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 the Eucharistic Congress, we acknowledge the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and acknowledge the Eucharist as the source and summit of our faith.   We nourish together on the Bread of Life in the Eucharist and then go forth in loving service of our brothers and sisters, especially our brothers and sisters in need.

The Congress begins on Friday evening with Mass and a healing service.  It continues Saturday morning with a procession, benediction, and adoration and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration will be available throughout most of the day.  Dynamic speakers will be present to give powerful witness to their faith journey.  There will be special activities for young adults and children, and a Teen Track also will be provided.  The Congress concludes Saturday evening with the vigil Mass for the feast of Corpus Christi.

Participation in a Eucharistic Congress is wholeheartedly supported by Pope Francis.  A few years ago at a Eucharistic Congress in the Philippines, he stated, “At each Eucharist, the table of the Lord’s Supper, we should be inspired to follow His example, by reaching out to others, in a spirit of respect and openness, in order to share with them the gift we have received.”  He indicated that, “Through the testimony of lives transformed by God’s love, we best proclaim the Kingdom’s promise of reconciliation, justice and unity for the human family.  Our example can open hearts to the grace of the Holy Spirit, who leads them to Christ the Savior.”  He also stated that, “The Eucharist is a school of humble service.  It teaches us readiness to be there for others” which “is at the heart of missionary discipleship.” We are invited to take these profound words to heart as we grow in our appreciation of the Eucharist.

As we plan our activities, we are encouraged to prayerfully consider attending the Congress.  People from many different parishes and missions in the Archdiocese will be in attendance.  There is no admission charge and, as in past years, a free shuttle bus will be provided all day Saturday for those in need of transportation.   Please check the Parish website for more details.               

Bus times::

Depart Saint Brigid at  7:00 AM, 9:30 AM and 12:00 Noon.
Leave Convention Ctr. to return to SBCC at 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM.

Public Transportation: It can be easily accessed through the Skytrain from the airport to connect to Marta.

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 them died in wars and in terrorist attacks. They sacrificed their lives and their freedom and helped make it possible for us to enjoy our lives and our freedom.  They were prematurely separated from family members and friends, and a grateful nation pays them homage and respect.

The following prayer for Memorial Day was provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

O GOD, BY WHOSE MERCY THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED FIND REST,

LOOK KINDLY ON YOUR DEPARTED VETERANS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY.

GRANT THAT THROUGH THE PASSION, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION OF YOUR SON,

THEY MAY SHARE IN THE JOY OF YOUR HEAVENLY KINGDOM AND REJOICE WITH YOU AND YOUR SAINTS FOREVER.

WE ASK THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.

As we reflect on this prayer, we also note that this month is a special time for our loved ones and friends who are graduating from various levels of education.  Recently, the Most Reverend Michael Sheridan, Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs, urged those graduating to know their vocation, for a vocation is a call from God.  He also offered them these words of wisdom: “If you keep the right balance in your lives, grounded in Christ and His Gospel, there are some things that must be a regular part of your lives.  Daily prayer is essential.  Each time we pray our perspective in readjusted.  We are reminded that God is God and we are not.  Prayer keeps our relationship with God alive, just as communicating with our friends maintains our friendships.”

Bishop Sheridan, in addition, encouraged those graduating to “….enjoy the years that God gives you in this life. Use the things of the world wisely.  Live for God and for the good of your neighbor.  Never use another person for your own gratification, but remember that every person has a dignity and a sanctity that must never be violated.”  As we reflect on these words, we should encourage our graduates to take them to heart.

This weekend many of us will make time for picnics and relaxation.  During this weekend, we are also reminded to pray for the repose of the souls of those in the military who have gone before us, and to truly appreciate our precious faith and freedom which we should never take for granted.

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 these titles because she said “Yes” to God, and lived out that “Yes” throughout the joys and sorrows of everyday living.

