Pastor's Corner

2024 03-17 Congratulations to Tricia Borah and Ben Whitehead, the Saint Brigid Woman and Teen of the Year

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Archbishop Hartmayer will celebrate Mass at 10:30 am at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church on Saturday, April 6th honoring the Woman and Teen of the Year for each of those parishes which are members of the Atlanta Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women.  Tricia Borah has been chosen as Woman of the Year, and…

2024 03-10  The Feast of Saint Patrick

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Next Sunday we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.  Major parades take place in New York, Savannah, Atlanta and many other cities celebrating the life and contributions of Saint Patrick to the Catholic faith and to Irish culture. It is a special day for Msgr. Marren and many other of our priests who were born in Ireland…

2024 03-04  Widowed are encouraged to be vibrant members of our faith community.

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

We have many widows and widowers as part of our Saint Brigid faith community.  As reported in the publication, “U.S. Catholic”, the Catholic Church “has a long history of ministry to and by widows.”  The publication further notes that the Church’s “own long tradition of giving care to widows and receiving it from them suggests…

2022 02-25 The Stations of the Cross

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

During the season of Lent, Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, invites us to enter more fully into the spirit of sacrifice, renewal, and repentance.  We may embrace this invitation in various ways, such as by praying the “Stations of the Cross”.  As reported in the publication, “The Catholic World Report”, Pope Francis encouraged the faithful…

2024 02-18   Our Lenten Renewal – Parish Mission and Reconciliation

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This week we will offer a Lenten Parish Mission on Monday, February 19th and Tuesday, February 20th. A Parish Mission can provide an opportunity for spiritual growth as we strive to renew and strengthen our relationship with the Lord. The Mission will be presented by Monsignor Hugh Marren. He will focus on “The Mass and…

2024 02-11  Our Lenten Journey Begins

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Next Wednesday in the Church year is Ash Wednesday.  It is a day of fasting and abstinence.  Guidelines concerning fasting and abstinence are included in our Parish bulletin and on our Parish website.  Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of people as a reminder of human mortality, and…

2024 02-04 “In His Presence – All Things are Possible

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

As a parish community, we are blessed to be a part of the vibrant Archdiocese of Atlanta.  The Archdiocese shares in the mission of the universal Church.  One way it does this is through the  Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. This weekend we initiate discussion of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for 2024 at our Masses.   The theme…

2024 01-28 The Feast Day of Saint Brigid, and Catholic Schools Week

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Thursday, February 1st, we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Brigid, the patron saint of our Parish.  She joins Saint Patrick as one of the patron saints of Ireland.    Saint Brigid is known for her extraordinary spirituality and prayer life.  She is also known for her Christian charity.  Her ministry involved healing and feeding the…

2024 01-20   The Gift of Life

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Our Holy Father Pope Francis has spoken often and eloquently about the value of human life and the dignity of the human person.  As reported in the media outlet, “The Catholic World Report”, he recently criticized the “throw away” culture that is often found in more affluent societies.  He stated, “Every person is a sacred and…

2024 01-14   Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Thursday, January 18th, we begin the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  During this week, our bishops ask us to unite in prayer with our Christian brothers and sisters. We are invited to pray for peace in our world, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts.  In addition, we are invited to…

2024 01-07  One meaning of the word “Epiphany” is “Manifestation” and refers to the manifestation of Jesus to the world. 

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.  One meaning of the word “epiphany” is “manifestation” and refers to the manifestation of Jesus to the world. On this day, we focus on the Wise Men, the Magi who were on a difficult journey of faith to encounter the Lord.  Commenting on…

2023 12-31   We celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus and the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Our Christmas Season continues, and this Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the family that makes this Season possible.  Our Holy Father Pope Francis has challenged us to strive for spiritual unity and for the strengthening of families by following the example of the Holy Family.  As…

2023 12-24   Christmas

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

My brothers and sisters in Christ: Jesus comes into our world at Christmas as a sign of the love God has for us. Our Advent liturgies, Parish Advent Mission, and emphasis on the Mass have helped us complete a wonderful time of preparation as we go forward in hope, thanksgiving, faith, and joy, and get…

2023 12-16   Rejoice! The Third Sunday of Advent

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

We celebrate Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday on this Third Sunday of Advent as we wait in joyful anticipation for the coming of the Christ Child.  In our Sunday gospels during Advent, the call to prepare for Christ comes primarily from John the Baptist.  He is the last of the Old Testament prophets who point the way…

2023 12-10  We Continue our Advent Journey with Mother Mary and Advent Mission

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

As a faith community, we continue on our Advent journey as we strive to remain watchful and alert as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of the Lord.  This past week we conducted our Advent Mission, and it was well received as Fr. Kevin Peek helped us to focus on the importance of…

2023 12-03   Be watchful and vigilant as we wait in joyful anticipation for the coming of the Lord.

