Our Holy Father Pope Leo has called on the Church community to foster and nurture vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops noted, “Pope Leo has stated that ‘God’s love, mercy, and goodness lie at the foundation of every vocation.’  He has called for the Church to create conditions that allow the gift of vocation to be embraced, nourished, protected, and accompanied, so that it may bear abundant fruit.  This includes the commitment of families, parishes, religious communities, bishops, priests, catechists, educators, and all the faithful to create a supportive environment for vocations.”

As we reflect on these sentiments, we at Saint Brigid strive as a community to assist seminarians as they discern a vocation to the priesthood and continue their training and formation.  This summer, we welcome William Brock as he pauses in his seminary studies to gain some additional experience in parish ministry. He is currently studying for the Archdiocese of Atlanta at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In addition to assisting at our liturgies, William will also assist in our Vacation Bible School, Confirmation conferences, and in many of our youth activities, including our youth service trip to Alabama. He will also participate in various aspects of our adult faith formation programs.  William will be with us until late July, and then return to his seminary studies in August.

As we welcome William, we are encouraged to reflect on the following “Prayer for Seminarians” provided by St. John Seminary in Boston:

O Lord Jesus Christ, great High Priest,
lead our seminarians in Your unerring footsteps
so that they may become priests who are models of purity,
possessors of wisdom and heroes of sacrifice.
Teach them generosity and detachment from worldly goods;
but above all, teach them to know You and to love You, the One and Only Eternal High Priest.
Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are encouraged to pray for William and all seminarians as they continue on their journey of faith.

This Monday, as a nation, we celebrate Memorial Day.  On this day, 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 all those who mourn their passing from this world.  Many of them died in wars and terrorist attacks.  Some were military chaplains who faithfully served the spiritual needs of our men and women in the armed forces, and also served the spiritual needs of their families.  They all sacrificed their lives and their freedom and helped make it possible for us to enjoy our lives and our freedom.  These men and women were prematurely separated from family members and friends, and a grateful nation pays them homage and respect.

The following prayer from the media outlet, “devoted”, reflects on the sacrifices made by many to protect our precious freedoms:

Heavenly Father,  we come before You with humble hearts
  to honor the brave souls who gave their lives for our freedom.
Help us to remember their sacrifice not just today, but always,
  and to live lives that reflect the values they defended.
Grant us the wisdom to understand the depth of their courage

  and the grace to live worthy of their ultimate offering.
May their memory inspire us to serve with love and integrity.
Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are called to truly appreciate our precious faith and freedom, which we should never take for granted.  This is especially important in these difficult and uncertain times when we have witnessed dramatic changes in the fabric of our society and our world over the last few years.  These changes were due primarily to the wars in Ukraine, Israel, and Iran, tensions with Russia and China and other nations, concerns over immigration policies, and a rapid increase in crime and illegal drugs in many of our large cities and even in many of our small rural areas.  Such changes have caused us to view our faith and our freedom in a different light and made us more acutely aware of the reality that there are events and circumstances that are beyond our control.

As we consider these changes and as we celebrate this day and take time for relaxation and recreation, we are encouraged to also make time for prayer.  Pope Leo has recently reiterated his plea for all people of goodwill to pray for peace in a world ravished by war and conflict.  We can join our brothers and sisters and pray for the repose of the souls of these men and women who have died in defense of our liberty.  In addition, we can pray for stability in our nation and we can respond to the call of Pope Leo to continue to pray for peace in our world, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts.

We are blessed to have a vibrant ministry at Saint Brigid for widows and widowers called the “New Beginnings Ministry”.  Many widows and widowers from our parish come together in our parish hall generally on the 1st Thursday of the month from September to May, for dinner, community, and fellowship.  They also participate in various off-site events over the summer. Widows and widowers from other parishes are also invited to attend any of these activities.

Many of these widows and widowers were married for more than 30 or 40 or 50 years.  During their marriages, they have lived; they have loved; they have served; they have forgiven.  Many of them remember the first time they met their spouses, their wedding day, the birth of their first child, and other important events in their marriages.  They fondly recall the joy and warmth they shared with their spouses in so many special ways, and the many sacrifices they made during their time together.

The Second Vatican Council of the Catholic Church declared, “Widowhood accepted bravely as a continuation of the marriage vocation should be esteemed by all.”  As we may remember, our Mother Mary was a widow.  We believe she felt great sadness and the pain of separation when her spouse Joseph, died sometime during the life of Jesus.  Yet, she continued to trust in God as she embraced her Son Jesus, and went on with her life.  The following prayer, called “A Prayer for Renewed Hope”, provided by the media outlet, “Prayerlit”, reminds a widow that, like Mary, our loving Father still guides her on her journey of faith:

Father of all hope,
breathe new life into this weary widow’s soul.
Help her believe again, dream again, and hope again.
Let Your promises light her path and remind her
that the future still holds beauty and purpose.
Stir up new vision and rekindle her trust in You.
Amen.

As we reflect on this profound prayer, we are reminded that recently we celebrated a Mass in our Day Chapel for the deceased spouses of our widows and widowers.  Approximately 75 widows and widowers were in attendance.  Each of them had the opportunity to offer a special prayer for their deceased loved one.  After the Mass, reflecting a fine example of collaborative ministry, the Men of Saint Brigid and the Knights of Columbus provided food and beverages and served a special catered dinner for these widows and widowers.

We thank these groups and their leaders for their assistance to our “New Beginnings Ministry” as we continue to strive to include our widows and widowers as an integral part of our faith community.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day and we are invited to remember and honor our mothers in a special way.  We can reflect on how much they do for their families and the many sacrifices they make on behalf of their spouse and children.  Primarily through their teaching and their example, they also play an essential role in passing down our faith to their children.   They often guide their children through their formative years with great love, patience and kindness.  As often noted, mothers do many ordinary things and they do them extraordinarily well.

Pope Leo has a great respect for the vocation of motherhood.  During a recent address in Rome, as reported in the publication “Catholic Vote”, he stated, “One of the most wonderful expressions of the love of God is the love that is poured out by mothers, especially to their children and grandchildren.”  He has encouraged the faithful to look to Mary, the mother of Jesus, as the model for all mothers.