The Church presents Mary as a model of love in its fullness.  The love she had for Jesus and Joseph is not reserved for them alone.  It is the same precious love that she has for us, the same precious love she shares with us, an unselfish love that we should not take for granted.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has invited us to look to Mary for inspiration.  His great devotion to Mary is well known.  He stated, “We ask her, the first disciple, to teach us to persevere, to accompany us in patience, to strengthen us in hope.  We ask her to lead us to an encounter with her Risen Son.”

Mary is not only the Mother of Jesus but also the Mother of our Church.  The Second Vatican Council teaches that “…By her motherly love, she cares for her Son’s sisters and brothers who still journey the earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into their blessed home.”  In his great encyclical “Evangelium Vitae” (The Gospel of Life), Pope John Paul II reminds us that Mary is “ … the incomparable model of how life should be welcomed and cared for.”

Last year, as reported by the Catholic publication “CRUX”, Pope Francis declared a new feast for the Catholic Church which is dedicated to Mary as the “Mother of the Church.”  The feast is to be celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost.  The publication reported, “With this decree, devotion to Mary as Mother of the Church now becomes an approved feast for the Universal Church.”  The publication also noted, “The decree observes that the veneration of Mary as Mother of the Church has ancient roots in the Catholic tradition, reaching back to St. Augustine and St. Leo the Great.  The title, the document says, is rooted in the New Testament account about Mary.”

This month we are encouraged to make a special effort to honor Mary through our prayers, reflections, and our other spiritual efforts and by striving to embrace her example of compassion, generosity, and gentleness.

Mary our Queen, intercede for us.  Mary, our Mother, pray for us.

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 affection”.  Our Holy Father also stated that a mother takes great care to see that her children grow “capable of accepting responsibilities, of engaging in life, of striving for great ideals.”  She helps her children “make important decisions in freedom.”  Pope Francis also indicated that moms assist their children in making commitments that lead to a fruitful life.

The publication, “Learn Religions”, provided the following “Prayer for Mother’s on Mother’s Day” by Mary Fairchild.  The prayer reflects our great appreciation for all that mothers do for us, for all that mothers mean to us:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for godly mothers who give and serve selflessly day after day.
Please bless them for the important role they play in the lives of their children.
Just as mothers daily extend grace and encouragement, Lord, return that grace and encouragement back to them multiplied.
Help them to give wise counsel, discipline, instruction, and to raise their children to know and love God.
Thank you for the example mothers are to their children and to others.
Bless them, their children, and their families abundantly, and meet their every need.
Please give these women of God health and strength to care for their loved ones.
Fill their hearts with joy as they go about the mundane, day-to-day tasks. Carry their burdens, Lord. When they are weary, lift their spirits and restore their souls. Help them trust in you and lean on you alone for strength.
Let godly mothers recognize how important their lives are to their children and families. May they understand the vital role God has given them in their home and in the Kingdom of God. May they know how much they matter.
In the name of Jesus.    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.  On behalf of the clergy, staff, and parishioners of Saint Brigid, I wish all mothers a happy, healthy, and holy Mother’s Day. I hope they enjoy their special day.

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 the Eucharist, it is an act of thanksgiving to God.  It recalls the Lord’s Supper with his Apostles.  The Eucharist is essential to the communal dimension of our faith.  It is the nourishment that enables us to remain spiritually strong and healthy.

Pope Francis refers to the Eucharist as a gift.  He reminds us about how important the Eucharist is to our faith journey.  He encourages us to receive the Eucharist as a family as often as possible if we are so disposed and in the state of grace.  Our Holy Father spoke to a group of children in Italy as he recalled his First Holy Communion many years ago.  He addressed the children and stated, “You will make your First Communion, always remember that day your whole life: the first day that Jesus came to us.  He comes, makes himself one with us, makes himself our food, our nourishment to give us strength.”

