Church guide

The Palm Sunday liturgy marks the beginning of Holy Week. It recalls Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The Easter Triduum, marking the days of Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection, is the most important time of the church year. It begins with the evening Mass on Holy Thursday, reaches its high point at the Easter Vigil, and ends on Easter Sunday evening. On Holy Thursday, April 18, we have the Washing of Feet in obedience to the Lord’s command to serve one another with His love. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper is at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s and St. Bridget’s followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with closing Vespers at 10:00 p.m. Please spend time praying in church following the Mass. (Operation Rice Bowl and the collection of non-perishable food for the local food shelf are offered.) The Good Friday rites, April 19, center on the reading of the Passion of Jesus. We remember the day that Christ died. According to ancient tradition, an image of the Cross is venerated this day, and Holy Communion is received. It is a day of fasting, abstinence, and quiet reflection. The Men’s Choir will sing at the Good Friday service at St. Bridget’s at noon. St. Mary’s Hammond will have their service at 3:00 p.m. The Holy Land collection will be received at this service. Evening Prayer will take place at 7:00 p.m. at both churches. The Easter Vigil on April 20 is the high point of the Easter Triduum. It is rich with symbols, rites, and readings, the Holy Saturday liturgy celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus. There are baptisms and people received into the Catholic Church. The Easter Vigil Mass begins at 7:30 p.m. at both churches. (Please note that there will be 5:00 p.m. at St. Bridget’s and no 7:00 p.m. Mass at St. Mary’s.) The Easter Sunday Masses on April 21 celebrate the fact that “on the third day He rose again.” Easter Sunday Masses at St. Mary’s will be at 8:00 a.m., and 10:00 a.m. and at St. Bridget’s: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

In his Palm Sunday homily this past weekend, Fr. Jerry stresses that there is no reason for suffering – it just exists. One of the lessons of Jesus’ Passion is that Jesus has been there – as a human, he suffered greatly emotionally, physically, and spiritually. As Christians, when we face difficult times, we can turn to Jesus, who understands, and has promised to be with us through it all. We can imitate his example of absolute, complete trust: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” #FatherJerryHomilies #StBridgetHomilies

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke: The elders of the people, chief priests and scribes, arose and brought Jesus before Pilate. They brought charges against him, saying, "We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Christ, a king." Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He said to him in reply, "You say so." Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, "I find this man not guilty." But they were adamant and said, "He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here." On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer. The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, "You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him." But all together they shouted out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us." — Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder. — Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, but they continued their shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Pilate addressed them a third time, "What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him." With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished. As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.' At that time people will say to the mountains, 'Fall upon us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!' for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?" Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews." Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last. Here all kneel and pause for a short time. The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, "This man was innocent beyond doubt." When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events. The Gospel of the LORD.

This is the final weekend of the KC food drive. If you have already donated, THANK YOU!

Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father! In your hands I place my spirit!” He said this and died. (Luke 23:46) Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed by the Nazis shortly before Easter. The prison doctor said of his death: “I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer…kneeling on the floor, praying fervently…I was most deeply moved by the way this lovable man prayed, so devout and so certain that God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he…climbed the steps to the gallows, brave and composed. His death ensued after a few seconds. In almost fifty years…as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.” - Eberhard Bethge, Dietrich Bonhoeffer What are my concerns as I imagine myself having a few minutes left to live? [ACTION 2000 Mark Link, S.J.] ~Fr. Jerry

Please pray for our RCIA candidates as they enter their final week of preparation to enter the Catholic church! (They will be welcomed into the church at the Easter Vigil.)

Due to the continuing weather concerns, all evening events at St. Bridget have been cancelled for tonight - Thursday, April 11.

We are currently without power. Our apologies for any missed emails or calls.

When defending the Catholic faith: 1. Stay calm - don't get angry or defensive. 2. Do your research - you can't share what you don't know. 3. LISTEN - don't assume what others believe. 4. Be humble - admit when you don't know something. 5. Make it personal - tell YOUR story! For more detail, check out this great 13 minute lesson: https://youtu.be/jf-n51jONg0

Due to the deteriorating weather conditions, faith formation classes, youth choir and praise team have been cancelled for tonight.

Fr. Rich stressed how utterly un-Christian it is to ever treat another human being as a "thing". We all have names. We all have faces. And we are EACH made in God's image!

As a ministry to those who were not able to join us in church last weekend, the recording of the full Mass is now available online at: https://www.saintbridgets.org/church/full-mass.cfm

Reconciliation begins at 11:00 a.m. and will continue until everyone has received the Sacrament. Light luncheon afterward but please register at the information desk so we know how many to plan for.

In his homily this past weekend, Father Rich points out that when the scribes bring a woman accused of adultery to Jesus, he demands that they too take personal responsibility their own sins. We cannot judge others until we judge ourselves. This is what Lent is all about. Look inward. True conversion starts by taking ownership of our mistakes and shortcomings, and of the impact that they have on everyone around us. Because every time we sin, it affects everyone around us. Sin is not personal, it is communal. Thankfully, God always gives us a do-over. “Go and sin no more.” #FatherRichHomilies #StBridgetHomilies

RCIA candidates from St Bridget and St Mary’s in Hammond gathered together on Saturday for their Retreat. We are so blessed and grateful to all who helped make this day possible and for the space we have here at St. Bridget to accommodate all that happens here on these parish grounds! Please pray for our RCIA candidates as they enter their final few weeks of preparation to enter the church at the Easter Vigil!

