Next Saturday, many of the children in our faith community will make their First Holy Communion at Saint Brigid.  Hopefully, their parents and other loved ones will present them to share with us in the fullness of the Lord’s Supper for the first time and watch proudly as these children, with great devotion, take this important step on their journey of faith.

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 prayer called “On Your First Holy Communion” asks the Lord to guide and bless these children:

May Jesus come to bless you on your First Holy Communion day.

May you feel His loving presence in a very special way.

And as you strive to follow in His footsteps,

may He bless your life with many graces and lasting happiness.  Amen.

 As we reflect on this prayer, we are reminded that the word “Eucharist” means “giving thanks.”  And on this 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 our vibrant faith community of Saint Brigid.

This Sunday we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, and we focus on the mercy of our loving God.  The Catholic 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 is known as ‘Divine Mercy Sunday’.  Prior to this celebration, the Pope also wrote a profound encyclical called ‘Rich in Mercy’.  This encyclical explained the doctrinal and scriptural foundations for our understanding of mercy.  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.  Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has urged us to embrace this message and truly reflect a spirit of mercy, repentance and reconciliation in our lives. In a recent homily as reported by the media outlet “Al Arabiya News”, he stated, “Sister, brother, do you want proof of that God has touched your life?  See if you can stoop to bind the wounds of others.”  Pope Francis also stated, “Let us not remain indifferent. Let us not have a one-way faith, a faith that receives but does not give… Having received mercy let us become merciful.”
The following prayer provided by the media outlet “Word on Fire” reflects the depth of the mercy that God extends to us:

God of Everlasting Mercy,

who in the very recurrence of the Paschal feast kindle the faith of the people you have made Your own,

increase, we pray, that all may grasp and rightly understand in what font they have been washed,

by whose Spirit they have been reborn, by whose Blood they have been Redeemed.

As we reflect on this prayer, and on the words of Our Holy Father, we invite our parishioners and friends to embrace the generous gift of God’s mercy in a humble spirit of thanksgiving.
This Sunday we will have a Holy Hour at the Church at 3:00 PM, the acknowledged hour of Divine Mercy. All are invited to attend as we thank the Lord for showering His mercy on us.

Today, Easter Sunday, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.  As Holy Week comes to an end, we are reminded that the suffering of the cross gives way to the glory of the Resurrection.  Just as we share in the suffering of Christ in this life, we hope to one day share in His glory. Through His Resurrection, Jesus has conquered sin and death.  This is the message of His Good News.  This is the message of Easter, and Our Holy Father, Pope Francis invites us to embrace this message.

In a recent address, as reported in the media outlet “The Catholic World Report”, Pope Francis stated, “Amid the many hardships we are enduring, let us never forget that we have been healed by the wounds of Christ.”  He added, “In the light of the Risen Lord, our sufferings are now transfigured.  Where there was death, now there is life.  Where there was mourning, now there is consolation.  In embracing the cross, Jesus bestowed meaning on our sufferings and now we pray that the benefits of that healing will spread throughout the world.”  As Christians, we are challenged to take the words of Our Holy Father to heart.

As the impact of the coronavirus gradually continues to wane, we welcome all to our vibrant Parish community.  We especially welcome those who participate in our Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) and Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) programs, and who have received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation as appropriate, at our Easter Vigil Mass.

We also welcome all those who do not attend our Church on a regular basis.  Now is a good time to prayerfully consider becoming more fully involved in our community of faith, and getting spiritually closer to the Lord.  You are always invited to join us as we strive to embrace and truly live the faith we boldly proclaim.

The following prayer from the media outlet, “Faith and Worship” reflects the spirit of this day:

Lord of Life, we pray for all  who bring your word of life as a light to those in darkness,
for those who bring Your word of peace,
to those enslaved by fear,
for those who bring Your word of love to those in need of comfort.
Lord of love and Lord of peace, Lord of resurrection life,
Christ the Lord is risen today.

As we celebrate this special day, and as we embrace the call to rejoice and be glad, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all who participate in our faith community.  On behalf of our priests, deacons, and staff, I wish you and your families a holy, happy, and healthy Easter season.                        

  We are privileged to host a two-day Lenten Parish Mission on Monday, March 28th, and Tuesday, March 29th.  The mission will be presented by  Fr. Carlos Gonzalez, who will offer a morning session at 10 am and an evening session at 7:00 pm. 

Fr. Carlos is an internationally recognized mission presenter and Catholic missionary with the Fraternal Society of Mercy based in Puerto Rico, who weaves stories into an engaging, passionate message of hope.  He has worked with Mother Teresa and many others in ministering to the poor, the sick, and the disenfranchised.  He will focus on “The Lord’s Loving Mercy” as he inspires us to return to the Lord’s loving embrace and more fully live and boldly proclaim our Catholic faith.

A Parish Mission can be viewed as an opportunity for spiritual healing, renewal, and reconciliation.  With an emphasis on love and mercy, it also can provide an opportunity to change hearts and transform lives as we renew and strengthen our relationship with our Lord.

As we know, during the season of Lent we are challenged in a special way to acknowledge our sins and shortcomings and seek God’s mercy.  We will offer additional times and dates to provide us with a great opportunity to avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The sacrament is also available by appointment.  We can examine our conscience and acknowledge the ways in which we may have compromised our spiritual integrity.

At times we need to be reminded that the sacrament is here to heal, not to condemn.  It is here to get us closer to the Lord who loves us.     As previously noted, Pope Francis stated, “In confession, Jesus welcomes us with all our sinfulness, to give us a new heart, capable of loving as He loves.”  He also reminded us that, “Confession is the sacrament of the tenderness of God, His way of embracing us.”  He urged those who have been away from sacrament to be not afraid to reach out to the Lord who will receive you with open arms.

