Pastor's Corner

2012 04-01 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

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April 1, 2012 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord  We remember the joyful entrance to the Holy City and how many of his followers began to sing the psalms written of the Messiah…the promised Anointed One of God (Christos, in the New Testament Greek). Jesus of Nazareth arrived and entered David’s city to…

2012 03-25

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March 25, 2012 Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself (John 12.31-32). Who was this “ruler of the world”? What was “the time of judgment”? How does this…

2012 03-18 Lenten Mission

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March 18, 2012 THIS WEEK: Our Lenten Mission: 19 through 21 March  Fr. Dan Mahan of Marian University in Indianapolis will be with us for this year’s Lenten Mission. In our three day Lenten Mission, Fr. Mahan will encourage our parish family to grow closer to the Lord Jesus, to deepen our bonds of communion…

2012 03-11

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March 11, 2012 Our Lenten Mission: 19 through 21 March  Fr. Dan Mahan of Marian University in Indianapolis will be with us for this year’s Lenten Mission. In our three day Lenten Mission, Fr. Mahan will encourage our parish family to grow closer to the Lord Jesus, to deepen our bonds of communion with the…

2012 03-04

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March 4, 2012 Transfiguration, then and now  On this second Sunday of Lent, we will hear the account of the Transfiguration of the Lord, where the appearance of Jesus was transfigured before the eyes of Peter, James and John. The disciples saw Him in glory. This sign of the Lord’s true identity was given, not…

2012 02-26 Parish Survey

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February 26, 2012 Our survey is ready for you.  As I explained in a column of mine some weeks ago and in a letter sent to all registered families of Saint Brigid in early January, I need to hear from each of you in regard to our parish family as it is now and as…

2012 02-19

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February 19, 2012 The Military Ministry of St. Peter Chanel will hold a Welcome Home Veteransgathering on the 23rd of June, from 8:30 AM to 3 PM. This event is meant to offer returning veterans our care, our support and our promise, to assist them as they return to “ordinary” life. Ms. Pamela C. Garrett…

2012 11-11 Our Heart Longs for God

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  Our Heart Longs For God From the Tractates on the first letter of John by Saint Augustine, Bishop  (Tract. 4: Pl 35, 2008-2009) We have been promised that we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. By these words, the tongue has done its best; now we must apply…

2012 02-05 Christ is Present to His Church

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February 5, 2012 From the constitution on the sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council(Sacrosanctum Concilium, nn. 7-8, 106)  Christ is present to his Church  Christ is always present to his Church, especially in the actions of the liturgy.  He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass, in the person of the minister (it…

2012 01-29 Operation Orphan 2012

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January 29, 2012 Operation Orphan 2012  As most of you know, our parish has a long–standing relationship with Mustard Seed. Many parishioners have experienced the spiritual power of mission by taking part in a Mustard Seed mission trip. Two groups of our parishioners will travel to Nicaragua in February to offer their hearts and their…

2012 01-22 Culture of Life

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January 22, 2012 In his 1995 Encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), John Paul the Great asked the Church to reflect on how the disciples of the Lord Jesus are to create and proclaim a culture of life. He did this by reflecting on the darker dimensions of our world and how our post-modern,…

2012 01-15 Parish Survey

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January 15, 2012 To the parish family of Saint Brigid:  A few weeks ago, on the fourth Sunday of Advent, we remembered Msgr. Paul Reynolds, the beloved second Pastor of Saint Brigid, on the first anniversary of his death.  We thanked the Lord God for the gift of Msgr. Reynolds, and we also remember the…

2012 01-08 Rezoning Meeting at City Hall

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January 8, 2012 PLEASE ASSIST THE PARISH ON MONDAY EVENING  This Monday, the 9th of January, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, please join me at the Johns Creek City Hall (12000 Findley Road, Suite 400), to show your support of our application to rezone the property on Brumbelow Road, for parish use. On the 9th, let’s…

2012 01-01 Saint Anselm – Desire for the Vision of God

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January 1, 2012 Monsignor David extracted this portion of the Liturgy of the Hours and wanted all to read the beautiful words of St. Anselm (1033-1109, Doctor of the Church). Desire for the vision of God Insignificant man and woman, escape from your everyday business for a short while, hide for a moment from your…

2011 12-25 Saint Anselm – Desire for the Vision of God

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December 25, 2011 Monsignor David extracted this portion of the Liturgy of the Hours and wanted all to read the beautiful words of St. Anselm (1033-1109, Doctor of the Church).       Desire for the vision of God   Insignificant man and woman, escape from your everyday business for a short while, hide for a moment from…

2011 12-18 Monsignor Reynolds Farewell Homily (Saint Andrew)

