Congratulations to our OCIA class of 2026!

This year at the Easter Vigil 34 people received Sacraments to become Catholic or complete their Christian Initiation! Eleven newly baptized adults received all three Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation and 1st Eucharist. Fifteen previously baptized adults from a different Christian denomination received Confirmation and First Eucharist. Nine baptized Catholics received the Sacrament of Confirmation to complete their Christian initiation! 

Newly Baptized: Suzi Alessi, Garrett Andrews, Morgaine Armstrong, Marla Chapman, Makenzie Compton, Drew Henson, Missy Highland, Cody Myers, Alissa Pecoraro, Cole Randolph, Craig Steinhoff

Previously Baptized: Courtney Bauerle, Greg Beers, Brenden Dickerson, Emma Dickerson, Matt France, Kennedy Gardner, Patrick Longhitano, Hunter Roberts, Olivia Roberts, Kaitlyn Robles, George Schutt, Mackenzie Siddall, Kyle Stinehart, Emmalee Taylor, Steve Turner

Baptized Catholics: Kate Albean, Andrew Henson, Jessica Phelan, Keira Sheridan, Andrea Vielhaber, Natalia Alessi, Frank Romoli, Ally Springer

Congratulations to all and welcome to St. Brigid! To learn more about OCIA or to sign up to get involved beginning this fall, visit www.stbrigidofkildare.org and search OCIA. 

Holy Week & Easter Celebrations at St. Brigid of Kildare

Our St. Brigid of Kildare community came together for a beautiful and meaningful Holy Week, leading into a joyful celebration of Easter.

The Sacred Triduum began on Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, where we remembered the gift of the Eucharist and Christ’s example of service. On Good Friday, we gathered for the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, reflecting on His sacrifice on the Cross. Later that evening, we introduced Tenebrae for the first time—a powerful and prayerful service that uses darkness and candlelight to reflect on Christ’s suffering and death.

Holy Saturday brought both quiet reflection and family fun. Many joined us for the Blessing of Easter Baskets, and our Knights of Columbus hosted a festive Easter egg hunt for the children.

That evening at the Easter Vigil, we celebrated with our parish as 34 individuals received Sacraments to become Catholic or complete their Christian initiation. Eleven adults were baptized and received all three Sacraments of Initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. Fifteen adults who were already baptized in other Christian traditions were welcomed into full communion with the Church, receiving Confirmation and First Eucharist. In addition, nine baptized Catholics received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

A special congratulations to Nicholas Schutt, who received the Sacraments of Initiation by Father Black on the Saturday of the Easter Vigil (pictured).

Congratulations to all who received the Sacraments this Easter season, and welcome to our parish family! We are so glad you are here and look forward to walking with you in faith.

Our church was beautifully decorated for Easter Sunday, creating a joyful and welcoming space as we celebrated the Resurrection together.

Congratulations to all who received the Sacraments this Easter season, and welcome to our parish family! We are so glad you are here and look forward to walking with you in faith.

St. Brigid of Kildare School Presents: High School Musical Jr.

All are invited to a one-hour musical production that is a modern parable for breaking down barriers and boldly stepping into the unique purpose God has for everyone. Adapted for young performers, this musical includes favorite High School Musical songs such as “Get’cha Head in the Game, “Stick to the Status Quo,” and “We’re All in This Together”. Come witness the show’s inspiring message of friendship, self-discovery, and teamwork.

Thursday, April 16^th

Friday, April 17^th

7:00 p.m.

Robert D. Walter Family Gymnasium

No admission fee. Donations will be accepted to help support Saint Brigid Performing Arts.

St Brigid Performing Arts Mission Statement:

To inspire young people to discover and utilize their God-given talents to bring evidence of Christ’s love in the joy they bring to the audience.

St. Brigid Introduces Updated Branding and Athletics Logos

St. Brigid of Kildare Parish and School are excited to share a refreshed visual brand that brings greater consistency across our community, along with an exciting new look for our Wolfhound athletics!

This update reflects a thoughtful approach: honoring the tradition and recognition of our parish and school while strengthening and unifying how St. Brigid is represented in every aspect of parish and school life.

You’ll notice a few subtle updates to our parish and school logos. In both, “Saint” has been shortened to “St.,” and the typography and colors have been refined to create a cleaner, more consistent look. These changes are intentionally minimal, preserving the familiar feel of our logos while enhancing a unified, campus-wide brand.

