The O'Reilly Minute

Dear Parents,

As we journey through this blessed season of Advent, we have experienced countless opportunities to reflect, serve, and give thanks. It has been a season filled with prayer, joy, and community. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff and parent volunteers who organized an incredible St. Nicholas Day celebration, brimming with fun and acts of generous service—truly embodying the spirit of Saint Nicholas.

Music has also been a meaningful part of our Advent preparations.  Earlier this week, our 5th-8th grade band students presented a wonderful musical program. Next week, on December 16th, our kindergarten and 2nd grade will be musically presenting the Christmas story to their families. On the evening of the 16th, our 5th-8th grade choir students will share their talents in a beautiful Lessons and Carols concert at the church. We warmly invite all families to join us for this special evening. Additionally, members of our choir will bring their music to the wider community, performing at Muirfield Country Club this week. 

This Thursday, we will celebrate the season with a festive WHITE OUT! Students and staff are invited to enjoy a white dress-down day, enjoy a special Frosty-themed lunch, and enjoy some special decorations.

Wishing you and your families continued Advent blessings,

Kathy O’Reilly



P.S. Please remember to use the correct exit lane when leaving the campus after dismissal. The entrance and exit to our campus are both one-way only all the time.

Students Lit Up the Night with Illumi-NITE Service Project

Fifteen members of our community were surprised on Sunday as their homes were illuminated with messages of hope! Our school's 8th grade leadership and service committees organized the service project Illumi-NITE through Keep Going 25, a Cincinnati-based service organization that believes that serving others is the foundation of a life of purpose. The Illumi-NITE project spreads joy to others by placing luminary displays at the homes of people in need of support and love. On Friday our students worked on decorating bags with messages of hope for those who may be going through a difficult time this Christmas season or recently lost a loved one. On the evening of Sunday, December 7, after a short blessing, our 8th graders delivered and illuminated the bags in front of the homes of the recipients. Students prayed for the recipients before delivering the luminaries.

Below are a few comments from recipients:

"Our front lawn was lit with luminaries tonight and beautiful heartfelt messages. I cannot tell you how touched we are. I shared with my daughter and we are saving them for her. It was so needed and so very appreciated. "

"I am absolutely sobbing. The most special gift ever. Thank you from both of us. My husband was crying with me. "

"A family just came and lined our driveway with luminaries!! It was so special! Especially since my husband just got unhooked from chemo a couple hours ago. It really made his night!!"

Thank you to our 8th grade committees, our staff and volunteers for organizing this project!

8th Grade Spreads Cheer at Brookdale Memory Care

On Friday, the 8th Grade Faith and Service Committee spent the afternoon bringing Christmas joy to the residents of Brookdale Memory Care. Our students did a wonderful job hanging festive wreaths throughout the facility and making meaningful connections with the residents they visited.

This service opportunity allowed our Wolfhounds to share their time, kindness, and conversation.

We are grateful for all who helped make this outreach possible!

5th Grade Choirs Sings for 55+ Club

Last week, our 5th Grade Choir students had the special opportunity to visit the parish’s 55+ Club Christmas gathering at Muirfield Village. The students shared the joy of the season by singing Christmas songs for the attendees, filling the room with holiday cheer. We are grateful to our students for sharing their voices, and to the 55+ Club for welcoming them so warmly!

Semi-Annual Uniform and Spirit Wear Exchange Feb 22 10am-1pm

Shoppers, sign up here: Winter 2026 Uniform and Spirit Wear Exchange. This sign up contains more information about the exchange and signing up ensures you’ll receive a reminder to attend. Everything is FREE and you don’t need to donate to attend. New families are welcome to seek answers to uniform questions as they shop. If you need items, but can’t attend, please ask a friend to shop for you! 


