Especially at this time of the year, we remember our loved ones and friends who are graduating from various levels of education. They have persevered through many years of study, and difficult challenging times.  Since the health environment has been gradually improving, most graduation exercises can take place in person and we can be present to support our graduates.

Dr. Mary Kay Clark, Director of Seton Home Schools, in an encouraging message in Seton Magazine to Catholic graduates, stated, “Our country needs good Catholic leaders at every level of American government.  There is no better group of young men and women to determine the future of America as a good nation, than you Catholic graduates.  Your Catholic education gives you the tools to meet the demands of public office, to help others to seek the common good, to serve America and Americans well.”

Author and teacher Cally Logan in the media outlet “Christianity.com” called on us to spiritually support graduates as she stated, “Now is a time in which we can partner with graduates in their journeys not only into the workforce but their journeys in coming to know Christ more as well.  Encourage them that God is still on the throne and that even in the darkest times He cares.  He chose them for such a time as this, and their lives have a distinct and powerful meaning in this world.”

As we well know, our graduates may very often face peer pressure to conform to ideas and activities in our culture which are contrary to our Catholic teaching and formation.  Our graduates truly need our prayers, our support, and our good example to assist them in sustaining a spiritual foundation.

The following “A Graduate’s Prayer”, by Helen Steiner Rice, asks Our Heavenly Father for guidance and support:

Father, I have knowledge, so I pray you’ll show me now how to use it wisely
and find a way somehow to make the world I live in a little better place…
And make life with its problems, a bit easier to face.
Grant me faith and courage and put purpose in my days…
And show me how to serve Thee in the most effective ways so all my education, my knowledge,
and my skill may find their true fulfillment as I learn to do Thy will.
And may I ever be aware in everything I do that knowledge comes from learning…
and wisdom comes from You.

We encourage the families and friends of our graduates to take this prayer to heart.  On behalf of our priests, deacons, and staff, we congratulate all our graduates and wish them well in their future endeavors.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and families often gather together on this day to remember and honor their mothers in a special way.  Many people take time to reflect on how much mothers do for their families and the many sacrifices they make on behalf of their spouse, children, and other loved ones.  As often noted, mothers do many ordinary things, and they do them extraordinarily well.  Primarily through their teaching and their example, they also play an essential role in passing down their faith to their children.  They also often guide their children through their formative years.

Pope Francis has a great respect for the vocation of motherhood.  As noted in the media outlet, “Good News Ministries”, he stated, “Mothers are witnesses of tenderness, dedication and moral strength.  Mothers are the ones who transmit the deep sense of religion, the first prayers, the first gestures of devotion.”  He wants us to truly appreciate the role of mothers in building the Kingdom of God.

The following “Mother’s Day Prayer” from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington expresses thanks to God for the gift of mothers and grandmothers:

As we reflect on this prayer, we are encouraged to give thanks to our mothers.  It is fitting to thank them for all that they do, and for the example they set for us.  We may continue to honor them primarily by obeying them in our younger years, and by graciously taking care of them in their advancing years.  It is also appropriate to thank them for all the spiritual guidance they have provided to us.  In addition, we can also remember those mothers who have died but still have a special place in our hearts.

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

Lord God
We thank You today for the gift of mothers and grandmothers.
We give thanks to our mothers and grandmothers who have died and for the unique way they have revealed to us Your love.
We ask that You bless them and keep them in Your care until the time comes for us to join them in Your Kingdom.
We ask Your bless
We ask Your blessing this day upon all mothers and grandmothers and all women who are raising children.
Give them the strength to live the faithful and loving lives You call them to live.
Protect them, guide them, and keep them in Your care.
We ask all of this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.  

Next Saturday, many of the children in our faith community will make their First Holy Communion at Saint Brigid.  They will share with us the fullness of the Lord’s Supper for the first time as their parents and other loved ones watch proudly as these children, with great devotion, take this important step on their journey of faith.   According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church “…reserves admission to Holy Communion to those who have attained the age of reason”, which is traditionally considered to be the age of seven.

As Catholics we are called to focus on our devotion to the Eucharist.  This devotion is certainly shared by Our Holy Father, Pope Francis.  Commenting on the Eucharist in a homily, he stated, “The Eucharist is Jesus Himself who gives Himself entirely to us.  Nourishing ourselves of Him and abiding in Him through Eucharistic Communion, if we do so with faith, transforms our life, transforms it into a gift to God and to our brothers and sisters.  Nourishing ourselves of that “Bread of Life” means entering into harmony with the heart of Christ, assimilating His choices, His thoughts, His behavior.  It means entering into a dynamism of love and becoming people of peace, people of forgiveness, of reconciliation, of sharing in solidarity.  The very things that Jesus did.”

As we reflect on these words of Pope Francis, and as we celebrate the First Holy Communion of these children, we are reminded that the Eucharist is 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.

This recollection called “My First Holy Communion” from “Catholic Online” reflects a great appreciation for the gift of the Eucharist:

The first time I received Jesus was a wonderous day for me!
To be united with Christ our Savior
who died for me on Calvary.
This day reminds me to thank Him for the special gift He gave:
The sacrament of Holy Eucharist through which we are all saved.
It helps me think of the first time Jesus came into my heart; and if I but follow His message.
He and I will never part.
As Jesus said on that holy night so many years ago, if we take and eat this Bread,
Eternal life we will know.
Each time I receive Communion I’ll think of His love for me,
and I’ll thank Him for giving to us the greatest miracle in history.