During the Lenten season, we will have additional priests available to serve as instruments of the Lord’s pardon, mercy, and forgiveness, and to help us experience spiritual joy in our hearts.  Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we can more effectively embrace the right spiritual course as we cleanse our souls and prepare for the commemoration of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

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

As Catholics, and as a faith community, we have great reverence for the dead.  Recently in our faith community, we have experienced the passing of many of our faithful.  Fortunately, our parish is blessed with a compassionate and loving bereavement ministry.  Members of the ministry strive to assist, in many ways, the families who have lost loved ones.  They generally meet with the family for a planning meeting shortly after the death of their loved one, with a member of our clergy present.  When appropriate, they can assist family members in coordinating arrangements with a funeral home, and answer questions about a possible wake service.

Ministry members are especially helpful in planning for the funeral Mass.  They can assist the family in choosing the readings and hymns for the funeral Mass, help with photos and programs, and assist with other necessary details for the funeral.

The text for the funeral rites comes from the “Order of Christian Funerals.”  The text states that at the funeral Mass, the community gathers with the family and friends of the deceased “to give praise and thanks to God for Christ’s victory over sin and death”, to commend the deceased “to God’s tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of the paschal mystery”.   We, therefore, strive to gather reverently as a faith community at the funeral Mass.   After the funeral Mass, a member of our clergy is usually available to preside at the burial site for the “Rite of Committal” if the family so chooses.

Most of us know someone in our community who is grieving at this time over the loss of a loved one.  We may know parishioners, friends, neighbors, relatives, and others who are in mourning.  In the spirit of Pope Francis, we can especially reach out to widows and widowers, those who have recently lost a spouse.

Most of us are usually attentive to families at the time of the funeral of a loved one.  But as time passes, our attentiveness may wane.  We are encouraged to be more aware that people grieve in different ways.  They grieve for different lengths of time.  We are encouraged to strive to become more sensitive to those who are truly grieving and assist them in their time of healing.  Maybe we can visit them periodically, 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.

May we as a faith community strive to continue to honor our deceased loved ones in a special way as we answer our call to discipleship.  Visit for more info: www.saintbrigid.org/bereavement.

This coming Thursday, we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.  Saint Patrick is one of the patron saints of Ireland.  He 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.

Major parades take place on this day in New York, Savannah, Atlanta, and other cities celebrating the life and contributions of Saint Patrick 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.  As we celebrate this day, Pope Francis urged the faithful to maintain a reverent tone and to not be distracted by those who strive to commercialize the day.  St. Patrick focused on people, not parades.  He prayed for the perseverance to be a faithful witness to the gospel as he embraced the mission and ministry of Christ.  He focused on eternal, not earthly rewards, and was responsible for many people choosing to embrace the Catholic faith.

As previously noted, “The Association for Catechetical Ministry”, reflecting on the life of Saint Patrick, stated, he “moved about Ireland continually, disregarding his own safety in a land that was treacherous to travelers.”  It went on to state, he “also strongly favored monasteries and small groups of consecrated women (convents came later) which afterward became a hallmark of Irish Catholicism.”

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

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

As we reflect on this prayer, we are challenged to reaffirm our commitment to spread the Good News of the gospel in the spirit of St. Patrick through our prayers and good example as we continue on our Lenten journey of faith.

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

The publication “Catholic Online” stated, “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.”

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

Let the feelings of faith, hope, charity, and sorrow for our sins be ingrained in our hearts, Lord, and lead us to repent for our sins that have crucified You.

Lead us to transform our conversion made of words into a conversion of life and deeds.

Crucified Jesus, strengthen the faith in us so that it does not give in before temptations, rekindle hope in us so that it does not get lost by following the world’s seductions.

Protect charity in us, so that it not be deceived by corruption and worldliness.

As we reflect on these words, 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 7:00 pm with a brief reflection by one of our deacons.  The reflection focuses on our Lenten challenges and concerns.   “Stations” then follow at 7:15 pm.

As we continue to strive to cope with the sustained impact of the COVID-19 virus, we can also pray the “Stations” in the privacy of our own residence.   A pre-recorded version of the “Stations” is available on the parish website.

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 fully appreciate what Jesus has done for us.   They can also help us to clearly witness our faith and assist us in this special time of spiritual renewal.

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

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.
Pope Francis reminded the faithful that Lent is a time to spiritually renew our lives.  As reported in the publication “America”, he stated in a recent Lenten Message, “During this season of conversion, let us renew our faith, draw from the ‘living water’ of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God who makes us brothers and sisters in Christ.”  He further noted, “This Lenten journey, like the entire pilgrimage of the Christian life, is even now illumined by the light of the resurrection, which inspires the thoughts, attitudes, and decisions of the followers of Christ.”

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 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.

This weekend we initiate discussion of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for 2022 at our Masses.   The theme of the Appeal is “Transformed in Christ.” 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 their people.

A substantial portion of our contributions to the Appeal provide funds that go directly to the training and support of future happy, holy, and healthy priests needed to serve the Church of tomorrow.  Just this past June, after many years of study and formation, parishioner Robbie Cotta was ordained a priest to serve in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Our contributions are also used for the training and formation of permanent deacons.  Earlier this month, long-time parishioner Geza Gereben was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate.  In addition, parishioner Joseph Young continues in the diaconate formation program.

As you can see, our support of the Annual Appeal is clearly bearing fruit.  Men are discerning the call to the priesthood and diaconate.  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 strives to assist those in need.  A special emphasis continues to be placed on those in need due primarily to the sustained impact of the COVID-19 virus.  Catholic Charities also continues to make an exerted effort to assist homeless military veterans in the Atlanta area and in other local counties to stabilize their lives with housing and employment assistance.

The Appeal also supports priest retirement programs as well as other Archdiocesan pastoral outreach, education, and formation programs that serve our Parish as well as our larger Church community.

We invite you to prayerfully consider making a pledge to the 2022 Appeal, and ask you to give generously and sacrificially.  We thank all who have already given via the mail or online.

For those who have not yet contributed, we ask you to make a commitment using a pledge envelope that will be provided during Mass this weekend.  Information about the Appeal has been provided in the Church Bulletin and on the Parish website.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are challenged to support the Appeal and respond in faith as we strive to answer our call to discipleship.  Thank you for all you do for our Church community.