As we reflect on these words of Pope Francis, we can give thanks for all the teachers, relatives, and friends of these children who have helped prepare them for First Holy Communion, and who assist them in their future growth in faith through their prayers and actions.  We especially thank the parents who are the primary educators of the children in the ways of the faith.

The following “PRAYER AT A CHILD’S FIRST COMMUNION” is a prayer for those children preparing for their First Holy Communion and reflects our great appreciation of the Eucharist: 

 Lord Jesus Christ, bless the children coming forward to receive Holy Communion for the first time. 

May this day be the step toward a life-long love of the Eucharist.

Give them a hunger for this sacred food so that they turn to you for comfort, guidance, and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship.

Thank you for their innocence and goodness.

May their hands, extended in anticipation of your body and blood, inspire all of us to cherish this sacred Sacrament.  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we invite you to join us next Saturday for this sacred and reverent celebration.

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.”

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.

Like Pope John Paul II, Pope Francis has also focused on the life and example of Sr. Faustina.  He has emphasized the need for mercy.  Our Holy Father stated that sin is a closed door that needs to be opened.  He reminded us that Jesus “loves to enter precisely ‘through closed doors’ when every entrance seems barred.”  We also encounter Him in the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Our Holy Father has urged us to embrace this day and truly reflect a spirit of mercy, repentance and reconciliation in our lives.  On this day, one week after Easter, we are reminded why Jesus rose from the dead, and one of the reasons was to shower the world with divine mercy.

We are invited to take to heart the following prayer included in the “Chaplet of Divine Mercy”: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

This Sunday will have a Holy Hour at the Church at 3:00 pm, the acknowledged hour of Divine Mercy.  All are invited to attend as we thank the Lord for showering His mercy on us.

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 that transcends them, a word that only God can speak: it is the word of Resurrection.”  Through His Resurrection, Jesus has conquered sin.  He has conquered death.  This is the message of His Good News.

Today our Holy Father invites us to embrace this message.  In a world growing more and more secular, we are challenged to live for Christ, to love for Christ, to take risks for Christ, and to witness for Christ.  We can show by our witness and 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 all those 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.  During their period of study, they have grown closer together, and have freely chosen to embrace the Catholic faith.  They will be invited to go forth and preach the Good News of Jesus by word and example.  They also will be challenged to continue to grow in their knowledge and understanding of the faith.  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.  We invite you to become part of our community of faith.

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.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all who participated in our Parish Mission and our Holy Week liturgies and other services.  As we celebrate this day, I also want to thank you for all that you do to enhance the spiritual vitality of our vibrant 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, Pope Francis stated, “Today’s celebration can be said to be bittersweet.  It is joyful and sorrowful at the same time.  We celebrate the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem to the cries of his disciples who acclaim him King.  Yet we also solemnly proclaim the Gospel account of his Passion.  In this poignant contrast, our hearts experience in some small measure what Jesus himself must have felt in his own heart that day, as he rejoiced with his friends and wept over Jerusalem.”

Our Holy Father further stated, “…as we joyfully acclaim our King, let us also think of the sufferings that he will have to endure 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.”

Our Holy Father has asked us to focus on the sacredness of Holy Week, and take time to pray, reflect, and discern.  He wants us to truly appreciate what Jesus did for us, what Jesus means to us.  Pursuant to this request, we are strongly encouraged to participate in our upcoming liturgical services during Holy Week.  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 Our Holy Father and focus on following the way of Christ during this special time of grace.

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 Joe Farris, who will offer morning and evening sessions.  Joe is an internationally recognized mission presenter and lay Catholic missionary who weaves stories into an engaging, passionate message of hope.  He will focus on “The Church Fully Alive” as he inspires us to more fully live and boldly proclaim our Catholic faith.

