This week we will offer a Lenten Parish Mission on Monday, February 19th and Tuesday, February 20th. A Parish Mission can provide an opportunity for spiritual growth as we strive to renew and strengthen our relationship with the Lord. The Mission will be presented by Monsignor Hugh Marren. He will focus on “The Mass and Our Lenten Renewal” as he explains various elements of the Mass, and how the Mass can help us renew or revive our faith, and lead to spiritual healing as we strive to return to the Lord’s loving embrace at this special time of the Church Year.

Lent is a good time to consider which way we are heading, and how we may be able to alter our spiritual course. Lent is also a good time to seek healing and reconciliation. It is a time to reflect on the wounds and slights that all too often impact our relationships with family members and friends. It is also an appropriate time to confront the temptations that are all around us. These temptations are very real and very powerful. The Mission can help us embrace the Eucharist, and assist us in our efforts to resist these temptations, as we strive to make real and substantive progress on our Lenten journey.

At this time of the year, our Church places a special emphasis on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We are invited to avail ourselves of this sacrament during the Lenten season. The sacrament is here to heal, not to condemn. Our Holy Father Pope Francis has called Confession, “the sacrament of tenderness” and has urged those who have been away from the sacrament to be not afraid to reach out to the Lord who will receive you with open arms. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we can cleanse our souls as we prepare for the commemoration of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We offer the sacrament on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings, and by appointment.

We will also have what is traditionally called a Penance Service on Tuesday, March 12th with additional priests available to serve as instruments of the Lord’s pardon, mercy, and forgiveness.

We are invited to attend the Mission and gain some practical insights on how we can better live our lives as followers of Christ. We will offer morning and evening sessions. Details concerning the Mission and Confession times can be obtained from the Parish bulletin and website as well as from the Parish office.

I hope that you will prayerfully consider participating in the Parish Mission, and avail yourself of great opportunities to enhance your spiritual life during this special season of Lent.

This week we will offer a Lenten Parish Mission on Monday, February 19th and Tuesday, February 20th. A Parish Mission can provide an opportunity for spiritual growth as we strive to renew and strengthen our relationship with the Lord. The Mission will be presented by Monsignor Hugh Marren. He will focus on “The Mass and Our Lenten Renewal” as he explains various elements of the Mass, and how the Mass can help us renew or revive our faith, and lead to spiritual healing as we strive to return to the Lord’s loving embrace at this special time of the Church Year.
Lent is a good time to consider which way we are heading, and how we may be able to alter our spiritual course. Lent is also a good time to seek healing and reconciliation. It is a time to reflect on the wounds and slights that all too often impact our relationships with family members and friends. It is also an appropriate time to confront the temptations that are all around us. These temptations are very real and very powerful. The Mission can help us embrace the Eucharist, and assist us in our efforts to resist these temptations, as we strive to make real and substantive progress on our Lenten journey.

At this time of the year, our Church places a special emphasis on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We are invited to avail ourselves of this sacrament during the Lenten season. The sacrament is here to heal, not to condemn.  Our Holy Father Pope Francis has called Confession, “the sacrament of tenderness” and has urged those who have been away from the sacrament to be not afraid to reach out to the Lord who will receive you with open arms.  Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we can cleanse our souls as we prepare for the commemoration of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  We offer the sacrament on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings, and by appointment.

We will also have what is traditionally called a Penance Service on Tuesday, March 12th with additional priests available to serve as instruments of the Lord’s pardon, mercy, and forgiveness.  We are invited to attend the Mission and gain some practical insights on how we can better live our lives as followers of Christ. We will offer morning and evening sessions. Details concerning the Mission and Confession times can be obtained from the Parish bulletin and website as well as from the Parish office.

I hope that you will prayerfully consider participating in the Parish Mission, and avail yourself of great opportunities to enhance your spiritual life during this special season of Lent.

Next Wednesday in the Church year is Ash Wednesday.  It is a day of fasting and abstinence.  Guidelines concerning fasting and abstinence are included in our Parish bulletin and on our Parish website.  Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the 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.  Many people will attend Church on this day to receive ashes as they strive to enter into the spirit of the season.

In a recent address as reported by the media outlet, “Catholic News Agency”, Pope Francis reminded the faithful that we need to listen to Jesus.

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

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

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

 

 

As a parish community, we are blessed to be a part of the vibrant Archdiocese of Atlanta.  The Archdiocese shares in the mission of the universal Church.  One way it does this is through the  Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.

This weekend we initiate discussion of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for 2024 at our Masses.   The theme of the Appeal is “In His Presence – All Things Are Possible.”  Archbishop Hartmayer stated, “In His Presence is where we all find joy and peace, as well as comfort and consolation.  Just as Christ gives Himself to us in the Eucharist, by your sacrificial giving to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal to serve our brothers and sisters, you become Eucharist to others, making His love present throughout north and central Georgia.”

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.  Specifically, 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.  Our contributions are also used for the training and formation of permanent deacons and others in religious life.  Through your generosity and your prayers, vocations are being embraced as we go forth in service of the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.

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

We invite you to prayerfully consider making a pledge to the 2024 Appeal and ask you to give generously and sacrificially.  We thank all who have already given.  Administrative procedures for the collection and processing of pledges this year have been streamlined.  Information about the Appeal has been provided in the Church Bulletin and on the Parish website.  Any questions concerning the Appeal can be directed to John Revell in the Parish office.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are challenged to respond in faith to this invitation and request.  Your continued generosity is truly appreciated.

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

https://archatl.com/appeal/

This Thursday, February 1st, we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Brigid, the patron saint of our Parish.  She joins Saint Patrick as one of the patron saints of Ireland.    Saint Brigid is known for her extraordinary spirituality and prayer life.  She is also known for her Christian charity.  Her ministry involved healing and feeding the poor and she 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.  Saint Brigid 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. Through her words and example, she serves as a wonderful model for us.

This week we also celebrate National Catholic Schools Week, with the theme of “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community”.  Catholic education has always been a priority for the Catholic bishops of our nation.  For many years, Catholic schools had been staffed primarily by dedicated nuns, religious brothers, and priests.  They are now staffed primarily by dedicated lay teachers who truly view teaching as their vocation.  These teachers strive to educate and form students who will embrace and spread the faith.  Catholic education was also very important to Saint Brigid.  She is the patron saint of students and worked to see that the Catholic faith was taught clearly and thoroughly, and she founded several Catholic schools.