As we take this recollection to heart, we are reminded that the word “Eucharist” means “giving thanks.”  And on the very special day of First Holy Communion, we can once again thank the Lord for the great gift of the Eucharist, for our wonderful children, and for our vibrant faith community of Saint Brigid.

Many of us know someone who is struggling with some form of cancer. It has affected many of our parishioners and their loved ones.  As we know, cancer can be a debilitating disease and can impact people of all ages. There are many different types of cancer.  Among the more common types are breast cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and stomach cancer.  Those suffering from cancer can seek the intercession of St. Peregrine.

As reported by Fr. Peter Sticco in his article, “St. Peregrine, the Patron Saint of Cancer”, Peregrine was born in Italy in the 13th century and later in life, “…he experienced a conversion that changed his life and led him to commit himself to serve God.  At the age of 60, Peregrine was suffering from cancer of the leg, and his doctor decided to amputate it.  The night before the operation, Peregrine prayed before an image of the crucifixion.  The following day, the doctor arrived to perform the amputation and found no signs of cancer! Peregrine was miraculously cured!  The news of Peregrine’s health rapidly spread throughout the Church. Christians began to invoke his name and ask for his intercession for relief of their suffering and cures for their diseases.  Peregrine was canonized in 1726.  Since then, people’s devotion to St. Peregrine has grown far and wide.”

The following “Catholic Prayer to Saint Peregrine” can provide comfort in times of trial for those afflicted with some type of cancer and for their loved ones.  As we reflect on this prayer, we are reminded that included among the many statues of saints in our Church is a statue of Saint Peregrine.  We are encouraged to learn more about Saint Peregrine and ask for his special intercession, especially in these difficult and uncertain times when cancer, in many different forms, is so prevalent in our society.

O great Saint Peregrine, you have been called “the Mighty”, “the Wonder-worker” because of the many miracles that you have received from God for those who have resorted to you.
For so many years you have instilled in your body this cancerous disease that destroys the fiber of our existence, and which had resorted to the source of all grace when the power of man could no more.
It was a grace to see Jesus coming down from the cross to heal your suffering. Ask God and Our Lady, the cure of the sick that we entrust to you.
Aided in this way by your mighty intercession, we will sing to God, now and forever, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy.

Amen.

The Catholic Church offers healing through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, one of the seven sacraments.  It is the proper sacrament for those Catholics whose health is seriously impaired by sickness.  It is administered by the priest on behalf of the whole community and should be celebrated with members of the faith community whenever possible.

As indicated in the publication, “Pastoral Care of the Sick”, through the Sacrament of Anointing, “the Church supports the sick in their struggle against illness and continues Christ’s messianic work of healing.  All who are united in the bond of a common baptism and a common faith are joined together in the body of Christ since what happens to one member affects all.  The Sacrament of Anointing effectively expresses the share that each one has in the suffering of others.   When the priest anoints the sick, he is anointing in the name and with the power of Christ Himself.”

Many of us know someone who is sick in some way, someone who needs healing.  Our Holy Father, Pope Francis recently addressed the importance of this Sacrament, as published in the media outlet, “Rome Reports”.  He stated, “Through the celebration of the Anointing of the Sick, the Church accompanies us in facing the profound mystery of suffering and death.  In a culture that all too often refuses to speak of these realities, we need all the more to recognize the beauty of the Sacrament and to appreciate, in spiritual solidarity with the whole Church, the presence of the Lord Jesus, who strengthens us in faith and hope, and reminds us that nothing, not even evil and death, can ever separate us from the saving power of His love.”

The following “Healing Touch Prayer” provided by the media outlet “Connect US”, reflects the sentiments of Our Holy Father:

Healing God, thank You that You hear and answer my prayers.
The Bible says that You will meet all my needs according to the riches of Your glory in Christ Jesus.
Look on my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs today, Lord, and reach out with Your healing touch.
Remind me that there is nothing that I encounter that is beyond the reach of Your love.
May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Sacrament of Anointing is offered at Saint Brigid on the third Sunday of the month and by appointment.  We also offer the Sacrament at health care and other facilities as needed.  Parishioners are advised to participate in this wonderful Sacrament of healing when appropriate and avail themselves of the power of Our Lord’s saving grace.

This Sunday we celebrate the Sunday of Divine Mercy. As reported in the media publication, the “National Catholic Register”, Pope Francis encouraged everyone to remember the moments in their lives when they have experienced God’s forgiveness and the joy and peace that God’s forgiveness brings. He stated, “Brothers and sisters, let us think of all those times when we received the pardon and peace of Jesus.” He further stated, “Let us put the memory of God’s embrace before the memory of our own mistakes and failings. In this way, we will grow in joy.”

Today as we focus on the mercy of God, our Church has stated the following about this great feast, as previously noted: “During the Church’s millennium celebration in 2000, Pope John Paul II declared that the Second Sunday of Easter be known as the “Sunday of Divine Mercy”. 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.  Our Holy Father looked to a holy woman of Poland, Sr. Faustina, for inspiration. He canonized Sr. Faustina at that same Mass in 2000 at which he instituted the observance of Divine Mercy Sunday. He 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.” Jesus’ message to Faustina reminds us that there is no limit to the Lord’s mercy for those who truly believe, for those who humbly ask for forgiveness.

