The O'Reilly Minute

Dear Parents,

Thank you for celebrating Catholic Schools Week with us last week! We had a great week of celebrating and serving!  Please see the photos below with some of the highlights from the week.  I sincerely hope that you are enjoying the Family Faith Conversations booklet and the table talk cards that your children made as a gift.  Hopefully both of these gifts will help to generate great conversations about faith, daily happenings, and also allow for fun and creative thinking.  

Our Crucial Conversations speaker Jesse Weinberger reminds us that listening to our children and moderating our technology use fosters open dialogue. Taking time to listen to your children is a perfect opportunity to build self-esteem in them.  By listening to what children have to say, you are saying, "I value what you do; I respect who you are and what you're doing; what you do is important to me."

Below are a few articles that highlight the importance of finding time to have conversations and staying connected as a family.

Family Meals: More Than Good Nutrition

Family Dinner: Does It Matter? - Child Mind Institute

8 Reasons Why Sharing Family Meals Is Important

I continue to receive positive feedback regarding Jesse Weinberger.  I am thrilled that so many parents have shared that they are making changes in their homes based on the Crucial Conversation presentation.  It is wonderful to hear that so many of you are teaming together to help your children make better technology choices.  See the article below for more statistics and ideas for resources. 

May the blessings of Saint Brigid be with you,

Kathy O’Reilly

P.S. We will be celebrating Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, February 13th.  Students and staff may enjoy a  dress down day wearing mardi gras or Valentine colors.  Thank you to the Annual Fund and our room parents for providing fun games, activities and a cookie treat to make the day extra special.  

Photo Newsletters: 8th Grade

Thank You for a Great Catholic Schools Week

Crucial Conversations Follow Up: Jesse Weinberger Event

Thank you for the continued support of Jesse Weinberger's speaking event on digital safety. We will continue to keep the conversation going by sharing pieces of information and data from Jesse over the coming weeks.

• Jesse's Parent Handout: Apps
• Jesse's Parent Handout: Monitor, Supervise, Consequences
• Jesse's Recommended Reading List

At the link below you can access all student survey data that was anonymously collected from our 4th-8th grade students. Note on the last few pages are comments from students directed toward parents.

Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest Results

Thank you to all who competed in the Knights of Columbus free throw contest on Sunday!

Congratulations to our winners who will be competing in the district competition this weekend: Adelyn Tolson, Nicholas Lyons, Grace Flock, Tucker Poeppelman, Luciana Reinbolt, Jacob Tolson, Charlie Mazza, Ruthie Little.

SPiCE Awareness: Rare Disease Day

Rare Disease Day is an observance held on the last day of February to raise awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatment and medical representation for individuals with rare diseases and their families.     

• A disease is RARE when it affects fewer than 1 in 2,000
• Almost 1 out of every 5 cancers are rare
• 72% of rare diseases are genetic
• There are about 7,000 known rare diseases
• More than 90% of those affected with a rare disease have no approved treatment
• There is a 1 in 10 chance you know someone with a rare disease
• 70% of rare diseases start in childhood

We will be talking about rare diseases in class in honor of Rare Disease Day on February 29. Click here to see a slideshow, and here to see a flyer to learn more about rare diseases and the information shared with children.

Semi-Annual Uniform and Spiritwear Exchange - Feb 25 10 AM - 1 PM

Shoppers, sign up here: Winter 2024 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. Prospective families are also welcome to come to start their wardrobes and seek answers to uniform questions. If you need items, but can’t attend, let a friend shop for you!

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

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

2.      At a bin outside Erin Heise’s home at 6588 Wynwright Dr Dublin OH Feb 17-23

3.       Bring them with you to the exchange if the other options don't work for you.

4.       If you have a ripped up jumper or logoed item, please still donate it as we can use it for spare parts (buttons, crest, etc.)!

5.       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 are free, please sign up here:  Winter 2024 Uniform and Spirit Wear Exchange Volunteer Sign Up

Questions? Email Erin Heise at [email protected] or Gracie Dziewiatkowski at [email protected].

Columbus Saints Boys Lacrosse

*It's never too late to start. All skill levels are welcome and accepted.

The Columbus Saints Boys Lacrosse Club was established in 2003 for 7th & 8th grade boys who are currently enrolled in a Columbus Catholic grade school, or for Catholic boys whose public/private school does not offer a lacrosse program. This team competes against other public middle schools around central Ohio. The team also competes in the middle school state championship tournament (of which they are a past champion and runner up).