This Sunday we also focus on the work of Mustard Seed Communities (MSC).  Mustard Seed was founded by Msgr. Gregory Ramkissoon, a Catholic priest in Jamaica.  MSC started in Jamaica and expanded to Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Africa.  It cares for several hundred children with special physical and mental health needs, many of whom have been abandoned.

Pope Francis stated, “We need to see each child as a gift to be welcomed, cherished, and protected.”  Mustard Seed strives to love and protect the most vulnerable of our children.  It strives to focus on these children as gifts from God.

MSC also manages a number of community outreach programs to combat poverty and provide educational opportunities to local populations.

Saint Brigid Parish supports MSC primarily through its spiritual and financial assistance.  Our parishioners also participate in mission trips to assist in the construction of appropriate housing for the children in need.  Some of our parishioners have also adopted children from various communities of Mustard Seed.  Representatives of MSC will be available after the Masses this weekend to answer questions about the Community and the work it does.

 

Our Holy Father Pope Francis has spoken often and eloquently about the value of human life and the dignity of the human person.  As reported in the media outlet, “The Catholic World Report”, he recently criticized the “throw away” culture that is often found in more affluent societies.  He stated, “Every person is a sacred and unique gift, no matter what their age and condition.  Let us always respect and promote life! Let us not throw life away.”

As Catholics, we are called to respect the fundamental dignity of the human person and hope to see that dignity be granted to all of God’s children, including our preborn brothers and sisters.  This support for the fundamental dignity of the human person and the sanctity of life was emphasized on Saturday, January 20th as Bishop Tran celebrated a special Mass for the Preborn at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Atlanta. Many of our parishioners were in attendance.  The bishop spoke about how all of God’s children deserve our love and support, and that we should pray that God will change the hearts and minds of those who fail to value the gift of life.

The following “A Pro-Life Prayer” provided by ‘Creative Communications” reflects our concern for all human life:

God of all goodness, You have entrusted us with the gift of life.
Help us to appreciate that gift from the first moments of conception to the last breaths of old age.
Send Your strength to all those who defend the unborn, the weak, and the dying against attempts to cut short their lives.
May Your Holy Spirit touch the hearts of those who are tempted to choose the way of death rather than life.
Grant that Your people may always be a sign of your love in the world.
Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, Our Holy Father Pope Francis has challenged us to bear witness not only to the value and sacredness of the preborn, but also to the elderly, and the physically and mentally ill.  He also asked us to be compassionate toward those suffering from the painful trauma of abortion and to pray for their healing.

Our Church teaches that all life is precious and worthy of protection.  Therefore, we are invited to take to heart the profound words of Pope Francis and Bishop Tran and do our part in promoting the value of all human life and the dignity of the human person as we continue on our journey of faith.

 

 

 

This Thursday, January 18th, we begin the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  During this week, our bishops ask us to unite in prayer with our Christian brothers and sisters.

We are invited to pray for peace in our world, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts.  In addition, we are invited to pray in support of the inherent value of all human life.

Our Holy Father Pope Francis spoke of the bond of unity and sharing that should mark the lives of all Christians as we strive to spread our faith.  As mentioned in the past, he has issued a call for unity, stating, “If we do not walk together, if we do not pray for one another, if we do not collaborate in the many ways we can in this world, for the people of God, then unity will not come about.”  Pope Francis has also called on us to be announcers of the Gospel as we embrace the call for unity.

Unity was also an important part of the message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as he sought to unite all people through a message of love.  This Monday, January 15th, our nation celebrates the legacy of Dr. King.  We honor him for his work in promoting the fundamental dignity of the human person regardless of skin color.  In addition, we acknowledge the crucial role he played as he humbly responded in faith and worked tirelessly to lead the struggle for civil rights in this country.  He focused on a message of love, stating, “Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it.  Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it.  Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”

Dr. King also stated, “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.  That is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant.”

In honoring the legacy of Dr. King, we recognize the great strides that our country has made in overcoming the racial injustices of the past as many hearts and minds have been changed.  We also realize that much still needs to be done to heal the wounds and divisions that continue to exist.  Much still needs to be done to enhance the dignity of the human person and foster a true sense of unity.

As we reflect on the profound words of Pope Francis and Dr. King, and as we continue in this New Year, we are invited to pray that hearts and minds will continue to be changed and that a true sense of harmony and unity will be embraced.

 

 

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.  One meaning of the word “epiphany” is “manifestation” and refers to the manifestation of Jesus to the world.

On this day, we focus on the Wise Men, the Magi who were on a difficult journey of faith to encounter the Lord.  Commenting on this journey, as reported in the media outlet, “Vatican News”, Our Holy Father Pope Francis stated, “The exciting adventure of the Wise Men from the East teaches us that faith is not born of our own merits, thoughts, and theories.”  He noted that our faith is a “constant dialogue with the Lord.”

Progressing in faith, the Magi faced many risks and obstacles on their journey.  These risks and obstacles included the danger inherent in traveling on a difficult and arduous journey.  The Magi probably battled the hot blazing sun by day and the freezing cold at night.  They were probably, at times, hungry, frustrated, and tempted to turn back.  Yet, they persevered on their journey to encounter Christ.

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

We may also have to deal with our own physical and spiritual complacency.  Pope Francis noted, “Often we try to soothe our hearts with creature comforts.  If the Magi had done that, they would never have encountered the Lord.”

Fortunately, like the Wise Men, we do not undertake our spiritual journey alone.  We journey and persevere as a community of faith, despite the risks and obstacles which we may encounter on a daily basis.  As a community of faith, we can assist each other in overcoming the many obstacles we face.  We need each other’s guidance; we need each other’s support; we need each other’s encouragement; we need each other’s prayers.

As previously noted, Pope Francis has challenged us, as Catholics, to be a more integral part of the Church.  He spoke of the need for community and the bond of unity and sharing that should mark the lives of all Christians on their spiritual journey.  Therefore, as we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, we are encouraged to embrace the bond of unity in the spirit of collaborative ministry: Our priests, deacons, and laity working together to build up the Kingdom of God.

 

Our Christmas Season continues, and this Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the family that makes this Season possible.  Our Holy Father Pope Francis has challenged us to strive for spiritual unity and for the strengthening of families by following the example of the Holy Family.  As previously noted, Vatican Radio reported that Pope Francis spoke of the Christian family as an institution that prays, keeps faith, and experiences joy.  Our Holy Father stated, “The family which experiences the joy of faith communicates it naturally.”  He added, “That family is the salt of the earth and the light of the world, it is the leaven of society.”