Archbishop Hartmayer has encouraged us to actively participate in a process called a synod.  He recently stated in a pastoral letter, “Pope Francis opened a two-year process called the Synod on Synodality (For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission) that will uniquely engage not only Catholics but God’s people all over the world.  I want to personally encourage you, your family, and all those who are dear to you to join with me and our brothers and sisters in north and central Georgia on this extraordinary journey of faith.”

He stated, “A synod is a ‘journeying together’- a shared journey of prayer, listening, and discernment. When we engage in this process, we go back to the very roots of what it means to be Christians as a pilgrim Church together on the way, following Jesus who is the way.  What’s more, this synod aims to reframe our journey forward.”

He advised us to “Look for opportunities to participate in a listening session or contribute to a survey and to join us in prayer, study, and reflection as we journey together.  As we continue our Eucharistic Renewal, I invite each of you to spend time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, praying that this Synod with bear abundant fruit.”

We plan to have a series of listening sessions in February and March at our parish.  Two sessions will be open to all parishioners and guests.   Additional sessions will be targeted to specific ministry groups within the parish.  The sessions, approximately two hours in length, will include an opportunity to listen to Archbishop Hartmayer’s homily on the Synod, participate in small group discussions, and make appropriate comments.  The sessions will also provide us with an opportunity to discuss how we can more effectively embrace and share our precious Catholic faith.

The format of our sessions will be focused on our Parish Vision Statement and our Parish Mission Statement.  A summary of our approach to this process as well as details on the format and relevant questions for consideration are included in this parish bulletin.

In addition, all parishioners, especially those who cannot attend one of the conferences, will be invited to participate in an online Archdiocesan survey on the Synod.

Our approach to this Synod will be coordinated by Deacon Henry Hein.  He will be assisted by Rosemarie Scully and other staff members and volunteers.  Please contact the parish at synod@saintbrigid.org if you have any questions or require additional information.

Please prayerfully consider participating to the extent possible in this special time of grace.

Last weekend, representatives of the Mustard Seed Communities (MSC) were present after all Masses to answer questions about Mustard Seed and the work it does.  Mustard Seed was founded by Msgr. Gregory Ramkissoon, is a Catholic priest in Jamaica.  MSC started in Jamaica and expanded to Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and now has a presence in Africa.  It cares for several hundred children with special physical and mental health needs, many of whom have been abandoned.  MSC strives to protect the most vulnerable of God’s children.  It also provides a home for teenage mothers and their babies.  Many of these mothers have been disenfranchised from their families and are in need of emotional, spiritual, and financial support.  MSC also manages a number of community outreach programs to combat poverty and provide educational opportunities to local populations.

As Catholics, we are taught to respect the fundamental dignity of the human person, and we hope to see that dignity reflected in all God’s children.  This respect for God’s children is reflected in the work of Mustard Seed.  The staff and volunteers of MSC strive to see the face of Christ in those who they meet, in those who they help.  They do so with great joy and love.

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

Saint Brigid Parish has been asked to focus its support on the Mustard Seed communities in Nicaragua.  In the last few years, political and economic turmoil in Nicaragua has caused great stress in the Mustard Seed communities in that country.  In addition, the country also struggles in these difficult and uncertain times due to the sustained impact of the COVID-19 virus.  Mission trips to the Mustard Seed communities there have been greatly curtailed due to travel restrictions and safety concerns.  In addition, it has become extremely difficult for medical and hygiene supplies needed by these communities to be shipped into the country.  The turmoil in Nicaragua may continue indefinitely.  The great strain on the Mustard Seed communities there may not be eased any time soon.   We are encouraged to continue to be sensitive to the needs of these communities as we strive to assist the least of our brothers and sisters.           

For information please visit www. saintbrigid.org/mustardseed.

This Sunday marks the beginning of “Catholic Schools Week.”  The theme this year is “Catholic Schools: Living Life to the Full.”  Catholic education has always been a priority for the bishops of our nation.  They have strived to make Catholic schools accessible and affordable despite the increasingly secular environment in our society, rising tuition costs, and other challenges facing Catholic education, including the challenge of how to best educate students in the midst of the sustained impact of the COVID-19 virus.  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.

As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, it is appropriate to note that this coming Monday we will also celebrate the feast day of Saint Brigid of Kildare.  She is one of the patron saints of Ireland.

Saint Brigid is also the patron saint of our Parish and the patron saint of students.  Catholic education was very important to her.  She 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.  As reported in the media outlet, “Catholic News Agency”, Saint Brigid “traveled widely throughout the island, founding new houses and building up a uniquely Irish form of monasticism.  When she was not traveling, many pilgrims – including prominent clergy, and some future saints – made their way to Kildare, seeking the advice of the abbess.”  Many laypeople would travel long distances to seek her spiritual counsel.  Many were led to the faith through her words and actions.

As previously noted, Saint Brigid worked tirelessly to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, founding many convents and fostering vocation awareness.  She organized communal consecrated religious life for the women of Ireland.  Her focus on communal prayer and work attracted many followers.  Along with Saint Patrick and others, she played a major role in making Ireland a Christian nation.  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.

Please join us in celebrating the legacy of this great saint.

Saint Brigid, intercede for us.

Saint Brigid, pray for us.

This weekend we are in the midst of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Our bishops have acknowledged the need for unity and have urged Catholics to participate in this week of prayer.  Fr. James Loughran, Director of the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute (GEII), has been an articulate spokesman in this call for unity.  He reminded us that in this time of the COVID-19 virus, our world has become smaller and that more than ever we need to appreciate the value and importance of Christian unity.

During this week, we are asked to unite in prayer with our Christian brothers and sisters.  We are invited to pray for unity among the Christian Churches, and also for peace in our world, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts.

