Our Advent Season continues as we strive to remain watchful and alert as we prepare for the coming of the Lord. This past week we sponsored our Advent Parish Mission and it was pleasing to see so many of our parishioners and friends in attendance.  The focus by our presenter, Fr. Francis Reque, on Saint Joseph, and his important role in bringing about the gift of the Christ Child that awaits us, helped many to more fully embrace the true spirit of Advent.

This spirit continues as we honor our Mother Mary in special ways this month.  This Monday we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception and affirm our belief that Mary was blessed among women and was preserved from original sin from the moment of her conception.  Pope Francis, reflecting on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, stated, “Today, we look at the beauty of Our Lady, who was born and lived without sin, always docile and transparent with God.  This does not mean that life was easy for her.”  He encouraged Catholics to imitate Mary’s deep trust and openness to God as they encounter the difficulties and challenges of everyday life.

We again honor Mary our Mother this coming Thursday when we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  She is the patroness of the United States, Mexico and all of the Americas, as well as the protector of the unborn.  As mentioned in the past, 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 Francis, reflecting on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, stated, “…like Juan Diego, we know that here is our Mother.  We know that we are under her shadow and protection, which is the source of joy, and that we are in the cross of her arms.”

As we focus on these two great feasts of Mary, we are encouraged to avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Season of Advent.  Please be aware that we will have additional priests at appropriate times to assist us during the Season.  The Sacrament 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 the times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Our Church leaders invite us to maintain a strong spiritual focus during our Advent journey.  We are challenged through prayer and works of charity and the Sacrament of Reconciliation to truly prepare ourselves for the coming of the Christ Child.

This Sunday begins the Season of Advent.  It is a special time in the Church year as we prepare for the coming of the Lord.  Advent holds out the hope and desire to see the light of Christ shine through the darkness of our world. As reported in the publication, “The Catholic World Report”, in an Advent message, Pope Francis focused on the invitation of John the Baptist and reminded us that Advent requires a “journey of conversion.” He stated, “To prepare the way for the Lord who comes, it is necessary to take into account the demands of conversion.” This requires a change in attitude and “…leads to humbly recognizing our mistakes, our infidelities, and defaults.” Our Holy Father suggested that each person asks, “How can I change something in my attitude to prepare the way of the Lord?”

As we reflect on these words of Our Holy Father, and as we begin our Advent Season, we are pleased to sponsor an Advent Parish Mission presented by Fr. Francis Reque of the Order of Saint Benedict.  Fr. Francis is an experienced mission leader and spiritual director from Saint Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama.  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.  Fr. Francis stated that during the Mission he will focus on “the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love as revealed by Saint Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew.”  This focus hopefully will shed light on the important role of Saint Joseph in bringing about the gift of the Christ Child that awaits us. There will be time for prayer and reflection.  The message of Father Francis 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 this Monday, December 2nd to Wednesday, December 4th.  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 Christ the King 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.  We are reminded to strive to not permit ourselves to get distracted by any shopping frenzies, but rather truly take time to reaffirm our commitment to make Thanksgiving Day a day for Our Lord, family and friends.  As in the past, we pray that Thanksgiving Day will not be commercialized and truly will be a time for family and friends to get together to thank God for prayers answered and blessings received.

The following “Thanksgiving Table Prayer” from “Celebrating Faith: Year-round Activities for Catholic Families” by Mary Crock Farrell reflects the spirit of this special day:

O Gracious God, we give you thanks for your overflowing generosity to us.
Thank you for the blessing of the food we eat and  especially for this feast today.
Thank you for our home and family and friends, especially for the presence of those gathered here.
Thank you for our health, our work and our play.
Please send help to those who are hungry, alone, sick and suffering war and violence.
Open our hearts to your love.  We ask your blessing through Christ your Son.  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.  We are reminded once again that the word “Eucharist” means “giving thanks” and the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith.  Our Church leaders encourage us to remember that the Lord establishes a special bond with His community through the Eucharistic meal.  It is the nourishment that fuels and sustains the spiritual vitality of our wonderful faith community.  We can thank the Lord for the gift of our precious faith and for the opportunity to bond with each other by nourishing together on the Bread of Life.  We can also thank Him for the opportunity to then go forth in loving service of our brothers and sisters, especially our brothers and sisters in need at this time of the year.  Serving others helps us appreciate all that the Lord has given to us.

On behalf of the clergy 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.

Periodically we sponsor a “Newcomers Social” and invite all those who are new to the Parish to join us for an evening of food and fellowship at the Parish rectory.  The gathering is a way to welcome newcomers into our faith community.  Those who have recently joined our community are invited to meet our priests and deacons, and some of the lay leaders of our Parish.  In attendance we have representatives of our Welcoming Committee, the Men of Saint Brigid, the Moms Group, the Circle of Sisters, the Knights of Columbus, the Pastoral Council, and also coordinators of certain other Parish ministries and programs.