Then, this Monday, we begin the New Year, and we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.  As we well know, at this time, there is great turmoil and suffering in the Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, and other regions of the world.  As reported in the media outlet “Vatican News,” in a recent homily, Pope Francis called on the faithful to pray to Mary “in a special way for her sons and daughters who are suffering and no longer have the strength to pray” as well as those suffering conflict and war.  He noted, “for all those who have no peace, let us invoke Mary, the woman who brought into the world the Prince of Peace.”

Pope Francis also has encouraged us to look to Mary as a model of hope in the midst of a troubled and violent world.  He stated that Mary “hears our petitions; holding her Son in her arms, she blesses us and brings us the tender love of God made flesh.  In a word, Mary gives us hope.”  Pope Francis also noted, “The year, which opens with the celebration of God’s Mother and our own, tells us that the key to hope is Mary, and that the antiphon of hope is the invocation ‘Holy Mother of God!’ “

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

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

My brothers and sisters in Christ:

Jesus comes into our world at Christmas as a sign of the love God has for us. Our Advent liturgies, Parish Advent Mission, and emphasis on the Mass have helped us complete a wonderful time of preparation as we go forward in hope, thanksgiving, faith, and joy, and get ready to receive the Christ Child into lives and into our hearts.

In a Christmas homily, Pope Francis stated, “The Christmas manger, the first message of the divine Child, tells us that God is with us; He loves us and He seeks us.” Our Holy Father also noted, “The poverty of the manger shows us where the true riches in life are to be found not in money and power, but in relationships and persons.”

As we consider these insightful words of Our Holy Father, we are invited to focus on prayer, reflection, wonder, and silence, and allow the sacred mysteries of Christmas to take on a special meaning in our lives. My hope for all of us this Christmas is that we will take to heart these profound words of Psalm 32,

“Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord, exult, you just! O come ring out your joy, all you upright of heart.”

As disciples, we have much for which to rejoice and be thankful. As a community of faith, we join in thanking God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us, our families, and our nation. We especially thank Him for the gift of His Son.

I am truly grateful for your continued emphasis on the spiritual integrity and vitality of the Parish, for your active participation in our liturgical celebrations, and for your enthusiastic support. In addition, I am also deeply grateful for your generosity which, in so many ways, has enhanced and strengthened the many programs, ministries, and activities which we offer at Saint Brigid. I am especially thankful for your support of Eucharistic Adoration, your awareness of the poor and the sick, and your assistance and prayers in fostering vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life.

At this special time of the year, may we allow the light of Christ to shine through the darkness of our lives. May we truly experience the joy and love of the Lord this Christmas as we hear His voice in the silence of our hearts.

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

It is a privilege to serve you.

We celebrate Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday on this Third Sunday of Advent as we wait in joyful anticipation for the coming of the Christ Child.  In our Sunday gospels during Advent, the call to prepare for Christ comes primarily from John the Baptist.  He is the last of the Old Testament prophets who point the way to the Messiah.  John is also the first of the New Testament witnesses and martyrs.  He, in essence, tells us to prepare the way of the Lord, acknowledge our shortcomings and failures, repent of our sins, and change our hearts.  However, we can be preoccupied with shopping, social gatherings and parties, and travel plans which can easily distract us from focusing on this important message.  Distractions can be very real and very tempting and were addressed by Pope Francis.

As previously noted, the media outlet “Catholic News Service” reported that in a gathering with Vatican employees, Pope Francis asked “will people go to adore and be amazed by Jesus, or will they let themselves be detoured by distractions?”  As a way to avoid distractions, he invited the faithful to focus on the call to holiness.  He stated that one sign of holiness is being able to “be astonished, to feel the wonder before God’s gifts, his ‘surprises.’  And the greatest gift, the ever-new surprise is Jesus.”

As we reflect on these profound words of Our

Holy Father, and as we strive to prepare spiritually for the coming of the Lord, we are reminded that on Monday, December 18th at 9 am, we will celebrate a memorial Mass for our beloved former pastor, Monsignor Paul Reynolds.  He shepherded his congregation at Saint Brigid from 2006 until his death in 2010.     He was a priest of great wisdom, insight, and joy, and truly appreciated the opportunity to serve the people entrusted to his care.

Then on Wednesday, December 20th, we will have a Penance Service to assist us in spiritually preparing for the Christmas season.  We will have visiting priests available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The Sacrament is here to heal, not to condemn.  It is available to get us closer to the Lord who loves us.

As we reflect on our memory of Monsignor Reynolds, and on the example of John the Baptist, we know the Lord is ready to come to us.  We are encouraged to continue to do brief Advent scripture readings each day to better prepare ourselves for his coming.  In addition, we are challenged to avoid the distractions of the season which can easily overwhelm us and strive to truly open our hearts to receive the Christ Child in a spirit of holiness, and in a spirit of joy as we continue on our Advent journey of faith.          

As a faith community, we continue on our Advent journey as we strive to remain watchful and alert as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of the Lord.  This past week we conducted our Advent Mission, and it was well received as Fr. Kevin Peek helped us to focus on the importance of the Eucharist and the joy we should experience during the Advent season as we await the coming of the Christ Child.

During Advent, we continue to honor our Mother Mary in special ways.  This past Friday, December 8th, we honored Mary as we celebrated the feast of the Immaculate Conception and affirmed our belief that Mary was blessed among women and was preserved from original sin from the moment of her conception.  As reported in the media outlet, “Vatican News”, reflecting on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis stated that “Mary, the only human creature without sin in history, is with us in the battle, she is our sister and above all Mother.”   He further noted, “We, who struggle to choose good, can entrust ourselves to her.”

Next Tuesday, December 12th, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as we once again honor Mary, our Mother.  She is the patroness of the United States, Mexico, and all of the Americas, as well as the protector of the unborn.  She is a religious as well as a cultural figure to the people of Mexico.  In 1531, she appeared in a vision of 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 reminded us that like Juan Diego, “we are under her shadow and protection, which is the source of joy.”