Pope Francis has often expressed his desire for Christian unity.  He is concerned with the great turmoil in the world, especially due to the sustained impact of the COVID-19 virus, the ongoing problems in the Middle East, and with divisions within our Churches.  Reflecting on this need for unity, as noted in the publication “America”, Our Holy Father “marked the 25^th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s encyclical on Christian unity, ‘Ut Unum Sint’ (‘that all may be one’), by reaffirming the church’s ‘irrevocable’ commitment to work for unity among the world’s roughly 2.3 billion Christians.”

He stated, “Unity is not chiefly the result of our activity, but a gift of the Holy Spirit.  Yet, unity will not come about as a miracle at the very end.  Rather, unity comes about in journeying; the Holy Spirit does this on the journey.”  Pope Francis has indicated that he wants us to be united by the power of the love which the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts.

The following prayer for unity provided by the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute reflects the spirit of this special week:

O God, Your right hand is glorious in power.
Extend Your hand to help us discover new ways that unite your people in the body of Christ, the Church.
May the strength of Your hand take away all misunderstanding and prejudice that hinder our calling to be one in body and spirit.
Draw us together in the bond of peace, of faith, and charity that we may be one in Jesus our Lord
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.   Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, and the words of Our Holy Father, and as we answer our call to discipleship in these difficult and uncertain times, we are challenged to continue to pray for unity, especially among our Christian Churches, as we continue on our journey of faith.

On Monday, January 17th, as a nation we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for his work in promoting the dignity of the human person.  One of the many quotes he is noted for is: “I have decided to stick with love.  Hate is too great a burden to bear.”  In honoring his legacy, we recognize the great strides that our country has made in overcoming the racial injustices of the past as hearts and minds have been changed.  We also acknowledge that much still needs to be done to heal the wounds and divisions that continue to exist in our nation.

As we reflect on the contributions of Dr. King, we also acknowledge the work of his niece Alveda King.  As previously indicated, she is a Christian woman, a mother, and a grandmother, and an outspoken pro-life advocate residing here in Georgia.  She often appears on television and has a national following.  She also speaks about the sanctity of human life at schools and churches and notes that full rights for all should include the rights of the unborn.

Mrs. King reminds us that as we acknowledge the strides our country has made in overcoming racial injustice, we cannot ignore another grave injustice that continues in our time.  It is the injustice of the callous disregard for human life, especially the life of the unborn.  Mrs. King has reaffirmed her belief in the sanctity and protection of all human life from conception to natural death.  She has urged us to place our faith in Jesus, the Divine Healer, and to continue to strive to change hearts and minds to correct this grave injustice.

As we reflect on the sentiments of Mrs. King, we are reminded that on Friday, January 21^st, Archbishop Hartmayer will celebrate a special Mass for the Unborn at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta.  The Mass will focus on the gift of life, and bring attention to the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision of the United States Supreme Court.  This decision effectively legalized abortion in this country.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has spoken often and eloquently about the evil of abortion.  As reported in the media publication “The Catholic World Report”, he deplored a “throwaway culture” in which aborted children are “discarded as unnecessary” declaring it “horrific even to think that there are children, victims of abortion, who never see the light of day.”  He has challenged us to bear witness not only to the value and sacredness of the unborn, 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.

We are invited to take to heart the examples of Dr. King, his niece Alveda King, and Pope Francis and do our part in promoting the dignity of the human person as we continue on our journey of faith.

We mark the end of our Christmas Season this Sunday as we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord.  As we celebrate this feast, we are reminded that the Sacrament of Baptism is the gateway to the other sacraments.  Jesus began His public life after having Himself baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan.

As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit.” (CCC 1279)

The Catechism further notes, “Since the earliest of times, Baptism has been administered to children, for it is a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit; children are baptized in the faith of the Church.”  (CCC 1282) 

As reported in the Catholic publication CRUX, commenting on infant baptism, Pope Francis stated that we give children “a treasure, in baptism we give them a pledge: The Holy Spirit.  The child leaves with the strength of the Holy Spirit inside.  The Spirit which will defend them, help them, throughout their lives.”  He urged parents to take charge of their children’s growth in the faith, ensuring “that they grow with light, with the strength of the Holy Spirit through … instruction and the example you give them at home.”

The following “Baptismal Blessing” prayer focuses on the baptism of a child:

Lord Jesus Christ,
hear our prayers and with Your unfailing protection,
watch over and cherish this child,
whom You have blessed with the grace of baptism.
When this child has grown, grant that one may confess
Your name in willing faith, be fervent in charity,
and persevere courageously in the hope of reaching Your kingdom,
where You live and reign forever and ever.  Amen.

(“Readings for Baptism”, ‘Rites’, iBreviary)

As we reflect on this prayer, and as we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, we are encouraged to understand and appreciate the spiritual fruits of this great sacrament.

Baptisms at Saint Brigid generally take place on an individual basis on weekends in our Day Chapel.  As noted in our parish bulletin, “Parents of the child to be baptized should be registered parishioners and are required to attend a Preparation Class before the baptism.”  Additional details concerning baptismal requirements can be obtained from the parish office.  We urge parishioners to avail their loved ones of the Sacrament of Baptism if the appropriate requirements are met.

For more info visit www.saintbrigid.org/baptism.

Our New Year began this weekend on Saturday as we celebrated the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.  As we reflect on this Solemnity, we are urged to follow Mary’s example of holiness.  Pope Francis has noted that devotion to Mary is a requirement of the Christian life.

This Sunday, we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.  On this day, we focus on the wise men 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.

Like the wise men, we also are on a difficult journey of faith to encounter the Lord in these challenging and uncertain times as we strive to adapt our approach to worship and service as we cope primarily with the sustained impact of the COVID-19 virus.  Pope Francis acknowledged the difficulty of our faith journey and encouraged us, as a community of faith, to assist each other in overcoming the many obstacles we face.  He also urged us as disciples to take a more spiritual focus to the New Year.

The following “New Years Reflection and Prayer” from PrayerForAnxiety.com braces the call of Our Holy Father.

