Our first thoughts go to the victims who have died as a result of this
action. They and their families are uppermost in our prayers. our care
andconcern go as well to to all those who have been directly affected
by this awful incident...
Today as one, we implore God’s mercy and kindness on all those
who have been hurt by this searing and overwhelming tragedy.”
--Bishop William Murphy
Sept 11, 2001
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
“ There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.”
-Luke 15
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:
Sep.9: Summer Vacation
Sep
2: I Used to be an Embryo
August 26: Holy
Walking
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
Tuesday morning arrived bright and clear
with no hint of the terror that was to strike in the hours before noon.
We are still reeling from the aftermath of the great destruction of human
lives.
People naturally seek to “make sense” of the situation and they
turn to God for answers. Our church has been filled even more than usual
with people seeking the Lord in this time of fear and hurt.
But I am alarmed at the number of people
who have explained the tragedies of these last days as if it was the work
of God. For example I was told, “I guess God is sending us a message,
right Father?” My response: Well if you mean that God is asking us
to forgive in the face of our feelings of fear, anger and hurt, then yes...that
is a message from God. But if you mean that somehow God wanted to hurl
airplanes into office buildings to “teach us a lesson" or to
“teach us to love each other more” or to “signal that the
end of the world is coming” or to “show that he is displeased
with the world,” then NO. I don’t believe that.
When Jesus walked this earth 2000 years ago,
he did not use terrorist acts to call attention to God’s will. In
fact even when an ultimate act of terror was done to his own body -- his
crucifixion -- he did not call down angels from heaven to destroy those
who terrorized and tortured him. Nor did his Father in heaven use violence
and destruction in punishment toward those who betrayed, denied, or crucified
his Son.
“Father, forgive them, they do not know
what they are doing.” That was the message Jesus called out in his
death. He calls out that same message today.
For anyone who has lost a loved one in these
senseless killings my heart goes out to you. And the community of Saint
Brigid’s is here for support and help at this terrible time. And
I believe that God the Father’s heart goes out to you too -- after
all, he knows what it is like to have his own Son killed in a violent
way. I believe that Jesus and Mary and all the saints cried out in the
face of the pain of this past week -- just as they do when violence takes
the lives of countless other daughters and sons everyday throughout the
world.
Now they do more than cry. They come to us
with love and understanding. They invite us to share these gifts with
each other.
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)