As we focus on these two great feasts of our Church and the words of Our Holy Father, please be aware that we will have additional opportunities during this season of Advent to avail ourselves of the great Sacrament of Reconciliation, including a Penance Service.  The Sacrament is here to heal us spiritually and get us closer to the Lord who loves us.  Please check below or the parish website for additional times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

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

                                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we focus on these two great feasts of our Church and on the words of Our Holy Father, please be aware that we will have additional opportunities during this season of Advent to avail ourselves of the great Sacrament of Reconciliation, including a Penance Service.  The Sacrament is here to heal us spiritually and get us closer to the Lord who loves us.  Please check below or the parish website for additional times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

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

 

This Sunday begins the Season of Advent.  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, “Vatican News”, in an Advent message, Pope Francis stated that Advent is the time we can be “shaken out” of our lethargy and awakened “from our slumber” to be vigilant always.  We can ask ourselves if we are alert and vigilant and if we “recognize God’s presence in daily situations” saying that if we are unaware of this reality today, we will be unprepared when He arrives at the end of times.

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. Kevin Peek, a priest in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.  Fr. Peek is an articulate communicator and experienced spiritual leader.  He has also served as a military Chaplain, with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.  He currently serves as the Coordinator of the Prison Ministry for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

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. Peek will focus on Eucharistic Renewal and the coming of the Christ Child.  There will be time for prayer and reflection.  The message of Father Peek should resonate with all people of goodwill including families, young adults, and teens.

We invite you to come to this Mission.  Please invite your loved ones and 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 loved ones and friends to return to the precious faith we love and cherish.

The Advent Mission will take place this Tuesday, December 5th to Wednesday, December 6th.  There will be both morning and evening sessions for your convenience.  Details concerning the Mission can be obtained from the Parish bulletin and website as well as from the Parish office.  We invite you to participate in the Parish Mission and avail yourself of this special time of grace.

 

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe as we approach the end of the liturgical year of our Church.  We remember in a special way what Christ means to us, what Christ did for us, and that we are called to serve the King of Kings.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops calls us to acknowledge Christ’s kingship with our lives.  The bishops stated, “He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ.  He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God.  He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things and cleave to him alone.  He must reign in our bodies and in our members, which should serve as instruments for the interior sanctification of our souls, or to use the words of the Apostle Paul, ‘as instruments of justice unto God.’ “

As we reflect on these words, we are reminded that Our King, Jesus Christ, invites us to eternal life in heaven.  His will is for our complete and eternal happiness, and we have the opportunity to respond to the gracious invitation He extends to us.  The way to eternal happiness is open to all, but we have free will as to how we will respond.  Our King wants us to be spiritually ready to come into His presence.  And so, we are invited and challenged to embrace His message, embrace His ministry, embrace His mission, and embrace His teaching.

The word “Eucharist” means “giving thanks” and the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith.  Our Church leaders remind us that the Lord establishes a special bond with His community through the special 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 opportunity to bond with each other by nourishing on the Bread of Life, especially on this day as we honor Christ Our King.

The following prayer, “Jesus Christ the King”, reflects the significance of this feast:

Almighty everlasting God,
who in Thy beloved Son, King of the whole world,
hast willed to restore all things.
Grant in thy mercy that all the families of the nations,
rent asunder by the wound of sin,
may be subjected to His gentle rule.
Who with Thee live and reign,  world without end.
Amen.

 

This coming Thursday, we celebrate Thanksgiving Day and we are encouraged to give thanks for the many blessings that the Lord has bestowed on us.  As noted in the past, we pray that Thanksgiving Day will not be commercialized, but rather will truly be a time for reflection and thanksgiving.  As we enjoy a meal together, we can reflect on our blessings and thank God for the gifts of our life, our health, our family, our friends, and our vocations.  We can also give thanks for the gift of our precious faith, and for the opportunity to serve our brothers and sisters, especially our brothers and sisters in need at this time of the year.  In addition, we can remember our men and women in the armed forces who are serving our country, and who may not be able to share this special time with loved ones.

This need to be thankful is addressed in this Thanksgiving Day message from Bishop Anthony Taylor, of the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas.  He stated, “All genuine gratefulness begins in remembrance.  In remembering that the lion’s share of our good fortune comes to us through the goodness of others, or for Catholics, from the goodness of God.  So, as we celebrate around our Thanksgiving tables, let us be grateful and humble as we give thanks for the Lord’s blessings.  As the Bible says, ‘You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.’ (Corinthians 9:11) ”

The following “A Prayer of Thanksgiving” by Reverend Adrian Porter reflects our appreciation of our many gifts and blessings:

We thank you, God our Father,

for the shelter and comfort of our homes;

for the love and companionship of our family and friends;

for our health, and our many gifts and abilities; and for all the blessings we take for granted.

Hear our prayer for all who are less fortunate than we are and bless those who work to help them.

For Jesus Christ’s sake.  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 as we strive to embrace a spirit of appreciation and sacrifice.  We can also pray that Thanksgiving Day will truly be a time to thank God for prayers answered and blessings received.

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

 

Next Saturday, Bishop Joel Konzen will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to approximately 130 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.”

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

Candidates for Confirmation are asked to select the name of a saint as their Confirmation name.  The saint can serve as an example of Christian living.  Candidates also receive the spiritual guidance and dedicated support of a sponsor.

Pope Francis has often spoken about the importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation in our spiritual journey.  As reported in the media outlet, “Vatican News”, he stated, “The rite of Confirmation recalls and renews the promises made at Baptism and invokes a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit.” He further noted that, “Sealed with the Holy Spirit, we are configured more closely to Christ and strengthened to bear witness to him in our world.”

This “Prayer for Confirmation Candidates” asks the Lord to guide those who will be receiving this important sacrament.

“Lord, You send out Your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people,
so that they may believe in You and in Jesus whom You sent.
Look kindly on all candidates for Confirmation as they listen to Your voice.
Open their hearts to Your Spirit and bring to fulfillment the good work You have begun in them.
As we prepare these children for Confirmation, make each one of us an instrument of Your love.
Teach us to appreciate what is holy in others, and to be patient with what we do not understand.
Deepen our faith in the Gospel and help us to pass it on by our example.
We pray that You will continue to guide us and sustain us. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.”      

As we reflect on this prayer, we are encouraged to continue to pray for these young men and women as they get ready to receive this great sacrament and take this profound step on their journey of faith.                                                                                           

 

 

Next Saturday, November 11th, as a nation we celebrate Veterans Day.  In a special way on this day, we are encouraged to honor our men and women who have served in the armed forces and sacrificed so much on behalf of our country.  Many of us have loved ones who now have Veteran status.  Through their unselfishness and dedication, they made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms provided in our nation.  We should appreciate their sacrifice and service, and never take them for granted.