As the old year ends and a new one begins, take time.

Time to remember the struggle you faced,
and mistakes you might have made,
and maybe even loved ones you lost.

In every year, you experience heartache.
This one was no different.

And in remembering, find a seed of hope hidden in yesterday.

Remember how you’ve been blessed.
Relive when you found unexpected strength.
Recall when you saw God’s great Spirit at work.
And know his mercy kept you going all this time.

Recognize his mercy.  Ask for his peace.

The peace that pours out every moment of every day from the wounds of Christ.

Prepare us Our Lord for the New Year.
Lift us up and place in our hearts a renewed desire to know and worship you more.
Give us your abundant grace.
Shower us with your healing love.

May your eternal Kingdom reign in our hearts and our lives.
May the New Year show us once again your eternal mercy and glory.

And let us sing your praises with great joy.
In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

As we ponder on this prayer, we are encouraged to take time to reflect and remember, and embrace the opportunity to enhance our spiritual growth as we continue on our journey of faith.

On behalf of Fr. Bill, Fr. Darragh, our Deacons, and staff, we wish you and your families many blessings in the New Year.

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.

The following prayer,  “A Christmas Prayer”, reflects the essence of the season:

Eternal God, the hope of all humankind, you gave us the greatest gift of all in Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Son of God, You came as God’s Light to shine brightly in the darkness of minds and hearts; bathe our world in Your Light.
Jesus Christ, Word made flesh, make a way for the Good News of Your  Kingdom to reach every home, every heart, everywhere.
Protect and preserve the laborers who courageously declare the glory of Your Gospel throughout the world.
Provide for their every need and be their strength and joy.
Be the comforter, defender, and provider of the poor, the helpless, the cold, the hungry, the orphaned, the weary, the oppressed, those persecuted for their faith in You, the sick, those who mourn, the aged and the little children.
Reveal Yourself to those who do not know Your immense love.
Bless those who rejoice at Your coming!
Glorious Lord, we join our voices to the heavenly host and say:
“Glory to God in heaven, and on Earth peace to those on whom His favor rests!” 
Amen.

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

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 as we strive to cope with the sustained impact of the COVID-19 virus.   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. Bill, Fr. Darragh, 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 Advent, many of us can get caught up in the “busyness” of the season.  With all the distractions of the season, it is very possible to lose our spiritual focus.  The media does much to commercialize the season.  Many weeks before Thanksgiving Day, various media outlets begin to overwhelm us with various “holiday” advertisements and promotions.  They do so without even mentioning the word “Christmas”.  In addition, during these difficult and uncertain times due primarily to the sustained impact of the COVID-19 virus, we are still busy going shopping; we are still busy going to parties; we are still busy making plans.  But in the midst of the commercialization, in the midst of all the “busyness”, are we really preparing spiritually for the coming of the Christ Child?

One way to counter these distractions is to focus on the significance of the Advent Wreath.  Integral to the season of Advent is the Advent Wreath which has a long Catholic tradition.  The Wreath is displayed prominently on our altar.   As previously noted, it typically has four candles that are lit progressively during the Sundays of Advent. There is also a fifth candle that is reserved for the Christmas season.

• The first candle is the Prophecy Candle or the Candle of Hope. It reminds us that we can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us.
• The second candle is the Bethlehem Candle or the Candle of Preparation. We remember the words of the Prophet Isaiah who said, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for him.”
• The third candle is the Shepherd Candle or the Candle of Joy. We reflect on how we joyfully anticipate the coming of the Christ Child.
• The fourth candle is the Angel Candle or the Candle of Love. We reflect on how the angels announce the coming of the Savior, sent by God because He loves us.
• The fifth candle is the Christ Candle. It reminds us that Jesus is the spotless Lamb of God sent to wash away our sins.

Reflecting on the significance of these candles can also assist us in focusing on the Lord and, in the process, we can rise above the distractions of the season.  The candles can help us desire to see the light of Christ shine through the darkness of our lives.  They remind us that we, like John the Baptist, like the voice crying in the wilderness, are to prepare the way of the Lord.  We are challenged to remain awake, to remain watchful, to remain alert, and to remain vigilant.

My brothers and sisters in Christ:  Christmas is quickly approaching.  Hopefully, we will truly get our spiritual priorities in order so that our hearts will be ready to receive Our Lord, Our Savior, Our King of Kings.

This Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday as we wait in joyful anticipation of the coming of the Christ Child.  As we wait, we continue to strive to prepare ourselves spiritually.  In our Sunday gospels during Advent, the call to prepare for Christ comes primarily from John the Baptist.  He, in essence, tells us to acknowledge our shortcomings and failures, repent of our sins, and change our hearts.

We also celebrate on this day 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 to a humble peasant farmer named Juan Diego near Mexico City.  The appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe helped generate the conversion of Mexico and Latin America to Catholicism.  Her feast day is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm throughout the Americas.

As reported by the media publication “Inside the Vatican”, in a general audience in a prior year, on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis called on the people of the Americas to embrace the joy of the Gospel in the spirit of Mary as he stated, “This is the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and this is my message, the message of the Church.  I encourage all the inhabitants of the American continents to hold open arms like the Virgin Mary, with love and tenderness.”  Reflecting on the special nature of the season, he further stated, “May the joy of the Gospel always be in your hearts.”

In addition to the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we also call to mind another important event during this Advent season.

This coming Saturday, December 18th, at  9:00 AM we will celebrate a Memorial Mass for our beloved former pastor, Monsignor Paul Reynolds.

He served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Atlanta for over forty years.  Msgr. Reynolds was a man of great insight and wisdom who had a way of putting people at ease.  He was pastor of several parishes in the Archdiocese including Saint Brigid, where he served from 2006 until his death in 2010.

As we continue to go forth during this Advent season, as we reflect on the example of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and as we remember Monsignor Reynolds, may we truly embrace the joys and blessings of this season as we continue and persevere on our Advent journey of faith.