The following “Prayer of Entrustment to Divine Mercy” provided by the Centre for Divine Mercy reflects the depth of the mercy that God extends to us:

O Lord our God, we place our trust in You, because You are mercy itself.
We repent of our sins and turn to You for mercy.
We trust You to provide for our every need, according to Your will.
Help us to forgive others as You forgive us.
We promise to be merciful by our deeds, words and prayers.
Though we have fears because of human weakness, we rely on Your infinite goodness and mercy.
We entrust to You the future of our planet, our Church, our nations, our families and all our needs.
With loud cries we implore Your mercy on us and on the whole world.
Look upon us, created in Your image and likeness.
Form us in the Heart of Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit into the living images of mercy.
May all come to know the depth of Your mercy and sing the praises of Your mercy forever.   Amen.

This Sunday we will have a Holy Hour for Divine Mercy at 3:00 pm, here at Saint Brigid. We invite our parishioners and friends to participate in this Holy Hour and embrace the generous gift of God’s mercy in a humble spirit of thanksgiving.

Today we celebrate Easter Sunday and the Resurrection of Jesus.  In an Easter message, as reported by the media outlet “Catholic News Agency”, Our Holy Father, Pope Francis stated that we are called “… to experience the risen Christ and to share the experience with others; to roll away the stone from the tomb where we may have enclosed the Lord, in order to spread his joy in the world.”  Pope Francis further noted, “Let us celebrate Easter with Christ!  He is alive!  Today, too, he walks in our midst, changes us, and sets us free.  Thanks to him, evil has been robbed of its power, …and death has become a passage to the stirrings of new life.”

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 by our actions that we are truly the body of Christ, the community of hope, and the Easter people of faith.

On this Easter Sunday, we welcome all to our vibrant Parish community.  We especially welcome 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 they will be invited to go forth and preach the Good News of Jesus by word and example.

We also welcome all those who are attending our Church for the first time and those who do not attend our Church on a regular basis.  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.  Through his Resurrection, Jesus conquered sin.  He has conquered death.  This is the message of his Good News.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all who participated in 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 wonderful Parish, and on behalf of our priests, deacons, and staff, I wish you and your families a holy, happy, and healthy Easter season.

Today we celebrate Easter Sunday and the Resurrection of Jesus.  In an Easter message, as reported by the media outlet “Catholic News Agency”, Our Holy Father, Pope Francis stated that we are called “…to experience the risen Christ and to share the experience with

This Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday and focus on the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  Palms are blessed and distributed to the faithful on this day to be used for personal devotion throughout the year. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week during which we commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus.

Commenting on Holy Week, Pope Francis invited the faithful to use this time to draw closer to Christ. He stated, “In the course of this week, let us cling to the certainty that God can forgive every sin. God forgives everything, he can bridge every distance, and turn mourning into dancing.” He noted that, “With God, we can always come back to life.”

Our Holy Father has also asked us to focus on the sacredness of Holy Week, and take time to pray, reflect, and discern. He wants us to truly appreciate what Jesus did for us, what Jesus means to us.

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

The following “Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday” prayer urges us to follow the example of Jesus:

Almighty and ever living God,
in your tender love for the human race, you sent Your Son
our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon Him our nature,
and to suffer death upon the cross,
giving us the example of His great humility.
Mercifully grant that we may also walk in the way of His suffering,
and also share in His resurrection,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are strongly encouraged to participate in our upcoming liturgical services during Holy Week. Please carefully review the schedule of our Masses and our other liturgical services for the week and plan to participate to the extent possible. Details can be found in the Parish bulletin and on the Parish website.

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

Next Saturday, Bishop Tran will celebrate a special Mass at Saint Brigid honoring those couples in the Archdiocese of Atlanta celebrating their 50th or 60^th Marriage Anniversary.  This will be his first visit to Saint Brigid since his recent appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta.

The goals of Catholic marriage are the procreation and education of children, and the mutual love of a couple, in a union that is permanent and indissoluble.  These couples have committed themselves in a sacramental way to the Lord, and to one another.  They have strived to live up to the goals of Catholic marriage.  Their love and their marriage have endured through challenges and difficulties.

In our Church tradition, a man and woman are not only joined to each other in marriage, they are also joined to Christ.  As the sign of God’s presence in the world, Christ is the foundation of their union.  The couple then joins Christ as an outward sign of God’s love.  They are able to open themselves to each other in love because God has first loved them.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has a great appreciation for couples who have embraced the vocation of marriage.  In a recent address, as reported by the publication “National Catholic Register”, he noted that “…there is a strong need in the Church and in the world to rediscover the meaning and value of the conjugal union between a man and a woman on which the family is founded.”  He also reminded the faithful that the gift received in the sacrament of marriage is “…an irrevocable gift, a source of grace which we can always count on.”

The following “Prayer of a Couple on the Anniversary of Marriage” provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops thanks God for the blessing of family life, and asks for the renewal of the marriage covenant:

We praise You, O God,
we bless You, Creator of all things,
who in the beginning made man and woman
that they might form a communion of life and love.
We also give You thanks for graciously blessing our family life
so that it might present an image of Christ’s union with the Church.
Therefore, look with kindness upon us today,
and as You have sustained our communion amid joys and struggles,
renew our Marriage covenant each day, increase our charity,
and strengthen in us the bond of peace,
so that we may forever enjoy Your blessing.
Through Christ our Lord Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, and on the words of Our Holy Father, and as we honor these couples, we can thank them for the endearing and steadfast love which they have experienced, in the midst of the joys and struggles of their chosen vocation.

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

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

The following “Prayer to Saint Patrick” expresses thanks for his great contributions to our faith.