The following “A Prayer for All Mothers” thanks God for the gift of our mothers:

Loving God, thank you for all the mothers in the world.
Bless them so that they may always give life and nourishment to their children through their firm faith,
generous and selfless love, good example and constant concern for their bodily and spiritual health.
Grant that we, their children, may honor them always with a spirit of profound love, respect and thanksgiving.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are invited to give thanks to our mothers for the many sacrifices they make on behalf of their families, especially in these difficult and uncertain times.  They deserve our thanks for all that they do, and for the example they set for us.  We may continue to honor them primarily by obeying them in our younger years, and by graciously taking care of them in their advancing years.  It is also appropriate to thank them for all the spiritual guidance they have provided to us.  In addition, we can also remember those mothers and grandmothers who have died, but still have a special place in our hearts and we can honor those women who are not mothers but have a great gift of love and compassion for those entrusted to their care.

On behalf of the clergy, staff, and parishioners of Saint Brigid, we wish all mothers a happy, healthy, and holy Mother’s Day.  May they enjoy their special day.

This coming Saturday, many of the children in our faith community will make their First Holy Communion at Saint Brigid.  Their parents and other loved ones will present them to share with us in the fullness of the Lord’s Supper for the first time and watch proudly as these children, with great devotion, receive this precious sacrament.

A few years before his death, Pope Francis celebrated a First Holy Communion Mass for a group of children in Europe.  As previously noted, as reported in the publication “America”, at the Mass, Our Holy Father stated, “First Communion is above all a celebration.  We celebrate Jesus, who wants to remain always by our side. He will always be with us.”  He continued, “Jesus is alive and here with us.  That is why we can encounter him today in the Eucharist.  We do not see him with our physical eyes, but we do see him with eyes of faith.” Pope Francis reminded the children that this celebration was made possible thanks to their parents and grandparents, their families and communities, their catechists and clergy who “have accompanied you on the road that today leads you to meet Jesus and to receive him in your hearts.”

As Catholics, as we celebrate First Holy Communion, we recall the Lord’s Supper and our love for the Eucharist.  Our Church teaching reminds us that we are blessed to have a high regard for the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith.  We are invited to bond with each other by nourishing together on the Bread of Life in the Eucharist, and then by going forth in loving service of our brothers and sisters, especially our brothers and sisters in need.

The following prayer called “Joyful Celebration of First Communion” from the media outlet “Prayer Social Intentions” asks God to bless and guide children receiving their First Holy Communion:

Oer, we gather in gratitude for this
sacred moment of First Communion.
We celebrate the joy of new beginnings
and the deepening of faith.
May this holy sacrament nourish their souls
and strengthen their bond with You.
Bless these young hearts as they embrace Your love
and guide them on their journey of faith.
Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are reminded that the word “Eucharist” means “giving thanks.”  And today we can once again thank the Lord for the great gift of the Eucharist, for our wonderful children, and for our vibrant faith community of Saint Brigid.

The Catholic Church is blessed to have men serve as Permanent Deacons.  Those men who are called to the Permanent Deaconate can be married, and they are usually ordained after a rigorous period of five years of training and formation. Many Permanent Deacons have secular jobs to support their families, and strive to balance family, Church, work, and other responsibilities.

Transition is part of the life of a Deacon.  This month, Deacon Jim Wolf will be leaving Saint Brigid to go to Indianapolis to spend more time with his children and grandchildren. He has faithfully served the Saint Brigid faith community for many years. Deacon Paul Doppel joins our faith community this month.  He has served in various parishes in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, and his wife and daughter are parishioners at Saint Brigid.

We are grateful to have many faithful, dedicated, and holy Deacons serving us at Saint Brigid.  They generously share their gifts and talents with us.  Please avail yourself of an opportunity to thank Deacon Jim and Deacon Paul for their service and continue to wish them well on their journey of faith.  Please also continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.

As we continue in this great season of Easter, on behalf of our clergy, staff, and volunteers, I want to thank you for your active participation in our liturgies and activities, especially during Holy Week.  We truly appreciate your courtesy, respect, and patience as we celebrated liturgies at various locations. In addition, we appreciate your courtesy, respect, and patience in entering and exiting our parking areas.  By your active participation, you have truly made the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ a sacred and holy one, as it should be.

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 in 2000, Pope John Paul II declared that the Second Sunday of Easter be known as ‘Divine Mercy Sunday’.  Prior to this celebration, the Pope also wrote a profound encyclical called ‘Rich in Mercy’. This encyclical explained the doctrinal and scriptural foundations for our understanding of mercy.”  Pope John Paul II was very familiar with the life and witness of Sr. Faustina and focused on her for inspiration.  He canonized her at a Mass in the year 2000 at which he instituted the observance of Divine Mercy Sunday.  Our Church further reminds us that Pope John Paul II “… also clearly articulated the essential message that Jesus gave to Sr. Faustina, and the message is that the graces of His mercy are greater than the stains of our sins.”

As reported in the media outlet EWTN, Pope John Paul stated, “Like Saint Faustina, we wish to proclaim that apart from the mercy of God there is no other source of hope for mankind.  We desire to repeat with faith: Jesus, I trust in you!  This proclamation, this confession of trust in the all-powerful love of God, is especially needed in our own time, when mankind is experiencing bewilderment in the face of many manifestations of evil.  The invocation of God’s mercy needs to rise up from the depth of hearts filled with suffering, apprehension and uncertainty, and at the same time yearning for an infallible source of hope.”

As previously noted, it may seem unusual that Divine Mercy Sunday comes so soon after the season of Lent.  After all, is not Lent the season to focus on repentance and mercy?  Well our Church believes that the timing is most appropriate because Jesus’ message to Sr. Faustina reminds us that there is no limit to His mercy for those who truly believe, for those who humbly ask for forgiveness.  His mercy is not limited by boundaries, nor is it impacted by seasonal limitations. This was his message to Sr. Faustina, and this is his message to us.

We are invited to take to heart the following prayer from the media outlet “Prayers Life” thanking God for the gift of his mercy:

Eternal God:
On this Divine Mercy Sunday, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude.
Your love endures forever, and Your mercy knows no bounds.
We thank You for the countless blessings You bestow upon us. In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, and on the profound words of Pope John Paul, we invite our parishioners and friends to join us to embrace the generous gift of God’s mercy in a humble spirit of thanksgiving.

Today we celebrate Easter Sunday and the Resurrection of Jesus.  At Easter we proclaim the glory of the Resurrection.  The suffering of the cross gives way to the glory of the Resurrection.  Just as we share in the suffering of Christ in this life, we hope to one day share in His glory.  Through his Resurrection, Jesus has conquered sin.  He has conquered death.  This is the message of his Good News.  When we embrace this message, we can show by our witness and by our actions that we are truly the body of Christ, the community of hope, and the Easter people of faith.

On this Easter Sunday, we welcome all to our vibrant Parish community.  We especially welcome our large number of men, women, and children, who have completed a thorough period of inquiry, education and catechesis, and will be receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, or the Eucharist for the first time at our Easter Vigil Mass.  During their period of study, they have grown closer together, and they will be invited to go forth and preach the Good News of Jesus by word and example.