Our Advent journey continues in these difficult and uncertain times as we strive to remain watchful and alert as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of the Lord.  This Wednesday we especially honor our Mother Mary as we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and affirm our belief that Mary was blessed among women and was preserved from original sin from the moment of her conception.  It is a holy day of obligation.

Pope Francis, reflecting on the feast of the Immaculate Conception stated, “… what Mary had from the beginning, will be ours in the end, after we have passed through the purifying ‘bath’ of God’s grace.  What opens the gates of paradise to us is God’s grace, received by us with faithfulness.”   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.”

This prayer titled “The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”  from the Catholic News Agency encourages us to seek the intercession of Mary as we continue on our journey of faith:

Father, you prepared the Virgin Mary
to be the worthy Mother of your Son.
You let her share beforehand in the salvation,
Christ would bring by His death,
and kept her sinless from the first moment of her conception.

Help us by her prayers to live in your presence without sin.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
forever and ever.   Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer and try our best to avoid the temptations that can so quickly overwhelm us, please be aware that we will have additional opportunities during this season of Advent to avail ourselves of the great Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The Sacrament 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.

During this great season of Advent, as we take to heart the profound words of Our Holy Father, I hope 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, we will truly be spiritually prepared as we wait in joyful anticipation for the coming of the Christ Child.

  Fr. Neil Herlihy

The season of Advent begins this Sunday.  Advent is a special time in the Church year as we prepare for the coming of the Lord.  Advent holds out the hope and desire to see the light of Christ shine through the darkness of our world.  Pope Francis stated, “Advent is the time we are given to welcome the Lord who comes to encounter us, and also to verify our longing for God, to look forward and prepare ourselves for Christ’s return.”

As we reflect on these words of Our Holy Father, we are urged to remain watchful and vigilant as we wait in joyful anticipation for the coming of the Lord.  During this special time, we will sponsor our Advent Parish Mission to be presented by Fr. Linus Klucsarits of the Order of Saint Benedict.   Fr. Linus is an experienced teacher and spiritual director from Saint Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama.  He will speak of the gift of the Christ Child that awaits us, and the spiritual process of preparation that is expected of us.  He will focus on how we can be spiritually prepared as we strive to cope with the sustained impact of the COVID-19 virus in these difficult and uncertain times.  There will be time during the Mission for prayer and reflection.

The following Parish Mission Prayer asks God to bless our efforts:

Almighty Father,
Once again You are at the door and knock.
During our parish mission, You ask us to open the door of our hearts to Your abundant mercy.
Rouse us!  Purify and illumine our hearts!
Enter into every home of our parish.
Recall those far off, raise the fallen, awaken the indifferent.
Strengthen those who seek to be near You.  May no one refuse Your invitation, Lord.
Expand our hearts so that we may be merciful to others as You are so merciful to us.
O Mary, Mother of Mercy, we entrust to you this time of mission.
May it produce abundant fruits in our Christian life.  Amen.

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

I encourage you to prayerfully consider attending the 2021 Advent Parish Mission and availing yourself of this special time of grace.                                                                           

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

We also celebrate Thanksgiving Day this Thursday, and we give thanks in a special way for the many blessings that the Lord has bestowed on us. This is especially appropriate in these difficult and uncertain times as we strive to cope with the sustained impact of the COVID-19 virus.

As we enjoy a Thanksgiving Day meal, we can thank God for the blessings of our life, our family, our friends, our vocations and our faith. In addition, we are encouraged to resist the temptation to participate in shopping frenzies, but rather to truly take time to reaffirm our commitment to make Thanksgiving Day a day for Our Lord, family and friends.
The following “Prayer of Thanksgiving”, from www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources, reflects the spirit which should be embraced on this special day:

As we reflect on this prayer, our bishops once again suggest that beginning Monday, the days before Thanksgiving be set aside for deeds of charity, for penance, and prayers for economic justice.
On behalf of the clergy and staff at Saint Brigid, we hope that your Thanksgiving Day will be a special one as we once again thank God for prayers answered and blessings received.

Heavenly Father,
I thank You for the wonderful day that You have made.
I thank You for my life and the lives of my loved ones.
I thank You Father for Your presence in my life,
for the confidence I have in You, and the plans You have for me.
I thank You for the immeasurable amount of love You have for me,
and how comforting it is to know that Your spirit is always with me.
I thank You Lord for all the big and small wins that I attain daily by the strength of Your spirit.
I thank You for the things in my life that I take for granted sometimes.
I thank You for a roof over my head, food to eat and clothes to wear.
I recognize that these things are all a gift from You, and I’m ever grateful.
May I develop an attitude of thanks in all circumstances Lord.
I pray that I’ll continue to remember that all things work together for good.
Thank You, Father, I love You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, our bishops once again suggest that beginning Monday, the days before Thanksgiving be set aside for deeds of charity, for penance, and prayers for economic justice. On behalf of the clergy and staff at Saint Brigid, we hope that your Thanksgiving Day will be a special one as we once again thank God for prayers answered and blessings received.

Next Saturday, Bishop Bernard Shlesinger will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation at Saint Brigid to approximately 160 of our teens.  Confirmation along with Baptism and the Holy Eucharist comprise the sacraments of Christian initiation.  Our Catechism states, “Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by a special outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which seal or ‘confirm’ the baptized in union with Christ and equip them for active participation in the worship and apostolic life of the Church.”

Those who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation spend much time in instruction, reflection, and prayer.  Their preparation also includes time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and a spiritual retreat.  We continue to live in difficult and uncertain times due primarily to the sustained impact of the COVID-19 and related viruses.  Therefore, our candidates for Confirmation, their coordinators, and sponsors, as in the prior year, had to adapt to different approaches to preparation.  We appreciate their creativity and flexibility.

