Pastor's Corner

2019 08-04   Many Miracles of Healing have been Attributed to St. Peregrine’s Prayers

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Many of us know someone who is struggling with some form of cancer.  It is a pervasive and frightful disease that has affected many of our parishioners and their loved ones.  Our Holy Father, Pope Francis recently addressed the importance of God’s presence as one deals with cancer.  The publication, “Catholic News Service”, reported that…

2019 07-28 Support and Serve our Church of Tommorrow

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Currently, we are in the midst of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for 2019.   A substantial portion of the Appeal provides for the funding of the Vocation Program for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.  Through your generosity, Saint Brigid benefits directly from the Appeal because, at this time, we are blessed to have two men from our…

2019 07-21 Pray for the Strengthening of The Family

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has often focused on the need for strong Catholic families.  He spoke of the Catholic family as an institution that prays, keeps the faith, and experiences joy.  He challenged families to pray together in the midst of the many distractions and busyness of daily living.  During a Mass for Family…

2018 07-14 Invite Your Neighbors and Friends to Our Saint Brigid Community

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Each quarter, or at least semi-annually, we sponsor a “Newcomers Social” at the Saint Brigid Parish rectory.  We welcome all those who are new to the Parish to join us for food and fellowship.  It is a way to welcome newcomers into our faith community.  They are invited to meet our priests and deacons, and…

2019 07-07 We Welcome Fr. Michael Bremer, our New Parochial Vicar

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

We welcome Fr. Michael Bremer to Saint Brigid as our new parochial vicar.  Fr. Michael was ordained to the priesthood last year for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.  He is a graduate of the University of Georgia and completed his principal theological studies at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary (Mundelein), in…

2019 06-30 We Celebrate Independence Day

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Monday, we officially say goodbye to Fr. Peter Ha and welcome Fr. Michael Bremer to our Parish.   We have scheduled a farewell gathering for Fr. Peter for this weekend.  We also intend to have a reception for Fr. Michael in the near future. This Thursday we celebrate the Fourth of July, Independence Day.  On…

2019 06-23 Soul of Christ, Sanctify Me

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This weekend, on Friday and Saturday, the Archdiocese of Atlanta sponsored its Eucharistic Congress as we continue to focus on our devotion to the Eucharist.  This Sunday, we celebrate the solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Body of Christ.  We as Catholics, on this feast of Corpus Christi, are blessed to have such high regard for…

2019 06-16 Our Love For Our Fathers Should Reflect the Trinitarian Love That God Has For Us.

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Trinity. In many ways, this feast is a mystery concerning God’s unconditional love for us.  God the Father loved us so much that He sent His Son into the world to save us. God the Son loved us so much that He died for us. God the Holy Spirit loved us…

2019 06-09 Keep Your Focus on the Lord During the Summer Months

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of Pentecost.  We remember that the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and transformed their lives.  These frightened men who abandoned Jesus during His Passion became bold disciples who endured persecution, suffering, ridicule and other forms of trial as they preach His Good News.  They clearly kept their focus…

2019 06-02 The 2019 Archdiocese of Atlanta Eucharistic Congress

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

The 2019 Archdiocese of Atlanta Eucharistic Congress will take place on Friday, June 21, and Saturday, June 22 at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, GA.   The Congress is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Atlanta.  The theme of this year’s Congress is “THIS IS MY BODY GIVEN UP FOR YOU” (Luke 22:19).  At…

2019 05-26 We Are Reminded to Never Take for Granted our Precious Faith and Freedom

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Monday we celebrate Memorial Day and we remember in a special way those men and women in the armed forces who have made the supreme sacrifice in defense of our nation.  We pray for the repose of their souls, and for the consolation of those who mourn their passing from this world.  Many of…

2019 05-19 Mary, the Mother of our Church

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

During the month of May, we honor Mary in a special way.  As we know, in our faith tradition, we refer to her as Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Fatima.  We call her Queen of Peace and Queen of the Rosary and bestow on her many other titles.  Mary is worthy of…

2019 05-12 Happy Mother’s Day

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Sunday is Mother’s Day and we remember our moms in a special way.  During an address in Rome, Pope Francis professed his great admiration for the vocation of motherhood.  He stated that a mother is concerned “above all about the health of her children” and thus she cares for them “with great love and…

2019 05-05 Bless the Children Coming Forward to Receive Holy Communion for the First Time. 

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Next Saturday, approximately one hundred and fifty children will experience a very special day in their lives.  It is the day on which they will be making their First Holy Communion (Eucharist) at Saint Brigid.  Our Catechism teaches that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith.  When we receive the Lord in…

2019 04-28 Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have Mercy on Us and On the Whole World.