O The O great Apostle of Ireland,
glorious Saint Patrick,
to whom under God so many are indebted
for the most precious of all treasures, the great gift of Faith,
receive our fervent thanks for the zeal and charity
which have been to thousands the source of blessings so invaluable.
Ask for all who dwell in this land and the land of thy labors,
the precious light of Faith,
and beg for us on whom its glorious rays have long since beamed,
the grace to regulate our lives by its sacred maxims.
Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are reminded that the bishops of Ireland stated that Saint Patrick was called to serve and bring God to a people far from his homeland.  They quoted from “The Confession of Saint Patrick” in which Saint Patrick said, “May it never befall me to be separated by my God from his people whom he has won in this remote land.  I pray God that he gives me perseverance, and that he will deign that I should be a faithful witness for his sake right up to the time of my passing.”

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

During the season of Lent, Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, invites us to enter more fully into the spirit of sacrifice, renewal, and repentance.  We can engage in prayer, almsgiving, and fasting if we are physically able, and also avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  In addition, we may embrace this invitation in various other ways such as by praying the “Stations of the Cross”.  As reported in the publication, “The Catholic World Report”, Pope Francis encouraged the faithful to pray the “Stations” and stated, “The Cross of Christ bears the suffering and the sin of mankind, including our own.”

The publication “Catholic Online” noted that “The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as a man.  The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation.  The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station.  At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event from Christ’s last day.”  It further states that “The Stations of the Cross are commonly found in churches as a series of 14 small icons or images.”

They are prayed “…, especially on Good Friday, the day of the year upon which the events actually occurred”.   Recently at the end of the Stations of the Cross, Pope Francis said the following prayer emphasizing repentance and reconciliation:

Take us by the hand, like a Father,
that we may not turn away from You.
Turn our rebellious hearts to Your heart, that we may learn to follow plans of peace.
Make enemies shake hands,
that they may taste mutual forgiveness.
Disarm the hand raised by one brother against the other,
that where there is hatred, peace may flourish.
Amen

As we reflect on this prayer, we may note that each Friday during Lent we are invited to come together as a faith community to pray the “Stations of the Cross.”  We begin at 7 pm with a brief reflection by one of our deacons.  The reflection focuses on a theme that addresses our Lenten challenges and concerns.  “Stations” then follow at 7:15 pm.

Praying the “Stations” can provide us with an opportunity to avail ourselves of abundant spiritual graces.  Commemorating the Passion of Jesus through the “Stations” can help us to more clearly witness our faith and assist us on our spiritual journey.

We are strongly encouraged to prayerfully consider making the “Stations” an integral part of our Lenten observance.

This week we will offer a Lenten Parish Mission on Monday, February 27th, and Tuesday, February 28th.  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 Fr. Herald J. Brock of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and will focus on the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and on the Eucharist as food for our spiritual journey.  It will also focus on the power of the Eucharist to assist in the need for reconciliation and healing at this time of the Church year.

Lent is a good time to seek healing. It is a time to reflect on the wounds and slights that all too often impact our relationships with family members and friends.  Lent is a time to consider which way we are heading, and how we may be able to alter our spiritual course. It is also a good 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.

As we know, Jesus came to call sinners, not the self-righteous. As previously mentioned, one of our leading Catholic scholars reminds us that sin has both a personal and communal dimension.  Sin clouds the mind in moral confusion, and closes the heart to God’s love and truth.  But in God’s light, we see sin for what it really is.  When we sin, it does not necessarily mean that we are bad people.  It means that we are missing the mark and refusing to listen to God’s word and obey His will.  As a way to get back on the mark and follow the light of Christ, our Church places a special emphasis on the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  We are invited to avail ourselves of this Sacrament during the Lenten season.  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 are invited to attend our Mission and enhance our appreciation for the Eucharist 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 can be obtained from the Parish bulletin and website as well as from the Parish office.

I hope that you will prayerfully consider joining us for this Mission and avail yourself of this special time of grace.

This Wednesday, February 22nd, 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.  Many people will attend Church on this day to receive ashes as they strive to enter into the spirit of the season.  Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season.  Lent is the time, approximating forty days of reflection and penance leading up to Easter.

The “Lenten Prayer” on below, provided by Catholic Online reflects the spirit of the Lenten season.

Almighty and Everlasting God, You have given the human race Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of humility. 

He fulfilled Your Will by becoming Man and giving His life on the Cross.

Help us to bear witness to You by following His example of suffering and make us worthy to share in His Resurrection. 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.   Amen.

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

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

As an aid to our Lenten journey, a schedule of important dates, events, and liturgies during Lent and 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.

Next weekend we initiate discussion of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for 2023 at our Masses.  The theme of the Appeal is “Do this in Memory of Me.”  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.

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

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 2023 Appeal and ask you to give generously and sacrificially.  We thank all who have already given via the mail or online.  For those who have not yet contributed, we ask you to make a commitment using a pledge envelope that will be provided during Mass next weekend.  Information about the Appeal has been provided in the Church Bulletin and on the Parish website.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are challenged to respond in faith to this invitation and request.
Thank you for all you do to support our Church community.

Many of us know someone in our community who is grieving at this time over the loss of a spouse.  We may know parishioners, friends, neighbors, relatives and others who are in mourning.  As reported by Vatican News, Pope Francis stated that “widowhood is a particularly difficult experience.”  Widows, as well as widowers, may feel lonely and isolated.  They may have trouble coping after many years of being at the side of a loving spouse, and sharing a life together.