During the course of the evening, our clergy and coordinators interact with our newcomers, informing them of various Parish activities, events and opportunities.  Many of our newcomers are not familiar with this geographical area, and so we discuss opportunities, concerns and challenges in relocating to this local environment.  Our coordinators answer questions and address any concerns our newcomers may have.  They also speak to those who are new about their own experiences when they first joined our faith community.
While being sensitive to family, employment, education and other concerns and challenges, they encourage our newcomers to become active members of our Parish family and do their part to enhance the spiritual vitality of our Saint Brigid faith community.

This past Friday we had our latest “Newcomers Social.”  Many of our newcomers appreciated the opportunity to engage in a time for food and fellowship.  The pictures provided taken at a prior gathering provide a sense of this spirit-filled event.

Our clergy and lay leaders encourage you to invite your neighbors and friends to prayerfully consider becoming members of our Saint Brigid faith community.

This coming Monday we celebrate Veterans Day.  At this time we remember in a special way our men and women who served in the military and who sacrificed so much through their dedicated commitment to our country.   The Johns Creek Memorial Walk, located in Newtown Park, serves as a vivid and sobering reminder of the contributions to the defense of our nation made by our men and women in the armed forces throughout the years.  Members of the Saint Brigid Knights of Columbus, many of whom are Veterans, assisted in the construction of the Memorial Walk.

The following prayer called “TO BE REWARDED” by Bob Hostetler was published by the media outlet “Guideposts”, and asks Our Heavenly Father to bless and reward our Veterans for their faithful service:

Father, please turn your gaze to these men and women who in their military service have sacrificed time, comfort, strength, ambition, health and prosperity for the peace and safety of family and friends and others they’ve never even known.

Please reward them a hundredfold for all their sacrifice and service.  Bless them far beyond all their expectations.  Reward them richly for all they have given.  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, 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.  Our Holy Father Pope Francis has a great appreciation for military chaplains.  In an address to priests preparing to assume duties as military chaplains, he stated, “The role of the military chaplain is to accompany and support (men and women) in their journey, being for all of them a consoling and fraternal presence.  You can pour on the wounds of these persons the balm of the Word of God, which alleviates the pains and infuses hope; and you can offer them the grace of the Eucharist and of Reconciliation, which nourish and regenerate the afflicted soul.”

As we consider these profound words of Pope Francis, we are reminded that many of us know priests who have served as military chaplains.  We also have loved ones who have served our country well and now have Veteran status.  Whether our Veterans served at home or abroad, we should not allow their service to be ignored or minimized, or their sacrifice is taken for granted.

We are encouraged to assure our chaplains, family members, relatives, friends and neighbors who have unselfishly served our nation in the armed forces of our gratitude and our respect.  As citizens of this nation, we truly appreciate their service.

Later this month Bishop Joel Konzen will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to approximately two hundred of our teens.  Confirmation along with Baptism and the Holy Eucharist comprise the sacraments of Christian initiation.  Our Catechism states, “Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by a special outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which seal or ‘confirm’ the baptized in union with Christ and equip them for active participation in the worship and apostolic life of the Church.”

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 more lively 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.”

Pope Francis has often spoken about the importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation in our spiritual journey.  He stated, “Just as Jesus received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at His baptism in order to carry out His messianic mission, the Church prays that we too may receive the gifts and fruits of the Spirit that enable the Body of Christ grow in unity and missionary zeal.  The gift of the Spirit is communicated through the laying on of hands and anointing with sacred chrism.”  During Confirmation he explained that “through the sacramental sign of anointing with sacred chrism, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in order to be more closely conformed to Christ, God’s ‘anointed one’.”  He also reminded the faithful that Confirmation “strengthens our relationship with the Church and gives it a special strength from the Holy Spirit to defend the faith and confess the name of Christ.”

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.  They also receive the spiritual guidance and dedicated support of a sponsor.  As we know all too well there are many temptations and distractions in this world that can lead us astray.  Please continue to pray for these young men and women as they get ready to receive this great sacrament and continue on their journey of faith.

October has been designated as Respect Life Month by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  The Respect Life Program stresses the value and dignity of all human life.  It is observed in Catholic dioceses throughout the United States.  According to the Office of Family Life, the month of October is dedicated to ‘increasing a greater culture of life through the areas of public information and education, pastoral care, public policy, and prayer.”

As part of our Respect Life outreach at Saint Brigid, we continue to sponsor a foster care and adoption initiative called “Fostering Love“, that strives to offer loving and practical support to fostering and adopting families in our community.  One of the goals of the initiative is to build “Care Communities” of volunteers who will provide crucial support such as meals, clothing, supplies, or childcare to fostering and adopting families.

