During the February Youth Sunday for 6th, 7th and 8th graders, seminarian Zack Goodchild, second year theology at the Josephinum, spoke with students about preparing for Lent and the ways we can live the season with intention. The next Youth Sunday is March 24 (see article below to sign up).

Below are the many activities St. Brigid of Kildare Parish will be hosting to honor the Lenten season. Click the link on the bottom for dates, details, and more information on each of these activities.

For a printable one page overview, click here.

Looking for ways to get involved and help where you are most needed? Below is a list of upcoming volunteer opportunities within our parish where all are welcome!

(PGC compliance needed where noted. Contact John Denzel jdenzel@stbrigidofkildare.org for PGC information)

• Confirmation Class Group Leader - February 25, March 3, March 10, 6-7:30 PM
• Duties: Lead students through discussion using materials provided (no training required), must be PGC compliant
• To Help: contact Religious Education office at 614-761-1176
• First Communion Class Group Leader - March 3, 10, April 14, 21, 28, 10-11 AM
• Duties: Lead students through discussion using materials provided (no training required), must be PGC compliant
• To Help: contact Religious Education office at 614-761-1176
• Corks for a Cause - Feb 26 - March 2
• Duties: Help needed with set up, assembling decor and baskets, clean up
• To Help: contact Amie Lopez at aslopez@stbrigidofkildare.org
• Father/Daughter Dance - April 6
• Duties: Help needed with set up, during and after event, must be PGC compliant
• To Help: contact John Grecco JGRECO7779@gmail.com or 330-509-3979
• American Red Cross Blood Drive - April 20, 8 AM-2 PM
• Duties: Staffing the registration table and assisting donors in registering, distributing donor materials and monitoring the donor canteen area. Volunteer shifts are typically from 1 1/2 to 2 hours in length.
• To Help: email Patty Haskins at jd7jasper@sbcglobal.net

Our parking lot islands have been recently filled with fresh soil and reseeded. Please avoid walking through the islands or anywhere there is fresh soil so the grass can grow quickly. Thank you for your understanding!

We would also like to remind everyone to please not park in designated fire lanes. We need to keep those areas clear in case of a medical emergency, for traffic flow and for everyone's personal safety. Overflow parking is available in the back school parking lot and across the street at Brigid's Green.

The Social Action Committee and Cub Scouts will continue to collect non-perishable food items before and after this weekend's Masses (February 17/18). Donations can be dropped off at Hendricks Hall around all Masses on those days or placed in the Collection closet in Hendricks Hall throughout the week.

This year, Bishop Griffin Resource Center will be the recipient of the collection. This food pantry located in Columbus, serves over 300 families each week. In the last reporting period (2022), 34,900 people were served throughout the year with 311 families provided Thanksgiving or Christmas meals. While all items are appreciated, the following are of greater need:

Canned soup

Muffin, bread, cookie and cake mixes

Cooking oil

Canned fruit

Canned corn

Pancake mix

The need in the community is great and your donations help children and the elderly have nutritious meals. Thanks for your kindness.

For additional information or to help with this food drive, please contact Karen at 614-271-4086 or kaernes@icloud.com.

This Lent, we will gather in Hendricks Hall to share a simple meal of soup and bread at 6 PM. All are invited to attend. RSVP is not required - just come as you are and enjoy a variety of soups prepared for you by the Host Committee Members. Please bring bread to share. Dinner will end in time for everyone who wishes to attend Stations of the Cross at 7 PM.

Tuesday, February 20th (hosted by Family First)

Tuesday, February 27th - (hosted by Religious Education)

Tuesday, March 5th - (hosted by Knights of Columbus and That Man Is You)

Tuesday, March 12th - (hosted by the 55+ Club)

Tuesday, March 19th - (hosted by RCIA and Music Ministries)

The St. Brigid of Kildare Knights of Columbus is pleased to announce the St. Brigid of Kildare Knights of Columbus Scholarship. The Scholarship is to honor our deceased Brother Knights of Columbus.

This scholarship is for post-secondary education. The Scholarship is for a maximum of $3,000 to be paid out in yearly increments of $750 as requirements are maintained. 