Pope Francis has often spoken about the importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation in our spiritual journey.  In one of his weekly general audiences, as reported by the media outlet, “Catholic News Agency”, he stated that Confirmation, along with Baptism and the Eucharist form part “of the unique process of Christian initiation through which we are gradually inserted in Christ, dead and risen, and we receive a new life.”  He further noted that the term “confirmation” “indicates that this sacrament ratifies baptismal grace.”  Our Holy Father also reminded the faithful that Confirmation “strengthens our relationship with the Church and gives it a special strength from the Holy Spirit to defend the faith and confess the name of Christ.”

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

The following “Confirmation Prayer” by Cardinal Henry Edward Manning asks for the guidance of the Holy Spirit:

O Holy Spirit of God: take me as thy disciple.
Guide me, illuminate me, sanctify me.
Bind my hands that they do no evil.
Cover my eyes that they may see it no more.
Sanctify my heart that evil may not dwell within me.
Be thou my God. Be thou my guide.
Whatsoever thou forbiddest me I will renounce.
 And whatsoever thou commandest me, in thy strength I will do.
Lead me then unto the fullness of thy truth.  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, and on the words of Pope Francis, we are encouraged to continue to pray for these candidates as they prepare to receive this great sacrament and continue on their journey of faith.

This Thursday, November 11th, we celebrate Veterans Day. At this time, we remember our men and women who served in the military and who sacrificed so much through their dedicated commitment to our country.  Many of our Veterans served in Viet Nam or some other foreign land, or here in the United States. Many others have recently returned home from tours of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, and have left active military service.

The Johns Creek Memorial Walk, located in Newtown Park, serves as a vivid and sobering reminder of the contributions to the defense of our nation made by our men and women in the armed forces throughout the years. Members of the Saint Brigid Knights of Columbus, many of whom are Veterans, assisted in the construction of the Memorial Walk.

The following “Veterans Day Prayer”, by Fr. Austin Fleming, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, reflects the spirit of this day:

God of peace, we pray for those who have served our nation, who laid down their lives to protect our freedom.
We pray for those who have fought, whose spirits and bodies are scarred by war,
and whose nights are haunted by memories too painful for the light of day.
We pray for those who serve us now, especially for those in harm’s way:
shield them from danger and bring them home, soon.
Turn the hearts and minds of our leaders and enemies to the work of justice and a harvest of peace.
Spare the poor, O God, spare the poor!
May the peace You left us, the peace You gave us,
be the peace that sustains, the peace that saves us.
Christ, Jesus, hear us! Christ, Jesus, hear our prayer!  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, we should also remember the great sacrifices made by military chaplains who are Veterans and who have faithfully served the spiritual needs of our men and women in the armed forces and their families. We also have loved ones who have served our country well and now have Veteran status. Whether our Veterans served at home or abroad, we should not allow their service to be ignored or minimized, or their sacrifice taken for granted.  Through their unselfish service, they make it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms provided in this nation.

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

This Monday, November 1st, we celebrate All Saints Day.  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 encouraged to strive to model our behavior after them and follow their holy ways of life.  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 Tuesday, November 2nd, we commemorate All Souls Day.  It is a day in which the Church makes a special effort to remember, honor, and pray for the dead.  We are encouraged to pray for our deceased relatives, friends, neighbors, parishioners, co-workers, and all who shared their lives with us. Speaking about the significance of this day, Pope Francis called All Souls Day, a day of hope.  As reported in the media outlet, “The Catholic World Report”, in a Mass he celebrated for the faithful departed at a cemetery in Rome, he stated, “Hope is a gift from God that draws us towards life, towards eternal joy.  Hope is an anchor that we have on the other side.” Pope Francis said that one must ask the Lord for the gift of Christian hope.

In addition, on Wednesday, November 3rd at 7:00 p.m., we will celebrate a Mass of Remembrance.  We will honor the memory of those loved ones who have died, including those who have died recently.  It is suggested that we especially remember those who have died from the COVID-19 virus in these difficult and uncertain times.  As we grieve for all those who have died, we are reminded that grieving is part of the human condition and can help us on the path to healing.  A litany of names and an offering of roses with appropriate lighting of candles will mark this special occasion.

As Catholics, we are asked at this time to prayerfully consider visiting appropriate gravesites as we strive to honor our dead and to bring spiritual peace and consolation to families who mourn for their loved ones.  We are also encouraged to honor our deceased loved ones and our great saints 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.

This Sunday we celebrate World Mission Sunday.  This year’s theme is, “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).  In his ‘Mission” message this year, Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has described the theme as “a summons to each of us to ‘own’ and to bring to others what we bear in our hearts.”  He stated, “Once we experience the power of God’s love, and recognize His fatherly presence in our personal and community life, we cannot help but proclaim and share what we have seen and heard.”  He also noted, “Everything about Christ reminds us that He knows well our world and its need for redemption, and calls us to become actively engaged in this mission.”

Pope Francis, in another address, stated, “Mission is a free and conscious response to God’s call.  Yet we discern this call when we have a personal relationship of love with Jesus present in His Church.”  Our Holy Father asked, “Are we willing to be sent forth at any time or place to witness to our faith in God the merciful Father, to proclaim the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ, to share the divine life of the Holy Spirit by building up the Church?”

As disciples, we are challenged to get personally involved in living the gospel message despite potential risks and difficulties concerning engagement with secular sectors of our society.  As previously noted, we can personally spread Christian values through our participation in such events as the March for Life and the Eucharistic Congress.  We can also spread these values through our involvement with the Saint Vincent DePaul Society and Catholic Charities, and other organizations which encourage Christian outreach, as we assist people in need, especially those in mission territories.  In addition, we can spread the gospel message by challenging 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” reflects the call to witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ:

Lord, may Your mission become the central concern for our church community throughout the world.
Bring us closer to our brothers and sisters, that we bear witness of our faith in Christ and announce His gospel.
Embolden us to go out and meet the many people who hear good news that you love us and you want our happiness through the construction of a better world, your kingdom!
We ask this through Jesus, Your greatest missionary with us,  forever and ever.  Amen

As we reflect on this prayer, and on the profound words of Pope Francis, and as we celebrate World Mission Sunday, we are challenged to set a good example for others and to embrace the missionary spirit of our precious faith.