As previously noted, as Christians, we should be aware of the reality that some women who conceive a child may not be prepared physically or emotionally to raise and nurture that child.  Parents who adopt a child or provide foster care may be in a better position than the birth mother to raise and nurture that child.  They may be able to provide a loving environment for the child and may have a viable and strong support system to assist them.

Some of our parishioners have chosen to adopt children or provide foster care.  They have done so after careful thought and prayer, and have embraced the related blessings, opportunities and challenges.   However, most of us are not in a position to adopt a child or provide foster care, but most of us are in a position to enhance adoption and foster care awareness.  We may be able to provide spiritual, emotional, or financial support to those involved.  Adoption and foster care are ways we can demonstrate our concern for the sanctity of life.

An appreciation for adoption and foster care is reflected in the following “ADOPTION PRAYER” provided by the organization “beliefnet”:

Father of the fatherless, you give your children a home in which to dwell;
and like a loving mother you gather us into your household.
We give you thanks for the child who has come to bless this family
and for the parents who have taken this child to be their own.
By the power of your Holy Spirit, fill these parents with trust, understanding and affection;
and, through this child in our midst,
enable us better to know the mystery that we are all Your children by adoption;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Thank you for all you do to support and embrace the sanctity of life.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2364), states that the married couple forms “the intimate partnership of life and love established by the Creator and governed by his laws.”  It further states, “Both give themselves definitively and totally to one another.  They are no longer two; from now on they form one flesh.  The covenant they freely contracted imposes on the spouses the obligation to preserve it as unique and indissoluble.  What God has joined together, let not man put asunder.”

As we know, Matrimony is one of our seven sacraments.  Last weekend, we celebrated a special Mass at Saint Brigid honoring those couples in the Archdiocese of Atlanta celebrating the 50th or 60th anniversary of their marriage.  Archbishop Gregory, while serving as the Archbishop of Atlanta, began a tradition of bringing couples together for an annual celebration.  As previously indicated, he stated in an article in the Georgia Bulletin, “Remarkable moments deserve a special pause to praise God for His goodness and to celebrate the accomplishments of people’s fidelity to the promise made in their youth and then lived faithfully over a lifetime.”

Archbishop Gregory also stated, “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.”  The Archbishop reminded us that, “Marriage and religious vows are relationships that are intended to mirror and witness to God’s perfect fidelity and enduring love.  May all who live their vocational promises find the grace to be faithful and courageous as they provide a splendid counter-statement to the values that our society promotes and offers to the world.”

The following prayer from the “Blessings and Prayers for Home and Family” provided by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops asks the Lord to continue to bless a couple celebrating      50 years of marriage.  It could be applicable to one of our family members, friends or fellow parishioners:

Blessed are you, Lord, loving God of all creation:
You have made us your beloved and have showered gifts upon us.
Continue to fill their hearts with love for You and for each other.
Bless them, their children and grandchildren and all their relatives and friends.
Lead us all through this life to eternal happiness with You.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we honor those couples celebrating their 50th or 60th wedding anniversary for their faithfulness to God and for their faithfulness to each other.  They set a great example for all of us.

This Sunday we celebrate Priesthood Sunday, a special day set aside to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church.  The day is coordinated by the USA Council of Serra International.  In the midst of the recent clergy abuse scandals, it is easy to lose focus on the ministry of many priests who continue to faithfully serve the Church.  On this day we are reminded in a special way that the priest in the instrument of Christ’s ministry on earth.  It has been often said that without the priest there is no Eucharist.  Without the Eucharist, there is no Church.

The following “Prayer for Priests” provided by “Catholics Online” reflects the spirit of this day:

Divine Savior, Jesus Christ, who have entrusted Your work of redemption to the priests, who take Your place on Earth, I offer you through the hands of your most Holy Mother, for the sanctification of your priests and future priests this whole day, all my prayers, works, joys, sacrifices, and sufferings.

Give us saintly priests.  Grant to them apostolic hearts, filled with love for You and all the souls belonging to You, so that, being themselves sanctified in You, they may sanctify us who are entrusted to their care and bring us safely into heaven.

Loving Jesus, bless all their priestly work and sacrifice.  Bless all their prayers and words at the Altar and in the confessional, in the pulpit, in the school, and at the sickbed.  Call many young men to the priesthood and the monastic life.  Protect and sanctify all who will become Your priests.  And grant to the souls of the priests who have departed this life, eternal rest. 

