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Dear Friends in Christ,
A sometimes-overlooked aspect of church life is what the Greeks called “Koinonia” or “Fellowship,” which the dictionary describes as “Being together for mutual benefit.” The Acts of the Apostles details what this looked like in the early church. "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers day by day...and to sharing everything they had in common.” (Acts 2:46-47).
The mutual benefit that brings us together at St. Bridget’s is Christ and our fellowship as his body the church. Our primary gathering is the Mass, which is then strengthened by the community we share as brothers and sisters outside of worship. A central place to do that is the purpose of our parish hall which we officially reopen this weekend.
We haven’t had many gatherings in the hall during the COVID shutdown, but let me share some of the many occasions that we will gather to strengthen our fellowship as Catholics: Our famous coffee and donuts hour returns this weekend after our 9:30 am Mass. Next Sunday, Sept.18th our Knights of Columbus resume their quarterly “Pancake Breakfasts.” The hall is a good place to have receptions after funeral or wedding celebrations. It’s also suitable for larger parish meetings like we had for the synodal listening sessions. Our ASB will once again use the hall for their fall play which this year is Madeleine L'Engle's beloved classic, A Wrinkle in Time, on Nov. 17,18, 19 & 20. Last but not least, the parish auction returns to our hall tentatively scheduled for Friday, April 28, 2023.
One new aspect of our hall refresh is a furnished space in what were formally classrooms which is available for small group conversation, and recreation with among other things “Air Hockey & Foosball tables.” So hopefully the hall once again is a sacred space for us to gather to celebrate and support our life as Christians. Please plan on joining your brothers and sisters for fun, and faith-filled fellowship! Do extend that invitation to others. All are welcome. See you there!
St. Bridget of Kildare…pray for us! Live Jesus in our hearts…forever!
Fr. William Heric, Pastor