As mentioned previously, the Johns Creek Veterans Association arranged for the construction of the Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk, located in Newtown Park.  The Walk serves as a vivid 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 Walk.

We are also reminded that many of our recent Veterans continue to strive to adapt to civilian life.  Catholic Charities in Atlanta has made a concerted effort to assist Veterans in obtaining adequate housing and has also provided needed spiritual, emotional, and financial support.  In addition, our Veterans Administration hospitals and treatment centers continue to strive to make necessary improvements in order to provide appropriate ongoing care for Veterans in need.
The following “A Veterans Day Prayer” composed by Debbie Kay Hope captures the essence of our appreciation for the sacrifice of our Veterans:

As we reflect on this prayer, we are encouraged to remember our family members, relatives, friends, neighbors, and military chaplains who have unselfishly served our nation in the armed forces. We are encouraged to honor them by assuring them of our prayers, our gratitude, and our respect.

Dear Lord,
We know that freedom isn’t free and a special few pay the price for many.
We owe a debt of gratitude to all the courageous men and women who have served and sacrificed to protect us and our freedoms.
Today as we remember our Veterans, we ask you to bless each one and meet their every need, pray they will know how valued, respected, and appreciated they are.  Please bless their families for their many sacrifices as well.
We ask for your protection over all who are serving now and ask you to bring them home safely.
We also ask you to comfort all who are missing someone who served.
In Jesus’ name, we ask these things.  Amen.

Holy Day Mass Times:

Tuesday, October 31 Vigil at 7:00 PM,  and

Wednesday, November 1st at  6:30 AM, 9:00 AM,  12 Noon and 7:00 PM. 

This coming Wednesday, November 1st, we celebrate  All Saints Day.  The Catholic Church recognizes this day as a Holy Day of Obligation.  Speaking on the significance of this day, in an “Angelus Address”, Pope Francis stated, “Saints are not perfect models, but people through whom God has passed.”  He further noted, “The saints are our brothers and sisters who have welcomed the light of God in their heart and have passed it on to the world.”

As we reflect on these words of Pope Francis, we remember in a very special way on this day the many saints who came before us, holy men and women marked with the sign of faith.  They set such good examples for us, and we are challenged to learn from them and to learn more about them.  Many of them were ordinary people who were guided by the Lord to do extraordinary things.  We are encouraged to seek the intercession of our saints as we pray for wisdom and guidance and continue on our journey of faith.

Then on Thursday, November 2nd, we commemorate All Souls Day.  It is a day to honor and pray for all souls. We especially pray for our deceased relatives, friends, neighbors, parishioners, co-workers, and all who shared their lives with us.  Our Holy Father encouraged us to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist on this day, noting that it is the best spiritual help that we can give to the souls who have gone before us.

In addition, on the same evening, we will celebrate a Mass of Remembrance at 7:00 pm. As in the past, we will honor the memory of those loved ones who have died, including those who have died recently.  A litany of names and an offering of roses with appropriate lighting of candles will mark this special occasion.

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

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

We are invited to honor our great saints and our deceased loved ones by participating in our Church liturgies on these very special days.  Details concerning these liturgies can be found in the Parish bulletin and on the Parish website.

                                                         

 

Our faith community has vibrant spiritual and educational programs for those adults and children interested in becoming Catholic, and for those baptized Catholics who have not yet received the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation.  The programs are the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC).  Those adults and children who are not Catholic are invited to learn about the Catholic faith, and they make the free choice to embrace Catholic teaching and become members of the Church.

Those in the programs participate in a thorough period of inquiry, discernment, and catechesis, led by their coordinators.  They have the opportunity to grow in the knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith.  Participants also take part in a retreat and various social gatherings and hopefully, over time, will be more fully integrated into the parish community.

As explained in the publication, Our Sunday Visitor (OSV), as previously noted, “Catholic parishes offer inquiry sessions that allow seekers to examine the Catholic faith more closely.  During these sessions, participants ask questions, explore Catholic teachings, and discover what it means to be a Catholic Christian.

These sessions are designed to offer accurate information about the Catholic Church – with no strings attached.   If participants feel the desire to become Catholic, they may move into a deeper level of faith formation that focuses on prayer, sharing, community, and reflection, called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.”

The steps in the RCIA process, as explained in OSV are as follows:

• The Precatechumenate, or period of inquiry, welcomes newcomers to ask questions as they begin to learn more about the Church.
• The Catechumenate is a time of serious formation, often with others who are inquiring about the faith.

The Period of Purification and Enlightenment, “which coincides with Lent, is a period of continued instruction coupled with more intensive preparation and prayer.  This period culminates with the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist), bringing the candidates and catechumens into the full communion of the Catholic Church, usually at the Easter Vigil.  (A candidate is a baptized Christian; a catechumen is an unbaptized candidate.)”

• Mystagogy is the time “after the newly initiated has been fully received into the Church; it lasts from Easter to Pentecost.

All of these stages are marked by distinct liturgical rites.”

The process is similar, but more simplified, for children participating in the RCIC program.

Our parish RCIA and RCIC programs for the year have begun, but it is not too late to participate.  We expect that many in the programs will receive the appropriate sacraments at the Easter Vigil next year.  If you know of someone who may be interested in the programs, please contact our parish office or any of our clergy.

 

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.  It is traditionally celebrated in September or October.  On this day we are reminded in a special way that the priest is 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.

In a recent address, as reported by the media outlet “Catholic News Agency”, Pope Francis spoke to a group of priests in Rome and stated that “the spiritual life becomes liberating and joyful” when priests “leave the initiative to the Holy Spirit, and in openness to His plans,” show their “willingness to serve wherever and however” they are asked.

The faithful are invited by our bishops, and by Serra International, the Knights of Columbus, and other Catholic organizations to foster a greater awareness of vocations.  We are encouraged to pray for future holy, happy, and healthy priests needed to serve the Church of tomorrow.  Our bishops also encourage the faithful to pray for vocations to the diaconate, religious life, the married state, and single life, since we are all called to a life of holiness.

Jesus has challenged His priests to be His servants and to serve the least of His people.  Priests are encouraged to go forth with a true appreciation for Jesus and His ministry.  They are challenged to shepherd the people entrusted to their care and to be humble disciples truly willing to serve the Church and its mission.

The following “Prayer for Priests” from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops asks God to guide and support our priests.

