“Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the City of David a Savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: You will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Lk2:10-14)

May Christ's peace and hope be with your family now and in the days ahead. May His love warm your hearts, and may He give you a spirit of wisdom. We sincerely hope that the remembrance of Christ’s birth brings you much peace and hope. As we celebrate Christmas here at St. Brigid of Kildare, we would like to thank you for your unwavering support and prayers. My thanks to all of you who have been faithful parishioners, for all you do. 

May God bless you this Christmas, and may all darkness in your lives be removed by the light of Christ. May your hearts be filled with the Joy of Christ’s birth and may you be missionaries of that joy. Best wishes for a blessed new year.

-The Clergy and Staff of St. Brigid of Kildare

Below are the many ways St. Brigid of Kildare Parish will be celebrating the Advent season. Click the link on the bottom for dates, details, and more information on each of these activities.

For a one page printable summary of these activities, click here.

Training for Current Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers who have not been recertified in the last two years must attend one of the following two sessions:

• Tuesday, January 16th at 6:30 PM in the Church

• Tuesday, January 30th at 6:30 PM in the Church

Training is open to any current Eucharistic Minister.

REGISTER at the link below or call the parish office at 614-761-3734.

A session for new Eucharistic Ministers will be held on Tuesday, February 13th at 6:30 PM in the Church.

During the pandemic, our livestream was a lifeline for many of our parish families. We will always be grateful to Father Morris for his ingenuity and tenacity for making it possible and to our clergy who lovingly included livestream viewers at every Mass. In the past year, we upgraded our livestream technology but have experienced sporadic issues that have led to disappointment and discouragement to those who have come to depend on it. This week, we were again not able to livestream because of technical difficulties and apologize to anyone who is unable to come to Mass in person. 

Because of this, we will no longer provide a livestream for our Masses. We have found many Catholic websites dedicated to providing online Masses to the homebound. You can find a listing of local and world-wide livestream services below:

• Diocese of Columbus webpage: lists Masses on TV, radio, national livestreams, and local livestreams.  https://columbuscatholic.org/communications/mass
• All live Masses: https://mass-online.org/daily-holy-mass-live-online/
• Daily Masses archived: https://www.catholictv.org/catholictv-mass.html

We are in the second year of the National Eucharistic Revival, deemed The Year of Parish Revival. We are called to welcome you back to the Mass. It is only in the Eucharist where we truly encounter the Lord Jesus and through this encounter our lives are transformed. If you able, please come. If you are not, please call the parish office so that we can bring the Eucharist to you.

So much faith formation has taken place this past month for our Religious Education families! They've grown together in faith in multiple ways through small group lessons, family activities, and family service projects. 

Of course, the focus this month was preparation for Advent, and they accomplished that in so many fun ways. They started by learning about the seven 'O Antiphons' and making ornaments about each of them. To study the symbolism of the Advent Wreath, a most enjoyable craft was making their very own Advent Wreath out of a Krispy Kreme donut --yum! Classes were structured to understand the purpose of Advent as a time of waiting before the coming of the Christ child.

The pinnacle of the Advent season in Religious Education occurred on Monday, December 11th, when they had their Advent Family Event, "Let Heaven and Nature Sing" held in Hendricks Hall. Families enjoyed five different stations to experience Advent and the journey to Christmas through songs that would bring them to the manger. The first station, "O Little Town of Kildare," asked families to commit to a few activities that they can do together during Advent that might point them toward the coming of Jesus and write them on houses that were taped to a banner. Then they worked together to create a graham cracker house that awaits Christmas. The next few stations included "Away in a Manger" where families could make a manger using crafting supplies, the station "Mary Did You Know" which had them set an intention and pray a decade of the rosary together, and "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" which allowed them to play a fun snowball game and grab a snack of popcorn and hot chocolate!

They finished December with the Family Service Project "Coats, Cards & Candy Canes". Coats were donated to Joseph's Coat, cards were made for the residents of Dublin Retirement Village, and candy canes were given to students! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Religious Education!

