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• Profile of St. Brigid Catholic Community
• Worship & Sacramental Life
• Sacramental Celebrations

About St. Brigid Church

Profile of St. Brigid Catholic Community

We, the people of St. Brigid Catholic Parish, strive to be a priestly people, committed to serve and participate in a faith community. We believe that we are a prophetic people who are willing to risk and accept change to witness the message of Christ to the Modern World. We feel called by God to be a parish not turned in on itself, but a parish that reaches out beyond its boundaries to be a servant to the people of God. We see ourselves as a faith community with a strong sense of its mission. We have a Pastor and Pastoral Team who are able to share leadership of the Parish and willing to delegate responsibility in such a manner to continue the development of a committed lay leadership that will assist in carrying out the message of the Gospel.

The population of St. Brigid Parish (approximately 2450 households) is fairly transient and includes a large number of professionals, military personnel, people with young families and retirees. The uniqueness of this population is its sense of commitment to a faith community and desire to place God in the center of their busy lives. St. Brigid parish serves as a stable oasis in the midst of a mobile society as members experience the beauty of people willing to serve other people in a spirit of brotherly and sisterly love. According to the Document on Lay Ministry, from the Second Vatican Council, "The laity are to share in the priestly, prophetical and kingly office of Christ", and "they have therefore, in the Church and in the World, their own assignment in the mission of the whole people of God."

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Worship & Sacramental Life

We recognize the sacrament of the Eucharist as our source of strength and the core of parish life. Each liturgical experience is a celebration and it is a time when the community comes together to worship, to give praise and thanksgiving, and to be nourished by the Word of God and by the Body of Christ. The Laity are actively involved in creating the weekly and special liturgies and serve as liturgical planners, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, choir members, greeters, etc.

"The sacraments build us up as the Body of Christ. We are changed more completely into the image of Christ. We worship God and our life with the Holy Trinity is strengthened."

Faith First (Grade 5)
© 2000 RCL - Resources for Christian Living

The ongoing spiritual development of each member is given high priority and therefore, the Sacraments play a vital role in the scheme of parish life. Community reconciliation services are offered four times a year, twice during Advent and twice during Lent. Individual reconciliation is available weekly and upon request.

Baptismal preparation classes are required for parents who wish to have their child(ren) baptized.

Sacrament preparation for children and youth celebrating the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and/or Confirmation takes places throughout the Faith Formation year in age appropriate settings. Parents present their child(ren) for sacraments following the guidelines set by the church, diocese and parish, and have the privilege of playing an appropriate role in fulfilling their responsibility, "to bring (their children) up in the practice of the faith" (Rite of Baptism of Children, 56).

Couples who wish to be married are required to participate in a marriage preparation program.

The parish has a vigorous Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) Program for Adults and Children of Catechetical age. The beauty of sacramental and spiritual life of the parish is that the members become empowered to reach out and minister to other people.

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Sacramental Celebrations

It is primarily in the liturgical celebration that we come together as people of prayer and are strengthened by our worship and participation in the sacraments. We go forth to share in the mission of Jesus in the community in which we live. It is in this context that the following guidelines are offered.

It is in Baptism that one is welcomed into a community of faith. As a parish community, we welcome new members. Parents participate in preparation sessions for the Sacrament of Baptism, preferably before the child is born. Godparents are encouraged to attend the preparation sessions. The parents must live within St. Brigid Parish boundaries or have permission from their home parish to have the child baptized outside their parish boundaries. To sign up for baptism classes, call the parish office.

Adults and Children of Catechetical age who join our faith community through the R.C.I.A. program usually receive the Sacrament of Initiation, Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.

Our Community celebrates the Eucharist at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Sundays. The 8:00 a.m. Liturgy is bilingual (English/Spanish). The 10:30 a.m. Liturgy offers the Children's Liturgy of the Word.

During the week, Mass is Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. On the First Friday of the month Masses are at 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. On Holy Days of Obligation, Masses are at 6:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., and 7:00 p.m.