And do you, Mary, Mother of all priests, take them under Your special protection and lead them ever to the highest priestly sanctity.  Amen

As we reflect on this prayer, we are encouraged by the Serrans, the Knights of Columbus, and other Catholic organizations to foster a greater awareness of vocations.  This vocation awareness can be fostered in many different ways; including through our prayers, and support of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. Through your generosity, Saint Brigid benefits directly from the Appeal because at this time we are blessed to have two men from our Parish studying for the priesthood.  Our contributions to the Appeal provide funds that go directly to the training and support of future holy, happy, and healthy priests needed to serve the Church of tomorrow.

As we celebrate Priesthood Sunday, we as priests are reminded that it is a great privilege to celebrate the Mass and to minister the sacraments to the people of God.  Fr. Michael, Fr. Bill, and I appreciate the opportunity to serve the people of Saint Brigid and thank you for your continued support and prayers.

My brothers and sisters in Christ:  God has blessed each of us with a unique set of gifts, skills, talents and resources so we can play a special role in building up His kingdom here on earth.  Stewardship assists us in more fully embracing our call to discipleship and brings us closer to Our Lord and to each other.  It helps us discern a call to more active participation in our parish.

At Saint Brigid, we have more than eighty ministries that serve our parish community.  Hopefully, you can participate in at least one of them.  Maybe you are being called to be a guardian at Eucharistic Adoration.  Maybe you are being called to volunteer to assist our children in our special needs ministry.  Maybe you are being called to a caseworker for our Saint Vincent de Paul Conference.  Maybe you are being called to be a sponsor in our RCIA program.  Maybe you are being called to be a good steward by sharing your gifts and talents in some other way.

The following prayer,  provided by the publication “Our Sunday Visitor” reflects the essence of stewardship.

GENEROUS AND LOVING GOD,  

YOU GIVE US ALL GOOD GIFTS,  MORE THAN WE CAN IMAGINE,

TEACH US TO EMBRACE YOUR WAY OF CARING AND SHARING,

SHOW US THAT TO BE ONE WITH YOU IS TO BE ONE WITH EACH OTHER, ESPECIALLY THE POOR AND THE VULNERABLE.

HELP US TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF ALL WE ARE AND HAVE AND WILL BE.

GIVE US WISDOM TO PERCEIVE YOUR CALL,  SO THAT OUR STEWARDSHIP MAY BE WITNESSES TO YOUR LOVE FOR ALL.

WE ASK THIS IN THE NAME OF THE ONE WHO SHOWS US YOUR WAY AND WHO IS THE WAY, TRUTH AND LIFE, JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD,

WHO IS ONE WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD FOR EVER AND EVER.  AMEN.

As we reflect on this prayer, the publication also reminds us that at the heart of stewardship is our relationship with Christ.  It states, “When we share our presence, our prayers, our gifts, and our service, we continue Christ’s mission, transforming the world one person at a time.”   ……..

Our priests and deacons invite you to attend our Ministry Fair, which will take place in Corbett Hall after each of our Masses next weekend.  Your attendance may help you discern how you may more fully participate in the parish experience.  We believe that God will give our parish what we need through your active involvement.  Please ask God what He is calling you to do to enrich and strengthen our faith community.

As always, I thank God for you and all the ways that you give so generously.

Pope Benedict XVI comments on Eucharistic Adoration stated,
“Adoration means entering the depths of our hearts in communion with the Lord, who makes Himself bodily present in the Eucharist.  In the monstrance, He always entrusts Himself to us and asks us to be united with His Presence, with His risen Body.”

The publication “Our Sunday Visitor” described Eucharistic Adoration as “…the act of worshiping God as He is present in the consecrated Eucharist.”  It further stated that the purpose of Adoration is to highlight the presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist, and “Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament, in prayer and devotion, is exactly the same as spending time before the living God.”  The following are some of the suggestions by the publication for what we may do during private Eucharistic Adoration:

• Meditate on passages from Sacred Scripture.
• Read the life of a saint and pray with him or her.
• Pour out your heart to Christ and adore Him.
• Ask for forgiveness and intercede for others.
• Pray the Rosary.
• Sit quietly and just “be” in the presence of God.

We can take to heart the words of Psalm 46, “Be still and know that I am God, supreme among the nations, supreme on the Earth.”

As we kneel or sit in His presence, we can allow Him to speak to us in the silence of our hearts.  He can ease our burdens and allay our concerns, and provide us with the spiritual peace we seek.

We strongly encourage participation in Eucharistic Adoration, which drives the spiritual vitality of our faith community. It helps to foster vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life, and also helps to foster outreach to the sick, the marginalized, and others in need.  It has enhanced and strengthened the spiritual life of many of our parishioners and visitors.

