St. Brigid Information

ST. BRIGID INFORMATION

Building Fund Collection 2017

Monthly Requirement$19,000.00Offertory Collected

Collected Month-to-date December$12,730.63Week ending December 30th/31st $8,562.31

Balance Remaining$ 6,269.37

Contribution Notes

If you do not use envelopes for your contributions, please make a notein the memo space of your check which account you wish your donation to be made – i.e. offertory, building fund, capital improvements, etc.Also – you may wish to write one (1) check for different accounts – if you do so, please make a note of the amount you wish to go into each account. Please call Renee Victor at the church office if you have any questions.

Church Registration

It is very important that we have your current information in the church files. Registration forms are located on the table in the Narthex and side entrances or contact Helen Prewitt at the church office.

Baptism and Matrimony

Please call the office for planning and preparation. For Weddings, call at least six months ahead.

Gift Family

Families are encouraged to volunteer to present the gifts during the Offertory at Mass.

Please pray for the sick and military personnel in our parish

Carroll AdamsMcNess AndersonMichael BishopMarian Bordelon Mickey Bradford Mary Ann Boswell Terry Burton Bobby Christian Lisa Christian Nam Dinh Anthony Egbuniwe Bill Erneste Domonic Ferrara Ed & Eunis Fuchs Marlen Fulton CarolynHedgepeth Kai Hicks Jean Horton Herbert Johnson, Jr. Barbara Kegel Gary Klein Dick Kohnenkamp Judie Lafrenz Charlotte & Don Leppert Linda Maranise Mary Frances Mensi Karen Martin Frank Mills Julia Moseley Bob Muller Allyson Pedigo Savannah Piatchek Greg Rich Chris Rowlson Stella Rut Edgar Saavedra Peggy Schrecker James Schwab Jewell Simpson Savannah Sprague Barbara Wahlem Bryce Welucky Joan Wilson Sam Zambito

Military Personnel

Senior Chief John Goodwin, U. S. NavyMaster Sergeant Mike Maglio, U.S. Air Force

Specialist Christopher Martinez, U.S. ArmyPrivate First Class William Daniel Maxwell, U.S. Army

Specialist Timothy Rhodes, U.S. ArmyPrivate Jerould Russell, U.S. Army

Captain John Sax, U.S. MarinesStaff Sergeant. Scotty Simpson U.S. Air Force

Petty Officer Nathan Creech, U.S. Navy

Call the office for anointing of the sick requests

Mass Intentions

Mon.01/08 12 noon

Tue.01/098:15 a.m. Communion Service

Wed.01/108:15 a.m. In Memory of Mike DeHaan by Mary DeHaan

Thur. 01/118:15 a.m. Special Intention for Linda Maranise by Helen Prewitt

Fri. 01/128:15 a.m.

Sat.01/134:00 p.m. People of Saint Brigid Parish (Pro Populo)

Kim Trouy, Director of Religious Education, Email:

Classes are Sundays at 9am & Noon in the Atria and Stewart Hall classrooms.

CGS Level One (3-6 years old/3yrs to K) • CGS Level Two (6-9 years old/1st to 3rd grade)

CGS Level Three (9-12 years old/4th to 6th grade) • Confirmation Program (Ages 13+)

A meal will be served at 11:30AM in Stewart Hall for all attending the noon classes.

The Middle School Youth Group 6th – 7th – 8th Grade

For information contact Faith Trouy at (901) 205-8719 or email at

Michael Pahls, Director of Youth Ministry, Email: .

Meetings are held at Noon on Sundays in Stewart Hall.

The Youth Group will provide donuts after the Sunday morning Masses on the

first Sunday of each Month.

RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults at St. Brigid meets every

Wednesday from 6:30-8:00PM in the church kitchen.

Please call the church office you or someone you know is interested in attending.

FACILITATED COMMITTEES AND GATHERINGS

Knights of Columbus Council 15393 meets on the first and second Tuesday of the month in Stewart Hall.

Jon Hellen, Grand Knight 901-626-8193 or Email:

Pancake BreakfastJanuary 21st after 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Mass.

Fishers of Men at St. Brigid meets each Tuesday morning from 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. in Stewart Hall. Facilitated by Deacon Jim – followed by optional Communion Service. For more information, contact Deacon Jim

at 482-4357.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)meets Wednesdayevenings at 5:30 to 6:30 in Stewart Hall. All are welcome. We offer tools and programs for healthy living and weight management, with exceptional group fellowship. For more information about TOPS, go to tops.org. This is a great program for anyone interested in losing weight, maintaining their weight, new recipes for healthy eating, or starting an exercise regime with a partner.

