Saint Brigid 
of Kildare
 October 2016
In This Issue
Upcoming Events:

Oct 23
Taize Prayer - 7 PM

Nov 12
Make it a Date!

Nov 16
Advent by Candlelight

Nov 17
Holiday Hop

Dec 3
Women's 1-day Retreat

Dec 4 - 6
Advent Parish Mission

Dec 13
Taize Prayer - 7 PM

Dec 17
Christmas in Dublin


New Programs to Help Older Adults

Are you an older adult or a concerned family member of a senior?  Are you looking at ways to continue to live at home safely, or to downsize and declutter? Are you interested in learning about senior housing options? Do you need help to figure out complicated Medicare choices, need help with insurance forms, or need an advocate to accompany you to doctor appointments? Do you need help with transportation or shopping?  Syntero, Inc., formerly Dublin Counseling Center, is a local non-profit agency that has been serving Dublin residents for 40 years.  Thanks to generous funding from the City of Dublin, Syntero's senior supportive services have now been expanded and are available to Saint Brigid of Kildare parishioners in Dublin. Through the Older Adults Program, Syntero's services can also link seniors with personal or mental health counseling for stress, anxiety or depression (office or home visits).  There is no charge for these services. 

If you are interested in learning more about the services available for yourself or a senior loved one, please contact Kim VanHuffel at kvanhuff@alumni.nd.edu.


New Programs to Help Caregivers of Older Adults

Do you care for an older adult and need help or guidance?

Understanding the needs of an older loved one and learning what alternatives are available is very confusing, time consuming and stressful. You may not know the best way to cope with your stress or find the assistance that you need.

St. Brigid is partnering with Syntero, Inc., (formerly Dublin Counseling Center) a local non-profit agency that has been serving Dublin residents for 40 years, to help put you in touch with the resources you need. The services provided by Syntero are available at no charge and are designed to give you a helping hand and to assist you in becoming a more effective caregiver, including the need for your own self-care and stress management. They are a great resource for locating reliable information about community services and how to access them, as well as for understanding conditions affecting older adults such as Alzheimer's disease, other dementias and other health conditions. A specialist from Syntero is available to meet you at your home, their offices, or other community locations -- your choice. One-on-one meetings, family conferences, and phone conversations are available daytime, evenings and weekends.

If you are interested in learning more about the services available for yourself or caregiver you know, please contact Kim VanHuffel at kvanhuff@alumni.nd.edu.


Do You Have the Time To Help an Older Adult Parishioner in Need?

Many seniors in our parish are in need of transportation services, home visits, or other help. If you have any time at all and feel the call to help a parishioner in need, please contact us.  We will partner you with Syntero to be trained to help.  They accommodate all schedules and will set up either a short or long term match with a parishioner in need. Volunteer opportunities are based on your schedule and flexibility -- any amount of time you're able to give is enough! Our focus at St. Brigid is hospitality, which means welcoming and helping each other.  Please help us to further this goal, keeping in mind what Jesus taught us:  " Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."  Matthew 25:40.  Thank you!

If you are interested in volunteering to help St. Brigid seniors in need, please contact Kim VanHuffel at kvanhuff@alumni.nd.edu.

Download Our New Parish Mobile App

St. Brigid of Kildare has launched our own parish mobile app to encourage Catholic life every day. The app has many exciting features to keep you in the loop.

To download the app, search for the "myParish" app in your app store, then select St. Brigid of Kildare as your parish.

For more information and instructions, click here.




Did you know you can connect with staff at the touch of a button on the app?


Religious Ed Preschool

New this year is  Sunday  Preschool for our youngest friends during the 9 am Mass. T hree and four year old friends have begun learning about how wonderful and special God made them through play, craft, song, and story.
Join Us for Taize Oct 23

T aizé is a candlelit, meditative service that includes songs, prayer, silence, and reflection. Enjoyed by families, youth and older parishioners alike, Taizé gives you a chance to slow down, reflect and pray in a beautiful environment. 

Pray with us this Sunday, October 23 at 7 p.m. in the church. The next Taizé will be offered Tuesday, December 13 at 7 p.m.

2016-17 Children's Choir and Youth Ensemble Registration Still Open

It's not too late to register your child for Children's Choir or Youth Ensemble!

Children's Choir
The St. Brigid Children's Choir is open to all children of our parish from Grades 1 - 8.  The Children's Choir practices from 10:00 - 10:40 a.m. every Sunday in Msgr. Enke Hall, which is located in the school, and will sing at the 9:00 am Mass once a month.  The first practice will be Sunday, October 2nd in Msgr. Enke Hall.

Click here to register for Children's Choir

View the 2016-17 Children's Choir calendar. 