This seven-session series will immerse participants in the gospel proclamation (Sessions 1-4) and unveil God’s saving work in the Eucharist (Sessions 5-7).

December 20/21: Am I Saved?

January 10/11: Why a Church?

January 17/18: God Is With Us

January 24/25: The Story of the Eucharist

January 31/Feb 1: Bread for the Journey

Learn about the many ways you can participate and sign up at the link below.

We hope you will join one of our Adult Faith Formation groups to learn more about our Catholic faith, to meet more people from our community, and to enliven your spirit to go out and live the Gospel.  

ALL ARE WELCOME!

If you have any questions about any of the following groups, or Adult Faith Formation as a whole, you can contact Kim VanHuffel, pastoral associate, at kvanhuffel@stbrigidofkildare.org.  

WEDNESDAY EVENING GROUP/THURSDAY MORNING GROUP

These two groups are currently studying Jesus and the Eucharist. This seven-session series immerses participants in the gospel proclamation and unveils God’s saving work in the Eucharist. The Wednesday evening group meets from 7-8:30 p.m. and the Thursday morning group meets from 10-11:30 a.m., in the Berry room. To register for Jesus and the Eucharist, click here. If you would like to sign up for our Lenten study, contact Kim at the email above. 

SISTERS IN CHRIST

This ministry cultivates prayer and community with other women. Just like our children never outgrow their need for a connection with us, we also never outgrow our need for spiritual friendships. This ministry provides a weekly structure for women to spend time learning about Jesus and journeying with other women. The group meets Wednesday afternoons from 1:15 - 2:45 pm throughout the school year in the Deacon’s Room. They will begin Theology of the Body in January and then the Jesus and the Eucharist Study during Lent. 

THAT MAN IS YOU

That Man is You! (TMIY) honestly addresses the pressures that men face in our modern culture, especially those relating to their roles as husbands and fathers. The program harmonizes current social and medical science with the teachings of the Church and the wisdom of the saints to develop the vision of man fully alive! The TMIY program consists of 13 weekly meetings in a two-semester format per year, on Saturday mornings. Doors open at 6:30 a.m. for light breakfast and fellowship. The program begins at 7 a.m. and concludes by 8:15 a.m.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

This group of women meets in the Carr Room on Tuesday afternoons from 1-2:30 p.m. Their mission is to grow in Christ together in community through the study of scripture. They will begin the Jesus and the Eucharist Study in January. 

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY

This group of men meets in the Deacon’s Room on Wednesday mornings from 10-11:30 a.m. Their mission is to reach a deeper relationship with God through a better understanding of scripture. By that study, they hope to improve their lives and the lives they touch. They meet year-round and their current study is the first book of the Bible, Genesis, using the Little Rock Scripture Study. 

We are excited to hold our 17th annual Corks for a Cause Silent Auction and Wine Tasting for SPiCE on Saturday, March 2, 2024. We can't wait to celebrate Music City with our Nashville Nights theme!

There are several ways to help support this event, through volunteering, becoming an event sponsor, donating auction items, or donating wine or bourbon bottles.

If you are able to help in any of these ways, please reach out to Sarah Moore at smoore@stbrigidofkildare.org.

Sunday, January 28 from 3-5 PM

This is the perfect time to explore our three-time Blue Ribbon School. Prospective families and children can tour our school and see first-hand how Saint Brigid of Kildare School provides a quality Catholic education in a warm environment. There will be representatives from Saint Brigid of Kildare School’s many programs available to answer questions.

Our new family application for the 2024-25 school year is now open, with an on-time deadline of February 2, 2024. Anyone interested in applying for the next school can learn more about the process here.