Have items to donate? If you have gently used items for the exchange you have a few options for drop-off:

1.      At the school office beginning Feb 2 during school hours

1. At a bin outside Erin Heise’s home at 6588 Wynwright Dr Dublin OH Feb 15-20
2. Bring them with you to the exchange if the other options don't work for you, but please help us put them out.
3. If you have a ripped jumper or logoed item, please still donate it as we can use it for spare parts (buttons, crest, elastic, etc.)! Similarly, if you have gym jackets without logos, we will try to find crests to add to them
4. Leftovers will be given to the Bishop Griffin Center.

Volunteer. Volunteers are needed to organize the exchange, help others find items, and to clean up and pack items for donation at the end of the exchange. If you can help, please sign up here:  Winter 2026 Uniform and Spirit Wear Exchange Volunteer Sign Up

Questions? Email Erin Heise at erinjolene@hotmail.com or Gracie Dziewiatkowski at marygracedzski@gmail.com.

Hounds Hoopla: Save the Date

SAVE THE DATE for Hounds Hoopla 2026 on Friday, February 6th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Details to follow soon! 

Please remember that as you declutter before Christmas or buy for the holidays, please consider donating new or like new toys/prizes and gift cards for bingo.  

Wolfhound 8th Grade Night - Dec 18

Mark your calendars—Wolfhound 8th Grade Night is coming on Thursday, December 18, 2025!

Get ready for an exciting night of basketball as our 8th grade Wolfhounds take on their competition in a tripleheader of home games! This special evening gives our 8th graders the chance to shine on their home court and feel the full support and energy of our amazing community.

Throw on your Wolfhound spirit wear and bring the noise! Let’s pack the stands and cheer on the Hounds!

Game Times:

5:30 pm – St. Brigid Green vs. St. Paul

6:30 pm – St. Brigid White vs. St. Catharine of Sienna

7:30 pm – St. Brigid Gold vs. St. Andrew

We can’t wait to see our community come together to celebrate our athletes and make this a truly unforgettable night. See you December 18, 2025! 



Go Hounds!  

Important Update for All Volunteers: Safe Environment Policy Change

Beginning January 1, 2026 the Diocese will implement an update to the Safe Environment Policy.

Previously, volunteers completed fingerprinting only once. Starting in January, all volunteers and parish employees (school staff already follow this) must renew fingerprinting every five years to remain compliant.

You do not need to retake the Protecting God’s Children (PGC) class — it remains “one and done.”

This update helps ensure that all adults who work with minors or vulnerable adults have up-to-date background checks. To avoid delays, please act early.

• If it’s been more than five years since your last fingerprinting, schedule a new one soon.
• If you’re unsure when you last completed fingerprinting, please login to your Virtus account to see your dates. If you are having trouble logging in, then please let Brad Marzullo (bmarzullo@stbrigidofkildare.org) know.
• For step-by-step instructions and fingerprinting locations, visit:
• https://stbrigidofkildare.org/welcome/about-us/safe-environment/

Important: Fingerprinting results must be sent directly to the Diocese (Catholic Diocese of Columbus Safe Environment Office, 197 E. Gay Street, Columbus, OH 43215). Please do not send copies to St. Brigid.

We will host FastFingerprints sessions onsite for convenience (fees still apply).

• December 17, 2025 – Art Room, St. Brigid of Kildare School
• 4:00 pm- 7:30 pm
• December 18, 2025 – Hendricks Hall, Kelty Library, St. Brigid of Kildare
• 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Questions?

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

Spiritwear Stores Open

Both St. Brigid of Kildare School spiritwear stores are open year-round for sales.

Morganheimer/Premier Store

Upon request of many families, the Saint Brigid School webstore is now open year round. Have your order shipped or pick up at the location at 473 Village Park Dr. Powell OH, 43065.  Weekly Hours: Wednesday-Friday - 12p-4p (After hours pickup is available. Please request via email)

Want to receive your order by Christmas? Order by 12/8/25 and we'll have your order ready for pickup or shipped by 12/19/25. 

Rah Rah

From completely custom, hand-drawn designs to professional screen printing with a vintage flair, to the most incredibly comfy garments you've ever owned, our one-of-of-kind spirit wear is sure to become your family's favorite.