Applicant must meet the following guidelines:

1)   Applicant must be a high school senior who is a registered parishioner of St. Brigid of Kildare and is Catholic.

2)   Current GPA must be a minimum of a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent). A current high school transcript must be submitted.

3)   Applications must be prepared and submitted by the applying student.

4)   Applications must be received by the Scholarship Committee prior to the official deadline of April 15, 2024.

Interested applicants can contact Terry Miller at 614-327-1381 or terry@milcohealth.com to request an application and receive the scholarship guidelines. 

Applications are available now and are due by the April 15, 2024 filing deadline. Applications will be reviewed, and the recipient will be notified during the month of May 2024.

The Robert E. and Rhoda M. Wilson Scholarship is available through The Catholic Foundation on January 29th. This is a four year scholarship totaling $12,000 ($3,000 per year)

Requirements for the Robert E. and Rhoda M. Wilson Scholarship are as follows:

•           Any Catholic in good standing pursuing a post-secondary degree who currently resides in Delaware County (for a minimum of 48 months). These facts must be confirmed by a letter of recommendation from your Pastor.

The Catholic Foundation’s Applications for the Robert E. and Rhoda M. Wilson Scholarship will open on January 29th and close February 26th. The link to apply for the Wilson Scholarship is:

https://catholic-foundation.org/grants/scholarships/the-robert-e-and-rhoda-m-wilson-scholarship/

Since 2007, The Catholic Foundation has awarded over $1.3 million in scholarships empowering over 200 young people to continue their academic and vocational studies. For more information and to apply, please visit https://catholic-foundation.org/grants/scholarships/ . If you have any questions about our scholarship process, please feel free to contact Dan Kurth, VP of Grants, at 614-443-8893 or dkurth@catholic-foundation.org.

February's Family of Faith Service event was a huge success! We collected donations of food and toiletries for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio by collecting and then decorating Valentine's Day cards that sent our love and prayers to their residents.

HUNDREDS of items were donated by our generous families to support the good works of Ronald McDonald House! Everything was packed up and brought to their facilities the next day to benefit the over 6,500 families that will be served by them this coming year. We are so proud of our St. Brigid Religious Education Families and their generosity every month to serve those in need!

THE SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING will be offered Saturday, February 24 at the 5:00 pm Mass. Sacred scripture gives ample evidence of our Lord’s great concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick. Persons with physical and mental health concerns should consider receiving the sacrament. Health care professionals and providers from institutions and homes are invited to attend and receive a special blessing after the Sacrament of the Anointing has been administered to the sick.

The Diocese of Columbus has a GOOD AND 

GROWING NEED by virtue of 16 ADDITIONAL young men interested in the priesthood. A contribution from you will support this immediate need to fund future priests throughout our Diocese!

There will be a second collection throughout the Diocese during the weekend Masses on February 24/25 dedicated to supporting these seminarians in their discernment process. 

You can give then or donate now to the Seminary Support Fund by visiting https://www.columbuscatholicgiving.org/seminarian-support-fund!

Join us for this four-week Lenten study!

A Lent to Remember explores the ways God reaches out to each of us with his mercy. This four-week series makes a step-by-step examination of the Rite of Confession and communicates God's invitation to each one of us to come experience his indescribable love this Lent. Through Christ's suffering on the cross in the Paschal Mystery and his perpetual reception of his people in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God makes his love, his very self, present to us in the world.

Feb 14/Feb 15 Augustine Institute Forgiven — Where Are You?

Feb 21/Feb 22 Augustine Institute Forgiven — An Encounter with Mercy

Feb 28/Feb 29 Augustine Institute Forgiven — Embraced in Mercy: The Rite Explained

Mar 6/Mar 7    Augustine Institute Symbolon — The Paschal Mystery: Jesus’ Death and Resurrection

There are three ways to participate:

1. Wednesday Evening Group: Join other parishioners in this study/small groups on Wednesdays, 7-8:30 PM in the Berry Room.
2.  Thursday Morning Group: Join other parishioners in this study/small groups on Thursdays, 10—11:30 AM in the Berry Room.
3. Individual Small Groups: Create your own small group in your home and receive study materials free of charge from the parish!