“It was so easy to donate to Emmaus Rd. I used the donate button, paid by credit card, and designated St. Brigid of Kildare. I received the $1,500 back after I filed my taxes in March. I was able to help students at St. Brigid and it didn’t cost me a thing.” (-Emmaus Road Scholarship 2023 Donor)

Last year St. Brigid was able to change the lives of children and families at St. Brigid of Kildare School. Each year, we need to raise these funds again to continue to support our school children with these scholarships.

The Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund turns your tax dollars into scholarships for students at St. Brigid of Kildare. Your gift helps bridge the gap between state scholarships and the cost to educate a child while reducing your Ohio tax burden.



Get your donation in by Dec 31 to receive the tax credit when you file this spring.

Join our Youth Ministry for Youth Sunday after the 11 AM Mass in Enke Hall on Sunday, January 14. All 6th, 7th and 8th graders are invited! There will be lunch, games, and a guest speaker.

Friends are welcome and RSVP is required! RSVP at the link below.

The Sunshine Committee is a group that provides homemade meals to parishioners in need of a little extra help during a transitional time of life. Whether it is because there is an illness in the family, or the joyous occasion of a new baby, we will bring home cooked meals to you! We also have people who would happily cook a meal, run an errand, or pick up something extra for someone needing it when shopping at the store for those who can not leave their home. If you think a friend or loved one is in need, please reach out to us with their information. We are happy to see how we can help make things a little easier.

Questions? Please contact Alli Close Myers at 614-264- 9999 or aclose@thecloseco.com. We are also accepting new chefs! Contact Alli for details.

Men’s Cornerstone Retreat!

January 26th – 28 th, 2024

WHO: All men of the parish are invited to attend the annual Men’s weekend Retreat.

WHERE: The Spiritual Center of Maria Stein. Meals will be provided, and all men will have private rooms with bath.

WHY: to renew your spirituality, build fellowship with other men of the parish, enjoy excellent speakers, group discussions, social gathering, music, Mass and more!

DETAILS: More info and registration can be found on parish website here.

CONTACT: Matt Niemec at 0803msn@gmail.com or 614-352-1131 with any questions!

THE 27TH ANNUAL CATHOLIC MEN'S CONFERENCE

FEBRUARY 24, 2024

Save the date for an amazing day of faith as we hear from three incredible speakers: John Edwards, Chris Stefanick, and Father Burke Masters!

Conference tickets are a great last-minute gift! And it only takes a minute to register someone on your gift list!

Everyone can use the gift of fellowship and faith, and this could be a gift they never forget!

Follow the links below to register! Register now to take advantage of early bird discounts.

Register for Men's Conference

Register for Women's Conference

Crucial Conversations is a parenting speaker series for St. Brigid of Kildare Parish and School parents of school-aged children, focusing on student wellness and safety—physically, emotionally, and online.

Internet Safety for Parents with Jesse Weinberger

Thursday, January 25 | 6:30 PM

Nationally recognized internet safety speaker Jesse Weinberger will share guidance, data, and life-changing information on keeping children and families safer online, and the connection between social media and mental health.

Presentation highlights include:

• value vs risk of tech use
• parental complicity
• mental health impact
• cyberbullying, sexting, sexual predation
• popular apps explained
• extreme content & gaming
• how to monitor, supervise & consequence

This presentation applies to all parents. Whether your child is a toddler or a college student, technology is having an impact on their day-to-day life as well as their future outcomes.

As parents, we may not realize that our children are hypersexualized by digital content, how our own adult use of technology changes them, and the causal impact technology has on their mental health.

Jesse Weinberger is a former programmer, a nationally recognized speaker, TEDx presenter, and the host of Big Mama's House Podcast. Jesse is also the author of The Boogeyman Exists: And He's in Your Child's Back Pocket, 2nd ed. With over 15 years of speaking at school districts all over the United States, Jesse's particular skill is successfully reaching audiences with the perfect combination of humor and deep expertise in technology and digital content.

Learn more about Jesse at her website www.overnightgeekuniversity.com.