During His Passion, the Lord wanted Peter to keep watch with Him for an hour.  He invites us to spend time with Him.  Many of us are busy with family, work, and other concerns.  Spending one hour with the Lord can bring a healthier spiritual perspective to our busy lives.  Guardians willing to spend one hour a week in Eucharistic Adoration in our Day Chapel are needed, especially during the evening hours.  One of our parishioners recently described Eucharistic Adoration as “God’s gift to me, my gift to myself.”  We invite you to prayerfully consider taking some time away from your “busyness” and spend just one hour each week in Adoration.  Our Lord welcomes your presence.

This Wednesday we will mark the eighteenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  We as a nation recall the tragic deaths and injuries that occurred at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on the fields of Somerset, Pennsylvania.  It is a date that many of us will never forget.

As reported in the publication the “National Catholic Register”, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, commenting on these attacks stated, “We reverently recall those who were most directly affected by this tragedy – those who died, were injured or lost loved ones.  In a special way, we recall the selfless first responders – firefighters, police, chaplains, emergency workers and other brave persons – who risked, and many times lost, their lives in their courageous efforts to save others.  In remembering the fateful events of September 11, 2001, may we resolve to put aside our differences and join together in the task of renewing our nation and world.”

As we reflect on these comments, we are encouraged on Wednesday to participate in the World Day of Prayer for Peace sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.  As a faith community, we will celebrate a special Mass for Peace at 7:00 PM.  This Day of Prayer helps us to remember not only the events of that fateful day, but also reminds us of the dangers that continue to confront us.  We are invited to pray for peace among nations.

We are also invited to ask for the special intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Queen of Peace, as we pray for peace in our world, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts.

The following “9/11 Prayer for Peace” provided by the Missionary Society of St. Columban reflects the need for the presence of God in a violent world:

God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:  peace in the hearts of all men and women and peace among nations of the Earth.  Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred.

God of understanding, overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy, we seek your light and guidance as we confront such terrible events.

Comfort and console us, strengthen us in hope, and give us wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all.  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, I invite you to join many of your fellow parishioners and friends at our special Mass for Peace.

 Patriots Day Mass –  Wednesday, September 11, 2019, 7:00 PM, Sanctuary
Join us with the Johns Creek Police and Fire Departments ….  In honor of our heroes in uniform and to remember those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001.  (No Confessions or Evening prayer will be held this evening)

As a nation, this Monday we celebrate Labor Day.  On this day we honor all those who labor for a living.  We thank them for their service to their families, and for their service to all those who benefit from their efforts.  We also called to remember and pray for all those who are now retired after many years of labor, and for the unemployed and underemployed.

The Catholic Church focuses on the dignity of the human person and the dignity of labor; since labor is clearly important to the human experience.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2427, 2428) states:

*  “Human work proceeds directly from persons created in the image of God and called to prolong the work of creation.”

* “Work honors the Creator’s gifts and the talents received from Him.”

* “In work, the person exercises and fulfills in part the potential inscribed in his nature.  The primordial value of labor stems from man himself, its author and its beneficiary.”

* “Everyone should draw from work the means of providing for his life and that of his family, and of serving the human community.”

Pope Francis also has a deep appreciation for the dignity of labor, and for those who work.  As reported in the Catholic publication “CRUX”, he indicated that work is not just an occupation, but a mission.  He stated, “We collaborate with the creative work of God when, through our work, we cultivate and preserve creation; we participate, in the spirit of Jesus, in His redemptive mission, when by our activity we give sustenance to our families and respond to the needs of our neighbor.”  He further reminded the faithful that Jesus, who spent time working as a carpenter, “invites us to follow in His footsteps through work.”                  Pope Francis also noted that work must always serve the human person and not the other way around.

The following “PRAYER FOR LABOR DAY” provided by the publication “Our Sunday Visitor” reflects the spirit of this day.

Lord, on this Labor Day, we thank you for the blessing of work.

We ask for strength to complete each day.

We ask for rest when we are weary.

We ask your guidance for everyone seeking employment,

And we ask that you be with those whose faces we might never see

But who work tirelessly each day for the good of us all.  Amen.

As we celebrate this day, we are invited to make it more than a day of rest and recreation.  It should be a day when we honor those who labor for a living, including those who labor for the Lord.  Hopefully, we will also treat it as a day of prayer for those who truly labor in the spirit of Jesus and St. Joseph.

The “Order of Christian Funerals” states, “At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it  break the bonds forged in life.  The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting word of God and the sacrament of the Eucharist.  Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God, the author of life and the hope of the just.  The Mass, the memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral.”