The most exciting update comes with our Wolfhound mascot! The new design features a more modern dog head and orientation, giving it a stronger, more athletic presence while still feeling approachable. The font and colors have also been aligned with the overall brand. In addition to the primary Wolfhound logo, we’re introducing new options for added flexibility, including a customizable “WOLFHOUNDS” text mark for specific sports and activities, as well as a new block “SBK” logo. Together, these elements create a cohesive and versatile identity across all of our athletic programs.

You’ll begin to see these updated designs rolled out across athletics, communications, and materials in the coming months as we transition to the new branding.

We’re also excited to be working with spirit wear vendors to launch new apparel featuring the updated Wolfhound and athletic logos. These items will be available in early fall—stay tuned for more details and some great new options to show your St. Brigid pride!

This refreshed identity is an exciting step forward that celebrates our tradition while also bringing a strong, unified look to the St. Brigid parish, school, and athletics community.

Job Openings at St. Brigid of Kildare Parish

St. Brigid of Kildare Parish is currently hiring for two positions:

Staff Accountant: The Staff Accountant is primarily responsible for managing the school tuition database (FACTS), processing school financial transactions, and assisting with school budgeting and reporting. This person will report directly to the Parish Business Manager and will be an integral part of the parish and school communities.

Click here to view the full job description and application instructions.

Scheduling Coordinator: The Scheduling Coordinator is responsible for researching and implementing a reliable and comprehensive facility scheduling system for the entire campus. The Scheduling Coordinator will schedule all church ministry volunteers with a possible expansion of scheduling other volunteers for selected ministries. Scheduling includes communication with all support staff so that the facilities are ready for use for every event. This person will report directly to the Parish Office Manager and will be an integral part of the parish and school communities.

Click here to view the full job description and application instructions.

Application instructions and full job descriptions are available in the links above.

Family of Faith Registration Opens May 1

Registration for the Religious Education Family of Faith program opens on May 1.

What is Family of Faith? Family of Faith is a model of catechesis that places the joy of sharing the Catholic faith with family and the community in the parish, and the core of learning the Catholic faith with supported resources in the home. It equips and empowers families to learn about and practice the Catholic faith together, ultimately serving as a family formation model. Family of Faith will focus on each family’s relationships with the Lord and with one another, the life of prayer and ritual in the home, and the call to reach out and serve others as part of our baptismal mission. It will provide experiences of prayer, learning (catechesis), and service for families to participate in together.

Learn more and find the registration link on their webpage here.

Mass Intentions for July-Dec 2026 Now Open

We’re upgrading our Mass intentions process!

We are excited to announce that we have transitioned to a new online system for processing Mass intention requests. This updated program is designed to provide you with a more streamlined experience, allowing you to view all available dates in real-time and select the specific Mass time you would like for your intention.

These Masses are now open for scheduling at www.stbrigidofkildare.org/signups.

Tenebrae

On Good Friday, our parish gathered for a powerful Tenebrae service, journeying through darkness and reflection to be reminded of Christ’s sacrifice and the hope of His victory. It was a beautiful and moving experience, especially as the first Tenebrae service at our parish, and was deeply appreciated by all who attended.

Congratulations Confirmandi

On Friday, March 27, 142 students received the Sacrament of Confirmation, celebrated by Bishop Earl K. Fernandes at St. Brigid of Kildare Parish. Joining Bishop Fernandes for this special Mass were Father Black, Father Fox, Father Carter, and Father Schalk (from St. Joan of Arc), along with Deacon Frank, Deacon Godfrey, and Deacon Paul Zemanek.

In the weeks leading up to this special day, our students prayerfully prepared through study, reflection, and service, deepening their understanding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and their call to live as witnesses to Christ.

Congratulations to these young men and women on their dedication and commitment to their spiritual growth. We look forward to witnessing their continued journey of faith, leadership, and service within our parish and school community!

New Accessible Seating

Recognizing the need for increased accessibility, the Worship & Spiritual Life Committee has expanded the available seating in the Church. Additional handicapped seating is now available in in the first pews of both alcoves to better accommodate those with mobility needs.  

Training Sessions for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EMEs)

Parishioners are invited to attend one of two upcoming training sessions for those who wish to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EMEs) during the celebration of Mass. These sessions are open to both new ministers and current ministers.

Training Dates:

Tuesday, April 21

Tuesday, April 28

• 6:30 PM: Registration begins in the Gathering Area.