In the spirit of Pope Francis, we can especially reach out to widows and widowers.  As Catholics, and as a faith community, most of us are usually attentive to those who have recently lost a spouse.  But as time passes, our attentiveness may wane.  We are encouraged to be more aware that people grieve in different ways, and they grieve for different lengths of time.  At Saint Brigid, we have a Grief Care Ministry in which widows and widowers meet periodically during the year to discuss how they are coping with life without their spouses.

At Saint Brigid, our widows and widowers are also encouraged to come together as members of our New Beginnings Ministry.  The group meets for dinner and fellowship on the first Thursday of each month.  They share experiences and memories.  In addition, at appropriate times of the year, they attend Mass for their deceased spouses prior to their monthly dinner.

The following “Prayer of Widows and Widowers” may reflect the feelings of many who have lost a spouse:

“Lord Jesus Christ, during Your earthly life You showed compassion to those who had lost a loved one.
Turn your compassionate eyes on me in my sorrow over the loss of my life’s partner.
Fill this emptiness until we are together again in Your heavenly kingdom as a reward for our earthly service.
Help me to cope with my loss by relying on You even more than before.
teach me to adapt to the new conditions of my life and to continue doing Your will.
Enable me to avoid withdrawing from life and make me give myself to others more readily,
so that I may continue to live in Your grace and to do the task that You have laid out for me.

As we reflect on this prayer, we are encouraged to strive to become more sensitive to those widows and widowers who are truly grieving and assist them in their time of healing.  Maybe we visit them on a periodic basis, or call them occasionally, or invite them to a Church or community function.  What may seem as small gestures by us may be viewed as thoughtful acts of kindness by them.  In these and many other ways, as a faith community, we can continue to answer our call to discipleship.

This week we celebrate “Catholic Schools Week,” with the theme of “Catholic Schools: Faith, Excellence, Service.”    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.

The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), stated, “Catholic schools have a specific purpose to form students to be good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor and enrich society with the leaven of the gospel and by the example of faith.  As communities of faith, Catholic schools instill in students their destiny to become saints.  Academic excellence is the hallmark of Catholic education intentionally directed to the growth of the whole person – mind, body, and spirit.  Finally, service is fundamental to Catholic education and the core of Catholic discipleship.  Service is intended to help form people who are not only witnesses to Catholic social teaching but also active participants through social learning.”

As we reflect on these comments, and as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, it is appropriate to note that this coming Wednesday, we will also celebrate the feast day of Saint Brigid of Kildare, the patron saint of our Parish.  She is also the patron saint of students.  Catholic education was very important to her.  Saint Brigid worked to see that the Catholic faith was taught clearly and thoroughly, and she founded several schools.

Saint Brigid was an Irish Christian nun who was known for her extraordinary spirituality.  Along with Saint Patrick and others, she played a major role in making Ireland a Christian nation.  Many would travel long distances to seek her spiritual advice and counsel.  Many were led to the faith through her words and actions.

She is traditionally associated with the Cross of Saint Brigid, which is made from reeds or straw and is often placed in homes for blessing and protection.  Saint Brigid is also associated with Christian charity and is celebrated for her generosity to those in need.   It was said that she could not bear to see anyone cold or hungry since she truly believed that Christ dwelt in every person.  She labored among the less fortunate with love and compassion.  Her love of God and love of neighbor were obvious to all who knew her.

As we celebrate the life of our patron saint, may we also look to her for guidance and strive to follow her example.

Saint Brigid, intercede for us.  Saint Brigid, pray for us.

This week we celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  With the world in great turmoil, the concern for Christian unity is something that is very important to Pope Francis.  As reported in the media outlet “Vatican News”, he said, “…the path to unity is important”, and he further noted, “It is also good that we, God’s faithful people, go on the journey together.”  He invited Christians to journey together “in seeking God boldly and in concrete ways” and to “keep our gaze ever fixed on Christ” while remaining “close to one another in prayer.”

The following Prayer for Christian Unity was provided by “Catholic Online”:

Eternal Father, we praise You for sending Your Son to be one of us and to save us. 

Look upon Your people with mercy, for we are divided in so many ways,

  and give us the Spirit of Jesus to make us one in love. 

We ask this gift, loving Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

In our desire for unity, as Catholics, we are called to respect the fundamental dignity of the human person and hope to see that dignity reflected in all of God’s children.  This respect for God’s children is reflected in the work of the Mustard Seed Communities (MSC).

MSC was organized by Catholic priests and reaches out to children in various parts of the world, especially those who are poor, ill, and marginalized.  It focuses primarily on caring for abandoned children with special needs.  MSC also provides a home for teenage mothers and their babies.  Many of these mothers have been disenfranchised from their families, and they need emotional, spiritual, and financial support.  MSC strives to find the face of Christ in those most in need.

Saint Brigid Parish supports MSC primarily through its spiritual and financial assistance.  Our parishioners also participate in the construction of appropriate housing for children in need.  In addition, parishioners have adopted children from the various communities of MSC.

Representatives of MSC will be available after the Masses next weekend to answer questions about MSC and the work it does.  Our Holy Father reminds us that we can foster Christian unity through the help we give to the poor, the sick, and the marginalized.  He said that we need to see each child as a gift to be welcomed, cherished, and protected.  MSC strives to love and protect the most vulnerable of our children.  Our assistance to MSC can help it in its important mission as we stand united in our support of the least of our brothers and sisters.