We also welcome all those who are attending our Church for the first time, and those who do not attend our Church on a regular basis.  In addition, we invite you to become part of our community of faith.

The following prayer called “A Prayer for Renewed Faith During Easter” provided by the media outlet, “Prayerlit”, reflects the spirit of this day:

Dear Heavenly Father,
as we celebrate the resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ,
I come before You with a heart seeking renewed faith.
 This Easter, I ask that You strengthen my belief in Your promises and fill me
with the hope that comes from knowing Christ has conquered death. 
Help me to trust in Your plan for my life and to walk in faith,
even when the path seems uncertain. 
> May the power of the resurrection remind me that nothing is impossible with You. 
Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all who participated in our Holy Week liturgies and other services and activities.  As we celebrate this day, I also want to thank you for all that you do to enhance the spiritual vitality of our wonderful Parish, and on behalf of our priests, deacons and staff, I wish you and your families a holy, happy and healthy Easter season.

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.

Commenting on this day, our late Holy Father, Pope Francis stated, “…as we joyfully acclaim our King, let us also think of the sufferings that he will have to endure in this week. Let us think of the slanders and insults, the snares and betrayals, the abandonment to an unjust judgment, the blows, the lashes and the crown of thorns…and lastly, the way of the cross leading to the crucifixion.”

Pope Francis also reminded us that the final victory of Jesus would be achieved through the passion and cross and challenged us to choose to follow his way.  He stated, “Let us ask for the grace to follow Jesus faithfully, not in words but in deeds.  Let us also ask for the patience to carry our own cross, not to refuse it or set it aside, but rather, in looking to him, to take it up and to carry it daily.”

The following prayer called “A Prayer for Palm Sunday Reflection” provided by the media outlet, “Prayerlit”, encourages the faithful to truly embrace a spiritual focus as we begin our journey during Holy Week:

Dear Lord,

as we celebrate Palm Sunday, I come before You with a heart full of gratitude and reverence.

Help me reflect on the significance of this day, when Jesus entered Jerusalem as a humble King.

May I remember His sacrifice and the love that led Him to the cross.

Fill my heart with humility and gratitude as I walk through this Holy Week.

Amen

As we reflect on this prayer, we are strongly encouraged to participate in our upcoming liturgical services during Holy Week, striving to more fully appreciate what Jesus did for us, what Jesus means to us.  We are also encouraged to invite family members and friends to join us.  Please carefully review the schedule of our Masses and our other liturgical services for the week and plan to participate to the extent possible.  Details can be found in the Parish bulletin and on the Parish website.

Today, as we celebrate and experience the joy of Palm Sunday, as we shout “Hosanna”, we are challenged to heed the profound words of Pope Francis and focus on following the way of Christ during this special time of grace.

During the season of Lent, we have been coming together as a faith community each Friday to pray the “Stations of the Cross.”  We begin at 7:00 pm with a brief reflection by one of our deacons focusing on our Lenten challenges and concerns.  “Stations” then follow at 7:15 pm.

The media outlet, “Covenant Catholic” stated, “The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis, is a popular Catholic devotion that commemorates the Passion and death of Jesus Christ.  It consists of 14 specific events (stations) beginning with His condemnation by Pontius Pilate and ending with His burial in the tomb.  By meditating on these scenes, the faithful spiritually accompany Christ on His journey to Calvary, entering into the mystery of His redemptive suffering.”

A few years before his death, Pope Francis called on the faithful to enter more fully into the spirit of sacrifice, renewal and repentance during the Lenten season.  We can embrace this call in various ways, including by praying the “Stations of the Cross.”   He encouraged us to pray the “Stations” and stressed their importance.  Pope Francis reminded the faithful that the Cross of Christ bears the suffering and sins of mankind, and that Christ bears our crosses on His shoulders.

As reported by the publication, “Catholic News Service”, the following are extracts from the personal reflections of Pope Francis at the end of the “Way of the Cross”:

Let the feelings of faith, hope, charity and sorrow for our sins be ingrained in our hearts, lord, and lead us to repent for our sins that have crucified you.
Lead us to transform our conversion made of words into a conversion of life and deeds.
Crucified Jesus, strengthen the faith in us so that it not give in before temptations, rekindle hope in us, so that it not get lost by following the world’s seductions.
Protect charity in us, so that it not be deceived by corruption and worldliness.

As we reflect on these profound words, we are reminded that praying the “Stations” can provide us with an opportunity to avail ourselves of abundant spiritual graces.  We are especially encouraged to pray the “Stations” on Good Friday.  Commemorating the Passion of Jesus through the “Stations” can help us to more fully appreciate what Jesus has done for us.   They can also help us to clearly witness our faith and assist us in this special time of spiritual renewal.

Next Tuesday we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.  Saint Patrick joins Saint Brigid as one of the patron saints of Ireland.  Major parades take place in cities such as New York, Savannah, and Atlanta, celebrating the life of Saint Patrick and his contributions to the Catholic faith and to Irish culture.  It is a special day for Monsignor Marren and many other priests who were born in Ireland and who faithfully serve the Archdiocese of Atlanta.  It is also a holy day of obligation in Ireland.

Saint Patrick was a priest and later became a bishop in the fifth century.  As a youth, he lived in Britain, was kidnapped and taken to Ireland, where he lived as a servant.  After about six years, he escaped and went back to Britain.  He later returned to Ireland as a missionary, taught people about the Christian God, and prepared many of them for baptism and entry into the Catholic Church.  Saint Patrick often made use of a shamrock, a three-leaf clover, to teach about the Trinity (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).  He worked tirelessly in his ministry and won a very special place in the hearts of the Irish people.

The following “Prayer about St. Patrick” provided by the media outlet “Irish Central” reflects a desire for his intercession in spreading the gospel message in this day and age:

God our Father,
you sent Saint Patrick to preach your glory to the people of Ireland.
By the help of his prayers, may all Christians proclaim your love to all men.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are reminded that the bishops of Ireland stated that Saint Patrick was called to serve and bring God to a people far from his homeland.  They quoted from “The Confession of Saint Patrick,” in which Saint Patrick said,

“May it never befall me to be separated by my God from his people whom he has won in this remote land.  I pray God that he gives me perseverance, and that he will deign that I should be a faithful witness for his sake right up to the time of my passing.”

As we take these words to heart, we are reminded that Saint Patrick prayed for perseverance to be a faithful witness to the Gospel as he embraced the mission and ministry of Christ.  We, likewise, are challenged to be faithful witnesses as we wait to celebrate the Easter Resurrection of Jesus.