Use the link below to sign up. For more information, contact Kim VanHuffel at kvanhuffel@stbrigidofkildare.org.

Mom to Mom is a vibrant, faith sharing group focused on

motherhood, spirituality, and Catholic parenting. Whether you’re

a rookie or veteran, join us to support, share and gain wisdom from each other.

Meetings: Wednesday; February 7th to March 27th

Time: 9:45-11 am

Location: Church Basement

Child Care Sign up: Here

Prepare for Easter this Lent with Mom to Mom! This Lenten season we will listen to Father Mike Schmitz Homily series, Learning to Lose.  

From his Homily; “The world sees life as being about winning. And to win is to gain power and influence. If a person wins they get power, and with that power they can re-shape the world as they see fit. But a Christian view of winning is different.” -Father Mike Schmitz

Join us as we discuss losing, sacrifice and more! 

2/7/2024 Father Mike Schmitz: Life is about Losing Part 1

2/14/2024 No Meeting Ash Wednesday 

2/21/2024 Father Mike Schmitz: Life is about Losing Part 2

2/28/2024 Father Mike Schmitz: Life is about Losing Part 3

3/6/2024 Father Mike Schmitz: Life is about Losing Part 4

3/13/2024 No Meeting Spring Break St. Brigid School

3/20/2024 No Meeting Spring Break Dublin City School

3/27/2024 Holy Week Discussion

The Knights of Columbus free throw contest continued last weekend. Congrats to the children who won their age group and advanced onto regionals at Bishop Ready:

• Adelyn Tolson
• Nicholas Lyons
• Luciana Reinbolt
• Jacob Tolson
• Charlie Mazza

CREW (which stands for Catholics Ready, Eager and Willing) is a parish group providing low-commitment volunteer opportunities. Throughout the year, there are many times that we could use your hands to help make a difference here at St. Brigid of Kildare.

This is not a committee with members and monthly meetings. This is not a year-round commitment. CREW is just a list of parishioners who are ready, eager and willing to help around our campus and during special events.

Sign-up today to receive all the CREW requests via email but only commit to those that appeal to you and fit in your schedule! You’ll meet new people, feel connected to our parish family and be the first to know that we aren’t too shy to ask for help!

What is the OCIA/RCIA? 

This Weekend at Mass: Sunday 11 am Rite of Sending This weekend our Catechumens will participate in the Rite of Sending at St. Brigid. Catechumens are those participating in OCIA/RCIA to become Catholic, who have not yet been baptized. The Rite of Sending offers the local community the opportunity to express its approval of the catechumens and to send them forth, assured of the parish’s care and support, to the Rite of Election with Bishop Fernandes, the same afternoon. This step is called election because the acceptance made by the Church community is founded on the election by God, in whose name the Church acts. Before the Rite of Election is celebrated the catechumens are expected to have undergone a conversion in mind and in action and to have developed a sufficient acquaintance with Christian teaching as well as a spirit of faith and charity. With deliberate will and an enlightened faith they must have the intention to receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil, a resolve they will express publicly in the actual celebration of the Rite. From this moment on, they will be referred to as the Elect. Please keep them in your prayers. You can find prayer cards with their names, as well as those of our Candidates and Confirmands, in the gathering space of church. 

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, champagne or bourbon bottles.

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

Wine, Bourbon & Champagne Botles Needed

We are looking for donations of bottles of wine or champagne valued at $20 or higher and bottle of bourbon valued at $30 or higher for our Wine Grab! If you can donate, please contact Sarah Moore at smoore@stbrigidofkildare.org or feel free to drop them off at the parish office.

Ticket sales are open and are going fast! Click the link below to get your tickets.

Not sure what to wear? Click here for a few ideas!

Welcome to the Sweet Mimosa Lodge! This brand new, gorgeous 5-bedroom lodge (sleeps 20) offers incredible amenities, modern luxuries, and amazing views of the Smokies! And, with a short drive to both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Sweet Mimosa Lodge is the perfect Smoky Mountain headquarters for your family vacation! With spacious bedrooms, an indoor pool, large game room, arcade room, fire pit, an outdoor hot tub (and SO much more!), the fun and relaxation begin the moment you arrive!

