Community
Bulletin Board
Here's what Father Ralph should know about how special St. Brigid's is...
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St. Brigid's is a place of welcome and hospitality for all people in all
stages of faith development, all ages, all colors, all vocations. It is a
place where the young feel at home and the old remain connected. It is a
place that fosters prayer, reconciliation, lay participation and ownership of
ministry, social justice, compassion to the poor and the imigrant, a place
where no one should ever feel isolated or unwelcomed. The liturgy is the
source of our life and is life-giving and connected to our daily lives. . .
it is where we express and celebrate who and what we are.
---- Estelle Peck
staff member since 1985, married with three children, parishioner since 1976
We are all brothers and sisters of one big, happy family. As in all families
we laugh and cry together.
---- A grateful, loving parishioner.
What I have seen of the parishioners of St. Brigid as a whole
is the desire to become better and better followers of Christ.
---- Mary Jane Witte
Music Minister
Our parish is wonderful. No matter what mass you attend you get a sense of
'family'. It's especially apparent at the multi-cultural celebrations, when all of
our communities come together as one. Whether you speak with staff, volunteers or
just plain ol' parishioners, everybody is alive with the Spirit of Jesus
--St.Brigid's Parishioner
St. Brigid's is a wonderfully blessed parish. In a world that is torn by
hatred, prejudice, suspicion, doubt - the communities of St. Brigid (which
reach well beyond the boundaries of Westbury and the
surrounding areas) offers an oasis of wonder & joy. When you enter the
church, you are immediately awaken to what diversity is all about - the love
we extend to each other goes well beyond the church - we work together in
teams, committees, prayer groups and the most magnificent choirs you will
ever hear. So many times I am moved to tears by the beauty of the
children's and young adults choirs. Someday I hope to thank them in a more
lucrative way - a donation or scholarship, but I need to get my house in
order first. Fr. Ralph will love it at St. Brigids. I am a convert and relative
neophyte to St. Brigid and I have been given such beautiful things to do in
the service of God to the people of our wonderful parish. Please join us for
Fellowship after the family Mass.
---- Chester Barkan
Relative newcomer (5 years) who is at home at St. Brigids
We are a multicultural and diverse parish. We are a family and the church is
like our homes. We have a very special interest in the poor and needy
(whether it be spiritual or physical). We need to concentrate on social
issues within our community and provide a welcoming church to all.
---- Parishioner since 1968
This parish is a "model" for cultural diversity. Please don't lose that specialness. It is truly a gift from God. It is that "new world somewhere" spoken about when Marriage Encounter couples sing their special song.
---- Nat and Marie Watson
--A Marriage Encounter Couple from Roosevelt, NY
The most wonderful thing about our parish is that Father Ralph will be getting a community
of people who recognize the beauty of life in the church. We want to keep it
alive and pass it on to our children.
---- Marline
Parent of Young Children
The top ten reasons why St. Brigid's is a wonderful place to be:
(10)Great
parties.
(9)Always plenty of food.
(8)The best looking Prescipio around.
(7)You get to learn lots of languages and cultures.
(6) The best choirs in
town.
(5) You get a great big "Amen" from Ann Josey every time you preach.
(4) The most enthusiastic parishioners you could hope for.
(3) A great big
smile from Ida the crossing guard every Sunday morning.
(2) The children have
the biggest smiles imaginable.
(1) Jesus lives here.
--- Frank Pesce
Husband, Father, Deacon
There is just so much to tell, but most of all St. Brigid's is
a "family" made up of people of all ages, cultures, interests,
clergy, staff, lay ministers who give of themselves for one
another and for their beloved parish.
--Susan Porteus
Organist at St. Brigid for ten years. Married with two daughters.
Dear Father Ralph, I love St Brigid's so very much. I know you will come to
love everything about the parish too. The beautiful church with her dedicated
staff are just waiting to welcome you. We have beautiful liturgies and a
wonderful music ministry.The different cultures are wonderful in their
worship of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.You will also come to know our
schoolchildren , the best in Nassau County.
-- Carolyn Sorber
A longtime parishioner
We are learning to love each other's differences and to be excited by them
rather than suspicious of them.
It is exciting to be part of this parish. There is so much going on that no
one person could hope to participate in all of it but there is something for
everyone to keep us close to Christ.
Father Frank has set the tone here but we have the best, hardest working,
nicest priests. When I finish with all the holiday chores on Christmas
night or Easter night and collapse on the couch, I think how exhausted they
must be with a zillion masses, confessions, special programs, I am touched by
their effort and I thank God for them. Father Ralph will need his vitamins!