Bishop Bernard E. Shlesinger, III, celebrated Mass at 10:00 am at Saint Jude Catholic Church in Sandy Springs on Saturday, March 7^th, honoring the Woman and Teen of the Year for each of those parishes that are members of the Atlanta Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women.  Colleen Crupie was chosen as Woman of the Year, and Alex Schulte was chosen as Teen of the Year for Saint Brigid Parish.  We truly appreciate their many important contributions to our parish as we strive to sustain and enhance the spiritual vitality of our faith community.  They inspire us by their example of generous and unselfish service.   Colleen and Alex have certainly exhibited love of God and love of neighbor as they continue on their journey of faith.

Colleen serves our faith community in many different ways.   She has served in various leadership positions in our “Women of Saint Brigid” and “Circle of Sisters” ministries.   Colleen also coordinates our ministry for our Bereavement Funeral Receptions.  In addition, she has served as a guardian for Eucharistic Adoration and as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.  In all that she does, Colleen finds great joy in serving the Lord and serving the faith community of Saint Brigid.

Alex serves as a teen leader for our Youth Ministry through his participation in Sunday Life Nights, weekend retreats, summer camp experiences, and our Confirmation program.  He has a great appreciation for the Eucharist and constantly seeks ways to grow in holiness and invites others to grow with him.  In his words and in his actions, he humbly gives witness as a true disciple of Christ.  Alex interacts well with his peers and sets a great example for them.  He is held in high esteem by his Youth Ministry coordinators and core group.

On behalf of the priests, deacons, staff and parishioners of Saint Brigid, I congratulate Colleen and Alex for the honors they have received.

We are privileged to host a two-day Lenten Parish Mission on Monday, March 2^nd and Tuesday, March 3^rd at 7 pm each evening.   A Parish Mission can be viewed as an opportunity for spiritual healing, renewal, and reconciliation.  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.

The Mission will be presented by Bishop John Tran.  The theme of the Mission will be: “The Crosses We Carry on Our Journey of Faith”.   Bishop Tran will speak about his personal story and crosses, as well as the crosses we carry as disciples.  As we journey through life, many of us face various crosses and at various times.  During the Mission, Bishop Tran will focus on the reality that Jesus did not come to take away our crosses.  He came to sanctify our crosses by His presence.

In addition to the Mission, we will offer additional times and dates to provide us with a great opportunity to avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the season of Lent.  The sacrament is also available by appointment.  We can examine our conscience and acknowledge the ways in which we may have compromised our spiritual integrity.

Pope Leo has encouraged the faithful to understand the healing power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to avail themselves of the Sacrament as deemed appropriate.  In a recent address as reported in the media outlet, “Catholic World News”, he noted, “With God, nothing is impossible; life triumphs over death and grace over sin; let us live the Sacrament of Reconciliation intensely so that our relationship with Him may be alive beyond our betrayals.”    He further stated, “May divine forgiveness make us, in turn, merciful toward our brothers and sisters.”

As we reflect on these profound words of Our Holy Father, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation we can more effectively embrace the right spiritual course as we cleanse our souls and prepare for the commemoration of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Details concerning the Mission and information concerning opportunities for the , can be obtained from the Parish bulletin, as well as from the Parish office and website.  I hope that you will prayerfully consider participating in the Parish Mission, and avail yourself of great opportunities to enhance your spiritual life during this special season of Lent.

Archbishop Hartmayer celebrated Mass at Saint Brigid on Saturday, February 14^th, honoring couples in the Archdiocese of Atlanta celebrating the 50^th or 60^th anniversary of their marriage.   More than one hundred couples, along with many with several loving family members, were in attendance.   These couples have committed themselves in a sacramental way to the Lord, and to one another.   In our Church tradition, a man and woman are not only joined to each other in marriage, they are also joined to Christ.   As the sign of God’s presence in the world, Christ is the foundation of their union.  The couple then joins Christ as an outward sign of God’s love.   They are able to open themselves to each other in love because God has first loved them.

In reflecting on a couple’s love for one another, Catholic author and educator, Matthew Kelly, indicated that in marriage, couples strive to allow themselves to share fully with each other, emotionally, intellectually, physically, and spiritually, within their human limitations.  Marriage also requires real openness to give and to receive.  This openness requires trust in each other and trust in the Lord.  In marriage, couples strive to reflect the total giving of self by Christ on the cross.

Our Holy Father, Pope Leo has a great appreciation for the vocation of marriage.  As reported in the media outlet, “Catholic Vote”, he recently stated, “The Church tells us that today’s world needs the marriage covenant in order to know and accept God’s love and to defeat, thanks to its unifying and reconciling power, the forces that break down relationships and societies.  For this reason, with a heart filled with gratitude and hope, I would remind all married couples that marriage in not an ideal but the measure of true love between a man and a woman: a love that is total, faithful and fruitful (cf SAINT PAUL VI, Humanae Vitae,).  This love makes you one flesh and enables you, in the image of God, to bestow the gift of life.”

The following prayer called “A Prayer for Gratitude and Blessings” from the media outlet “Prayerlit”, thanks God for blessing a 50^th Anniversary couple who have shared a life together:

Gracious Father,
we thank You for the abundance of blessings
poured out on this couple throughout their 50 years of marriage.
May their hearts overflow with gratitude for every moment
of love, joy, and even the trials that made them stronger.
Let this anniversary be a testament to Your faithfulness in their lives.
Amen.

As reflect on this prayer, and on the words of Our Holy Father, we are encouraged to give thanks to our anniversary couples for truly embracing the vocation of marriage, and for the profound example of endearing and steadfast love which they have provided for us.

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 people’s foreheads as a reminder of human mortality and as a sign of repentance and contrition.  Many people will attend Church on this day to receive ashes as they strive to enter into the spirit of the season.  Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season.  Lent is the time, approximating forty days, of reflection and penance leading up to Easter.

The following “Lenten Prayer for Ash Wednesday” provided by the organization “Dynamic Catholic” can assist us in initiating the Lenten season in the proper spirit:

God of goodness and mercy
Hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with You. 
Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from You. 
Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to Your love.
May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with You and live forever in Your abundant grace. 
Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. 
Give me the strength to make myself 100% available to You every day as I prepare for Easter. 
Amen. 

As we reflect on this prayer, we are encouraged to strive to unite our hearts with the Lord in a very substantive way.  During this special time in the Church year, we can therefore turn to God and seek spiritual renewal in heart, mind, and body through the disciplines of Lent: prayer, almsgiving, and fasting if we are physically able.