A reading from the holy gospel according to John: Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” The Gospel of the LORD.

Sunday's gospel is John 8:1-11. The woman caught in adultery. A nameless woman was caught in the act of adultery. The punishment was to be stoned to death. So where was the man who was caught in the act of adultery with her? He is not identified let alone named. The religious leaders were trying to set a trap for Jesus if he would say don't stone her to death. All Jesus does is say, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” They all went away. Jesus looked at the nameless woman and said, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” Powerful story of God's mercy for whatever sin we have committed. Can we trust that God forgives our greatest sins? God does! Believe it! ~Fr. Harris

A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land! Under the spiritual direction of Fr. John Anderson (New Richmond) and assisted by Fr. Rich Rhinehart (Hammond/River Falls). January 2-14, 2020 Cost: Cash/check: $3,499 / Credit Card: $3,599 (This cost includes breakfast and dinner on most days, accommodations, and round trip airfare from Minneapolis.) Space if very limited! Deposits due April 21, 2019! Contact Fr. Rich for more information or to register. [[email protected], (651)764-8466]

In his Palm Sunday homily this past weekend, Fr. Jerry stresses that there is no reason for suffering – it just exists. One of the lessons of Jesus’ Passion is that Jesus has been there – as a human, he suffered greatly emotionally, physically, and spiritually. As Christians, when we face difficult times, we can turn to Jesus, who understands, and has promised to be with us through it all. We can imitate his example of absolute, complete trust: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” #FatherJerryHomilies #StBridgetHomilies

In his homily this past weekend, Father Rich points out that when the scribes bring a woman accused of adultery to Jesus, he demands that they too take personal responsibility their own sins. We cannot judge others until we judge ourselves. This is what Lent is all about. Look inward. True conversion starts by taking ownership of our mistakes and shortcomings, and of the impact that they have on everyone around us. Because every time we sin, it affects everyone around us. Sin is not personal, it is communal. Thankfully, God always gives us a do-over. “Go and sin no more.” #FatherRichHomilies #StBridgetHomilies

In his homily this past weekend, Father Jerry explains that in the parable of the Prodigal Son, the older son was so full of hate and bitterness that he couldn’t be open to his father’s love. It’s the same with us. If we are so full of hate, there is no room for God’s love – for true Joy. How do we get rid of the hate? Forgiveness. This gospel is calling us to look at our lives. What are we hanging on to that is keeping us from being fully open to God’s Love and Joy? The power of forgiveness is profound! We need to forgive, even if they don’t deserve it. Forgiveness does not excuse what was done that was wrong, but it does free YOU of its hold on you! Admittedly, some situations just cannot be reconciled. You just have to let them go. Forgive. Embrace God’s love. Let go … and invite God’s love and joy into that space! #FatherJerryHomilies #StBridgetHomilies

In his homily this past weekend, Father Rich explains that in the parable of the fig tree, Jesus is the gentle Gardener, nurturing our growth. This parable invites us to appreciate how infinitely merciful and compassionate God is! Lent is an opportunity to focus on the conversion that Jesus calls us to - both inwardly and outwardly. #FatherRichHomilies #StBridgetHomilies

In his homily this past weekend, Father Jerry explains that the Transfiguration depicts Jesus shining in his full glory while standing between Moses, who represents the Law, and Elijah, who represents the Prophets. This powerfully communicates that Jesus is the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets. This “mountaintop experience” would help the disciples get through the difficult times that were to come. We need “mountaintop experiences” to get us through the valleys of life, too. And everyone’s mountaintop experience will be different. Your mountaintop experience may happen gradually, over time. Your mountaintop experience may be a powerful, but not necessarily a positive, “feel good” experience. Yet all of these events can be sacred, grace filled moments that guide our faith journey. Pay attention to them! #FatherJerryHomilies #StBridgetHomilies

Feed your soul with a 3 minute Lenten retreat ... let go of what weighs you down and holds you back ... and fall into the arms of our merciful Lord!

In his homily this past weekend, Father Jerry points out that the devil used power, prestige, and possessions to tempt Jesus into being less than who he was truly meant to be. Lent is about turning our lives around, and reminding ourselves who we are: God’s People! During Lent, we pause to reflect on what may be tempting us to be less than what we are meant to be. And we resolve to make even the smallest of changes to overcome that temptation. #FatherJerryHomilies #StBridgetHomilies

In his homily this past weekend, Father Jerry admits that self-examination is always hard. But, he notes, it is also a crucial part of making positive changes in our own lives. We need to be careful, however, when judging other people. While all people should be held accountable for their behavior, we cannot presume to know what is going on in their heart. We should correct with kind words and focus on what is good. We’re in this together. We need to be gentle with each other. #FatherJerryHomilies #StBridgetHomilies

In his homily this past weekend, Father Jerry reminds us that forgiving does not mean forgetting, and forgiving does not mean that others are not responsible for their actions. But forgiveness does FREE you! Those who have hurt you do not continue to hold power over you. If we all actually live the radical forgiveness that Jesus teaches, we would truly transform the world! #FatherJerryHomilies #StBridgetHomilies

Fr. Dave Pivonka's final blessing at the Parish Mission is too beautiful not to share!