-- Someone who returned to the Faith after more than 50 years
Diversity and multiculturalism is our richness. The people of God at St. Brigid's feel a strong sense of ownership of their parish and they are willing to work and be of service because we understand that we are the Church. The Spanish-speaking community has grown from some 20 or 30 when we started in the early seventies to Masses with standing room only. We feel very much a part of the parish. There is great diversity among us not only in terms of the number of countries from which we heed but also in terms of time spent in the continental USA. Some of us are bilingual and bicultural others might have arrived as recently as last week (literally!). Regardless of our country of origin or our time of arrival, all us exemplify and are ready to share with our fellow parishioners those virtues proper to our culture and that were identified by the Bishops of the USA in their 1985 Pastoral Letter on the Hispanic Presence. We are ready and willing to share our richness with our fellow parishioners.
---- Manuel J. Ramos
Miembro Fundador de la Comunidad Hispana
The most wonderful part of Saint Brigid is its people. I have encountered so
many devout people here. It is so beautiful to see large families. Marriage
and the gift of life are so valued here. There are so many vibrant ministries at Saint Brigid's. The Family Life,
Music, Charismatic, all offer so many wonderful opportunities to deepen our
relationship with Jesus.
-- Katherine Murphy
Parent of young children who attend St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope School
Fr. Ralph, we are a parish of great diversity. And that diversity is our
strongest connection. We embrace all and through that we have grown
temendously.
-- Laura Naughton
Parishioner
Dear Father Ralph, I love St Brigid's so very much. I know you will come to
love everything about the parish too. The beautiful church with her dedicated
staff are just waiting to welcome you. We have beautiful liturgies and a
wonderful music ministry.The different cultures are wonderful in their
worship of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. You will also come to know our
schoolchildren , the best in Nassau County.
--Carolyn Sorber
A Longtime Parishioner
Father Ralph, we are a most diverse group of people, but we have learned to
love one another in our diversity. We work hard and we play hard, too. We
welcome you and promise to keep you in our prayers. We offer you our hands
and our hearts.
-- Rose Marie Santilli
A Parishioner for Over 40 Years
The diversity of St. Brigid. We have many people of different cutltures and
we all have one love: Jesus.
Querido Padre Ralph,
I wish to welcome you to our beautiful parish! The Spanish Community is
exited to know you (me too). Bienvenido.
---- From the Spanish Community
Diversity. Unity. Humor. A place for all ages where all feel part of the
celebration.
---- Grandmother who has been a member for 34 years
Just how much this parish means to each parishoner. It is a home away from
home with an extended family.
-- Tracy Pascarella
I am married to Joe and have a 2 yr.old daughter, Nicole.
St. Brigid's is a great parish. While we may be separated at times because of
our ethnic and cultural differences, we all realize that we worship the same
God and we are all the same. We welcome everybody - regardless of their
pasts. For me and I'm sure for others, St. Brigid's is "home". I grew up in
St. Brigid's, but for a few years attended other churches because of where I
was living. It wasn't until I came back to St. Brigid's that I really felt as
if I was where I belonged.
-- Kris Marasca
Longtime parishioner, Part time receptionist at the Parish
Center
That the people of St. Brigid will miss Father Frank, but we will be
receiving Father Ralph with open arms and hearts and love him just as much.
-- Gloria T. Wilson
A longtime parishioner and an active memnber of the
Hispanic Community.
One
of the most wonderful things about St. Brigid is the way we are all encouraged
to keep our traditions, for the example the Italian Mass.
---- Paul and Paula Salvo
Italian Community/Choir
At
St. Brigid's everyone is feels welcome. We are like one big happy family.
---- Josephine & Clemente Pannella
Happily married for 26 years
The
best thing about St. Brigids?The
staff and the parishioners.
We are one community celebrating our unity and individuality at the same time.
-- Helen Sheehan
A longtime parishioner
The feeling of love in a community setting. Everyone is part of this larger
family called St. Brigid and everyone is welcomed with open arms.
--
What's
special? The people, the people, the people!
All of God's holy people, from the little babies to the homebound seniors. Each
one of us has our own unique gift to offer the Lord. We all work together to
"open" our own gifts and those of others, and by doing so we reflect God's love
to everyone.
-- Mary Pat Keegan
Longtime parishioner, 1st Communion teacher for 27 years, choir member
All of the above. Though, I am sure, he is already aware of it. I've
heard wonderful things about Fr. Ralph and am not at all apprehensive. I
know that all things work for the good!!!
-- Parishioner of 5 Years, Widowed, Grandmother, Happy
What is so wonderful about St Brigid's is that we all feel equal no matter
what color....we are one body in Christ...
-- Vita DeGeorge
Parent of a teenager...a 9 year old and a 7 month old grandson
The people, and how easy it is to "see" the face of God.
-- Carolyn M
Junior Lector