The mountain lodge is ideal for families and small groups alike and is perfect for any getaway - so pack your bags -- the mountains are calling!!

Booking Details: The winner of this auction item will get five nights to choose anytime between Jan 6 through March 16, 2025. These dates would include St. Brigid spring break as well as Presidents Day Weekend and MLK weekend for school families. The five-day booking must include a Sat or Sun (or both).

Dates must be submitted by June 30, 2024.

Thank you to our gracious 2024 Corks for a Cause sponsors!

There is still time to become a sponsor, if you are interested please reach out to Sarah Moore at smoore@stbrigidofkildare.org.

Youth Sunday will meet on March 24. Following 11 AM mass, students will meet for lunch and games followed by an opportunity to brainstorm and ask questions to our vocations panel in Enke Hall.

Pick up is at 1:30 PM from Enke Hall.

Save the date!

The St. Brigid high school senior celebration will take place on May 5 at 11 AM mass.

Give the gift of life at the Red Cross Blood Drive in Hendricks Hall on Saturday, February 24, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

For an appointment call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org

Sponsor code: saintbrigid 

You are invited to spend time in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist on Friday, March 1st for First Friday Eucharistic Adoration following the 9:00AM Mass and concluding at 4:00PM with Benediction.

My sweetest Joy is to be in the presence of Jesus in the holy Sacrament. I beg that when obliged to withdraw in body, I may leave my heart before the holy Sacrament. How I would miss Our Lord if He were to be away from me by His presence in the Blessed Sacrament! - St Katherine Drexel (Feast Day: March 3)

Jesus invites each one of us to spend time in joyful silence with him in Eucharistic Adoration. All are welcome, including families with children. If you wish to sign up for an hour, please email Shelly Cocumelli at rocks1dad@aol.com.

It’s not too late to sign up for The Catholic Times . Sign up or renew online at catholictimescolumbus.org under the subscribe tab. Current subscribers also will receive a paper statement in the mail that can be returned to The Catholic Times, Diocese of Columbus, 197 E. Gay St. with a check for $26 or paid online at the website. Another option for new subscribers is to mail your $26 check payable to Diocese of Columbus – Catholic Times to our office at 197 E. Gay St., Columbus, OH 43215. You need The Catholic Timesto keep up on all of the news throughout the diocese and the Catholic world.

We will be taking Mass intention requests electronically through forms on the website for Masses in July—December 2024. The Mass Intentions form will go live on Monday, February 26 at 10 a.m. on our website at www.stbrigidofkildare.org. We will only be taking requests for July—December, 2024 at this time. In order to fairly accommodate all Mass Intentions requested, we ask that you request no more than two (2) Mass intentions per family per six month period. 

In January our parish hosted a Mommy + Me Winter Tea party to benefit Mommies Matter.  This tea party strove to affirm little girls (ages 4-10) in their truest identities as daughters of the King while teaching them what it means to be a true sister in Christ by fundraising for His daughters most in need at Mommies Matter. 

Mommies Matter provides a variety of pregnancy and parenting resources to single mothers, from parenting education and community connection to postpartum meal trains and rides to doctor appointments. Mommies Matters seeks to walk alongside single moms and encourage each woman to embrace her dignity and value as a woman.

Thank you to the many moms and daughters who came to support this mission by joining us for tea and celebrating the dignity and value of the little girls they love!

At Sandwich Saturday 1000 bologna sandwiches are made to support various food pantries in downtown Columbus. This is a great way to start off your weekend with an act of service and it only takes 30 minutes! It is perfect for all ages (including those in need of service hours) and no registration is needed.

The sandwich making starts promptly at 9:00am in the school cafeteria so come a little early to get settled. We also accept donations of individually packaged snacks. Sandwich Saturday is a project of the Social Action committee.

If you can't make it in person, you can also sign up to contribute through Sandwich Saturday at Home at the link below.

Save the date for the Women's Retreat April 12-14!

Registration is now open at this link.

Bishop Watterson is now accepting applications for the 24-25 school year.

To learn more, visit www.bishopwatterson.com.

The St. Charles Preparatory School Drama Department is proud to announce its winter musical, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical.  The Lightning Thief will be presented February 29, March 1 & 2 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 3 at 3:00 p.m. in the St. Charles Campus Theatre, 2010 E. Broad St. Reservations may be placed by visiting the St. Charles website homepage at scprep.org – Buy Tickets button.