Order by December 18th to receive by Christmas. Use code DRIVEWAY to pick up at 7033 Willow Run Dr, Dublin, OH 43017.

Please reach out with any questions to rahrahgear@gmail.com. 

Congrats Wolfhound Alums on a Football State Championship!

Congratulations to Bishop Watterson High School for winning the Division 3 football state championship on Friday night!

And congratulations to our St. Brigid of Kildare School alums who are a part of the team -- Frankie Dziewiatkowski , Danny Schiavone, JD Seago, Reid Austin, Nick Scott, and Max Steinbrunner and Riley Hogan. They are pictured in the photo with their former St. Brigid football coaches.

State Championship apparel is being created and can be purchased at the following sites. A percentage goes back to the team by purchasing from these vendors.

https://peprallyapparel.com/collections/bishop-watterson-back-to-back-state-champs

https://rahrahgear.com/collections/watterson

Emmaus Road Scholarship - Tax Credit

Receive a tax credit on your Ohio taxes while helping a family receive a Catholic education. Through the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund, Ohio taxpayers may donate to a K-12 Catholic school to be used for tuition scholarships based on financial need. The donor then receives a dollar-for-dollar non-refundable tax credit on their Ohio state tax return up to $750 ($1,500 if married and filing jointly). 

This program helps make Catholic education accessible and affordable while giving donors the power to put their tax dollars to work to lead children to an encounter with Christ.

GIVE ONLINE at at the link below.

(Select “St. Brigid of Kildare” under “School Designation” dropdown for the gift to go toward a St. Brigid student’s tuition. See the image below for an example of how it looks).

GIVE BY CHECK made out to: Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund and mail to: Office of Catholic Schools, 197 East Gay St., Columbus, OH 43215 (Note “St. Brigid of Kildare” on check to designate dollars to our school.)

You will receive a mailed receipt from the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund. Keep that receipt and submit when filing your 2025 Ohio taxes.

Corks for a Cause 2026

Save the date for March 7, 2026!

We are excited to hold our 19th annual Corks for a Cause Silent Auction and Wine Tasting for SPiCE on Saturday, March 7, 2025.

If you'd like to learn more about the event, how you can help, or share your ideas, please reach out to Sarah Moore at smoore@stbrigidofkildare.org.

If you are interested in a sponsorship, learn more at the link below. All sponsorship packages include tickets to the event and a wide range of advertising.

In the Season of Giving, Don't Forget to Give Your Gift to the Annual Fund

As we celebrate this joyful season of Advent and Christmas, our hearts turn to the humble birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” (Isaiah 9:6). This sacred moment reminds us of God’s generosity and love, gifts that inspire us to share that same spirit within our school community.

On behalf of the St. Brigid of Kildare Home & School Association, the faculty and staff thank you to all the families who have already supported this year’s Annual Fund. Your generosity directly enriches our children’s education supporting after-school programs, school performances, field trips, and the many special activities that help our students grow, explore, and experience joy.

Throughout this month, Home & School has planned a host of festive events for our children as we celebrate this holy season together. These moments of wonder and community are made possible because of your commitment and partnership.

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, please know how grateful we are for each of you. May the peace of Christ and the joy of His birth fill your homes with hope and blessing.

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a grace-filled New Year.

If you haven’t had the chance, please consider making an Annual Fund donation today. If you have friends or family members that would like to contribute, we also receive gifts from other individuals committed to the education of our children. Please forward this email.  

Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest

Do you have children aged 9 to 14 as of 1/1/2026?

Join us for the Free Throw Contest on Sunday, January 25th, in the St. Brigid school gymnasium from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Check-in for registered girls and boys begins at 1:30 pm.

Register online at the link below.

Submit Materials to Wolfhound Wednesday

If you have information you'd like included in the next Wolfhound Wednesday, email it to Allie Wing at mrs.wing@stbrigid-school.org.



To view past issues of the Wolfhound Wednesday, find them archived on our website here.