If you are 18 years or older and interested in volunteering with youth activities at SBK, attending PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN is required before you can volunteer. Register under the Diocese of Columbus at 

www.virtus.org

The Diocesan Safe Environment Department will be offering Virtus Protecting God's Children (PGC) sessions: 

 1/10/2024 DeSales HS Cafeteria (Columbus) 6pm

-Fingerprinting available prior to this session 5pm

1/18/2024 Zoom PGC Session (Columbus) 6pm

All volunteers with our children and youth must complete PGC, a St. Brigid volunteer application, submit the signed code of conduct, copy of photo ID, and complete a criminal background check prior to volunteering.

Full details and forms can be found at https://stbrigidofkildare.org/safe-environment/ 

"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” Lk. 1: 28-31

Among the thousands of portrayals of this most famous and intimate scene only Mary herself witnessed, Fra Angelico’s magnificent depiction stands out. Here we find the moment when the beautifully ornate messenger of God – the archangel Gabriel – enters Mary’s stylized yet simple house to announce to her that she will bear the Son of God. Mary and Gabriel’s arms are folded across their chests in mutual respect for one another’s presence. Mary wears blue, which symbolizes truth and spiritual love. Tradition tells us she was reading Isaiah (the book on her lap) which foreshadows the coming of Christ. Her empty rooms and solitude symbolize her perpetual virginity. In the garden we see a depiction of Adam and Eve being cast out of the Garden of Eden reminding us that Mary – the Mother of God – is the new Eve intended to bring forth the new Adam (Christ) to save us from our Original Sin. Other details include the hand of God appearing in the upper left corner sending a dove (Holy Spirit) descending through a shaft of golden light to Mary with a small roundel of Christ himself overseeing his incarnation; reminding us that Christ was “born of the Father before all ages.” - Christian Hedrick

Image: Fra Angelico, The Annunciation, c.1426. Source: The Prado, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49194133

Christmas Catholic Charities Collection  

This annual collection, held each Christmas, allows the Diocese of Columbus to meet a variety of basic needs directly and through diocesan agencies and diocesan-sponsored organizations including J.O.I.N. (Joint Organization for Inner-City Needs), and the St. Francis Evangelization Center in McArthur, Catholic Social Services, St. Stephen’s Community House, and St. Vincent Family Services. You can help share in this important work by generously supporting the Catholic Charities collection this year.

Fatal Fire GoFundMe

Recently a young student from St. Pius X and his grandmother were killed in a housefire in Blacklick. His two sisters (also students) survived. A GoFundMe has been set up by the parish/school for those who would like to help the family. Here is the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-berry-samba-family

St. Padre Pio Relic at The Columbus Catholic Women's Conference

Just announced, the glove of St. Padre Pio will be displayed for veneration at the upcoming Columbus Catholic Women's Conference in February. Early registration for the conference extends through January 1, 2024. Register here.

JOIN Needs Your Help!

JOIN (Joint Organization for Inner-City Needs) is often a "stop-gap" for our brothers and sisters who are doing their best to provide and succeed in life. We all come upon unexpected obstacles. For our neighbors who live paycheck to paycheck that can be something as simple as missing work due to illness or something bigger, like a car repair. Basic supplies like toilet paper, soap, shampoo, conditioner, multi-purpose cleaning solutions, dish soap and laundry soap are items that people request at JOIN daily. Kelsey is a mom that came to JOIN to get assistance with bus passes for a new job she had. When she learned that we also had cleaning supplies and personal care items, especially toilet paper, she was overwhelmed that she could get those items as well. Meeting these most basic needs, when you don't have them, is a relief that is not measurable to a parent. Try to imagine running out of something, with no hope of getting it yourself for another week or so. 

If you would like to organize a collection or even donate an item or two on your own, it would be a gift to the neighbors we serve at JOIN. Feel free to call, 614-241-2530, or email, lkeita@columbuscatholic.org, me, Lisa Keita to get further information or just discuss what all JOIN does provide.