Earlier this month, a funeral Mass was celebrated for Deacon David Briselden.  He served as a Permanent Deacon for many years in the Diocese of Little Rock before coming to the Archdiocese of Atlanta and being assigned to Saint Brigid.  Serious illness had prevented him from being very active in the liturgies and ministries of Saint Brigid in the last few years.  He loved his faith community here and wanted to stay involved to the extent he could.  As he struggled with his illness, David still served as the clergy liaison for the Fostering Love Ministry since the ministry began in 2016.  He also helped coordinate a Bible Study as part of his involvement with Christ Renews His Parish (now Welcome).  He was a great source of wisdom and guidance for his brother Deacons and will be greatly missed.

The following poem, “I’m Free” by Janice M. Fair-Salters was selected by his family to be included in his funeral program:

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,
I’m following the path God laid out for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call,
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
to laugh, to love, to work, or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that peace at close of day.

If my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I’ve savored much,
good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time to me seem brief,
don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me,
God wanted me now;  He set me free.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.  And let perpetual light shine upon Him.  May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.

Jesus, Our Lord and Savior, is also our Teacher.  Throughout His public ministry, through His example, He taught us much about the need for prayer.  Jesus often prayed for others, including His Apostles. Following the example of Jesus, Pope Francis has also focused on the need for prayer.  He has often spoken about the power of prayer.  Some of his comments about prayer made during his homilies and reflections have been summarized in the publication “Pope Francis Quotes About Prayer”.

They include the following:

1. “Let us learn from Christ how to pray, to forgive, to sow peace, and to be near those in need.”
2. “Prayer, humility, and charity toward all are essential in the Christian life: they are the way to holiness.”
3. “The key that opens the door to faith is prayer.”
4. “Our prayer cannot be reduced to an hour on Sundays. It is important to have a daily relationship with the Lord.”
5. “May each family rediscover family prayer, which helps to bring about mutual understanding and forgiveness.”
6. “Vocations are born in prayer and from prayer; and only in prayer can they persevere and bear fruit.”
7. “You pray for the hungry. Then you feed them. That’s how prayer works.”
8. “How powerful prayer is! May we never lose the courage to say: Lord, give us your peace.”

As we reflect on these profound words of Our Holy Father, we are reminded that he has also asked us to pray for others.

The following prayer called “I Said a Prayer For You Today” reflects the sentiments of Our Holy Father:

I said a prayer for you today and I know that God must have heard,
I felt the answer in my heart although He spoke not a word.
I didn’t ask for wealth or fame, (I knew you wouldn’t mind).
I asked Him to send treasures of a far more lasting kind.
I prayed that He’d be near you at the start of each new day,
To grant you health and blessings and friends to share your way.
I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small
But it was for His loving care I prayed most of all.

Now may be a good time to reassess our spiritual priorities and make time to pray for that brother or sister, that son or daughter, that good friend or business associate who may have gone spiritually astray in some way, who may be in need of our prayers. Maybe we can pray for that stranger or for those who have no one to pray for them. As many of us return from our summertime of vacation and leisure activities, we are challenged to reaffirm our commitment to make time for prayer each day as we continue on our journey of faith.

Currently, we are in the midst of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for 2019.   A substantial portion of the Appeal provides for the funding of the Vocation Program for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.  Through your generosity, Saint Brigid benefits directly from the Appeal because, at this time, we are blessed to have two men from our parish, Robbie Cotta and Chris Jobe, in the Program and studying for the priesthood.  In addition, another seminarian who is not a parishioner, Brandon Scherff, was assigned to parish ministry at Saint Brigid during this summer.  He assisted primarily at our liturgies and with our Vacation Bible School, Youth, and Confirmation programs.  As a faith community, we also assist Fr. Tri through our prayers and financial support as he provides guidance to our seminarians in his role as Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

In addition to providing support for the training and formation of our seminarians, the Appeal provides assistance to our diaconate and religious life programs, and many other Archdiocesan pastoral outreach, education, and formation programs that serve our parish as well as our larger Church family.  The Appeal also provides contributions to Catholic Charities which is making an exerted effort this year to assist homeless veterans in the Atlanta area and in other local communities to stabilize their lives through housing and employment assistance.  In addition, the Appeal supports priest retirement programs which assist those senior priests who have done so much for our Church in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Our Saint Brigid faith community strives to assist those men and women discerning vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life.  After each daily Mass in our Day Chapel, we pray for vocations.  As we can see, our prayers and financial support of the Annual Appeal are clearly bearing fruit.  We ask for your continued assistance.  If you have already given via the mail or online, we thank you.  If you have not yet given to the Annual Appeal, we ask you to prayerfully consider doing so.  Pledge envelopes are provided in our Church pews and can be returned to the ushers or to the Parish office.   Information about the Appeal has also been provided on the Parish website.

Please continue to spiritually and financially support the training and formation of future priests, deacons, and religious needed to serve and guide the Church of tomorrow.