Following the Mission, we will have our Penance Service on Thursday, April 11th.  As we know, during the season of Lent we are challenged in a special way to acknowledge our sins and shortcomings and seek God’s mercy.   Our Penance Service will provide us with a great opportunity to avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We can examine our conscience and acknowledge the ways in which we may have compromised our spiritual integrity.  We also offer the sacrament four times a week and by appointment.  At times we need to be reminded that the Sacrament is here to heal, not to condemn. It is here to get us closer to the Lord who loves us.  Pope Francis stated, “In confession, Jesus welcomes us with all our sinfulness, to give us a new heart, capable of loving as he loves.” He also reminded us that, “Confession is the Sacrament of the tenderness of God, his way of embracing us.” He urged those who have been away from the Sacrament to not be afraid to reach out to the Lord who will receive you with open arms.

At the Penance Service, we will have priests from various backgrounds, priests of various ages, priests with various perspectives but having some common purposes: to serve as instruments of the Lord’s pardon, mercy, and forgiveness, and to help us experience spiritual joy in our hearts. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we can get back on 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 the Penance Service 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 in the Penance Service and avail yourself of great opportunities to enhance your spiritual life during this special season of Lent.

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 been chosen as Catholic Woman of the Year, and Jake Borah has been 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.

Donna serves our faith community in many different ways.  She has assisted at our Vacation Bible School for the last fifteen years, providing our young children with needed guidance, and spiritual and emotional support.  Donna is also an adult leader for Children’s Liturgy of the Word, explaining Sacred Scripture at a level appropriate for children, and assists at Mass as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.  She coordinates our Circle of Sisters Ministry and serves as our Parish liaison for the Archdiocese of Atlanta Eucharistic Congress.  Donna also has served our Parish as a Guardian for Eucharistic Adoration.  In addition, Donna acts as a Parish greeter, welcoming people to Mass each weekend.  In all that she does, Donna finds great joy in serving the Lord and serving the faith community of Saint Brigid.

Jake serves as a teen leader for our Youth Ministry.  He is mature, dependable and always willing to assist in any way needed.  He welcomes younger teens into the Ministry and leads by example.  Jake is willing to share his musical gifts by often playing music for our Teen gatherings.  He also serves as a mentor for those in our Special Needs Program.  He has participated in many Youth Ministry retreats and mission trips.

Jake is especially devoted to the Mustard Seed Communities and has participated in mission trips to Jamaica and Nicaragua.  He has also served faithfully for many years as an altar server and actively participates in the weekly Teen Bible Study.  Jake is greatly appreciated by his Youth Ministry coordinators and core group.

On behalf of the priests, deacons, staff and parishioners of Saint Brigid, I congratulate Donna and Jake for their well- deserved honors, and for inspiring us by their example of generous and unselfish service.

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. MSC started in Jamaica and expanded to Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and now has a presence in Africa. It cares for several hundred children with special physical and mental health needs, many of whom have been abandoned. It strives to protect the most vulnerable of God’s children. It also provides a home for teenage mothers and their babies. Many of these mothers have been disenfranchised from their families and are in need of emotional, spiritual, and financial support. MSC also manages a number of community outreach programs to combat poverty and provide educational opportunities to local populations.

The Mustard Seed Mission Statement is as follows: “Inspired by the healing and Ministry of Jesus Christ, we aim through the positive interaction of caring, sharing and training, to uplift the most vulnerable members of society, especially disabled and abandoned children, and marginalized communities. We are committed to the fostering of homes and communities, which will lead us all to loving service and mutual respect and which will bring us joy, hope and dignity.”

Saint Brigid Parish supports MSC primarily through its spiritual and financial assistance. Our parishioners also participate in mission trips to assist in the construction of housing for the children in need, and other appropriate projects. Some of our parishioners have also adopted children from the various communities of Mustard Seed. Their sacrificial efforts have afforded a new life here in the United States for these children.

Recently, political and economic turmoil in Nicaragua has caused great stress in the Mustard Seed communities in that country. Mission trips to the Mustard Seed communities there have been greatly curtailed due to travel restrictions and safety concerns. It has become extremely difficult for medical and hygiene supplies needed by these communities to be shipped into the country. The turmoil in Nicaragua may continue indefinitely. The great strain on the Mustard Seed communities there may not be eased any time soon. Saint Brigid has been asked to continue to focus its support on these struggling communities in Nicaragua.

