Sergio Soto (x 1005; sergiostb@sbcglobal.net)
Following the Second Vatican Council came a renewal of the Church's mission to preach, teach, and reach. We are all called to remember Christ's example in living our lives - at home, in the workplace, and in recreation. Through the love of Christ, and through the example given to us by Christ, we seek to transform individuals and society so that the God-given gifts of every person are celebrated and utilized for the common good. As Community, we reach within and beyond our boundaries through social affairs, community outreach, recreation and service projects. To minister in any of the following areas, contact Sergio Soto @ x1005.
Outreach Ministries
Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)
A program of youth sports and recreation emphasizing friendly competition through good sportsmanship modeled by adult participants. It uses sports as a venue to the deeper issues of life. All volunteers serve as youth ministers within an athletic context. The sports programs currently covered by St. Brigid are: baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, t-ball, volleyball, and track. The starting age in the program is age 4. General meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm.
Funeral Luncheon Ministry
Hospitality is an ancient Christian virtue and one that draws down blessings on the hospitable. This ministry models itself after St. Brigid and St. Martha, who both were examples of brotherly love. Martha's home was a Christian meeting place and she provided hospitality to the Apostles, as well as Jesus. St. Brigid had no limit to her charity and power for doing good.
This ministry involves being available on short notice in the mornings and early afternoons when there is a death and funeral in the parish. The menu is put together, shopping, food solicitation, some food preparation, set up, serving, and cleanup are carried out by various members of this team.
Habitat for Humanity
Eliminating substandard housing one family at a time and replacing it with a modest, decent, affordable dwelling in partnership with Habitat for Humanity is the mission reflected in this ministry. We have been participating in one "build" a year for several years. Many dedicated hands are required over a relatively short period of time to achieve the vision. People are needed to organize, prepare and serve the lunches, work on the house in the construction crew, schedule the volunteers, pray for the safety of the workers and the new homeowner, etc. The annual build usually begins in September.
Meals on Wheels
The mission of this ministry is to enable the aging population to remain independent in their homes for as long as possible. To achieve this, our ministry from St. Brigid Parish works together with Christian Senior Services to provide a hot meal once a day for those who need this assistance in our area. Christian Senior Services prepares the meals and delivers them to our St. Brigid site at around 10:00 am Monday through Friday. Two teams deliver these meals to the homes of the clients whose names are provided by Christian Senior Services. The time involved to perform this ministry is about two hours and scheduling is done on a monthly basis based on the minister's availability.
Nursery Care
On Sundays at the 10:30 am and the 12:30 pm Masses, care for children birth through age 4 is provided in the nursery adjoining the worship area. There are two adults and several youth who lovingly watch over and interact with your little ones in a safe environment. This gives parents the opportunity to spend quality time with God and community free of distraction.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
This is an international Catholic Organization of lay persons founded by Frederic Ozanam and under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul. It seeks, in a spirit of justice and charity and by person-to-person involvement of its members, to help those who are suffering. Our ministers are here at various hours during the week to assist with food, clothing, and, sometimes, financial assistance in emergency situations. Please call for their office hours.
There is a monthly food drive on the first full weekend of the month to supply our pantry shelves. Special activities include the Thanksgiving food drive, which supplies Thanksgiving dinner to approximately 80 needy families. At Christmas, the children of our clients are remembered with a Christmas gift that comes from the parish Advent Sharing Tree. Our needy children are also remembered before the start of school with new school supplies to encourage enthusiasm for the new school year, and their success and interest in learning. There is a monthly meeting of the membership on the first Monday of each month at 5:30 pm.
Respect Life Ministries
Blood Drive
Blood Drive
Twice a year, in January and mid-summer, those parishioners who are able are asked to give a unit of blood. These drives help individuals in our parish, as well as the greater community. Giving is made convenient by The South Texas Blood Center, who sends their staff of technicians to St. Brigid Parish so that parishioners may give after any of the weekend Masses on the designated weekend.