Youth Ensemble
The St. Brigid Youth Ensemble is open to all the youth of our parish from Grades 7 - 12.  The Youth Ensemble practices from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. most Sundays in the church and will sing at the 12:15 Mass once a month. Some practices and Masses may be at different times. The first practice will be Sunday September 25th in the church.

Click here to register for Youth Ensemble.
 
Women's Retreat Registration Opens Nov 5-6


The annual St. Brigid of Kildare Women's Retreat will take place  January 22-24.

Watch the bulletin for the registration sheet, which will open the weekend of  November 5-6.

Advent by Candlelight

Family First is excited to sponsor another Advent by Candlelight event at St. Brigid once again this year! Many women enjoyed the event last year, so we are looking forward to another peaceful evening set aside with friends to prepare our hearts and spirits for the beautiful yet busy Advent season. We look forward to hearing an inspiring talk from local Catholic authors Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet. The evening is open to all St. Brigid women and their guest(s) and will take place on November 17th at 7:00 PM in Monsignor Hendricks Hall.

Registration is necessary; space is limited. Please contact Karri Brady at karribrady@gmail.com or 614-596-1725 to RSVP or with questions. 

If you are interested in helping with this special event, please contact Norma Kuehl at norma.kuehl1@gmail.com or 214-450-1190.
Holiday Hop is Nov 16

Join Our Advent Parish Mission Dec 4 - 6
"In the Tender Mercy of Our God"

Every moment of the Advent Parish Mission will be supported by scripture, story, sacred song and dynamic preaching as Sr. Ann and Fr. Jim invite all of St. Brigid of Kildare to trustingly bask "in the Tender Mercy of Our God."

Since the beginning of time God has been trying to convince humanity of Divine tenderness, compassion, and a mercy beyond imagination. Jesus Christ, heralded for centuries and born among us as one of us, embodied living proof of God's faithful forgiveness and unconditional love. In this grand 21st century church of ours, His Holiness Pope Francis epitomizes what God has been trying to teach the world for ages and ages.

We will be visited by preachers, Sr. Ann Willits, OP and Rev. Jim Marchionda, OP - Dominicans who wholeheartedly embrace this glorious gift of God and refreshing, joyful vision and witness of Pope Francis.

Sunday, December 4, 2016 - Tuesday, December 6, 2016
7:00 PM each evening in the church
The last evening will end with a prayer concert in the church followed by a social (to meet the preachers) in Hendricks Hall.
We will also have available books and CDs authored by the preachers.

Making a Space for God ...  
Day of Peaceful Prayer for Women

There are many opportunities for prayer at St. Brigid Parish.  This year we have expanded the retreat offerings.  We will still have the Men's Weekend Retreats and the Women's Weekend Retreat for those who find a weekend the best format for them.  Many people cannot attend an entire weekend and we want to offer alternatives throughout the year.  One alternative is an Advent Day of Prayer for Women .  We are entering what is often the busiest time of year for many people.  At the same time, the Church asks us to enter into the beautiful season of Advent and to prepare once again to welcome the Word Made Flesh into our midst.  In this busy season of Advent, we invite you to take time to STOP! LOOK! LISTEN to God's love revealed in Jesus Christ and our desire to respond to that love.  The day will include morning prayer, presentations, silence, time for conversation and closing prayer.  Our guides for the day are Mary Reichley and Sr. Louis Mary Passeri, OP.  Mary and Sr. Louis Mary have done many retreats and days of prayer across Ohio. They both are spiritual directors and the day promises to be an opportunity to find that deep place of peace as we prepare for the Word Made Flesh.

December 3, 2016    
St. Therese Retreat Center 5277 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43213
9:30 AM -  3:00 PM Day of Prayer.  
Cost $25.00 includes beverages, breakfast treat, lunch and conference fee.
Registration is required no later than November 28, 2016


Questions? Email Sr. Teresa at ttuite@stbrigidofkildare.org.
Coming Lent 2017: LENT MADNESS

You are, no doubt, familiar with MARCH MADNESS.  Lent, 2017 begins on March 1st so we are going to have LENT MADNESS.  Lent Madness began in 2010 as the brainchild of the Rev. Tim Schenck.  In seeking a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church's Calendar of Saints, Tim came up with this unique Lenten devotion. Combining his love of sports with his passion for the lives of the saints, e format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo.

The first round consists of basic biographical information about each of the 32 saints. These will be in the booklet entitled Saintly Scorecard.  Things get a bit more interesting in the subsequent rounds as we offer on line quotes and quirks, explore legends, and even move into the area of saintly kitsch.  November 3, 2017 is All BRACKETS DAY.  Watch the bulletin and parish app for more information!


Tuesday Evenings Retreat with Pope Francis

Over the next six weeks, we will gather each Tuesday evening to spend time in prayer, conversation and listening to God, ourselves and each other. In this retreat, you will enjoy six conferences that delve into the heart of Pope Francis's message. Each conference begins a DVD presentation followed by our own sharing and prayer. Fr. Anthony Ciorra is the presenter. He will use scripture, Pope Francis' words and examples from his life to help us understand the scripture and the Holy Father and ourselves. 