Representatives of MSC will be available after the Masses this weekend to answer questions about Mustard Seed and the work it does. Please prayerfully consider supporting MSC as we stand united with the least of our brothers and sisters.

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 compromise their spiritual integrity.  He urged all Catholics to “…awake in the morning and ask St. Patrick to pray for us” before carrying out our daily routines.  He also stated that we should remember “…the real reason for this day as we interact with the world around us.”

As we reflect on these words of Our Holy Father, we are reminded that St. Patrick was a priest and later bishop to the Irish people in the fifth century.  As a boy, while living in England, he 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 and brought the gospel message to the Irish people.  He taught them about the Christian God and prepared many of them for baptism and entrance 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 as he guided the people entrusted to his care.

The following “Prayer to Saint Patrick” asks for his special intercession:

O GREAT APOSTLE OF IRELAND, GLORIOUS ST. PATRICK, TO WHOM UNDER GOD, SO MANY ARE INDEBTED FOR THE MOST PRECIOUS OF ALL TREASURES, THE GREAT GIFT OF FAITH, RECEIVE OUR FERVENT THANKS FOR THE ZEAL  AND CHARITY WHICH HAVE BEEN TO THOUSANDS THE SOURCE OF BLESSINGS SO VALUABLE.

ASK FOR ALL WHO DWELL IN THIS LAND AND THE LAND OF THY LABORS, THE PRECIOUS LIGHT OF FAITH, AND BEG FOR US ON WHOM ITS GLORIOUS RAYS HAVE LONG SINCE BEAMED, THE GRACE TO REGULATE OUR LIVES BY ITS SACRED MAXIMS.  AMEN.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are reminded to focus on Christ and our faith and think about the glory of the Resurrection that awaits us.  The season of Lent is a good time to ask for the intercession of Saint Patrick and bear good fruit in our lives.  We are invited and challenged to follow the example of Saint Patrick and truly be faithful witnesses to the Gospel as we continue and persevere on our Lenten journey of faith.

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 40 or 50 years.  During their marriages, they have lived; they have loved; they have served; they have forgiven.  They 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.  They recall the many sacrifices they made as they journeyed together. They remember their love for their spouses, and now their spouses have passed.

The publication, “Northwest Catholic”, in an article by Sarah Bartel, reported that Pope Francis encouraged widows to spend their remaining years purposefully, growing in love and prayer.  Our Holy Father stated, “The better we live on this earth, the greater the happiness we will be able to share with our loved ones in heaven.  The more we are able to mature and develop in this world, the more gifts we will be able to bring to the heavenly banquet.”  Ms. Bartel also stated in the article that, “Widows have an important place in the church. They have important work to do here, people to love and a witness to give. They have a difficult cross to bear, but a loving Savior to help them carry it.”

Recently we celebrated a Mass in our Day Chapel for the deceased spouses of our widows and widowers.  Approximately sixty widows and widowers were in attendance.  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 dinner for these widows and widowers.  They also provided a musical band, and parishioner Pat Sallarulo sang for all present.  The parish “Circle of Sisters” ministry prepared desserts.

We thank these groups and their leaders for their assistance on this wonderful evening as we reflect on the words of Our Holy Father and continue to strive to make our widows and widowers an integral part of our faith community.

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 of repentance and contrition.  It marks the beginning of the Lenten season.  Lent is the time, approximating forty days, of reflection and penance leading up to Easter.

Pope Francis stated that Lent is a time to spiritually challenge Christians and to help them see that God can give them strength to change their lives and their surroundings.  He stated in a recent Lenten Message, “I urge the members of the Church to take up the Lenten journey with enthusiasm, sustained by almsgiving, fasting and prayer.  If, at times, the flame of charity seems to die in our own hearts, know that this is never the case in the heart of God.  He constantly gives us a chance to begin life anew.”  Pope Francis also urged the faithful to “Return without fear to those outstretched, eager arms of your Father, who is rich in mercy, who awaits you.  Return without fear, for this is the favorable time to come home.”