The month of October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary.  During this month, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, and we honor our Mother Mary who has encouraged the faithful to pray the Rosary.  The publication, “Our Sunday Visitor” noted that the Rosary was developed in the Middle Ages and “…is, at its heart, a biblical prayer, which is why Scripture verses are often used for meditation with each mystery.”

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has a great appreciation for the Rosary.  As reported in the media outlet, “The Catholic World Report”, Pope Francis stated, “I invite everyone to rediscover, especially during this month of October, the beauty of the prayer of the Rosary, which has nourished the faith of the Christian people through the centuries.”  He added, “The recitation of the Rosary is the most beautiful prayer we can offer to the Virgin Mary; it is a contemplation on the stages of the life of Jesus the Savior with his Mother Mary and is a weapon that protects us from evils and temptations.”  He also reminded the faithful, “Even today, in this time of pandemic, it is necessary to hold the Rosary in our hands, praying for us, for our loved ones and for all people.”

St. Padre Pio, the great Italian mystic, also urged the faithful to pray the Rosary.  He stated, “Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother.  Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary for the Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today.  All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.”

The following prayer reflects one’s call to get closer to Jesus and Mary by praying the Rosary:

O Mary, our Lady of the Rosary,
may the faithful recitation of my rosary be a sign of my gratitude to Jesus
and you for all you have done for me in bringing about my redemption.
May my rosary also be a means of obtaining all the graces I need
for the sanctification of my soul and that of my family.
Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer, and the words of Pope Francis and St. Padre Pio, we are reminded that at Saint Brigid, we have various Rosary ministries and Marian devotions in which our parishioners actively participate.  For example, many parishioners pray the Rosary before the 9 am daily Mass.  Others pray the Rosary online on Tuesday evenings.  Still, others participate in a Living Rosary on various Marian feast days, where the Rosary is brought to life with individuals representing each bead of the Rosary.

As Catholics, we are encouraged to pray the Rosary, especially, if possible, as a family, as we continue on our journey of faith in these difficult and uncertain times.

This Sunday we celebrate Respect Life Sunday.  We are reminded that God is the Creator of all life, and all life is precious in His sight.  Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has called on the faithful to promote the dignity of all human life from conception until natural death.  He encouraged the faithful to promote the Gospel of Life, and protect and cherish the lives of the unborn, the elderly, the physically and mentally challenged.

In an address to Catholic healthcare professionals, he stated, “Every child who, rather than being born, is condemned unjustly to be aborted, bears the face of Jesus Christ, bears the face of the Lord, who even before He was born, and then just after birth experienced the world’s rejection.  And every elderly person…even if he is ill or at the end of his days, bears the face of Christ.  They cannot be discarded, as the ‘culture of waste’ suggests!”

The following prayer on the right, called “A Pro-Life Prayer” reflects the sentiments of Pope Francis and helps us to appreciate the precious gift of 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 and the profound words of Pope Francis, this Sunday we are invited to reaffirm our support 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 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Old Alabama Road in an area which 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 and its people and we will be exercising our responsibility to speak out on behalf of the value of life.

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.

This Sunday, the Catholic Church celebrates Catechetical Sunday.  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops noted that the theme for this day is, “Say the Word and My Soul Shall Be Healed.”   Our bishops remind us that Catechetical Sunday is a “wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each baptized person plays in handing on the faith and being witness to the Gospel.  Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.”

We have been blessed at Saint Brigid with many dedicated catechists who teach our faith to children and adults.  They generously give of their time and talent to serve the needs of our people.  Some catechists teach at various times of the week and to a variety of groups of the faithful.  Many of our catechists face unique challenges in teaching, due primarily to the sustained impact of the COVID-19 virus.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has a great appreciation for catechists.  As reported by the media outlet, “Vatican News’, he recently stated that “the history of evangelization over the past two millennia clearly shows the effectiveness of the mission of catechists”, who have “devoted their lives to catechetical instruction so that the faith might be an effective support for the life of every human being.”  He noted, “In our own day too, many competent and dedicated catechists…carry out a mission invaluable for the transmission and growth of the faith.”   He has also recently instituted a formal ministry for catechists which is expected to evolve over time.

The following PRAYER FOR CATECHISTS reflects our appreciation for them.

O God, our Heavenly Father, you have given us the gift of these catechists to be heralds of the Gospel to our parish family.

We lift them up to you in thanksgiving and intercede for them concerning their hopes and needs.
May we be attentive to the presence of your Word in them, a Word that lifts up and affirms, calls forth and challenges, is compassionate and consoles.
style=”padding-left: 40px;”>We pray that our parish family will always be blessed with those who have responded to the call to share in Christ’s prophetic mission as catechists.

May we too be open to the universal call to service that Christ addresses to all of His disciples, contributing our gifts to the communion of faith, the Church.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

As we reflect on this prayer we are encouraged to thank those catechists who have answered the call to discipleship and have helped us to more fully embrace the precious faith we cherish.

This Saturday marked the 20^th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  We as a nation recalled the tragic deaths and injuries that occurred at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on the fields of Somerset, Pennsylvania.  We also remembered the men and women in uniform who gave their lives or who were injured that day in the line of duty.  We remembered not only the tragic events on that day, but with the recent unfortunate events in Afghanistan, we were also reminded of the dangers that continue to confront us in an unstable world.

As reported in the publication, the National Catholic Register, as previously noted, recalling the events of that day, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, stated, “We reverently recall all those who were most directly affected by this tragedy – those who died, were injured or lost loved ones.  In a special way, we recall the selfless first responders – firefighters, police, chaplains, emergency workers, and other brave persons – who risked, and many times lost, their lives in their courageous efforts to save others.”

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.

We continue to pray for our men and women in uniform who defend our freedoms.  We also pray for their families and the military chaplains who assist them.

The following “Prayer for 9/11 Anniversary” provided by the Sisters of Mercy focuses on the need for healing.  As we reflect on this prayer, we are encouraged to 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.