Gracious and loving God, we thank You for the gift of our priests.  Through them, we experience Your presence in the sacraments.
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation.  Set their souls on fire with love for Your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  Inspire them with the vision of Your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.  Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
Help them to become instruments of Your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.
Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, and as we celebrate Priesthood Sunday, Fr. Darragh, Fr. Bill, and I appreciate the privilege and opportunity to celebrate Mass and to minister the sacraments to the people of Saint Brigid.  We thank you for your continued support and prayers.

 

Our Holy Father Pope Francis has called on the Church community to foster and nurture vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life.  He noted that vocations grow within the Church, and stated, “Candidates gratefully contemplate the mediation of the community as an essential element for their future.  They learn to know and to love their brothers and sisters who pursue paths different from their own, and these bonds strengthen in everyone the communion which they share.”

At Saint Brigid, we strive as a faith community to assist seminarians as they discern a vocation to the priesthood, and as they continue their training and formation.  This past summer we were blessed to have two seminarians with us who are studying for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.  They were Mark Piendel and Anthony Carosone.

Recently we welcomed another seminarian, Juno Lee, who will be with us for a Pastoral Year of formation.  Juno is currently studying for the Archdiocese of Atlanta at Saint Vincent de Paul Seminary in Florida.  In addition to assisting at our liturgies, Juno will also assist in our Vacation Bible School, Confirmation conferences, and many of our Special Needs, and Youth activities.  He will also participate in various aspects of our adult faith formation programs.  He will be with us until next July, and then return to his seminary studies soon thereafter.  Juno looks forward to interacting with our Saint Brigid faith community.

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

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

 

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

 

This Sunday we celebrate Respect Life Sunday.  Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has called for us to promote the Gospel of Life, and protect and cherish the lives of the elderly, the physically and mentally challenged, and the unborn.  At a recent pro-life event in Rome, as reported in the media outlet, “Catholic News Agency”, Pope Francis stated, “Let us remember that life is a gift from God.  It is always sacred and inviolable.”  He also noted that we cannot “choose to manipulate, to give birth or take life as we please, as if it were the exclusive consequence of individual choice.”

As we reflect on the profound words of Pope Francis, this Sunday we are invited to reaffirm our appreciation for the precious gift of life.  There will be a series of “Life Chains” which will be conducted throughout the Archdiocese of Atlanta.  We are invited to participate in the “Life Chain” that will be held between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Old Alabama Road in an area that will include the space in front of our Church.  The “Life Chain” will be a peaceful, public, and prayerful witness concerning the dignity of all life, especially the lives of the unborn.  We will pray for our nation, our people, and our political leaders, and we will be exercising our responsibility to speak out on behalf of the sanctity of life.

The following prayer called “A Pro-Life Prayer for Our President and Public Officials”, provided by Bishop Robert Baker, asks Our Lord to inspire our public officials to support the dignity of all human life.  As we reflect on this prayer, we are challenged to commit ourselves publicly to the protection of all human life as we strive to enhance the moral integrity of our great nation.   If we cannot be at the “Life Chain” in Johns Creek this Sunday, we are invited to speak for the most vulnerable through prayer in the silence of our hearts.

May God continue to bless you and your families for all you do to embrace a culture of life.

Lord, Author of Life and Source of Eternal Life,

Move the hearts of all our public officials and especially our President, to fulfill their responsibilities worthily and well to all those entrusted to their care.

Help them in their special leadership roles, to extend the mantle of protection to the most vulnerable, especially the defenseless unborn, whose lives are threatened with extermination by an indifferent society.

Guide all public officials by your wisdom and grace to cease supporting any law that fails to protect the fundamental good that is human life itself, which is a gift from God and parents.

You are the Protector and Defender of the lives of the innocent unborn.  Change the hearts of those who compromise the call to protect and defend life.  Bring our nation to the values that have made us a great nation, a society that upholds the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.

Mary, the Mother of the living, help us to bear witness to the Gospel of Life with our lives and our laws, through Christ, Our Lord.  Amen.

 

Next Sunday afternoon we will have our Annual Fall Parish Family Picnic. It will take place from 1 pm to 4 pm on the Holy Redeemer School soccer field, weather permitting. We invite you to join us as we come together as a family of faith. There will be plenty of free food and drinks and great entertainment for our children. Many of our parishioners and guests have enjoyed the Picnic in past years.

Pope Francis often speaks about the need for strong families. In an address to families, he stated, “The family is alive if it is united in prayer. The family is strong if it rediscovers the Word of God and the providential value of all it promises. The family is generous and builds history if it remains open to life, if it does not discriminate and serves the most fragile and needy, if it does not stop offering the world the bread of charity and the wine of fraternity.” Pope Francis points to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as a model for us to follow.

“A Family Prayer”, composed by Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, also focuses on the importance of family.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of our family.
Enlighten our hearts and minds so that we may live more fully in this vocation to love.
In our daily life and work, may we reflect the self-giving love which you,
O Father, eternally show with your Son and the Holy Spirit.
Let your love be evident in the peace that reigns in our home and in the faith we profess and live.
May our family always be a place of generosity, understanding, forgiveness, and joy.
Kindly give us the wisdom and courage to be witnesses to your eternal design for the family;
and grant that the Holy Family of Nazareth may always guide our path to holiness as a family.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

 

As we reflect on this prayer, our bishops have reminded us that hospitality and welcoming are important ways to accompany our people on their journey of faith. Please avail yourselves of this welcoming opportunity to embrace our parish family, and join with your fellow parishioners next Sunday for food, fun, and fellowship.

 

This Monday marks the 22nd 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 Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  We also remember the firefighters, police, and others who gave their lives or who were injured that day in the line of duty.

For many people, this anniversary is commemorated as a day of prayer for peace.  This day of prayer helps us to remember not only the events of that tragic day but also reminds us of the dangers that continue to confront us in an unstable world.  As Catholics, we are challenged to respond in faith to the pressing concerns of our brothers and sisters in need and to remember in a special way all those who suffered in some way on that fateful day of September 11, 2001, and who may still be suffering.  We continue to pray for those in the military who defend our freedoms, especially those serving in the Middle East and other areas of potential conflict throughout the world.  In addition, we pray for their families and the military Chaplains who assist them.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops prepared a publication, “9/11: Reflections and Remembrances”.  Included are comments by prominent members of the clergy concerning that fateful day.  In the publication, a Chaplain, Father Paul Wierichs stated, “People came together in unity this day.  We can all remember where we were on “9/11” because we were all together.”   In addition, Monsignor Robert J. Romano noted, “The years have gone by, but the memories remain for all who were involved in that one single day and in its aftermath that changed the lives of so many and of our nation.”  Similar comments by many others cause this day to be etched in our memories.