As we reflect on these sentiments of Our Holy Father, we are encouraged to turn to God and seek renewal in heart, mind and body.  We can respond to the challenge to live a Christian life and truly 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.

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.  This schedule also includes details concerning our Lenten Parish Mission, and the date of our Parish Penance Service. In addition this weekend, and on Ash Wednesday, we will have available a booklet called “The Cycle of the Mass and Your Life” which we hope will enhance your appreciation for and understanding of the Mass, and how it impacts your call to discipleship.  Please take a copy of the booklet as you leave the Church after Mass.  We invite you to contact Deacon Henry Hein in the Parish office if you have any questions about the booklet.

As we begin our Lenten journey, please take every opportunity to avail yourself of this special time of grace.

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 human life. We are challenged to bear witness not only to value and sacredness of the unborn, but also to the elderly, and the physically and mentally challenged. We are urged to treat all our brothers and sisters, young and old, with the dignity we ourselves expect. Our Holy Father stated that this witness to life begins with the defense of the unborn child in the womb. He indicated that we must always welcome the unborn.

Recently the State of New York enacted a law called the Reproductive Health Act that essentially strips the unborn of virtually all of its protection and rights. It leaves the child defenseless. The law effectively allows the termination of pregnancy in the third trimester, up to the actual time of birth to protect, among other factors, the mental health of the mother. It also allows non-physicians such as nurses, physician assistants, and midwives to perform abortions. It also protects doctors and medical professionals who perform abortions from criminal prosecution. This law was passed not with anguish or regret, but rather with celebration. Other states have also considered or enacted similar type aggressive abortion laws.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, called this New York law gruesome and grotesque, a scourge against humanity and an affront to any sense of morality. He wondered how any moral person can celebrate a law that promotes death. Bishop Robert Barron, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, and national Catholic commentator called it a short route to chaos.

We are urged to stay informed concerning legislative developments in our nation which relate to the sanctity of life. We are also urged to review the comments of Cardinal Dolan and Bishop Barron, taken from articles on their respective websites, and reflect on the potential implications this particular law has on our Catholic faith and on our society as a whole. The links to these articles are posted on our Parish website. We are also invited to contact Cathy Schneider in our Respect Life Ministry for more information at respectlife.saintbrigid@gmail.com or visit our website.

 Pope Francis has consistently reminded us that we are challenged to reaffirm our commitment to welcome the joy of new life as a gift from God and to support the dignity of life from conception until natural death. He has asked us to promote alternatives to abortions, such as adoption, and to offer healing to women who have terminated their pregnancies. We are challenged to heed the call of Pope Francis to bear witness to the Gospel of Life in word and in action as we continue and persevere on our Christian journey of faith.

Many of our parishioners took this message to heart and recently participated in our Holy Hour for Life. We were pleased to see so many respond to the call of Our Holy Father. We are also asked to pray that God will change minds and hearts, and that laws such as this one in New York will be rescinded and that one day all human life will truly be respected.
Thank you for all you do to protect the sanctity of life.
May God continue to bless you and your families.

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 people.

A substantial portion of our contributions to the Appeal provide funds that go directly to the training and support of future happy, holy, and healthy priests needed to serve the Church of tomorrow.  As you may know, Fr. Tri Nguyen, who served the people of Saint Brigid so well for many years, is now the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.  Our contributions assist  Fr. Tri as he guides our seminarians in their training and formation.  Currently, two of our parishioners, Robbie Cotta and Chris Jobe, are seminarians in the Vocations program for the Archdiocese.