We can respond to the challenge to truly strive to turn away from sin and toward the living God, and we can avail ourselves of the sacrament of Reconciliation.  The sacrament is not here to punish us, but rather to get us closer to the God who loves us.  It is here to heal, not to condemn, and to get us back on track spiritually.  We will provide additional opportunities for the sacrament of Reconciliation during the Lenten season, with morning and evening dates and times for confession.

As an aid to our Lenten journey, a schedule of important dates, events, and liturgies during Lent and during Holy Week can be found on the Parish website.  During this journey, we are challenged to go beyond our comfort zones and experience the love and mercy of the Lord in a very profound way.  Please take every opportunity to avail yourself of this special time of grace as we prepare to celebrate the Easter Resurrection of Our Lord.

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, which is led by our Holy Father Pope Leo.  One way it shares in this mission is through the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.

This weekend, we initiate discussion of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for 2026 at our Masses.   The theme of the Appeal is “We Are One Body” with an emphasis on “Called to Serve”.  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 our people.

Specifically, a substantial portion of our contributions to the Appeal provides funds that go to the training and support of future happy, holy, and healthy priests needed to serve the Church of tomorrow.  We are blessed to have a newly ordained priest who benefited directly from the Appeal, Fr. Colin Patrick, serving in our parish.  He truly appreciates the gift of his vocation.  Our contributions are also used for the training and formation of permanent deacons and others in religious life.  Through your generosity and your prayers, vocations are being embraced as we go forth in service of the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.

In addition, the Appeal supports Catholic Charities, which continues to make a focused effort to assist homeless military veterans in the Atlanta area and in other local areas, and to help to stabilize their lives with housing and employment assistance.  The Appeal also supports priest retirement programs as well as other Archdiocesan pastoral outreach, education, and formation programs that serve our Parish as well as our larger Church community.

Archbishop Hartmayer has stated, “The Annual Appeal provides an opportunity for us to put our faith into action by putting the gifts with which the Lord has blessed us in the service of others.  As the main source of funding for all the ministerial, outreach, education, formation, and discipleship work of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, your sacrificial gift giving allows us to continue the work of Christ throughout our Archdiocese.”

We invite you to prayerfully consider pledging to the 2026 Appeal, and ask you to give generously and sacrificially.  We thank all who have already given via the mail or online.  For those who have not yet contributed, we ask you to make a commitment using a pledge envelope that will be provided during Mass this weekend.  Information about the Appeal has been provided in the Church Bulletin and on the Parish website.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are challenged to respond in faith to this invitation and request as we strive to faithfully answer our call to discipleship.  Your continued generosity is truly appreciated.

Thank you for all you do to support our Church community.

This Sunday, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Brigid, the patron saint of our Parish.  She joins Saint Patrick as one of Ireland’s patron saints.  Saint Brigid lived in the fifth century and was a contemporary of Saint Patrick, but there is no real evidence that they ever met.  She was an Irish Christian nun who worked tirelessly to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Saint Brigid travelled widely throughout Ireland, founding many convents and fostering vocation awareness.  She organized communal consecrated religious life for the women of Ireland.  Her focus on communal prayer and work attracted many followers.  Many would travel long distances to seek her spiritual advice and counsel, and were led to the faith through her words and example.  She played a major role in making Ireland a Christian nation.

Catholic education was a great priority for her.  She strived to see that the Catholic faith was taught clearly and thoroughly.  Saint Brigid founded several schools and is regarded as the patron saint of students.  This is very appropriate at this time, since we are completing Catholic Schools Week.

Saint Brigid is known for her Christian charity and is celebrated for her generosity to those in need.  It was said that she could not bear to see anyone cold or hungry since she truly believed that Christ dwelt in every person.  She strived to work with the less fortunate with love and compassion.  Her love of God and love of neighbor were obvious to all who knew her.

Saint Brigid is also known for her extraordinary spirituality. She acknowledged the presence of God in her life through daily prayer, and the following is an excerpt taken from a prayer attributed to her:

“I would like the angels of Heaven to be among us.

I would like an abundance of peace.

I would like full vessels of charity.

I would like treasures of mercy.

I would like cheerfulness to preside over all.

I would like Jesus to be present.

I would like the friends of heaven to be gathered around us from all parts.

I would like myself to be a rent payer to the Lord; that I would suffer distress, that he would bestow a good blessing upon me.”

As we reflect on this prayer, please join us in celebrating the life and legacy of this great saint. Saint Brigid, intercede for us. Saint Brigid, pray for us.

This weekend, we focus on the work of the Mustard Seed Communities (MSC).   Mustard Seed was founded by Msgr. Gregory Ramkissoon, a Catholic priest in Jamaica. MSC started in Jamaica and expanded to Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Africa.  It cares for several hundred children with special physical and mental health needs, many of whom have been abandoned. Our late Holy Father, Pope Francis, stated, “We need to see each child as a gift to be welcomed, cherished, and protected.”  Mustard Seed strives to love and protect the most vulnerable of our children.   It strives to focus on these children as gifts from God. MSC also manages a number of community outreach programs to combat poverty and provide educational opportunities to local populations.

Saint Brigid Catholic Church supports MSC primarily through its spiritual and financial assistance.  Some of our parishioners have also adopted children from various Mustard Seed communities.  Representatives of MSC will be available after the Masses this weekend to answer questions about the Community and its work.  Please prayerfully consider supporting MSC as we stand united with the least of our brothers and sisters.

This week, we also celebrate National Catholic Schools Week.  It is hosted by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). As reported by the media outlet, “Catholic Education Partnership”, “This year’s theme, ‘Normal Lives, Called to Holiness’, resonates with the central conviction that education is a path not only to knowledge and maturity but to sainthood.”  The outlet also noted that “this year’s theme invites pupils, teachers, families, and parishes to explore the call to holiness as something both universal and accessible. Holiness is not for a few, but for all; not reserved for religious professionals or mystics, but for every student, teacher, parent, and grandparent, living each day in friendship with Jesus Christ. Catholic schools exist to form individuals who know that their lives have a purpose and a calling.”

As we reflect on these sentiments, we are reminded that Catholic education has always been a priority for the Catholic bishops of our nation.  For many years, Catholic schools had been staffed primarily by nuns, religious brothers, and priests.  They are now staffed primarily by lay teachers who truly view teaching as their vocation.  These teachers strive to educate and form students who will embrace and spread the faith.  We are blessed to have such dedicated men and women teaching our students.

As we celebrate this week, we are encouraged to pray that Catholic education will continue to flourish.

This Sunday marks the end of our Christmas Season as we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that Baptism is “The first of the seven sacraments, and the ‘door’ which gives access to the other sacraments.  Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification.”