Social Services Ministry/Angel Wings

Just a reminder from our Social Service Ministry, if you or someone else from our parish needs assistance, please contact the church office at 758-0128.

Altar Servers

All children in 3rd grade or higher and all adults are encouraged to participate in the Liturgy.

Please call the office and leave your name and phone number.

Adults are encouraged to become approved Liturgical Minister by attending classes held periodically at St Brigid. Please call the office and leave your name and phone number if you are interested in becoming a Lay Minister. New parishioners: if you are already commissioned as a Lector or Eucharist Minister, please consider continuing your service at St. Brigid. Contact Helen Prewitt at the church office for more information. We are in need of Ministers of Holy Communion and Lectors at the 9 am and 5 pm Masses!

Altar Flowers - If you would like to honor or remember a loved one or celebrate a special event in your life by placing flowers on the Altar during the weekend liturgy celebrations, please call the Church office at least one week in advance. Flowers cannot be placed on the Altar during the Lenten Season. Flower arrangements are $45.00.

NEWS AROUND THE DIOCESE

Parishionersare invited to attend the 42nd Stand for Life Rally, Sunday, January 21st1:30 p.m., Madonna Learning Center, 7007 Poplar Ave., Germantown, TN 38138. Sponsored by the Shelby County Chapter, Tennessee Right to Life, the rally marks the 45th anniversary of the US Supreme Court’s infamous Roe decision of January 22, 1973. Participants will assemble in commemoration of the over 60M innocent and defenseless unborn babies aborted since the Court legalized abortion-on-demand. The program includes: keynote speaker GiannaJessen, a national and international speaker who shares her miraculous story of overcoming the challenges, arising from having survived a saline abortion; a mother giving witness to her post-abortion healing; and more. Admission is free. For more information call 901-692-3424.

Epiphany Day of Reflection to be offered

Sister Elisabeth Meadows, OSB, will lead a Reflection Day on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, entitled The Invitation of Epiphany. It will be held at the Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center in Cullman. The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m. Epiphany is a perfect time to pause and reflect on Christ in our midst. The Feast of the Epiphany is also the beginning of the annual National Migration Week sponsored by the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops. During this one-day retreat we will consider the invitation of Epiphany through reflections on the Biblical tradition of welcoming the stranger, the Benedictine tradition of hospitality, the migrant experience of the Holy Family who sought refuge in Egypt, the example of Jesus, and our own experiences of being in need of refuge and safety.The cost for the day is $30 and includes lunch. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact the Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center at (256) 734-8302 or .

Respect Life Breakfast

You are invited to the 16th Annual Respect Life Breakfast, January 13th at 9a.m. (immediately following 8:15a.m. Mass), Holy Rosary Catholic Church,Family Room, 4851 Park Avenue, Memphis.Guest Speaker: Rev. Stephen Imbarrato, Priest Associate, Priests for Life, co-host of EWTN's "Defending Life." Contact 901-490-6435 for more information or email .

Pilgrimage to The Holy Land

Fr. Francis Chiawa is hosting a pilgrimage to The Holy Land for July 29th through August 7th. We will be traveling to Tel Aviv, Tiberias: Sea of Galilee, Jordan River – Mt. Tabor-Jericho, Bethlehem and to the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the crippled man. Mass will be daily including spiritual activities. Breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as roundtrip airfare from Memphis, air conditioned motorcoaches with free Wi-Fi, 1stclass hotels, guided sightseeing, entrance fees, hotel gratuities and taxes are all included in one price of $4,394, per person, double occupancy. To book or for more information, send email to or . This is a trip you definitely do not want to miss.

Ministry to the Sick- New Minister Training, Saturday, January 27th from 8:30 AM -1:00 PM, Catholic Center, 5825 Shelby Oaks Drive Memphis, TN 38134. This training is designed to provide new ministers with the basic tools that will be helpful in their ministry. As a trained minister you bring compassion, communion and become sacramental presence of Christ for those sick and homebound. Candidates are required to send completed registration form signed by the pastor or representative by January 22, 2018. Registration forms are available at your parish office or on line For more information call the Office of Pastoral Life Ministries at 373-1237 email:

The Catholic Diocese of Memphis, Tennessee

We encourage all victims, or parents of minors who are victims, of sexual abuse by a priest, deacon or diocesan employee or agent, to report such abuse by phoning any of the following numbers: Tennessee Child Abuse Hotline (1-877-237-0004) or Victim Assistance Coordinator (901-652-4066. All reports will be treated in a confidential manner. The Diocese of Memphis offers a program of psychological and spiritual assistance to abused victims in

need.

Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat Center - Tranquility Weekend for Women

After the activities of the holidays this will be a restful retreat to re-center in the source of all life. This retreat on January 5th – 7th will provide a variety of opportunities to experience new tools for the spiritual journey that support physical wellness, mental and spiritual relaxation and an overall healthier lifestyle. Suggested offering: $210.00. Contact Debbie Voyles: 731-548-2500, or olqpretreats.com

Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat Center- Tending the Soul of Marriage!

A Retreat for Married Couples January 12th-14th. What better way to begin the New Year then by setting aside a weekend to reflect on the gift of married love. Join Robin and Easton Hebert for a journey into a spiritualityfor married couples based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Included in the retreat will be pockets of silence and time for deep personal sharing within the context of prayer. Suggested offering:$330.00per couple. Contact Debbie Voyles: 731-548-2500, or olqpretreats.com

GOD’S PROMISE TO ALL PEOPLE

Today Isaiah reminds the people of God that the land shall be restored to their possession, they shall rejoice to see their people return from the bondage of exile, and that they shall be a light to the nations. In other words, through the people of Israel, the Savior shall come to all people who seek God with a sincere heart. This brings joy and the radiance of God’s glory to all the world and to all people everywhere. Through the fidelity of the people of God, and through God’s fidelity to them, all people shall become God’s children and rejoice in the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel.

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — You shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow (Isaiah 60:1-6).

Psalm — Lord, every nation on earth will adore you (Psalm 72).

Second Reading — The Gentiles are copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6).

Gospel — The magi were overjoyed at seeing the star (Matthew 2:1-12).

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday:Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 55:1-11 or Acts 10:34-38 or 1 Jn 5:1-9; Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10 or Is 12:2-3, 4bcd-6;

Mk 1:7-11

Tuesday:1 Sm 1:9-20 or 1 Sm 1:1-8 and 1 Sm 1:9-20;1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Mk 1:21-28 or Mk 1:14-20 and

Mk 1:21-28

Wednesday:1 Sm 3:1-10, 19-20; Ps 40:2, 5, 7-10; Mk 1:2939

Thursday:1 Sm 4:1-11; Ps 44:10-11, 14-15, 24-25; Mk 1:4045

Friday:1 Sm 8:4-7, 10-22a; Ps 89:16-19; Mk 2:112

Saturday:1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1a; Ps 21:2-7; Mk 2:1317

Sunday:Sm 3:3b-10, 19; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a,17-20; Jn 1:35-42

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION

Where on earth would you go to honor the magi? Iran or Saudi Arabia, Tarshish or the Isles come to mind, but Cologne, Germany would be a good choice. There the Shrine of the Three Kings has been the centerpiece of the city’s cathedral since the fourth century. Today it is the largest reliquary in the world: a gilded and ornamented triple casket gleaming high above the altar. In the fourth century, the supposed relics of the wise men were taken from Constantinople to Milan, where they remained until the German Emperor with the unlikely name Frederick Barbarossa (Red Beard) gave them to the Archbishop of Cologne. Ever since, pilgrims have streamed into the city to honor the magi, the first of all pilgrims, and thus the heavenly patrons of all who have some holy wanderlust.

This largest Gothic cathedral in Europe today was begun in the mid-1200s to house the relics. In medieval times, the relics in a city’s possession were often the key to a sound international economy. The reliquary was last opened in 1864, and the remains of three men were indeed discovered. The cathedral is well worth a visit, with enormous twin spires forming the largest façade of any church in the world (it is the model for St. Patrick’s in New York). Construction began in 1248 and ended in 1880, a six-hundred-year project. Today, it is a World Heritage Site, described by the U.N. as “an exceptional work of human creative genius.” This great treasure of our tradition suffered fourteen direct bomb hits in World War II but did not collapse. It survived while the city burned around it, preserved, the townspeople say

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The Epiphany of the Lord January 7, 2018