• 7:00 PM: Training session begins in the Church.

• Duration: Approximately 60–90 minutes.

Sessions will include a Theology of the Eucharist presentation led by a member of our clergy, as well as

practical training for the liturgy. Both new and current ministers are welcome .

Please sign up in advance so we can prepare materials for you:

• Online: stbrigidofkildare.org/get-involved/serve

• Phone: Call the Parish Office at 614-761-3734

Make It a Date - April 25

St. Brigid of Kildare Parish will host its 35th annual Make It a Date evening on Saturday, April 25, inviting married and engaged couples to spend time strengthening their relationships and connecting with other couples in the parish community.

The event will take place from 6:15–7:30 p.m. in Hendricks Hall and will feature Michelle and Sean Cooney, parishioners who have been married for 15 years and have two children. The couple will share insights and reflections on marriage as the evening’s featured speakers.

Guests will enjoy light appetizers and time for conversation with both new and familiar friends. At the conclusion of the program, couples are encouraged to continue the evening by going on their own date night, reflecting on the discussion and spending intentional time together.

The event is sponsored by Family First and the St. Brigid School of Adult Faith Formation. Couples interested in attending are asked to RSVP by April 23.

Family First: Open Board Positions

It's that time of year, we are looking to fill board positions for the 26-27 Family First year. Please prayerfully consider joining our leadership team. Open positions include:

Co-Director- Family First is looking for a new co-chair to serve with Beth Biller. Co-chair is a two-year commitment, with the first year being mentored by the "senior" co-chair and the second year assuming the "senior" role while mentoring a new co-chair. This role requires an open heart to listen to the needs of our parish, a willingness to lead weekly (during the school year) Mom-to-Mom meetings, and availability to represent Family First at various parish and Family First events throughout the year. 

Secretary- is responsible for our weekly emails, maintaining our email list, and taking minutes at meetings. 

Publicity Chair- works with the parish office to create Bulletin, Common Threads announcements, Instagram posts, and publicity materials for Family First events, so some artistic and graphic design skills are a plus, but not required. 

Further details about the roles are available in the link below. Please reach out to Kerri (414)839-5597 or Beth (412)523-1108 with any questions about the roles. Family First cannot continue without volunteer leadership. Where is the Holy Spirit calling you to serve?

Learn More.

Mom to Mom - Join us for Real Moms of Real Saints

Join us as we study Real Moms of Real Saints by Colleen Pressprich. Draw close to the moms of the saints and learn from their virtues, struggles, failures, and joys in this deeply personal exploration of motherhood. Join us as we wrap up the year! Meetings are Wednesdays at 9:45 in the church basement. Childcare sign up can be found here.

4/22/2026

Real Moms of Real Saints

Martha - Mother of Venerable Augustus Tolton "Remaining Faithful in the Midst of Suffering"

4/29/2026

Real Moms of Real Saints

Gertrude - Mother of Blessed Stanley Rother "Embracing the Ordinary"

5/6/2026

Closing Meeting

Session Wrap Up

The Mass

Word on Fire Adult Faith Formation Spring Study

Join us for a new 6-week faith formation series where we will walk through the Mass, and our participation in it, together with Bishop Robert Barron as our video host.  

Wednesdays: April 15-May 20 | 7–8:30 PM OR

Thursdays: April 16-May 21 | 10–11:30 AM



Have Questions? Contact Kim VanHuffel: kvanhuffel@stbrigidofkildare.org

Knights of Columbus Golf Outing

Friday, May 29 at Safari Golf Club

Click the link below to learn more about the Knights of Columbus Golf Outing, which benefits the annual scholarship program.

Saint Brigid of Kildare Parish is deeply grateful for the many volunteers who generously give their time to support our parish and school programs. In partnership with the Diocese of Columbus, we are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all.

ALL volunteers and staff, effective July 1, 2026, aged 18 and older who serve in any ministry or activity must complete the following to be compliant with Diocesan and parish Safe Environment requirements.

·      Protecting God’s Children (PGC) Training

A one‑time awareness session that educates adults on recognizing, preventing, and reporting abuse. Training is completed through the VIRTUS system.

·      Criminal Background Check (Fingerprinting)

A BCI background check is required for all volunteers. An FBI background check is also required for individuals who have lived outside Ohio in the past five years. Fingerprinting must be renewed every 5 years. Check the bulletin this summer for fingerprinting sessions offered on our campus. Click here for the Fast Fingerprints form.

