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Saint Bridget’s
Church is the Lord’s house and it is beautiful. Whenever people come into this
house they are surprised at what they see. They always remark on what a gem it
is! This takes great effort by
members of our Building and Grounds Ministry. Special attention is given in
making sure that all of our property is well taken care of and receives regular
maintenance. From washing floors to creating a garden - it is all part of this ministry!
The Catechumenate is
an important ministry of Saint Bridget’s. Young people and adults learn about
the Catholic faith leading them to become fully initiated members of the Church.
This ministry is vital as outreach efforts are made in the neighborhood that is
largely unchurched. It is a blessing to our entire Church Family to witness a
person growing in their love of God and in their commitment to our Catholic
faith community.
Saint Bridget’s is
pleased to have an inspiring and spirit filled Gospel Choir. All of our
Liturgies and other worship services are greatly enhanced because of the music
that is provided for by our choir. Members meet each week for practice and sing
every Sunday at our weekly Liturgy. They often are called to other faith
communities in our Diocese to inspire and to teach.
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VISION
OF ST. BRIDGET’S
St.
Bridget’s Church Family is a powerfully believing community in which the love
of the
Holy
Spirit can be experienced in our worship and fellowship, and permeates our daily
lives.
We
strive to put the values of the Kingdom first in our decisions and
deliberations.
We
nurture a welcoming, loving church family, rich in diversity,
hospitality, and joyful spontaneity.
to
other faith communities, and our call to care for the needy despite our
struggles. As our
circumstances
improve, we will continue to hold the value that lack of self-sufficiency is a
blessing.
We
empower and train leadership from within, prioritize youth as an asset,, focus
on leading by
example,
develop a strong mentoring program and support
education as the key to all doors.
We
advocate for our brothers and sisters who are in challenging life situations and
support ministries
which
both affirm and enhance life.
Our
outreach ministry serves as the life force to the issues of our neighbors.
Our neighborhood allows
us
the opportunity to attract, to engage, and to focus on objectives which are
outlined from specific
needs,
driven by grassroots advocacy.
We
share a common faith which is expressed in our uninhibited celebration of the
Eucharist, our full
participation
in the liturgical cycle, our jubilant music ministry, the vigor of our religious
education
programs
and our dedication to evangelism.
We
live the reality of what we sing: “We
have come into His house and gathered in His Name to
worship Him.”
The main purpose of the Church Family Council is to keep alive the Mission and Vision of the Church. The members of this ministry are charged with keeping the fire blazing behind who we say we are and what we say we will do. It is responsible to advise the Pastor of the needs of the Church Family as well as to discern with him ways in which these needs can be addressed.
Its
members
are drawn from the congregation and they are accountable to the Church
family
as well as to the Pastor. This
Council is responsible to advise the Pastor
through
communicating the needs of the Church as well as to discern with him ways
in
which those needs may be met. The
Gospel and the Mission and Vision of St.
Bridget’s
Church serve as its guides. This
group must also be in continual prayer
for
the good of the members of the Church as well as for the larger Church
Community.
After our Sunday Liturgy all are welcome to go down to Fellowship Hall for Coffee Hour. Meeting someone new, catching up with a Church Family Member, or signing up for various activities is done over coffee and delicious “goodies”. Support, encouraging words, congratulations, and celebrating significant events is part of being a family. This happens not only at Mass but when we take a few minutes of time to be with each other!
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All things can
happen in prayer! A group of people gather once a month at Saint Bridget’s for
the purpose of praying together in silence. This sacred prayer time begins and
ends with an invitation to share thoughts that have come through spiritual
reading or insights that may have surfaced during time spent in prayer. The
power of this peaceful time centers those who come in a special way that
continues to call them back – month after month – and even in their own
prayer lives.
Saint Bridget’s
believes that all life is a gift from God and is sacred from conception until
death. The Consistent Life Ethic Ministry educates our Church Family about the
life issues that we face in our society which includes abortion, racism, the
death penalty, war and violence, poverty and care of those who are sick and
dying. This ministry also facilitates the JustFaith Program. A commitment of
time and energy is made by Church Family Members to a yearlong study of the
Social Teachings of the Catholic Church through assigned readings, videos,
service days, discussion and prayer.
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Members of the
Evangelization Ministry invite others to grow in their love of God and then to
proclaim the Good News of Jesus to all people! This ministry continually
challenges all of us to reflect on the real reason behind all the things that we
do in our outreach efforts. Members of Saint Bridget’s Church Family and
people from the neighborhood have attended a weekly Bible Study that is
sponsored by this ministry. This group discerns how the truths in the Bible are
relevant to their lives and how they can be applied.
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This Bible study uses the inductive approach. It will help you discover for yourself what the Bible says. It will not give you prepackaged answers. People remember most what they discover for themselves and what they express in their own words. The Bible study provide three kinds of questions to be considered:
What does the passage say? ( What are the facts?)
What is the meaning of these facts?
How does this passage apply to my life?
The purpose of Bible study is not just to know more Bible truths, but to apply them. Allow these truths to make a difference in how we think and act, in our attitudes and relationships, in the quality and direction of our life. Each session requires meeting about one and one half hour a week.
As with everything,
we know that if we seek God first and His kingdom all else will be provided for.
Saint Bridget’s strives to be good stewards of the gifts that God has given to
us. Members of this ministry meet to review our financial status and to develop
strategies in order to meet the concrete needs that do exist.
Others volunteer their services by counting the collection and recording
all contributions.