Our contributions are also used for the training and formation of permanent deacons.  Last month, two of our parishioners, Randy Ortiz and Tim Tye, were ordained to the Permanent Diaconate.  They will assist in the sacramental and outreach needs of our Parish.  As you can see, our support of the Annual Appeal is clearly bearing fruit.  Through your generosity and your prayers, Saint Brigid benefits directly from the Appeal.

In addition, the Appeal supports Catholic Charities which is making an exerted effort this year to assist homeless military veterans in the Atlanta area and in other local counties 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.

We invite you to prayerfully consider making a pledge to the 2019 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 app and website.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are challenged to answer the call to “go therefore and make disciples.”  May we respond in faith.

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

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 one else.

As previously indicated, this unbreakable union is also reflected in the sacrament of marriage.  In marriage, a man and a woman are not only joined to each other, they are also joined to Christ.  It is not just that Christ is a third party to this union.  It is much more profound than that.  Christ, who is the sign and sacrament of God’s presence in the world, is the foundation of that union.  The couple then joins Christ as an outward sign of the love of God.  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, well-known Catholic author, Matthew Kelly, stated that in marriage, couples do their best to give the gift of themselves as they strive within their human limitations to reflect the total giving of self by Christ on the cross.

Archbishop Gregory expressed his appreciation for those couples who have embraced the sacrament of marriage and who have honored their commitment.  He stated, in a column in The Georgia Bulletin, “Marriage and religious vows are relationships that are intended to mirror and witness to God’s perfect fidelity and enduring love.”  He further commented, “It is increasingly important to hold up those folks who have lived their vocational commitments – certainly not without mistakes, challenges and failures – but with fidelity and steadfastness.  We all know many wonderful people whose marriages or religious promises have not endured.  And we love them nonetheless.  However, in our society we also must hold up examples of people who have succeeded in fulfilling their commitments.”

As we reflect on these words, we also remember those friends, relatives and neighbors whose marriages are troubled.  We pray that they will turn to the Lord and seek reconciliation as they strive to address their difficulties.  We also remember those friends and relatives and neighbors whose marriages have not endured for one reason or another.  We pray that they may seek the healing they need, especially when appropriate through the process of annulment available through the Catholic Church.

This weekend many couples renewed their marriage vows here at Saint Brigid after the 5 p.m. Vigil Mass on Saturday.  They affirmed Christ as the foundation of their marriage.  They also affirmed their love for their spouse and most importantly their love for Christ.  We pray that many more couples, young and not so young, considering the vocation of marriage will follow their example.

Father in heaven, all creation rightly gives you praise,
For all life and holiness come from you.
In the plan of your wisdom she who bore the Christ
in her womb was raised body and soul
in glory to be with him in heaven.
May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness
and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

The feast of the Assumption is a Holy Day of Obligation, and Catholics are obliged to attend Mass.  Here, at our Parish, we will have a Vigil Mass on Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. and Masses at convenient times during the day on Tuesday.   Please check the Church bulletin or website for details.

This past Friday, February 1st, marked the Feast day of Saint Brigid of Kildare, the patron saint of our Parish.   Saint Brigid is especially known for her Christian charity, for feeding the poor, 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 great work in evangelization, working tirelessly to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She was an Irish Christian nun and abbess and founded many convents.  The publication, “Catholic News Agency” (CNA) stated, “St. Brigid directly influenced several other future saints of Ireland, and her many religious communities helped to secure the country’s conversion from paganism to the Catholic faith.”  Under her leadership, “Kildare played a major role in the successful Christianization of Ireland.  The abbess’ influence was felt in the subsequent era of the Irish Church, a time when the country became known for its many monasteries and their intellectual achievements.”  CNA also indicated that St. Brigid “…with an initial group of seven companions, is credited with organizing communal consecrated religious life for women in Ireland.”  She joins Saint Patrick as one of the patron saints of Ireland.  Saint Brigid lived in the fifth century and was a contemporary of Saint Patrick but there is no real evidence they ever met.