·      Raptor Employee/Volunteer Application

Registration in Raptor, the parish volunteer database, and completion of the Raptor application, signed Code of Conduct, and submission of a valid photo ID. Raptor will provide us with real-time compliance information and is used to manage volunteer compliance and onsite check‑in.

These requirements apply to ALL parish and school volunteers and staff, including classroom helpers, field trip chaperones, athletics, religious education, church and youth ministry, nursery, and other programs offered at Saint Brigid of Kildare parish.

Safe Environment compliance is an important way we work together to protect and support a community grounded in trust and care. Thank you for your cooperation and your continued service to Saint Brigid of Kildare.

For questions or assistance, please contact the parish Safe Environment office or visit the Safe Environment page on the parish website.

Questions?

Contact Brad Marzullo at (614) 761-3734 ext. 249 or bmarzullo@stbrigidofkildare.org

Hi there, St. Brigid Parish! Happy Easter! We are praying that this time is filled with immense peace and joy for you all!

We have had a full and busy month here at The Mantle! God has been working so much in our teens, especially them falling more in love with Jesus and His Church!

On March 22, we enjoyed the beautiful spring weather and played games outside and enjoyed eating Bibibop (thank you, Niekamp Family!). We then heard a talk from our core team member, Cam, who shared with us some great insights about God's Nature as Defender. Cam shared how suffering is in our life, and how God took on our suffering to be in it with us. God never promised that we wouldn't face hardships and trials in our life, but He does promise to remain and be with us, protecting and defending us through and through. We then had a time of reflection and prayer in the chapel, reflecting on areas that we have already seen God as Defender in our lives, and asking Him to reveal what areas of our heart and life we need Him more fully to defend us. To really hit the point home, while we were in the chapel, there was a pretty strong thunderstorm. We truly felt God as Defender, being in the chapel and in His presence while there was a storm raging outside!

On March 25, we enjoyed a time of games and entering into a Bible Study on the Passion. We spent some time seeing who each Gospel writer's audience was, why they wrote to them, and what aspects of the Passion story they hit on and why they did that. We had a powerful time entering into this together!

On March 29, we went back to St. Mary's in Delaware to watch our teen Zachary's musical. His musical was a semi-autobiographical musical about his journey in discerning the priesthood. It was so fun to be able to celebrate Zac, his gifts, and his future vocation!

During Holy Week, we shared prayer challenges to our teens and their families, so that they could enter into the fullness of the holiest week of our year as Catholics! On Holy Thursday, Otis, myself, and 2 of our teens had the opportunity to get our feet washed. At the Easter Vigil on Saturday, Keira (one of our teens), received her Confirmation and is now a full-fledged and active participant of the Catholic Church! She was so beyond excited to receive this Sacrament, and we can't wait to see what God continues to work and do in and through her! We had a bunch of our teens and core team attend the Easter Vigil where she got confirmed, and then we joined the Easter party with the parish afterwards!

On April 8, we had a chance to all come back together after Easter and enjoy an Easter study together, discussing how to live out the Resurrection in our day to day life.

On April 12, we had our first youth group back together and enjoyed a delicious meal from the Weatherwax Family, played a crazy pool noodle game, and enjoyed a talk from our core team member Cam on God’s Gifts to Us. Cam shared how God pours His gifts upon us, and how we are called to use these gifts for the upbuilding of the Church and to bless those around us!

We can’t believe that we are wrapping up the end of our year, and we can’t wait to see all that God has in store!

Just as a reminder, all 8^th graders are welcome to join our events now that they are confirmed! Please be sure that they fill out a registration form on our website under Youth Ministry for liability reasons.

As always please know of our prayers for you and thank you for praying for us!

In Mary’s Mantle,

Ellie Dills

St. Brigid of Kildare High School Youth Minister

Attention Class of 2026 Parents: You are invited to celebrate and honor your teen as they graduate high school and enter into an exciting new chapter of their lives!

The event will be held on May 3rd, starting with 11am Mass, where your senior will be able to receive a special blessing from our priests at Mass. Afterwards, we would love to invite your family (parents, siblings, grandparents, godparents, etc.) to join us for lunch, a time of honoring your teen, and some words of wisdom from a clergy member!

The deadline to RSVP is April 3. Once you RSVP, I will be sending more details to you to celebrate your teen more individually!