Communion services are Monday through Friday at 6:00 a.m., except for First Friday and Holy Days of Obligation. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel is open at various times during the week for personal prayer and adoration of the Eucharist.

It is in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) that we experience the sign of Christ's mercy, love, forgiveness and healing. Community Penance services are held during Advent and Lent each year. Individual celebration of the sacrament is available as follows:

• Every Saturday, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Parish Penance Services prior to Christmas and Easter.
• By appointment. Call the office.

The Archdiocese of San Antonio has explicitly outlined the requirements for the reception of the Sacrament of Matrimony. The requirements are:

• Both must have attained their 18th birthday by the date of their marriage.
• They must initiate contact with one of the deacons of the parish or the Pastor. This contact should be made at least six months prior to the planned marriage date.
• Complete the Marriage Preparation Programs, which include FOCCUS, and one of the following: Either the Engaged Encounter or one of the Pre-Cana programs.
• Contact the Priest or Deacon before you reserve specific dates with music bands, halls or hotels. The marriage covenant that you are entering is both solemn and sacred. Your marriage ceremony is the perfect way to begin married life together with God.
• There will be a number of sessions, as well, with the Priest or Deacon who will officiate at your marriage. Certain documents must be supplied by the couple.
• The couple is encouraged to make all appointments and arrangements themselves.
• Flower petals, rice, confetti, or bird seed throwing is not permitted on St. Brigid property to safeguard people from falling.
• All matters to do with the marriage ceremony, such as the Scripture readings, music, videotaping or photography is worked out between the couple and the Priest/Deacon. Sufficient time given to prepare for your marriage is time well spent, and time you need to give yourselves. You are preparing for the great journey in married life with each other and the Lord.
• The couple is encouraged to contact the parish music ministry director at the outset of making their wedding plans.
• The parish wedding coordinator is required and provided by the parish at a minimal cost to the couple.

Please call the office at 696-0896. Healing Mass 1st Monday at 7:00 p.m.; if the office is closed, the time will be at 8:00 a.m.

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Quinceañera blessing dates are set in consultation with the pastor and take place at the 5:00pm mass on Saturdays. The church Quinceañera coordinator is required for all Quinceañera blessings taking place at St. Brigid Parish. Quinceañera debutante must meet with the pastor and/or coordinator as specified by the pastor.

Debutante must live within the boundaries of St. Brigid Parish and must have a history of attendance at Religious Education for the past two years. Also, debutante must attend classes given by the coordinator to be properly instructed in the cultural and religious traditions surrounding a Quinceañera. The liturgical celebration should be planned with the pastor and the coordinator at least 6-8 weeks prior to the Quinceañera. This preparation is important because this celebration is sacred.

Coordinator fees are the responsibility of the Quinceañera debutante.

The Blessed Sacrament Chapel is open at various times during the week for personal prayer and adoration of the Eucharist.

In their "1978 Pastoral Statement on Persons with Disabilities," the United States Catholic Bishops state that "catechesis for individuals with disabilities should be integrated with the normal catechetical programs of the parish." Therefore, children who have disabilities are encouraged to participate as much as possible in the regular classroom setting, the liturgical setting and social settings.

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Newcomers can register with the parish at anytime. Parish registration forms are located in the parish office or in the Narthex of the church building. We encourage all newcomers to attend an orientation held on the first Sunday of each Month. Come get to know your parish community. For more information, see the Newcomer Orientation Schedule.

Mass Intentions may be requested by calling the parish secretary during office hours. Our custom is one intention per Mass with a $5.00 donation per intention. Mass cards are available.

Families can sign up for altar flower donations. Donations are scheduled with the parish secretary during office hours and may be purchased at any local flower shop. You can also call the office for suggestions on where to get your flower arrangements, how they can be arranged, and when they can be delivered.

The Presence Lamp is located in the window of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel where the Eucharist is reserved for Communion by the sick and homebound and for Eucharistic adoration outside of Mass. The candle in this lamp burns constantly as a sign of honor shown to the Lord. We offer you the opportunity to dedicate the candle in this lamp to the memory of a loved one, etc. The candle burns for one week beginning on Friday.

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