The Catechism further notes that “Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the ‘sacraments of initiation’ by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ.  The rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water, or pouring water on the head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”  Jesus began his public ministry after being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.

Baptisms are generally scheduled at least one month in advance at Saint Brigid.  Parents are required to attend a preparation class before the Baptism.  Families are encouraged to attend the Baptism of their loved ones.  Priests or deacons preside at the Sacrament, which is usually administered on the weekends in the Church Chapel.

Then next Sunday, January 18^th, we begin the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  During that week, our bishops ask us to unite in prayer with our Christian brothers and sisters.  Our Holy Father Pope Leo stated, “…unity has always been a constant concern of mine, as witnessed by the motto I chose for my episcopal ministry: ‘In Illo uno unum’, an expression of Saint Augustine of Hippo that reminds us how we too, although we are many, ‘in the One – that is Christ – we are one’.  What is more, our communion is realized to the extent that we meet in the Lord Jesus.  The more faithful and obedient we are to him, the more united we are among ourselves.  We, Christians, then, are called to pray and work together to reach this goal, step by step, which is and remains the work of the Holy Spirit.”  Pope Leo encouraged the faithful to embrace a bond of unity and prayer that should mark the lives of all Christians as we strive to see the Light of Christ shine through the spiritual darkness of this world.

As we reflect on the profound words of Pope Leo, and as we focus on the Sacrament of Baptism, and as we continue in this New Year, we are invited to pray that a true sense of Christian harmony and unity will be embraced as we continue on our journey of faith.

This Sunday, we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.  On this day, we focus on the Wise Men, the Magi, who were on a difficult journey of faith to encounter the Lord. Progressing in faith, the Magi faced many risks and obstacles on their journey.  These risks and obstacles included the danger inherent in traveling on a difficult and arduous journey.  The Magi probably battled the hot, blazing sun by day and the freezing cold at night.  They were probably, at times, hungry, frustrated, and tempted to turn back.  Yet, they persevered on their journey to encounter Christ.

As we reflect on their journey of faith, we realize that, like the Wise Men, we also are on a difficult journey of faith to encounter the Lord, and we also face many obstacles.  These obstacles come in the form of temptations that can easily lead us away from the Lord.  Such temptations may be very real and very powerful.  For example, we may encounter friends, co-workers, and even loved ones who subject us to ridicule because we dare to search for a place for the Lord in our lives.  In addition, in this increasingly secular society, we may encounter those who do not want us to include a place for the Lord in our marriages, in our homes, or in our schools.

We may also have to deal with our own spiritual complacency.  Pope Leo has encouraged the faithful to strive to focus on the ways of the Lord as we begin this New Year.  This desire for a more spiritual focus in our lives is reflected in the following prayer, “Put God First” provided by the media outlet, “The Graceful Chapter”:

Heavenly Father,
I thank you for all that you do for me.
Thank you for the opportunity to see a new year.
Forgive me for all the times that I forgot to seek you first and did things my own way.
This year, help me to put you first in everything I do.
Remind me each and every day that I need you in my life.
Help me to love and desire you above all things.
As I step into the new year, I pray that you will be my guide and my protector.
Give me the strength and courage for the new year.
And direct me in all that I do. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer as we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, and as the New Year progresses, we are encouraged to strive to further encounter the Lord in some profound and personal way.

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. As reported in the media publication, “Vatican News”, Pope Leo “acknowledged the real challenges facing families today, including poverty, migration, and violence, and urged both the Church and public institutions to support and protect family life.”  He noted that God gave families the perfect model, the Holy Family.  He stated, “In every child, in every husband or wife, God entrusts us with His Son, with His Mother, just as He did with Saint Joseph, so that together with them, we may be a foundation, leaven, and witness of God’s love among humanity.”

Echoing the sentiments of our late Holy Father Pope Francis, Pope Leo has challenged us to strive for spiritual unity and for the strengthening of families by following the example of the Holy Family, especially in these difficult and uncertain times.

Then, this coming Thursday, we begin the New Year, and we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. Pope Leo has encouraged the faithful to make a conscious effort to have a more spiritual orientation in their lives in the midst of the many temptations of the secular world.

This hope for a more spiritual orientation is reflected in the following prayer provide by the media outlet, “Daily Prayer Circle”:

Father, let our lives be fruitful this year.
May our efforts not be in vain.
Let our relationships bear fruit,
our work produce excellence,
and our ministry reach others.
May our spiritual lives overflow with love,
joy, peace, and self-control.
Let every season bring visible growth and lasting impact. Amen.

As we begin the New Year, and as we reflect on this prayer, many of us make resolutions to renew or revitalize our lives in certain ways. We may resolve to lose weight, or exercise more frequently, or be more punctual. But we can also consider ways that we can renew or revitalize our lives spiritually. One way we can embrace spiritual renewal is by praying each day, especially as a family if circumstances permit. It may be before meals. It may be at a certain time in the day. Most of us are busy people, with different schedules, often going in different directions within our family unit. So, it may require some discipline and structure to make the time to pray together but hopefully it will be spiritually beneficial.

On behalf of Msgr. Marren, Fr. Bill, Fr. Colin, our Deacons, and staff, we wish you and your families many spiritual blessings in the year to come.

As we approach the end of our Advent season, our Gospel today focuses on how the birth of Christ comes about; how Mary “was found with child through the Holy Spirit” and how the child was to be named Jesus.  In few days, we will celebrate the birth of Christ.  At Christmas, Christ comes into the world and into our lives as a sign of the love God has for us.  The Christmas season should be a time of prayer and reflection, wonder and silence as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World.

The following “Prayer for Christmas Season” provided by Daniel Ninanjan through the media outlet, “divine disclosures” reflects the essence of the season:

Eternal God, as we enter this sacred Christmas season,
we come before You with hearts full of anticipation and gratitude.
Thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, whose coming we celebrate during this special time.
As the world around us bustles with activity, help us to slow down
and reflect on the true meaning of this season.
May the twinkling lights remind us of the Light of the World,
the festive music echo the angels’ proclamation, and the spirits of giving mirror Your ultimate gifts to us.
During this Christmas season, open our eyes to see opportunities to share Your love with others.
Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, the joy of His coming fill our spirits,
and the hope He brings renew our strength.
May this season be more than a fleeting celebration,
but a time of deep spiritual renewal and connection with You. Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, may we truly allow the light of Christ to shine through the darkness of our world and the darkness of our lives.  My prayer for all of us is that in the midst of the darkness of this world, we will have the wisdom to embrace the spiritual peace that Jesus offers us.  As a community of faith, may we truly experience the joy and love of the Lord this Christmas as we continue to strive for peace in our world, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts.  May God continue to guide and keep safe all those who may be travelling during the Christmas season.