Thank you for responding in faith to the needs of our Church community.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has often focused on the need for strong Catholic families.  He spoke of the Catholic family as an institution that prays, keeps the faith, and experiences joy.  He challenged families to pray together in the midst of the many distractions and busyness of daily living.  During a Mass for Family Day, he stated, “…we need simplicity to pray as a family; simplicity is necessary! Praying the Our Father together, around the table, is not something extraordinary: it’s easy.  And praying the Rosary together, as a family, is very beautiful and a source of great strength!  And also praying for one another!  …That is what it means to pray in the family and it is what makes the family strong: prayer.”

In addition to making time for prayer, the publication “Our Sunday Visitor” indicated that the foundation of solid Catholic family life is Sunday Mass.  It stated, “When we approach God’s altar to receive the Eucharist, our share in Christ’s Body and Blood deepens our communion with him and through him, builds up his Body, the Church. Together in community, we sing hymns and learn how our voices blend.  We listen to the Word of God and learn how to follow Jesus.  We pray together and learn about silence and humility.  On Sunday we are reminded that the center of our family life is Christ.”

Mother Teresa also had a great concern for the family.  The following “Prayer for the Family” composed by her reflects the call for family unity:

Heavenly Father, you have given us the model of life in the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Help us, O Loving Father, to make our family another Nazareth where love, peace and joy reign.
May it be deeply contemplative, intensely Eucharistic, revived with joy.
Help us to stay together in joy and sorrow in family prayer.
Teach us to see Jesus in the members of our families, especially in their distressing disguise.
May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus make our hearts humble like his and help us to carry out our family duties in a holy way.
May we love one another as God loves each one of us, more and more each day, and forgive each other’s faults as you forgive our sins.
Help us, O Loving Father, to take whatever you give and give whatever you take with a big smile. Amen

As we reflect on this prayer, we are invited to heed the call of Our Holy Father and Mother Teresa and pray for the strengthening of the family as we continue on our journey of faith.

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

In attendance, we have representatives of the Men of Saint Brigid, the Moms Group, the Circle of Sisters, the Knights of Columbus, the Pastoral Council, and also coordinators of certain other Parish ministries and programs.

As mentioned in the past, during the course of the evening, our leaders interact with our newcomers, informing them of various Parish activities.

Many of our newcomers are not familiar with this area, and so we discuss opportunities and challenges in relocating to this local environment.  Our leaders also answer their questions and address any concerns they may have.   While being sensitive to family and employment concerns, they encourage our newcomers to become active members of our Parish family and do their part to enhance the spiritual vitality of our Saint Brigid faith community.

Recently we had our latest gathering.  Our newcomers commented on how much they enjoyed the evening.  We present the following pictures taken at the “Newcomers Social” to give you a glimpse of this fun-filled event.

We encourage you to invite your neighbors and friends to prayerfully consider becoming part of our Saint Brigid faith community.

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

Fr. Michael assisted our community last summer after his ordination before returning to Mundelein for a final year of study.  He is thankful for the spiritual vitality that is evident in the Saint Brigid faith community and is anxious to assist our parishioners through his priestly service, especially in the area of youth ministry.

Please pray for Fr. Michael and welcome him to our faith community.       

                                                                                      Fr. Neil Herlihy

This Monday, we officially say goodbye to Fr. Peter Ha and welcome Fr. Michael Bremer to our Parish.   We have scheduled a farewell gathering for Fr. Peter for this weekend.  We also intend to have a reception for Fr. Michael in the near future.

This Thursday we celebrate the Fourth of July, Independence Day.  On this day, we celebrate the birth of our nation, and we cherish in a very special way the many freedoms we enjoy in this country.  However, these freedoms should never be taken for granted.  As mentioned previously, there are those in our society who are attempting to undermine our trust and belief in God, and in the process are distorting our precious freedoms.  On our money bills, we proclaim, “In God We Trust.”  As disciples, we are invited to pray that this trust in God may be restored in our nation through the example of our leaders.  There is a compelling need to strengthen the moral foundation of our country, a moral foundation based on faith and trust in the Lord.  There is also a need to reaffirm our commitment to truly make our country “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”  We are invited on this day to truly appreciate our faith and freedoms.

The following “Independence Day Prayer” is taken from a collection of freedom prayers from Mary Fairchild and reflects our appreciation for Our Lord and our country:

Dear Lord,

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

Pope Francis invites the faithful to have a hunger for the Eucharist.  He stated, “The Body of Christ is the bread of the end times, capable of giving life, and eternal life because the substance is this bread of love.”  The Pope reiterated that Christ is Himself, “the living bread that gives life to the world.”   As we reflect on these profound words of the Holy Father, we are challenged to truly hunger for the spiritual food that Our Lord provides.

The following prayer, “Anima Christi”, taken from “Catholic Prayer of the Eucharist”, reflects our great appreciation for the gift of the Eucharist.