This Monday as a nation we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  In honoring his legacy, we recognize his great efforts in shedding light on the need to respect the fundamental dignity of the human person.  We honor his important work in addressing and in overcoming many of the racial injustices of the past in our country.  In one of his powerful messages, he voiced hope that “…the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away, and that in some not-too-distant tomorrow, the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.”   As we reflect on these words, and on his efforts, we also acknowledge that much still needs to be done to heal wounds and divisions that continue to exist in our nation.

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 will be emphasized on this coming Friday, as Archbishop Hartmayer celebrates a special Mass for the Preborn at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Atlanta.  All are invited to attend.

“A Short Prayer for the Unborn” provided by “Human Life International” reflects our concern for unborn human life. :

Dear Heavenly Father,
You have placed a love for preborn babies in the hearts of so many of us.
Help us spread this love throughout our country.
Help us teach the sanctity of human life to those who neither see nor understand it.
Guide us as we work to protect all babies from abortion.
Teach us to show Your compassion to both moms and their babies so that they come to understand the meaning of selfless love.
And please hold all Your children safe in Your arms.
In Your holy name, we pray.   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 examples of Dr. King and Pope Francis and do our part in promoting the dignity of the human person as we continue our journey of faith.           

  This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.  On this day, we focus on the wise men, the Magi who were on a difficult journey of faith to encounter the Lord.  They faced many risks and obstacles on their journey.  These risks and obstacles included the danger inherent in traveling on a difficult and arduous journey.  They 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.

Commenting on this journey, Our Holy Father Pope Francis stated, “The Magi teach us that we need to set out anew each day, in life as in faith, for faith is not a suit of armor that encases us; instead, it is a fascinating journey, a constant and restless movement, ever in search of God, always discerning our way forward.”

As we reflect on these words, 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.  We may encounter obstacles in the form of friends, co-workers and even loved ones who subject us to ridicule because we dare to search for the Lord in our lives.

In addition, we may encounter those in our society who do not want 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 pride, stubbornness, and selfishness which may be serious obstacles for us.

Fortunately, like the wise men, we do not undertake our spiritual journey alone.  Like these wise men, we are part of a community, a family of faith.  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.

Pope Francis, in the past, 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.

As we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, as disciples, we can lift each other up spiritually as we reaffirm our commitment to strive to give honor and glory to the Lord who loves us.

This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, as we start a New Year.  As reported in the media outlet, “Catholic News Agency”, our Holy Father Pope Francis encouraged the faithful to begin the New Year by placing their lives under the protection of Mary, the Mother of God.  He stated, “At the beginning of the New Year, then, let us place ourselves under the protection of this woman, the Mother of God, who is also our mother.  May she help us to keep and ponder all things, unafraid of trials and with the joyful certainty that the Lord is faithful and can transform every cross into a resurrection.”

Pope Francis also encouraged the faithful to look to Mary as a model and to follow her example of holiness.  He also challenged the faithful, as disciples, to take a more spiritual focus to the New Year, in the midst of the many temptations of the secular world.

This hope for a more spiritual focus is reflected in the following “A New Year Prayer”.

Lord, You make things new,
You bring hope alive in our hearts and cause our Spirits to be born again.
Thank You for this New Year for all the potential it holds.
Come and kindle in us a mighty flame so that in our time, 
many will see the wonders of God and live forever to praise Your glorious name.  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, as we begin the New Year, and as we celebrate today the Solemnity of Mary, we are invited to take to heart the words of Our Holy Father.  At this time of the year, many of us make resolutions to renew or revitalize our lives in certain ways.  We may resolve to lose weight, exercise more frequently, or be more punctual.  But many of us may fail to reflect on ways that we can renew or revitalize our lives spiritually.

Maybe we can embrace a more spiritual focus by making more time for scripture reading and reflection.  We can also possibly make a more concerted effort to pray each day, preferably as a family.  It may be before meals or at a certain time of the day.  Maybe we can attend daily Mass or embrace some activity that will be spiritually beneficial.  Whatever we do, hopefully, it will bring us closer to the Lord who loves us.

On behalf of Fr. Darragh, Fr. Bill, our Deacons, and the staff at Saint Brigid, we wish you many spiritual blessings as our New Year commences.

My brothers and sisters in Christ:  At Christmas, Christ comes into the world and our lives as a sign of the love God has for us.  The Christmas Season should be a time of prayer and reflection, wonder, and silence as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Light of the world.

In a Christmas message as reported by “Vatican News”, Pope Francis spoke about this need to focus on silence.  He stated, “Christmas is preferring the silent voice of God to the noisiness of consumerism.  If we can be silent in front of the crib, Christmas will be a surprise even for us, not something seen before.”  He reminded the faithful that we will celebrate Christmas well, “if, like Joseph, we will give space to silence, if, like Mary, we say ‘here I am’ to God, if, like Jesus, we will be close to those who are alone, if, like the shepherds, we will leave our enclosures to be with Jesus.”

As we reflect on these profound insights of Our Holy Father, we are invited to take to heart these words taken from Psalm 46: “…Be still and know that I am God, exalted among all nations, exalted in the earth.”  At this special time of the year, may we truly be still and hear His voice in the silence of our hearts, and allow the light of His Son to shine through the darkness of our world and the darkness of our lives.  My prayer for all of us is that in the midst of the darkness of this increasingly secular world, we will have the wisdom to embrace the spiritual peace that Jesus offers us.  As a community of faith, may we truly experience the joy and love of the Lord this Christmas as we continue to strive for peace in our world, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts.

As disciples, we have much for which to be thankful.  As a parish community, 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.