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Today we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday.  This great day is associated with Sr. Faustina.  She was a Catholic nun and mystic from Poland who experienced apparitions of Jesus which inspired the devotion of Divine Mercy and earned her the title of “Apostle of Divine Mercy.” The Church reminds us that, “During the Church’s millennium celebration…

2019 04-21 We Are Truly the Body of Christ, The Community of Hope, and the Easter People of Faith

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Today we celebrate Easter Sunday and the Resurrection of Jesus.  Pope Francis stated, “Jesus is risen from the dead!  This message resounds in the Church the whole world over, along with the singing of the Alleluia.”  Our Holy Father further assures us, “Death, solitude and fear are not the last words.  There is a word…

2019 04-14 We Are Challenged to Focus Following the Way of Christ During This Special Time Of Grace

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday and focus on the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  Palms are blessed and distributed to the faithful on this day to be used for personal devotion throughout the year.  Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week during which we commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. …

2019 04-07 “The Church Fully Alive” Parish Lenten Mission and Penance Service

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

A Parish Mission can be viewed as an opportunity for spiritual healing and renewal. With an emphasis on love and mercy, it also can provide an opportunity to change hearts and transform lives as we renew and strengthen our relationship with Our Lord.  This week from Monday, April 8th to Wednesday, April 10th we are privileged to host a Lenten Parish Mission presented by…

2019 3-31 Saint Brigid’s Woman and Teen of the Year 2019

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

On Saturday, April 13th, Archbishop Gregory will celebrate the Mass of Recognition at 10:00 am at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in downtown Atlanta honoring the Woman and Teen of the Year for each of those parishes which are members of the Archdiocese of Atlanta Council of Catholic Women.  Donna Ortiz has…

2019 3-24 Operation Orphan – Mustard Seed Communities

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

As Catholics, we are taught to respect the fundamental dignity of the human person, and we hope to see that dignity reflected in all God’s children. This respect for God’s children is reflected in the work of the Mustard Seed Communities (MSC). Mustard Seed was founded by Msgr. Gregory Ramkissoon, a Catholic priest in Jamaica….

2019 3-17 Keep St. Patrick in St. Patrick’s Day

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This Sunday we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.  It is a very special day for people of Irish heritage.  The publication Stubhill News reported that Pope Francis urged Catholics to “keep St. Patrick in St. Patrick’s Day.”  Our Holy Father criticized the commercialism that unfortunately has become part of the day, and which tempts people to…

2019 3-10 The Widowed Have an Important Place in Our Church

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

At Saint Brigid we are blessed to have a vibrant ministry for widows and widowers. Many widows and widowers from our parish come together in our parish hall generally on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month for dinner, community and fellowship.  They invite widows and widowers from other parishes.  Many of these widows and widowers were married more than 30 or…

2019 03-03 Lent is a Time to Seek Renewal in Heart, Mind & Body

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 can be found at the USCCB website.   Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of people as a reminder of human mortality, and as a sign…

2019 2-23 We Pray That One Day, All Human Life Will Truly Be Respected

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

The very first tenet of Catholic social teaching is: “Human life is sacred and the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. We need to respect life in all its forms.” Following this tenet, Pope Francis invites us to recommit ourselves to the dignity and value of all…

2019 2-17 Archdiocesan Annual Appeal 2019 “Go Therefore and Make Disciples”

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

This weekend we initiate discussion of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for 2019 at our Masses.   The theme of the Appeal is “Go Therefore and Make Disciples.” (Matthew 28:19).  At this time, Catholics are invited to make a significant pledge so that we can meet the spiritual, educational, and temporal needs of our parishes and its…

2019 2-10 World Marriage Day

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Today we celebrate World Marriage Day and focus on the sacrament of marriage.  In the Book of Genesis, it is the Lord’s intention and ideal that two people who marry should become one flesh.  That ideal is found in the unbreakable union of Adam and Eve.  They were created for each other, and for no…

2018 11-25 Strengthen our Personal Relationship with Christ. Our Eternal King

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From our pastor, Father Neil Herlihy This Sunday we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. It is the last Sunday in the liturgical year.  According to the publication,   “Our Catholic Prayers”, Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King in 1925 “… to combat the disturbing growth of secular as well as…

We Pray that Our Bishops will Acknowledge Past Failures and Choose to Enact Recommendations

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

From our pastor, Father Neil Herlihy The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will convene for their semi-annual assembly on November 12th.  One of the primary topics for discussion will be the current abuse scandal in the Catholic Church.  Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, the president of the Conference, has called for a National Lay Commission, made…

We Invite You to Honor Our Saints and Deceased Loved Ones

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

From our pastor, Father Neil Herlihy This Thursday we celebrate All Saints Day.  It is a Holy Day of Obligation.  On this day, we remember those men and women who came before us marked with the sign of faith.  As previously mentioned, Pope Francis stated, “To be a saint is not a privilege of a…

Celebrate Couples Sacramental Commitment to the Lord

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

From our pastor, Father Neil Herlihy Last weekend, we celebrated a special Mass at Saint Brigid honoring those couples in the Archdiocese of Atlanta celebrating the 50th or 60th anniversary of their marriage.  Eleven of these couples are parishioners of Saint Brigid.  Archbishop Gregory began a tradition of bringing couples together for an annual celebration. …