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!

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 for Men's Conference

Register for Women's Conference

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 Columbus Diocese at www.virtus.org

Upcoming Virtus Protecting God's Children (PGC) session:

3/5/2024 St Pius X (Reynoldsburg) 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, registration with Fastrax and complete a criminal background check prior to volunteering.

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

Thursday, February 29, 7 PM, Church

Spend a quiet hour together as a family with prayer, reflection and music. 

Save the date for the parish's annual Father/Daughter Dance, coming up on Saturday, April 6 from 6:30 - 9:30 PM.

Tickets went on sale February 12 at 10 AM at www.stbrigidofkildare.org. Click the link below to register.

Registration for Spring Baseball, Softball, and Track & Field has been opened and available at https://www.gowolfhounds.com/register 

Baseball

Registration Fee: $160 - includes game jersey and hat.

Practices will begin around March 1, and games will go from April 1 until May 12 (exact schedule released end of March)

Softball

Registration Fee: $160 - includes game jersey and hat/visor.

Practices will begin around March 1, and games will go from April 1 until May 12 (exact schedule released end of March)

Track & Field

Registration Fee: $85 

Practices will begin around March 1, and meets will go from April 1 until May 12 (exact meet schedule released in March)

Want to help out with the teams this spring?  All 3 sports are in need of coaches (head coaches and assistant coaches) - please consider volunteering.  When you sign up your child you can provide details if you are interested in helping out. Our programs are driven by parents volunteering - so please consider giving some of your time to help out.

Have any questions about the spring season?

Baseball/Softball Commissioner - Will Malerich (wmalerich@yahoo.com)

Track & Field Commissioner - Dan Workman (danworkman26@gmail.com)

Registration Questions - Shawn Steinbrunner (shawn.steinbrunner@gmail.com)

Registration will run until Feb 23rd - but we are offering an Early Bird Discount of 10% off if you register before January 31st - so sign up today.

St. Charles is pleased to be hosting the 15th Annual Father/Son Mass and Breakfast on Saturday, March 2. Invited to attend are all alumni and alumni fathers with their sons, current and incoming students and their fathers, and any young man in grade school (with his father) who is interested in learning more about the school. We will start with Mass at 9:30 a.m. followed by a buffet breakfast in the Robert C. Walter Student Commons. Our guest presenter is SC father, Mr. Adam Johnson, the Chairman and CEO of NetJets Inc. The breakfast is free, but you are still asked to RSVP HERE by Monday, February 26.  Questions? Contact the school's Alumni Affairs and Communications Director, Louis J. Fabro '83, by EMAIL or phone at 380-209-2233.

Emmet Cahill Concert (attachment)

On March 13, St. Matthew the Apostle is excited to welcome Irish Tenor Emmet Cahill, star of PBS's Celtic Thunder, for a concert at our parish! A portion of the proceeds benefits the St. Matthew Charitable Works Food Pantry and SPICE (Special People in Catholic Education). Tickets are available on Emmet Cahill's website: EmmetCahill.com.

40 Days of Adoration

The Diocese of Columbus will have 40 Days of Adoration this year from Ash Wednesday through Palm Sunday. Everyone is encouraged to visit Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration at parishes throughout the diocese. Reconciliation is Monday, March 25. Check your local parish for details. 

Come and See Weekend at the Pontifical College Josephinum

The Pontifical College Josephinum, in Columbus, Ohio, has scheduled a “Come and See” Live-In weekend for March 7-10, 2024. The weekend has been set aside to allow young men (high school juniors, seniors, and college-aged students) to visit the seminary for a few days. Live-in participants will experience seminary prayer life, classes, communal worship, and interaction with current seminarians, faculty, and staff. Live-in weekends include introductory presentations on discernment, student life, and the college seminary formation program.

The weekend begins with arrival at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, and concludes with departure at noon on Sunday, March 10. All meals and recreation are included. There is no charge to participate. For more information, contact the Vocations Office, 614-221-5565, or email vocations@columbuscatholic.org or contact your parish priest.