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

On behalf of 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 peace and joy in many profound and mysterious ways.

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

During this great Season of Advent, many of us may get caught up in the “busyness” of the season.  With all the temptations and distractions of the season, it is very easy to lose our spiritual focus.  The media does so much to commercialize the season, and all too often they influence our actions.  Many of us are busy going shopping; we are busy going to parties; we are busy making travel plans.  But in the midst of all this “busyness”, are we really preparing spiritually 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 truly wants us to place our focus on the coming of Christ.  John serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments.  He is the last of the Old Testament prophets who point the way to the Messiah.  He is the first of the New Testament witnesses and martyrs.  Some regard him as a crazy person who lived in the desert, wore strange clothes, and eat exotic foods.  Yet there is nothing strange or crazy or exotic about his message.   It is very clear; very practical; very prudent; and very challenging.   He, in essence, tells us to prepare for the coming of the Lord, acknowledge our shortcomings and failures, repent of our sins, and change our hearts.

With great humility, he acknowledges that his role is subordinate to that of Jesus.  John says, “I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of His sandals” and acknowledges that he must decrease, and Jesus must increase.  He is the voice urging us to make way for the Lord and prepare for His coming.

As we strive to prepare spiritually for the coming of the Lord, we are reminded that this Sunday, we will celebrate a Mass for the repose of the soul of our beloved former pastor, Monsignor Paul Reynolds at 11:00 am.  He shepherded his congregation here at Saint Brigid from 2006 until his death in 2010.  He was a priest of great wisdom and insight and truly appreciated the opportunity to serve the people entrusted to his care.

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

This Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday.  Our Holy Father Pope Francis has referred to it as “The Sunday of Joy”.  He continues to call upon the faithful to strive to avoid the commercialism of the Advent Season as we wait in joyful anticipation of the coming of the Christ Child.  He challenges us to heed the call of John the Baptist, acknowledge our shortcomings and failures, repent of our sins, and change our hearts.

We also celebrate on Monday 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.  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 day is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm throughout the Americas and helps the faithful embrace the joy of the gospel message.

As reported by the media publication “National Catholic Register”, Pope Francis called upon the people of the Americas to embrace the spirit of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  He stated, “…like Juan Diego, we know that here is our Mother.  We know that we are under her shadow and her protection, which is the source of our joy, and that we are in the cross of her arms.”

The following “A Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe”, provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, asks for the intercession and guidance of Our Lady of Guadalupe:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your apparitions on Mount Tepeyac you promised to show pity and compassion to all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and protection.
Accordingly, listen now to our supplications and grant us consolation and relief.  We are full of hope that by relying on your help, nothing can trouble or affect us.
As you have remained with us through your admirable image, so now obtain for us the graces we need.  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, as we consider the profound words of Our Holy Father, and as we remember the example of Our Lady of Guadalupe, may we truly embrace the joys and blessings of this season as we continue and persevere on our Advent journey of faith.

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 on our understanding of the Mass, and on the hope we experience as we await the coming of the Christ Child, helped many to more fully embrace the true spirit of Advent.

This spirit continues as we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mother this coming Thursday and affirm our belief that our Mother Mary was blessed among women and was preserved from original sin from the moment of her conception.  As reported in the media outlet “Catholic News Agency”, Pope Francis, reflecting on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, stated that this feast is “one of the wonders of the story of salvation.”  He further noted, “The uncontaminated beauty of our Mother is incomparable, but at the same time it attracts us.  Let us entrust ourselves to her and say ‘no’ to sin and ‘yes’ to Grace once and for all.”

The following “Prayer to the Immaculate Conception” encourages us to seek the intercession of Mary as we continue on our journey of faith during this special Season.

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this,
Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us, purified through her intercession,
to come to You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, on the profound words of Our Holy Father, and as we focus on this great feast 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 available 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 additional times and dates for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Our Church leaders challenge us to maintain a strong spiritual focus during our Advent journey and strive to avoid the commercialism of the Season.  We are invited through prayer, works of charity, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation to truly prepare ourselves for the coming of 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 desires to see the light of Christ shine through the darkness of our world.   As reported in a major Catholic publication, Our Holy Father Pope Francis focused on the importance of hope during Advent.   He stated, “I invite everyone to renewed Hope, for hope speaks to us of something deeply rooted in every human heart, independently of our circumstances and historical conditioning.   Hope speaks to us as a thirst, an aspiration, a longing for a life of fulfillment.”   He called on us to “live in hope” during Advent.

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. Martin Connor, an experienced mission leader and spiritual director with the Legionairies of Christ.   A Parish Mission can be viewed as an opportunity for spiritual reflection and conversion.   It also can provide an opportunity to change hearts and transform lives as we renew and strengthen our relationship with Our Lord.

At this special time, we are urged to remain watchful and vigilant as we wait in joyful anticipation for the coming of the Lord.   This Christmas we are invited to give the Lord the gift of a pure heart by being spiritually prepared for His coming.   During the Mission, Fr. Martin will speak about more fully understanding and appreciating the Mass, and the joy we experience as we wait for the coming of the Christ Child.   He will also focus on the hope-filled meaning of Advent.

There will be time for prayer and reflection.  The message of Father Martin 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 Tuesday, November 29^th, and Wednesday, November 30^th.   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.

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.  As in the past, we pray that Thanksgiving Day will not be commercialized, but rather will truly be a time for reflection and thanksgiving.  It is so easy to get caught up in shopping frenzies, travel plans, and other situations that can distract us from the truly important significance of this day.