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December 18, 2011  This farewell homily was given by Monsignor Paul Reynolds to the Parish of St. Andrew in April 2000.  Even though it was intended for the St. Andrew parishioners, its simple, though profound, message gives us a glimpse into the heart of this beloved priest. “Father”, as many of us will forever refer…

2011 12-11 In between

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December 11, 2011 In between  The season of Advent reminds us of two foundational truths of a Christian‘s faith-life. This season asks us to ponder these two truths, to pray about these two truths. Lots of our friends and lots of us use the Advent season for lots of reasons other than considering these two…

2011 12-04 6+8=25

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December 4, 2011 6 + 8 = 25 Looking at St. Nicholas and at Our Lady allows us a true sense of the approaching Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord. 6 + 8 = 25 In our day…what “Christmas” has become: vacation; feasting; parties; traveling; shopping; giving gifts; receiving gifts; returning gifts; visiting families;…

2011 11-27 The New Roman Missal

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November 27, 2011 In today’s proclamation, the Lord Jesus tells us to be watchful, be alert! As we begin this Advent season of introspection and anticipation, these words of the Lord are especially charged with meaning for us today…as we begin to pray holy Mass using the new third edition of the Roman Missal.  The…

2011 11-20 Thanksgiving

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November 20, 2011 It’s an interesting thing, to talk about our “growing up” years, and about the important Holy Days and holidays our families celebrated and held as important.  Some of us celebrated the “gift giving” associated with Christmas on the feast of Saint Nicholas (the 6th of December). These families imitated the good Bishop…

2011 11-06

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November 6, 2011 After every Mass this weekend, you will find the parishioners who coordinate our Adopt-A-Family Christmas outreach program on the landing, calling out to you, will you help us bring a bit of Christmas joy to some families in need? This extraordinary program of Christian fellowship honors the Solemnity of the Nativity of…

2011 10-30 Deacon Jim LaFreniere Update

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October 30, 2011 As most everyone of you know, our own Deacon Jim LaFreniere lost his wife this past August, after her long bout with cancer. Our parish came together in our support of Deacon Jim and his daughter Abby, as we offered a funeral Mass for Debbie, lifting up our friend in prayer.   I…

2011 10-23 We are Called to be Steward’s of God’s Gifts

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October 23, 2011 We are called to be stewards of God’s gifts  As a devout Jew, having grown up in a devout family, Jesus of Nazareth would have taken part in celebrating the various harvest festivals of the people of Israel. He would have known well the concept of first fruits, offering back to the…

2011 10-16

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October 16, 2011 Notre Dame football and Boston College and Blessed Trinity and Pius and Mercy and Marist. Lenten Fish Fries and fasting and abstinence on Fridays. Forty Day devotion. The beads. The Stations. The kneeler. Listening in the silence. St. Vincent de Paul. The morning offering. The scapular. Covecrest, EDGE and Life Teen.   Everything…

2011 10-09 How We Communicate the Good News of the Lord!

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October 9, 2011 How we communicate the Good News of the Lord!  In the whirlwind that is the 21st century of the Catholic Church, how are we…the parish family of Saint Brigid…to communicate the Good News of the Lord Jesus with one another ? In the rapid-fire world of instant messages and Facebook and Tweeting,…

2011 10-02 Respect Life

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October 2, 2011 Abundant living, cherishing life!  The Lord Jesus speaks to our hearts on this Respect Life weekend. He says to us…I came that all might have life, and have it to the full (John 10.10). The Light came into our world…that all may have life…abundant life….fruitful life…life to the full. We live this…

2011 09-25 New Roman Missal Workshop

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September 25, 2011 The new Roman Missal comes to Saint Brigid: a workshop for us to get ready for it.  Most everyone reading this column and most everyone that does not read these few words of mine…we are way too busy for words! Whether it’s because of your work or because of the care and…

2011 09-18 Guest Column – Jack Murphy – Saint Vincent de Paul

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September 18, 2011 The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has been working at our parish for 10 years. During that time, through your generous support, we have distributed 1.5 million dollars. This is money that you have contributed in our monthly collections, and our volunteers have given to those in temporary need. We meet…

2011 09-11 Ten Years Ago: A Personal Remembrance

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September 11, 2011 Ten years ago: a personal remembrance   I was sitting at my desk in the old Catholic Center on West Peachtree, in downtown Atlanta. I had been at work for several hours. One of the secretaries on the third floor came and spread the word… something’s happened at the World Trade Center…it’s…

2011 09-04 Farewell Father Diosmar Natad

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Septemeber 4, 2011 He came to the office on Friday morning, smiling with that normal ‘Father D” smile…but was a bit groggy.  He had landed Thursday afternoon at Hartsfield-Jackson, returning from his vacation. He had spent several weeks visiting family in the Philippines. So, he showed up at Saint Brigid…happy…but a bit groggy.  He was…