Also, a secondary opportunity I wanted to share with you all is the St. Brigid of Kildare Knights of Columbus Post-Secondary School Scholarship. This Scholarship was established to provide tuition assistance to high school seniors preparing to enter post-secondary school who are Catholic, are a St. Brigid of Kildare registered parishioner, who are in need of financial assistance and who have a good academic record.  We are currently able to provide 1 scholarship annually, in the amount of $3,000. This amount is split over four years and given directly to the family. Applications can be received by contacting the Grand Knight or Youth Minister directly. 

Deadline is April 25th for the scholarship. Please find all links with details about the scholarship here.

Please know of my prayers for you and your family during this exciting time of decisions for the next chapter! Also, please let me know if you have any comments, questions, or concerns with these two events.



In Mary's Mantle,

Ellie Dills

edills@stbrigidofkildare.org

Join us for an evening at St. Brigid of Kildare dedicated to caregivers and the questions you may have.

5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

April 30, May 28

Join us for an informative series designed to support caregivers and loved ones of those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. These sessions will provide helpful resources, practical tips, and compassionate guidance to navigate the challenges of caregiving with confidence and grace. You'll connect with others, learn from experienced professionals, and gain tools to better support both your loved one and yourself.

To sign up, visit:
www.stbrigidofkildare.org/signups

You are invited to understand the love Jesus has for you during First Friday Eucharistic Adoration following the 9:00 AM Mass and concluding at 4:00 PM with Benediction, as well as each Wednesday from 5-7 PM in the chapel.

“When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now,”- Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Jesus loves you and wants you to spend time with him in Eucharistic Adoration. He is waiting for you! All are welcome, including families with children. If you wish to sign up for an hour, please email Shelly Cocumelli at rocks1dad@aol.com.

The current sign up page can be found at https://stbrigidofkildare.org/eucharistic-adoration/.

Thank You Troop 117!

Thank you to Pack and Troop 117 Cub and Boy Scouts who worked hard to clean our church prior to Holy Week. The facilities looked beautiful -- we appreciate your help!

All-Catholic High School Reunion July 17th

Pre-1971 grads, July 17th

A special “Reunion Luncheon” is being organized for those who graduated from a Columbus Catholic high school (since closed or still open) before 1971. This special gathering will take place on Friday, July 17, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Valley Dale Ballroom, site of so many past events and fond memories. Final details (cost, lunch activities, RSVP instructions) will be released in May via letter, email, social media, and parish bulletins. In the meantime, mark this date on your calendar!

Email Katy Ryan Paolini (katysma61@outlook.com), Louis J. Fabro (lfabro@scprep.org), or Lou Nobile (lngolf57@att.net) if you have suggestions on how to make this event even more special. See you on July 17th!

Women’s Respite Retreat 

Rebecca Gjostein is hosting the Women’s Respite Retreat - Praying and Resting with the Holy Family from June 25th through 28th with lodging at Ohio Dominican University. The days will consist of morning sacraments, silent prayers, and social dining. It would be ideal if 10 parishes would reserve a 4-person suit in advance for their own parishioners, which is the minimum reservation requirement. Individuals can still book rooms beyond that. Please see the attached bulletin info for further details. Registration will need to be sent to RebeccaAnnGjostein@gmail.com. 

Sacred Art and Music Camp

Dr. Richard Fitzgerald, Director of Music for the Diocese of Columbus, is happy to announce the upcoming Sacred Art and Music Camp hosted by Dawn Shininger and St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Parish this summer from August 3-7, 2026. Children entering third grade and higher will have the opportunity to make music and art together during this fun and educational week.

For more details, visit: https://www.stmatthew.net/artmusiccamp

Questions? Please contact Dawn Shininger, Director of Music at St. Matthew. https://stmatthew.net/people/dawn-shininger

Pentecost Vigil

Bishop Fernandes will celebrate the Vigil of Pentecost at Saint Catharine on Saturday, May 23, at 5 p.m. There will be the opportunity for adult baptisms, confirmations, and full reception into the Church for individuals who were unable to be present at the Easter Vigil. Contact Fr. Paul Keller, O.P., at the Office of Divine Worship for more information about potential candidates for these rites. Also, all newly initiated Catholics who entered into full communion with the Church at this past Easter Vigil, along with OCIA team members, are invited to attend. The Mass will be celebrated together with members of other multicultural ministries and candidates who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.