As we get ready to celebrate the birthday of Christ, I want to thank you for all you do to enhance the spiritual vitality of our parish.  I am deeply grateful for your willingness to embrace a spirit of generosity which, in so many ways, has enriched and strengthened our many programs, ministries, and activities, and has greatly fostered vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life.

On behalf of Msgr. Marren, Fr. Bill, Fr. Colin, our Deacons, and staff, I wish you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas and a happy, healthy, and holy New Year.  May you experience the wonder of the Lord’s peace and joy in many profound and mysterious ways.

It is a privilege to serve you and our faith community.

Fr. Neil Herlihy

This Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate Gaudate (Rejoice) Sunday as we wait in joyful anticipation for the coming of the Christ Child.  In our gospels for Advent, the call to prepare for Christ comes primarily from John the Baptist.  He holds a unique position in salvation history.  John serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments.  He is the last of the Old Testament prophets who point the way to the Messiah.  He is the first of the New Testament witnesses and martyrs.

Some regard John as some crazy person who lived in the desert, wore strange clothes, and eat exotic foods.  Yet there is nothing strange or crazy or exotic about his message.   It is very clear; very practical; very prudent; and very challenging.   He tells us to prepare for the coming of the Lord, acknowledge our shortcomings and failures, repent of our sins, and change our hearts.  With great humility, he acknowledges that his role is subordinate to that of Jesus.  He says, “I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of His sandals” and acknowledges that he must decrease and Jesus must increase.

As we strive to prepare spiritually for the coming of the Lord, we are reminded that this Thursday, December 18^th at 9:00 am, we will celebrate a memorial Mass for our beloved former pastor, Monsignor Paul Reynolds.  He served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Atlanta for over forty years.  Monsignor Reynolds shepherded his congregation here at Saint Brigid from 2006 until his death in 2010.  He was a priest of great wisdom and insight and truly appreciated the opportunity to serve the people entrusted to his care.

As disciples, the Season of Advent can serve as a good time for us to reflect on our spiritual priorities.  Unfortunately, during Advent many of us can get caught up in the “busyness” and distractions of the Season.  The media does so much to commercialize the Season, and all too often we may do the same.  We may be busy going shopping; we may be busy going to parties; we may be busy making travel plans.  But in the midst of all this “busyness”, are we really preparing spiritually for the coming of the Christ Child?

As we reflect on the example of John the Baptist, and as we honor the memory of Monsignor Reynolds, we know the Lord is ready to come to us.  Are we willing to step back from our “busyness”, avoid the distractions of the Season, and truly focus on His coming?  Hopefully through prayer and reflection, we will truly open our hearts, and get our spiritual priorities in order, as we get ready to receive Our Lord, Our Savior, and Our King of Kings.

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 Monsignor Marren helped us focus on the example of the Holy Family and to more fully embrace the true spirit of Advent as we await the coming of the Christ Child.

During Advent we continue to honor our Mother Mary in special ways.  This Monday, December 8^th, we honor Mary as we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception.  Our Catechism states, “The dogma proclaimed in Christian Tradition and defined in 1854, that from the first moment of her conception, Mary – by the singular grace of God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ – was preserved immune from original sin.”  It is a Holy Day of Obligation, and our attendance at Mass should be viewed more as a privilege than an obligation.

Next Friday, December 12^th, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as we once again honor Mary, our Mother.  She is the patroness of the United States, Mexico and all of the Americas, as well as the protector of the unborn.  She is a religious as well as a cultural figure to the people of Mexico.  In 1531, she appeared in a vision to a humble peasant farmer named Juan Diego near Mexico City.  The appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe helped generate the conversion of Mexico and Latin America to Catholicism.  Her feast is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm throughout the Americas.  Pope Leo has a very special appreciation for this feast day, since he spent many years as a missionary and bishop in the Latin American nation of Peru.

As we focus on these two great feasts of our Church, please be aware that we will have additional opportunities during this season of Advent to avail ourselves of the great Sacrament of Reconciliation.   The Sacrament will be offered at various times in the mornings and the evenings.  It is here to heal us spiritually and get us closer to the Lord who loves us.  Please check the parish bulletin or the parish website for additional times for the Sacrament.

During this great season of Advent, my hope is that through our devotion to Mary, through our prayers and spiritual reflections, through our acts of charity, and through the healing provided by the Sacrament of Reconciliation, our hearts will be made ready to receive Our Lord, Our Savior, Our King of Kings.

This Sunday begins the season of Advent.  At this special time in the Church year, Advent holds out the hope and desire to see the light of Christ shine through the darkness of our world. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops stated, “The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas.”  It further noted, that “Our Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighed down and distracted by the cares of this world.”

As we begin our Advent season, we are pleased to sponsor an Advent Parish Mission presented by Monsignor Hugh Marren, Senior pastor and teacher in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.  The theme of the mission is: “The Holy Family: A Model for Our Advent Journey.”

A Parish Mission can be viewed as an opportunity for spiritual reflection and conversion.  It also can provide an opportunity to change hearts and transform lives as we renew and strengthen our relationship with Our Lord.

At this special time, we are urged to remain watchful and vigilant as we wait in joyful anticipation for the coming of the Lord.  This Christmas we are invited to give the Lord the gift of a pure heart by being spiritually prepared for His coming.  During the Mission, Monsignor Marren will speak about joys and sorrows and challenges embraced by Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and the example they set for us as we continue on our journey of faith.  He will also focus on the hope filled meaning of Advent.

There will be time for prayer and reflection.  The message of Monsignor Marren should resonate with all people of goodwill including families, young adults, and teens.

We invite you to come to this Mission.  Please invite your friends, especially those Catholics who may have been away from the Church for some time and for some reason.  Through God’s grace, you may be instrumental in getting your friends to return to the precious faith we love and cherish.

The Advent Mission will take place on Monday, December 1st and Tuesday, December 2nd.  There will be both morning and evening sessions for your convenience.  Details concerning the Mission can be obtained from the Parish bulletin and website as well as from the Parish office.

We invite you to participate in the Parish Mission and avail yourself of this special time of grace.

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, and what Christ did for us, and that we are called to serve the King of Kings.