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Sunday begins the Season of Advent.  It is a special time in the Church year as we prepare for the coming of the Lord.  Advent holds out the hope and desire to see the light of Christ shine through the darkness of our world. As reported in the publication, “Vatican News”, in an Advent…

2023 11-25  Remember what Christ means to us, what Christ did for us, and that we are called to serve the King of Kings.

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe as we approach the end of the liturgical year of our Church.  We remember in a special way what Christ means to us, what Christ did for us, and that we are called to serve the King of Kings….

2023 11-18   We Give Thanks for the Spiritual Vitality of our Saint Brigid Faith Community.

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This coming Thursday, we celebrate Thanksgiving Day and we are encouraged to give thanks for the many blessings that the Lord has bestowed on us.  As noted in the past, we pray that Thanksgiving Day will not be commercialized, but rather will truly be a time for reflection and thanksgiving.  As we enjoy a meal…

2023 11-12   Confirmation 2023

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Next Saturday, Bishop Joel Konzen will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to approximately 130 of our teens.  Confirmation along with Baptism and the Holy Eucharist comprise the sacraments of Christian initiation.  Our Catechism states, “Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by a special outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which seal or ‘confirm’…

2023 11-05   Let us Remember Those Who Have Unselfishly Served our Nation the Armed Forces.

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Next Saturday, November 11th, as a nation we celebrate Veterans Day.  In a special way on this day, we are encouraged to honor our men and women who have served in the armed forces and sacrificed so much on behalf of our country.  Many of us have loved ones who now have Veteran status.  Through…

2023 10-29   All Saints Day and All Souls Day

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Holy Day Mass Times: Tuesday, October 31 Vigil at 7:00 PM,  and Wednesday, November 1st at  6:30 AM, 9:00 AM,  12 Noon and 7:00 PM.  This coming Wednesday, November 1st, we celebrate  All Saints Day.  The Catholic Church recognizes this day as a Holy Day of Obligation.  Speaking on the significance of this day, in…

2023 10-22  It’s not too late to join our parish Rite of Christian Initiation programs.

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Our faith community has vibrant spiritual and educational programs for those adults and children interested in becoming Catholic, and for those baptized Catholics who have not yet received the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation.  The programs are the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC). …

2023 10-18  Priesthood Sunday 2024

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Sunday we celebrate Priesthood Sunday, a special day set aside to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church.  It is traditionally celebrated in September or October.  On this day we are reminded in a special way that the priest is the instrument of Christ’s ministry on…

2023 01-08  We Welcome Seminarian Juno Lee for His Pastoral Year of Formation!

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Our Holy Father Pope Francis has called on the Church community to foster and nurture vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life.  He noted that vocations grow within the Church, and stated, “Candidates gratefully contemplate the mediation of the community as an essential element for their future.  They learn to know and to love…

2023 10-01   Respect Life Month 2023

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Sunday we celebrate Respect Life Sunday.  Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has called for us to promote the Gospel of Life, and protect and cherish the lives of the elderly, the physically and mentally challenged, and the unborn.  At a recent pro-life event in Rome, as reported in the media outlet, “Catholic News Agency”,…

2023 09-24   Come and Enjoy the 2023 Fall Parish Picnic!

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Next Sunday afternoon we will have our Annual Fall Parish Family Picnic. It will take place from 1 pm to 4 pm on the Holy Redeemer School soccer field, weather permitting. We invite you to join us as we come together as a family of faith. There will be plenty of free food and drinks…

2023 09-09  We Shall Never Forget

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Monday marks the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  We as a nation recall the tragic deaths and injuries that occurred at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on the fields of Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  We also remember the firefighters, police, and others who gave their lives or who were…

2023 09-03 We honor this day of prayer as we honor those who labor in the spirit of Jesus, St. Joseph, and St. Benedict.

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Monday, as a nation, we celebrate Labor Day, and we honor all those who labor for a living.  We are encouraged to thank them for their service to their families, and for their service to all those who benefit from their efforts.  As we know, prayer and work go hand in hand.  Therefore, we…

2023 08-28 Enhance the Spiritual Vitality of You and Your Family, and our Community

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

God has blessed each of us with a unique set of gifts, skills, talents, and resources so we can play a special role in building up the Kingdom of God here on earth.  Many of us are busy people who want to assist in some way at our parish, while balancing family, work, and other…

2023 08-13  “The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin.. taken up body and soul..”” –

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Tuesday, August 15th,  we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Our Catechism states that “…the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all…