As we reflect on this prayer, we know that priests are essential to the celebration of the Eucharist.  We also know that changes in assignments are expected in the life of a priest.  Changes can help provide a broad base of experience for a priest and may help him grow in his priestly ministry.  As part of this process, we have recently been informed that effective July 1, Fr. Peter Ha will be leaving us to serve at Our Lady of Vietnam parish and minister to that primarily Vietnamese community.  Fr. Michael Bremer will be joining our parish as our new parochial vicar.  Fr. Michael will soon meet with me and Fr. Peter to discuss his new assignment and is excited about becoming part of our parish family.

As we celebrate the great feast of Corpus Christi, we are reminded that the word “Eucharist” means “giving thanks”.  May we truly give thanks for our faith, for our priests, for the Eucharistic Congress, and for the spiritual home, we call Saint Brigid.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me. Within thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me and bid me come unto thee,
That with thy saints I may praise Thee forever and ever.
 Amen.

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Trinity. In many ways, this feast is a mystery concerning God’s unconditional love for us.  God the Father loved us so much that He sent His Son into the world to save us. God the Son loved us so much that He died for us. God the Holy Spirit loved us so much that He filled us with wisdom and understanding.  This Trinitarian love is a love that we strive primarily to experience rather than explain.

We also celebrate Father’s Day and we remember in a special way all that dads mean to their children.  Being a father is a great privilege and also a great responsibility.  We are encouraged to remember all fathers, including those who are separated from their children due to military service, work or travel obligations, and for other reasons.  Although separated physically, we pray that they may always keep a special love for their in children in their hearts.  Many of our parishioners are also fathers.  As parishioners and as fathers, we are invited to set a good example for our children and to help prepare them for lives as Catholic men and women.  In addition, we remember our spiritual fathers, our priests, and especially Our Holy Father Pope Francis as he strives to shepherd our Church with a father’s love and compassion.

The following prayer called “A Prayer for Fathers” by Fr. Frank Pavone reflects our appreciation for our fathers:

Almighty God, you have taught us
 that you are the Father of us all
 and that all fatherhood takes its origin from you.
You protect us from evil and provide our daily bread.
You are strength and integrity, blessing and the font of life.
We thank you then, for our fathers.
Though human, they are also a reflection of you, Lord God.
They are a gift to us.

We pray for all Fathers today.
May they realize the greatness of their vocation
 and have the strength to live it without fear.
Forgive their sins, and keep their eyes raised up to you.
To those who still make this earthly journey with us,
 give us the grace to love them as we should,
 and to those who you have called from this life,
 give a special place of honor in the heavenly kingdom with you,
 the Father of all.
We pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen

As we reflect on this prayer, we are reminded that our love for our fathers should reflect the Trinitarian love that God has for us.  On behalf of our clergy and staff, I pray that all dads will truly enjoy their special day.

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

As we reflect on this great feast, we are reminded that during the last few weeks many of us had an opportunity to take a break from school or work and make time for leisure activities and consider travel plans.  As we continue to make time for leisure activities and travel, we are strongly encouraged to keep our focus on the Lord.  We are reminded that the time for Mass and prayer should be included in our plans.

When attending Mass, especially during the summer months, we are asked to exercise prudence and judgment in how we act and in what we wear.  Each year our Church leaders strive to remind the faithful of the need to dress modestly at Mass since we are in the presence of the King of Kings.  As mentioned previously, our Catechism states that “…modesty guides how we look at others and behave toward them in conformity with the dignity of persons and their solidarity.”  It also states that modesty “…inspires one’s choice in clothing.”  Certain summer apparel which may be appropriate for an informal meal or a picnic may not be appropriate for Mass.

Recently in an article, “Dressing for Church”, written by Abbot Tryphon from Washington, the Abbot stated, “The church is our home, a place where we should feel comfortable, and at ease.  It is also God’s house and is a temple set aside for worship of the Holy Trinity.  Although times might have changed and we have become a very casual society, this attitude cannot be allowed to influence how we dress to worship God.  Our way of dressing for the church should reflect our desire to offer our very best to Christ.  Just as we want to act in ways that demonstrate the centrality of Christ in our lives, our dress should show forth the modesty that is befitting a Christian.”

He also stated, “Both men and women should avoid wearing clothing that can be distracting to other worshipers.  Just as we want to keep our focus on the divine services, so too we must not be the cause of the distraction for our fellow Christians.  Christ should be the focus of our worship, not our personal outfits.  The Mass is not the place to show off the latest fashion, nor the results of the fitness center.”

As we reflect on these words of wisdom, we are invited to dress appropriately for Mass and keep our focus on the Lord as we enjoy this time of leisure.                                       

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.