There are six independent conferences:
October 25: Let Us Journey Together
November 1: I Am a Sinner
November 8: The Church Is a Field Hospital
November 15: Vision of Ignatius and the Heart of Francis
November 22: A Listening Pope
November 29" The Joy of the Gospel

Each session will be held from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM in Kelty Library. Contact Sister Teresa Tuite, OP with questions at ttuite@stbrigidofkildare.org. Registration is not necessary, just show up.

Attention ALL Parishioners - Thanksgiving Meal Donations Needed
 
Our EPIC students would like to invite parishioners to donate a Thanksgiving meal to a family in need in our community.  Our students will deliver the meals directly to the homes of recipients on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 20.  No cooking is necessary.  A shopping list will be provided and the approximate cost is $50.  Thank you in advance for your generosity.  If you would like to donate, please contact Kim VanHuffel at kvanhuff@alumni.nd.edu .  If you are able to drop the box off at the St. Brigid parking lot on November 20 at 2:30 p.m., we will have middle schoolers there waiting to help unload the box from your car and reload it into a delivery vehicle.  Alternate arrangements for drop off can be made.  Thank you in advance for your generosity!
If your child is planning to attend EPIC on November 20, please be sure you RSVP to Kim so we can make sure to have enough room for all of the kids in the drivers' cars.  Thank you!
 
EPIC Thanks!
Thanks to the 111 kids and 16 driver volunteers who went to the Ohio Wildlife Center with us earlier this month.  The Center is very appreciative for all of the clearing of debris, weeding, flower dead-heading, raking, and other various jobs that we accomplished on their behalf.  So much can be accomplished when so many people pull together to help!


St. Brigid High School Youth Ministry

Weekly Formation:
Bible Study, 7:30-8:30 PM
1st, 2nd, & 4th Tuesdays, Massey Teen Room

Disciple Night, 7:30 - 9 PM
Thursdays in Enke Hall (park/drop off near school gym)

Monthly Service:
Urban Ministry, 7:30-9 PM
1st Wednesday of the month, meet in Massey Teen Room

Run the Race, 7:30-8:30 PM
3rd Tuesday of the month, meet in Massey Teen Room

Events:

Sent to Serve: Day of Service in Dublin, November 6, 2016, 12:15 PM-5 PM

Student volunteer registration deadline:  Oct 24Information & RSVP Here
Neighbor work request registration deadline:  Oct. 19Information & RSVP Here

Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference,  November 12-13
$70/person, Registration Deadline:  Oct 21Information &  Registration Here,
*Return your registration form and payment to Laura Butsch

Christmas in Dublin, December 17, 2016,  1-6 PM (includes  5 PM Mass)
Volunteer registration deadline:  Dec 2, Registration will open  Nov 7
Donation Needs

Young Adult Ministry
 
St. Brigid's Young Adult group will meet the third Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9 PM in the Massey Room of Hendricks Hall for group discussion of the book, Mercy in the City: How to Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Visit the Imprisoned, and Keep Your Day Job by Kerry Weber.

Reading the book is not necessary to participate in group discussion; however, it is an entertaining, easy, and encouraging book to read. You can find the book online at Loyola Press' website or through other online shopping for $15 or less.
 
Plan to read the following chapters of Mercy in the City (approx. 20 pages per month) prior to our monthly gatherings:

* Chapters 9-12 for Nov. 15, 7:30-9 PM
* Chapters 13-16 for Dec. 20, 7:30-9 PM
* Chapters 17-21 for Jan. 17, 7:30-9 PM
* Chapters 22-25 for Feb. 21, 7:30-9 PM
 
 
Young Adult Ministry contact: Laura Butsch/ lbutsch@stbrigidofkildare.org / 614-718-5832

Schedule a night out to strengthen your marriage

Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016
6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
St. Brigid of Kildare Parish Center

We are excited to hear from our new parochial vicar, Fr. Matthew Morris, as he offers a reflection on marriage and introduces a brief DVD presentation. 

This hour-long event begins with light appetizers and a chance to socialize with other St. Brigid couples. Then, Fr. Morris will share his thoughts and introduce the brief DVD presentation. Spouses leave on their own  date at a venue of their choice to privately discuss the evening's topic together.

We hope that you can join us.

Registration is necessary! Please contact Karen Huttsell at  karen.huttsell@siemens.comor  614-602-7724 by  Thursday, Nov. 11.

Submit Materials for Common Threads

If you have information you'd like included in the next Common Threads, email it to Allie Wing at awing@cdeducation.org

 

To view past issues of Common Threads, find them archived on our website here.