The word “Eucharist” means “giving thanks” and we are invited to attend Mass on Thanksgiving Day. If possible, we are also encouraged to share a meal with loved ones.  As we attend Mass and 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.

The following “Thanksgiving Day Prayer” provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reflects the significance of the day:

Lord, we thank You for the goodness of our people and for the spirit of justice that fills our nation.

We thank You for the beauty and fullness of the land and the challenge of the cities.

We thank You for our work and our rest, for one another, and for our homes.

We thank You, Lord: accept our thanksgiving on this day.

We pray and give thanks through Jesus Christ, our Lord.   Amen.

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

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

Next Saturday Bishop Shlesinger will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation at Saint Brigid to approximately 150 of our teens.  Confirmation along with Baptism and the Holy Eucharist comprise the Sacraments of Christian Initiation.

Our Catechism reminds the faithful of the need for proper preparation for the Sacrament.  It states, “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 the 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.”

Those who will receive this Sacrament have spent much time in instruction, reflection, and prayer.  Their preparation also included time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and for a spiritual retreat.  As part of their preparation, 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 who walks with them on their Christian journey.

Pope Francis has noted the importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spiritual growth in the life of a Christian.  He reflected on Confirmation at one of his General Audiences and stated: “The rite of Confirmation recalls and renews the promises made at Baptism and invokes a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  Just as Jesus received the outpouring of the 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 us to help the Body of Christ grow in unity and missionary zeal.”  He also noted that, “

The following “Confirmation Prayer” from the media outlet, “Prayerist” asks the Lord to open the hearts of candidates for Confirmation to the Holy Spirit:

Lord, You send out Your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people, so 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 that You have begun in them.
As we prepare these children for Confirmation, make 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, and on the words of Pope Francis, and as we get ready to celebrate this great Sacrament, we are encouraged, as a community of faith, to continue to pray for our Confirmation candidates, their coordinators, and sponsors.                                                                                             

This Sunday is World Mission Sunday.  Pope Francis, in his message for this day, stated, “Christ was the first to be sent, as a ‘missionary’ of the Father, and as such, He is the Father’s ‘faithful witness.  In a similar way, every Christian is called to be a missionary and witness to Christ.  And the Church, the community of Christ’s disciples, has no other mission than that of bringing the Gospel to the entire world by bearing witness to Christ.  To evangelize is the very identity of the Church.”

Our Holy Father, embracing the words of Jesus, focused on what he called the three foundations of the life and mission of every disciple: “You shall be my witnesses”, “to the ends of the earth”, and “you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Pope Francis reminded us that, “The celebration of World Mission Day is also an occasion for reaffirming how prayer, reflection, and the material help of your offerings are so many opportunities to participate actively in the mission of Jesus in His Church.”

As Catholics, we are to personally identify ourselves as disciples of Christ.  We are challenged to see the face of Christ in others and to reach out to those in need.  As previously noted, we can spread Christian awareness through our involvement with the Saint Vincent DePaul Society, Catholic Charities, and other organizations which encourage Christian outreach.  In addition, we can spread the Gospel message by encouraging our civil leaders to enact laws that promote Catholic social teaching, especially in areas concerning the unborn, marriage, and the family.

The following “Prayer for World Mission Sunday” from the media outlet, “Prayerist” reflects the spirit of this day:

Heavenly Father, when Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ rose from the dead, He commissioned His followers to go and make disciples of all nations, and You remind us that through Baptism we are made sharers in the mission of the Church.
Empower us by the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be courageous and zealous in bearing witness to the Gospel, so that the mission entrusted to the Church, which is still very far from completion, may find new and efficacious expressions that bring life and light to the world.
Help us make it possible for all peoples to experience the saving love and mercy of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit.   One God, forever and ever.  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, on the profound words of Pope Francis, and as we celebrate World Mission Sunday, we are challenged to be witnesses to Christ as we strive to truly embrace the missionary spirit of our precious faith.

This coming Tuesday,  November 1^st,  we celebrate All Saints Day.  The Catholic Church recognizes this day as a Holy Day of Obligation.  Speaking on the significance of this day, as reported by the media outlet, “Catholic News Service”, Our Holy Father, Pope Francis reminded the faithful that Christian joy is a sign of holiness that bears witness to God’s love.  He stated, “The saints, even amid tribulations, have experienced this joy and have borne witness to it.”

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 can strive to model our behavior after them and follow their holy way of life.  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 Wednesday, November 2^nd, 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 Wednesday, November 2^nd, at 7 p.m., we will celebrate a Mass of Remembrance.  As in the past, we will honor the memory of those loved ones who have died, including those who have died recently.  A litany of names and an offering of roses with appropriate lighting 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 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 deceased loved ones and our great saints by participating in our Church liturgies on these very special days.

All Saints and All Souls Day – Saint Brigid Catholic Church

As we know, various surveys have shown that many Catholics, unfortunately, do not practice their faith on a regular basis.  They appear to take their faith for granted.  However, the Catholic Church is blessed to have many converts who have embraced the faith and truly appreciate it.  They go through a process of inquiry, understanding, and catechesis prior to conversion.

Our faith community has vibrant 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).  Adults and children are invited to learn about the Catholic Church, and they make the free choice to embrace Catholic teaching and become members of the Church.

Many who have participated in past programs have commented on how enriching the programs were as they grew in their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith.  They appreciated the great support provided by program coordinators, instructors, and sponsors.  Many have become active members of our faith 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.)”
* The 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.