The following “9/11” prayer by Derek Weber of Discipleship Ministries still resonates with us today:

On this day of solemn remembrance:
May we honor the lives that were lost in this tragic act.
May we give thanks to those who served and saved, and rendered aid and assistance.
May we give comfort to those who live with loss.
May we seek justice and peace where it is within our ability, and rely on You when the ability escapes us.
On this day of solemn remembrance:
May we build what has been torn down.
May we mend what has been broken.
May we live Your love when hate seems to reign.
May we bear witness to the cause of peace.  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are also encouraged to pray for peace among nations.  We continue 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.

 

This Monday, as a nation, we celebrate Labor Day, and we honor all those who labor for a living.  We are encouraged to thank them for their service to their families, and for their service to all those who benefit from their efforts.  As we know, prayer and work go hand in hand.  Therefore, we are invited to pray in a special way for all laborers.  We also can pray for the unemployed and underemployed, that more opportunities for gainful employment will materialize for them.  In addition, we can remember and pray for all those who are now retired after many years of labor.

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.  As previously noted, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops recognized the importance of the laborer and Labor Day and stated that “…work helps us to realize our humanity and is necessary for human flourishing.”  It further stated, “Labor Day gives us the chance to see how work in America matches up to the lofty ideals of our Catholic tradition.”

The Order of Saint Benedict (often referred to as “The Benedictines”) is a monastic religious order of the Catholic Church.  It is the oldest monastic religious order in the Western World.  The order’s motto is “Ora et Laborar” (“Pray and Work”).  Its members set a good example for Christians and all people of goodwill who should appreciate the importance of praying and working.

As we reflect on this motto, we are encouraged to make Labor Day more than a day of rest, recreation, and cookouts.  It should also be a day of prayer as we honor those who labor in the spirit of Jesus, St. Joseph, and St. Benedict.

We are invited to pray “The Worker’s Prayer” honoring one who works:

Lord, I thank you for this job and the blessings it provides.
May You watch over me this day and keep me safe from harm.
Create in me a willing spirit and happy heart.
Grant me the ambition to work hard
and give me the strength to finish what I have started.
May my hands always be prepared to help lighten another’s load.
Finally, Lord, remind me that the quality of my work
is a reflection of You to those around me.

As we celebrate this day, we also thank all our parishioners and friends who, in some way, labor for Christ, and who do their part to build the Kingdom of God.

 

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 the Kingdom of God here on earth.  Many of us are busy people who want to assist in some way at our parish, while balancing family, work, and other responsibilities.  As we strive to balance our responsibilities, we may quickly realize that it is often difficult to discern what God wants from us unless we spend some time communicating with Him.  We are encouraged to spend time in prayer and to listen to hear if God is calling us to a more active, conscious participation in our parish.

In addition to prayer, to help us discern how we may place our talents at the service of God and His Church, this weekend we will have a Ministry Fair in Corbett Hall after each of our Masses.  Details concerning the Fair can be found in the parish bulletin.  Representatives of many of our parish ministries will be present to explain the purpose of their respective ministries and to answer questions.  We encourage you to attend the Fair and then prayerfully consider how you may more actively participate in a ministry that interests you.  We invite those who may not have participated in any ministries in the past to consider participating in just one ministry for one year.  Your involvement, even on a limited basis, can enhance the spiritual vitality of our Saint Brigid faith community, and your own spiritual life.

The following prayer provided by the Archdiocese of Atlanta reflects the call for your involvement in our parish community:

 

Almighty God, my parish is composed of people like me.  I help make it what it is.
It will be friendly if I am.   It will be helpful if I am.
Its pews will be filled if I help fill them.
It will do great work if I work.  It will be prayerful if I pray.
It will make generous gifts to many causes if I am a generous giver.
It will bring other people into worship if I invite and bring them.
It will be a parish family of loyalty and love,
of fearlessness and faith, of compassion, charity, and mercy if I
– who makes it what it is – am filled with these same qualities.
Therefore, with the help of God,
I will dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my parish to be.
Bless my journey, Lord God that I might build the church through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are invited to ask God what He may be calling us to do to enrich and strengthen our parish community as we continue our journey of faith.

 

This Tuesday, August 15th,  we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  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 Holy Father Pope Francis has a great devotion to Mary.  Speaking recently about this great feast, he stated, “Mary sings of hope and rekindles hope in us.  She is the first creature who with her whole self, body, and soul, victoriously crosses the finish line of Heaven.”  He also noted, “She shows us that Heaven is within our reach if we too do not give in to sin if we praise God in humility and serve others generously.  She, our Mother, takes us by the hand, she accompanies us to glory, she invites us to rejoice as we think of Heaven.”
Pope Francis also has encouraged Catholics, in addition to attending Mass, to visit a Marian shrine or pray before a statue of Mary, or acknowledge her in some special way on the feast of the Assumption.

The following “Prayer for the Feast of the Assumption” by the media outlet, “Prayerist” encourages us to truly appreciate the assistance of Mary on our journey of faith:

Almighty God, You gave a humble Virgin
the privilege of being the mother of Your Son
and crowned her with the glory of heaven.
May the prayers of the Virgin Mary
bring us to the salvation of Christ
and raise us up to eternal life.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever. Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are reminded that the feast of the Assumption is a Holy Day of Obligation, and Catholics are obliged to attend Mass. We will have a Vigil Mass on Monday evening at 7 pm, and Masses on Tuesday, August 13th at 6:60 AM, 9:00 AM, 12 Noon, and 7:00 PM in the church.

Encouraged by the Assumption of Mary, we are invited to look to Mary as a model of faith and respond in generous love to our call to discipleship.

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

Our Holy Father Pope Francis often speaks about the importance of Sunday Mass. He emphasizes the need for our active participation in the Mass, including, when appropriate, the reception of the Eucharist. He reminds us that we are not called to observe; we are called to participate in the mystery of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.
At one of his general audiences, he stated, “ …For Christians, it is vital to participate in the Eucharist, especially on Sundays, since it allows us to unite ourselves with Christ, taking part in His victory over death, and to enjoy the fruits of the resurrection.” He further noted, “The Lord Jesus wants to give us in the Eucharist His Paschal love so we can love God and our neighbor as He loved us, giving up His own life.” These profound words of Our Holy Father should resonate with us as we are in the midst of the Church’s Eucharistic Renewal.