Lacrosse is a SPRING sport and runs from late February through the end of May. We will be announcing registration and relevant season dates VERY SHORTLY.

If your son has ever expressed any interest, or even if you’ve never heard of lacrosse until now and are curious, please reach out ASAP. There’s a reason lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in North America! We want to get you on our mailing list as soon as possible.

Returning players - please reach out to your school’s Saints liaison, the Athletic Director, or to the contact information below.

Reach out to [email protected] with questions or to Nick Melaragno at (614) 725-9453.

Please visit our website: https://www.columbussaintslacrosse.com

Pastries for Parents Social Tomorrow - Feb 8

Join other parents after the 9 AM school Mass on Thursday, February 8 for coffee, pastries and conversation in Hendricks Hall. Parents and young children are welcome.

Hosted by Home & School

The Emmaus Road SGO and Diocesan Tuition Assistance Application is Now Open: Deadline March 15, 2024

Applications for The Emmaus Road SGO Scholarship, Diocesan Tuition Assistance, St. Brigid Parish Tuition Assistance, and TACT Teacher Assistance for the 2024-25 school year must be submitted through the FACTS Grant and Aid portal by March 15, 2024.

In order to receive funds through any of these tuition assistance programs, you must apply for tuition assistance through FACTS.

To be considered for 2024-25 Tuition Assistance Programs:

• You must be registered for the 2024-25 school year by March 15, 2024.
• The application, tax return, and W-2 must be submitted by March 15, 2024. (No exceptions will be made for any late applications, so please apply early in case additional documentation is requested by FACTS.)
• If 2023 taxes are not finished for submission by March 15, 2024, the 2022 tax return with 2022 W2 is acceptable.
• You need only submit one application per family.
• There is no tuition assistance available for preschool.
• All K-8 families, Catholic and non-Catholic are eligible to apply.
• Assistance amounts given vary by family and will be based on family income and number of children in a household.
• All applications and materials submitted are confidential.
• Applicants are expected to be notified of award status in May.

For full instructions on applying for tuition assistance, click here.

Spring Sports Registration is Open

Registration for Spring Baseball, Softball, and Track & Field - for grades 4th - 8th - has been opened and available at https://www.gowolhounds.com/register (note updated site address)

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 Maelrich ([email protected])

Track & Field Commissioner - Dan Workman ([email protected])

Registration Questions - Shawn Steinbrunner ([email protected])

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.

A Lent to Remember

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 [email protected].

Save the Date: Father/Daughter Dance

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

Tickets will go on sale February 12 at 10 AM at www.stbrigidofkildare.org.

Mom to Mom Lent Study

Prepare for Easter this Lent with Mom to Mom! They will be listening to Father Mike Schmitz's homily series Learning to Lose.

Learn more about this study and other Lenten activities at our parish at stbrigidofkildare.com/lent.

Corks for a Cause 2024 - Ticket Sales Now Open!

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 [email protected].

Wine, Bourbon & Champagne Bottles 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 fill out the Sign Up below.

Thank You 2024 Sponsors!

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 [email protected].

Youth Sunday for 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

The next Youth Sunday is February 11! 

This gathering is for all current 6th-8th grade students.

Lunch will be provided followed by group games, Seminarian guest speakers, and live worship music by Mar Frommeyer/ Station 14

Friends are welcome and RSVP is required to ensure we order enough food! 

Pick up will be from Enke Hall at 1:30 PM. 

Make It a Date! Valentine's Day Edition

A Night Out to Focus on Your Marriage

Saturday, February 10, 2024, 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.

Hendrick’s Hall – St. Brigid of Kildare Parish

All married and engaged couples are invited to St. Brigid’s 28th Make It a Date!

Deacon Steve Petrill and his wife Dawn will share their memories and serve as our guides for the evening. Deacon Steve and Dawn have been married for 28 years and have 3 children.

Like always, we’ll have light appetizers and there will be a chance to catch up with old and new friends. At the conclusion of the event, couples leave on their own date at a venue of their choice to talk about the evening and how it relates to their own relationships.

Please RSVP to Jessica Freiburger at [email protected] or 614-282-5095 by February 8.

Sponsored by Family First and the St. Brigid School of Adult Faith Formation

A Good & Growing Need: Support Our Seminarian

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 at the end of February 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!

Requirements to Volunteer with our Children

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: 



 3/21/2024 Zoom PGC (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/