Saint
Bridget’s is a welcoming community and wants all people to think of us as
their Church Family. A friendly smile and a warm embrace is a reminder that we
are entering the Lord’s house where love abounds! As you come into our
beautiful Church you will be warmly greeted by a member of our Hospitality
Ministry. These ministers take special care, seeing to it that all are
comfortable throughout the Liturgy.
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Saint Bridget’s is a vibrant worshipping community that truly celebrates our covenant with God! This ministry is also responsible for training altar servers as well as decorating our worship space. Members of this ministry also invite Church Family members to become Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers.
“Come, you who are
blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you from the
foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty
and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25; 34-ff).
The Outreach
Ministry of Saint Bridget’s focuses on bringing people from the neighborhood
and the Church Family together. Attempts are always being made to listen to the
needs of the poor and in empowering the faith community to respond in the name
of Jesus. Activities are planned throughout the year that assists us to advocate
for change, enjoy each other’s company and to pray and praise God.
Special events need
special attention! Members of this ministry see to all the details of activities
held each year that help us to raise friends as well as funds! Some of these
include our Spaghetti Dinner Dance, Dixieland Mass and Chicken Barbecue and our
Walk! Having fun with others while raising funds is a priority for all of us at
Saint Bridget’s!
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Religious Education for youth is provided on Saturday mornings
during the school year from 10:00 – 11:15 a.m. for students in Kindergarten
through High School. Celebrating the Lectionary is the basic text,
supplemented by instruction in Catholic practices and devotions.
Sacramental preparation takes place at an additional time.
Vacation Bible School takes place in July in conjunction with our sister parish,
St. Louis, Pittsford.
Teens are also invited to participate in Teen L.I.F.E. (See Teen Life.)
St. Bridget’s encourages livelong religious education and provides seasonal
opportunities for adult religious education.
Baptism: Baptism for infants or small children is celebrated at Sunday
Mass. If you would like to have your child baptized, please see Fr. Tony.
Confirmation: This sacrament of initiation is closely connected to
Baptism and Eucharist. It is “readiness based” and special instruction
is provided apart from Saturday Religious Education and/or
Teen L.I.F.E. A candidate must be baptized, be formed in faith in an age-
appropriate manner, desire to celebrate the sacrament, and have a
commitment to continue formation and participation in the worship
life of the community. If you would like to know more, please see
Mary Dwelley or Fr. Tony.
Eucharist: This sacrament allows properly-prepared youth seven or
older to participate more fully in the liturgy by receiving Jesus in Holy
Communion. Preparation for this sacrament is in addition to
Religious Education. Although the preparation is in a class setting,
youth will receive this sacrament as they show individual readiness.
Reconciliation: This sacrament of God’s healing forgiveness is received
individually. Youth are prepared in a class setting to understand his/
her need for forgiveness, and that God’s love and forgiveness is always
available, to realize his/her responsibility to be good, and to have an
understanding of faith appropriate to his/her age.
Reconciliation: Please see WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN US?
Saint Bridget’s Scholarship Award Program is given in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Seventh and eighth graders are given a special recognition. They are then followed closely throughout their high school years in the hope that a scholarship will be given upon graduation from high school. Saint Bridget’s has consistently increased the number and amount of aid given to scholarship recipients who are seniors in high school. Members of this ministry are blessed to review the applications of so many wonderful and inspiring young people
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Small Christian Community is a group of parishioners who have made a commitment to meet together on two evenings of each month for prayer, mutual support to lead a Christian life, faith sharing, and fellowship. The group discusses the readings for the upcoming Sunday liturgy and shares how they relate to our daily lives.
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If you are looking for a group to meet with regularly for prayer
and fellowship, we invite you to come to Small Christian Community.
SCC meets in the Family Meeting Room of the Rectory on the first and
third Mondays of each month from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
and
very Christian…the smallness in Christian communities encourages personal
sharing
of faith. Smallness enables
concentration on the church’s life and mission….”
Bishop
Donald Trautman, Diocese of Erie.
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Stephen Ministry is a confidential Christian caring ministry. It equips lay persons to provide confidential, distinctively Christian, one-on one care. There are times when each of us needs regular and dependable Christian support and care due to family change (experiencing birth or adoption, separation, divorce, caring for the elderly or ill), dealing with life transitions, spiritual crisis, hospitalization, grieving a death or serious loss, becoming homebound, etc. Care receivers are cherished and cared for in Jesus Christ.
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Stephen Ministers receive 50 hours of initial training in important
ministry skills and concepts, participate in regular support and supervision,
and visit their care receiver regularly and dependably, to offer Christian
support and care. Stephen Ministers are committed to preserving the
confidential nature of the caring relationship. They make a two year
commitment.
If you would like to receive a Stephen Minister, please talk with
Fr. Tony.
If you would like to receive Stephen Ministry training, please
contact the Stephen Leaders, Julia Caruso and Vivian Rightmyer, or see
Fr. Tony.
Teen Life offers our
young adults opportunities to learn, from a faith perspective, how to respond to
the pressures that they experience in their daily lives. They come together to
learn, share with each other in a supportive environment, receive guidance, and
just have FUN!
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Transportation can be difficult for some individuals and families. It can prevent people from taking part in activities that they would enjoy. Saint Bridget’s has made a commitment to help those with transportation needs. Through a generous benefactor we have a van that is used to bring people to Sunday Liturgy and other events that take place throughout the year. We are grateful to Church Family Members who help in the transportation ministry. Special thanks goes to many others that kindly pick up and drop off people on Sundays and for other Church events!