The Catholic publication, “Our Sunday Visitor” also addressed the importance of the need to actively participate in the Mass when it stated, “…when you come to Mass, you pray with your whole being. You use all your senses. You see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. You use your body by genuflecting, sitting, kneeling, standing, walking, and singing.” It went on to note, “The Mass also gives you the opportunity to:

“Seek forgiveness for your sins.
Learn how God’s word impacts your life in the homily.
Offer yourself to the Lord.
Experience the miracle of bread and wine changing into the Body and Blood of Christ.
Reach out to others with the Peace of Christ.
Admit that you are not worthy, and then come forward to receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ.
Receive a special blessing.
Be commissioned to go out and make the world a better place.”

The publication also reminds us that, “When we come together at Mass to pray and worship God, we fulfill a deep need inside of us to be in communion with other people. … They help us to see that we are not alone. They remind us that we are all part of the Body of Christ.”
As we reflect on the words of Our Holy Father and the sentiments expressed in “Our Sunday Visitor”, we are encouraged to participate in the Mass in a spirit of reverence, respect and thanksgiving. We are invited to recommit ourselves to making the Mass the heart of our day, not a small part of our day, each Sunday, as we truly and publicly proclaim and live our faith.

We strongly encourage participation in Eucharistic Adoration, which drives the spiritual vitality of our faith community. It has enhanced and strengthened the spiritual life of many of our parishioners and visitors.
The media publication, “Fully Catholic” stated, “…we get to realize that indeed the Lord is Himself present in the Blessed Sacrament. In Eucharistic Adoration, the host that we gaze upon is the Lord Himself and we keep Him company and do homage and worship to Him by our very presence.”

As previously noted, the following are some of the suggestions by the publication “Our Sunday Visitor” 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.
The following “Prayer for the Spread of Perpetual Adoration” is provided by the “Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association”:

Heavenly Father, increase our faith in the Real Presence of Your Son Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
We are obliged to adore Him, to give Him thanks, and to make reparation for sins.
We need Your peace in our hearts and among nations.
We need conversion from our sins and the mercy of Your forgiveness.
May we obtain this through prayer and our union with the Eucharistic Lord.
Please send down the Holy Spirit upon all peoples to give them the love, courage, strength, and willingness to respond to the invitation to Eucharistic Adoration.
We beseech You to spread Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament in parishes around the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.  Amen.

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. One of our parishioners recently described his hour in Eucharistic Adoration as “the best hour of my week.” We invite you to prayerfully consider taking some time away from your “busyness” and spend just one hour each week in Adoration in our Saint Brigid Day Chapel. Our Lord welcomes your presence.

 

At this time, we are in the midst of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for 2023. The theme of the Appeal is “Do This in Memory of Me.” The Archdiocese has recently sent reminder notices urging parishioners to support the Appeal. Catholics are invited to make a significant pledge so we can meet the spiritual, educational and temporal needs of our parishes and our people.

Our contributions to the Appeal provide funds that are applied to the training and support of future happy, holy, and healthy priests needed to serve the Church of tomorrow. The Appeal also supports our diaconate program, Catholic Charities and many other Archdiocesan pastoral outreach, education, and formation programs that serve our parish as well as our larger Church family. In addition, the Appeal also provides needed financial support for our priests in retirement who have served the people of this Archdiocese so faithfully over the years.
A substantial portion of the Appeal provides for funding for our Archdiocese Vocation program.

At Saint Brigid we strive as a community to assist seminarians as they discern a vocation to the priesthood, and as they continue their training and formation. This summer, we were blessed to have two seminarians at Saint Brigid.  Seminarian Mark Piendel was assigned to assist primarily with our liturgies, and also with our Adult Education, Youth, and Confirmation programs.  During his time at Saint Brigid, Mark gained valuable experience in parish ministry. Seminarian Anthony Carosone was assigned to the Clinical Pastoral Evaluation (CPE) program at Emory Johns Creek Hospital, and assisted with the liturgies and ministries at Saint Brigid as time permitted. Both seminarians truly enjoyed the opportunity to interact with the faith community of Saint Brigid.

As we can see, our prayers and financial support of the Annual Appeal are clearly bearing fruit. We ask for your continued support. 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. Additional information about the Appeal can be obtained from the parish office, bulletin or website.

Archbishop Hartmayer has asked us to generously and sacrificially support the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. We clearly realize that there may be limitations to your generosity in these difficult and uncertain times, but we ask you to assist us to the extent possible.  Thank you for all you do to enhance the spiritual vitality of our faith community.

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

•  Preside at Baptisms and Weddings
• Assist the priest or bishop at Mass
• Proclaim the Gospel and preach
• Teach in Adult Education and RCIA and RCIC programs
• Preside at Holy Hours and Prayer Services
• Visit the homebound and the sick
• Lead Communion Services
• Preside over the Liturgy of the Hours
• Preside at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
• Prepare couples for marriage.
• Deacons can also serve and assist in other ways.

The “Liturgical Manual For Deacons” published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix states, “When the deacon comes to serve, he must empty himself from all selfish concerns.  He “must minister to the priest and to the altar with the humility of Him whose very body and blood were offered on the altar of the cross.”  The document also stated that “All must have such trust in his prudence and charity that his wise guidance is spontaneously welcomed.”

The following “Prayer for Deacons and Their Wives” from the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg asks the Lord to guide deacons in their ministry:

Lord Jesus Christ, Servant of all,
Send your Spirit upon our deacons and their wives as they serve your Church.
Give them eyes to see the needs of Your people.
Give them a discerning mind to know your truth.
Give them a generous spirit when they are tired but needed.
Give them a humble heart when their work goes unnoticed.
Give them peace of mind in obedience and service.
Give them health of body so they may serve with strength.
Make them fertile ground for Your inspiration and love.
Comfort them when they question themselves and their ministry.
Grant them grace as they age so they may share your wisdom.
Make their hearts like Yours so they may love Your people.   Amen. 

 

As we reflect on this prayer, we are reminded that we are blessed to have many faithful, dedicated, and holy deacons to serve us at Saint Brigid.  Please avail yourself of an opportunity to thank them for their service and continue to wish them well in their ministry.