Saint Brigid was also a firm supporter of Catholic education, believing that the more we understood our faith, the more likely we would strive to truly live our faith.  She founded many schools and taught the faith by word and example.  She is recognized as the patron saint of students.

Saint Brigid truly embraced a life of prayer and service.  The following prayer asks for her intercession:

ASK FOR US ALL TODAY THE COURAGE TO DO GOD’S BIDDING

WHATEVER THE WORLD MAY SAY,

THE GRACE TO BE STRONG AND VALIENT

THE GRACE TO BE FIRM AND TRUE

THE GRACE TO BE FAITHFUL ALWAYS

TO GOD, GOD’S MOTHER AND YOU.

AMEN.

We are encouraged to learn more about Saint Brigid.  She can serve as a great role model for us.

Saint Brigid, intercede for us.

Saint Brigid, pray for us.

From our pastor, Father Neil Herlihy:

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.  With this in mind, we are privileged to sponsor an Advent Parish Mission presented by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist.  The Sisters clearly embrace the mission and spirit of Catholic teaching in word and example. 

As we know, Advent is a special time in the Church year as we prepare for the coming of the Lord.  Advent holds out the hope and desire to see the light of Christ shine thorough the darkness of our world.  At this special time, we are urged to remain watchful and vigilant as we wait in joyful anticipation for the coming of the Lord.  He is ready to come more fully into our homes. He is ready to come more fully into our lives.  He is ready to come more fully into our hearts.  This Christmas we are invited to give the Lord the gift of a pure heart.  During our Mission, the Sisters will focus on the Eucharist as the source and summit of our faith.  They will also focus on the spiritual integrity of mind and body reminding us that we are born to eternal life.  They will speak of the gift of the Christ Child that awaits us. They will help us to spiritually prepare for the coming of the Lord.

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 Parish Mission will take place this Monday to Wednesday, December 9th to 11th.  There will be both morning and evening sessions for your convenience.  Then on Thursday, December 12th, we will have a Penance Service for all those in need of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  There will be priests from various parts of the Archdiocese who will hear confessions and extend the Lord’s pardon, mercy, and forgiveness.  Details concerning the Mission and Penance Service can be obtained from the Parish bulletin and website as well as from the Parish office.

I pray that you will participate in the Parish Mission and in the Penance Service and avail yourself of these special times of grace.

This Friday we celebrate the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  It is a holy day of obligation this year in the United States, and provides us with another opportunity to honor the Virgin Mary.   Mary is the mother of Jesus, the mother of our Church, and our mother.  She is a model of faithful discipleship.

Our Catechism states that “…the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.  The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians.”

Our late Holy Father, Pope Francis, had a strong devotion to Mary.  Shortly before his death he encouraged Catholics to attend Mass, or visit a Marian shrine or pray before a statue of Mary, or acknowledge her in some special way on the feast of the Assumption.  Commenting on this feast, the media outlet, “Catholic News Agency”, reported that Pope Francis “reminded us that we are not alone on our journey, and are accompanied by Mary who ended her earthly pilgrimage with her Assumption into heaven.”  Pope Francis stated, “The Blessed Virgin is she who goes before us on the journey, reminding us all that our life is also a continuous journey toward the horizon of the final encounter with the Lord.”

The following “Our Lady of the Assumption” prayer encourages us to ask for Mary’s intercession as we continue on our journey:

O Mary, God’s Son became your Son
and you became both our Mother and our Queen.
From your heavenly throne,
intercede for your subjects
who are daily confronted with life’s trials.
Help us to find comfort in our recourse to you
and bring us closer to your Divine Son
whose glory and honor we proclaim forever
Amen

As we reflect on this prayer, we are reminded that we will have Masses at convenient time to celebrate this feast day.  Please check the Church bulletin or website for details.
Encouraged by the Assumption of Mary, we are challenged to keep our focus on the example of Mary as we continue on our journey of faith.

Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, intercede for us.

Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.