This coming Thursday, we also celebrate Thanksgiving Day, and we are encouraged to give thanks for the many blessings that the Lord has bestowed on us.   The media outlet, “Young Catholics” stated, “Thanksgiving, then, is a good time for Catholics to practice this attitude of thankfulness.  It reminds us to thank God for the blessings we often take for granted – our food, our family, and our faith.”  The outlet further noted, “The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2638) says that every Christian prayer should include thanksgiving.  This means we should thank God at all times, not just when things are going well. God gives us every good thing.  Even in hard times, we can find reasons to be grateful because God is always with us.”

As we reflect on these words, we pray that Thanksgiving Day will not be commercialized but rather will truly be a time for appreciation and thanksgiving.  The word “Eucharist” means “giving thanks” and we are invited to attend Mass on Thanksgiving Day.  If possible, we are also encouraged to share a meal with loved ones.

The following “A Prayer for Thanksgiving” provided by “S. Sadlier” reflects the significance of the day:

Loving God,
We turn our hearts to you on this day for giving thanks on this day mindful of your many gifts.
For each one, we are grateful.
For each one, we are blessed.
For each one we are opened to the abundance of your love.
May this Thanksgiving Day offer a reminder to be generous with others, as you are with us.
We praise you.
We rejoice in you.
We give you thanks. Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, our bishops suggest that beginning Monday, the days before Thanksgiving be set aside for deeds of charity, for penance, and for prayers for economic justice. Our bishops are painfully aware that many people are marginalized in some way and continue to suffer in these difficult and uncertain times. We can also pray that Thanksgiving Day will truly be a time to thank God for prayers answered and blessings received.

On behalf of the priests, deacons, and staff at Saint Brigid, I give thanks for our Saint Brigid faith community, and I pray that your Thanksgiving Day will be a blessed one.

Next Saturday, approximately 110 of our teens will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.  This sacrament 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’ the baptized in union with Christ and equip them for active participation in the worship and apostolic life of the Church.”

As previously noted, those who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation spend much time in instruction, reflection, and prayer.  Their preparation also includes time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and for a spiritual retreat.  Our Catechism reminds the faithful of the need for proper preparation for the sacrament.  It indicates, “Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a livelier familiarity with the Holy Spirit – his actions, his gifts, and responsibilities of Christian life.  To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community.”

Candidates for Confirmation are asked to select the name of a saint as their Confirmation name.  The saint can serve as an example of Christian living.  Candidates also receive the spiritual guidance and dedicated support of a sponsor as they take this important step on their journey of faith.

This “Prayer for Confirmation Candidates” provided by the media outlet “Catholic Online” asks the Lord to guide those who will be receiving this timely sacrament:

Almighty God,
as these individuals prepare for their confirmation,
we ask that You fill their hearts with wisdom and courage.
May they feel Your presence guiding them
through this significant milestone in their spiritual journey.
Grant them the strength to stand firm in their faith
and the grace to embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, You are the giver of many gifts.
Open the hearts and minds of those being confirmed,
helping them to recognize and accept the goodness within themselves
and the potential they have to follow Christ.
May they be filled with joy and the fruit of Your Spirit,
enabling them to share Your love with the world.  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are encouraged as a community of faith to continue to pray for our Confirmation candidates, their coordinators, and their sponsors.

This Tuesday, November 11^th, 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 their unselfishness and dedication, they made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms provided in our nation.  We should appreciate their sacrifice and service and never take them for granted.  In addition, we should also remember the great sacrifices made by military chaplains who are Veterans and who have faithfully served the spiritual needs of our men and women in the armed forces and their families.

A we know, many of the Veterans in our nation continue to strive to adapt to civilian life.  Catholic Charities in Atlanta has made a concerted effort to assist Veterans to obtain adequate housing and has also provided needed spiritual, emotional, and financial support.  In addition, our Veterans Administration hospitals and treatment centers continue to strive to make necessary improvements in order to provide appropriate ongoing care for Veterans in need.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, in a recent Veterans Day address, stated, “Please stop today, remember, and say a prayer for our Veterans.  Especially, we cannot forget those who continue to suffer the effects of their wounds either in mind or in body.  They carry the reminders of their commitment and their past with them always.  We ask the Lord to give them consolation and healing.”  He further noted, “The occasion is also propitious to remember the families who mourn the loss of a loved one or who support a disabled veteran.  We pray and offer them our support.”

The following “A Prayer for Gratitude to Veterans”, from the media outlet, “Prayerlit”, reflects the essence of our appreciation for the sacrifice of our Veterans:

Dear God,
today we pause to reflect on the brave men and women
who have served our country with unwavering courage.
We thank You for their sacrifices, their strength, and their dedication.
Lord, bless each veteran with peace, healing, and comfort,
knowing their efforts have been deeply appreciated.
May they feel Your love surrounding them today and always.
Thank You, Lord, for the freedom we enjoy through their service.
Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are encouraged to continue to honor our Veterans through our prayers and expressions of gratitude, always appreciating their commitment and sacrifice.

This Sunday, November 2nd, we commemorate All Souls Day.  It is a day to honor and pray for all souls.  We especially pray for our deceased relatives, friends, neighbors, parishioners, co-workers, and all who shared their lives with us.

The media outlet, Catholic News Agency, stated, “The theological basis for the feast is the doctrine that the souls which, on departing from the body are not perfectly cleansed from venial sins, or have not fully atoned for past transgressions, are debarred from the Beatific Vision and that the faithful on Earth can help them by prayers, almsgiving and especially the sacrifice of the Mass.”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church also notes that, “Through indulgences the faithful can obtain the remission of temporal punishment resulting from sin for themselves and also for the souls in Purgatory.”

Commenting on this day, shortly before his passing, our Holy Father Pope Francis stated, “Sadness mixes with hope and this is what we feel today in this celebration: the memory of our loved ones, … and hope.  But we also feel that this hope helps, because we, too, have to make a journey.  All of us will make this journey – sooner or later, but everyone, with pain – some more, some less – but all.  But with the flower of hope, with that strong thread of hope that is anchored in the hereafter.”

In addition, on Tuesday, November 4th, at 7 p.m., we will celebrate a Mass of Remembrance.  As in the past, we will honor the memory of those loved ones who have died, including those who have died recently.  A litany of names and an offering of roses with appropriate lighting of candles will mark this special occasion.

As Catholics, we are encouraged, especially during this first week of November, to visit grave sites as we strive to honor our dead and to bring spiritual peace and consolation to families who mourn for their loved ones.

We can also give thanks for all those who give of their time to participate in our bereavement and grief sharing ministries, and who do so much to assist families in their time of mourning and grief.  They provide these families with much comfort and guidance.

As we reflect on the profound words of Pope Francis, we are invited to honor our deceased loved ones by participating in our Church liturgies on these very special days.  Details concerning these liturgies can be found in the Parish bulletin and on the Parish website.