Pro-Life
The primary focus of this group is to protect the right to life of every human being, with particular focus on the plight of the unborn. Also of concern are the death penalty, euthanasia, research, etc. This is done through prayer, education, and promoting awareness in others. Each year on Mothers' Day Weekend, a baby shower is held. Parishioners are encouraged to bring a new item for a new baby and these items are donated to Seton Home and Allied Women's Center.
Social Concerns
Education, advocacy, and social action concerning issues of injustices in the home, workplace, school, church, neighborhood, city, state, country, and world are of consideration. Political candidate forums, environmental issues, health issues, aging information, etc. are just a few of the items explored as the opportunity arises. School supplies and Christmas gifts are collected for the needy in our parish and larger community.
Social Ministries
Coffee Fellowship
A ministry that promotes parish community, goodwill, and hospitality. It is an expression of our motto - "There are no strangers here, only friends we have not met." This outreach is provided after the 8:00 am and the 10:30 am Sunday Masses in the Narthex of the church. Our ministers prepare the coffee, serve it, and clean up afterwards.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Ministry
The primary purpose of this ministry is spreading devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. This group is made up of active members of St. Brigid parish and invites anyone interested in serving in the ministry to be a part of their prayer and devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. They pray the rosary after the 8:00 pm Bilingual Mass on the second Sunday of each month in the Marian or Day Chapel, and participate in other forms of adoration, as well. On December 12, a fiesta is put on free of charge to the parish, following a Mass honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe.See 'Special Parish Events' for more information on this event.
Knights of Columbus Council #11596
While the Knights of Columbus is a National Catholic Fraternal Organization, Council #11596 is dedicated to providing family and service activities that benefit the community of St. Brigid Parish. It holds a monthly taco sale, barbeque dinner sales, etc. to raise funds for college scholarships for the youth of our parish. In addition, the council works jointly with the youth on the annual Youth Mission Spaghetti Dinner, with the proceeds going to our annual youth mission activities. They work on archdiocesan and national activities and charities as well, such as the Tootsie Roll Drive (for the deaf ministry) and the Free Throw Competition for the youth.
Socially, they begin and end the year with sponsoring the annual New Year's Eve Party, Christmas smoked turkey sale, Easter egg giveaway, and major parish events such as Homecoming. The Knights of Columbus meet on the second Tuesday of each month. The families gather for Mass in the Day Chapel at 7:00 pm and then the general meeting follows for Knights only at 7:45 pm in the Kildare Room.
Ladies Auxiliary of the Knight of Columbus Council #11596
The Ladies' Auxiliary membership is open to women over the age of 18. Auxiliary 11596 aids the Knights of Columbus Council's spiritual and charitable growth. In addition, the Auxiliary enhances the social life of the entire family, promotes good fellowship and love, and performs selected works of charity. Gathering time is every second Tuesday of the month with Mass at 7:00 pm in the Day Chapel and the meeting at 7:45 pm in the Parish Library located in the parish hall building.
Newcomers Orientation
These compassionate people know what it is like to be new and full of questions. Each month on the first Sunday, at 9:15 am a team conducts an orientation program that lasts about 45 minutes. Newcomers can register in the parish at that time and meet our pastor, deacons, and team members. You will learn how our parish functions, its mission and philosophy. It also gives us a chance to meet and welcome you. It is a very efficient way to learn about the new parish you are joining. You can find out all you need in just minutes, versus many phone calls or just being in the dark. For more information, see the Newcomer Orientation Schedule.
Young At Heart
On the first Thursday of each month at 10:00 am, a strictly social group of parishioners over the age of 50 gather for a morning of games and fellowship. At noon, a potluck lunch is shared. Sometimes field trips are planned.
Support Groups
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
There are two groups of AA that meet here on a regular basis. There is a Monday night group of men and women. Meeting time is 8:00 pm. There is also a Friday evening group that meets at 8:15 pm.
Bereavement
As the need and opportunity arise, a bereavement education and support program is set up and held at St. Brigid. Both daytime and evening meetings have been held.
Disability Advocacy Ministry
Presently, our core group is not meeting on a regular basis. Their purpose is to be of support to one another and to be vigilant of the needs of the physically challenged, and to keep the community aware of obstacles.
