On This Page:
Pastor's Welcome
Joining A Parish
- Why Register- How to Register- Parish Support Sacraments
Religious Education
Important Forms &
Documents to Print
Dear Parishioners,
Welcome to Saint Bridget of Ireland Parish. Joining a parish indicates your commitment to the Catholic Faith and your desire to actively practice that faith. I applaud that decision and now I call upon you to meet the challenge that Jesus puts before us: the challenge to be generous, to be concerned for others, to share ourselves and our gifts with others.
Sharing takes many forms. We can take time to visit the sick. We can volunteer our talents for the good of the parish. We can give from the financial treasure the Lord has made it possible for us to possess. In whatever form it takes, sharing means doing something for people without wanting or expecting something in return. It is a challenge the Lord gives us when he calls upon us to love one another as the Father loves Him, and He loves us.
The funds collected each week are directed to the needs of our parish but also to support the work of our Diocese, the Stamford Catholic Regional School system, and the good works of the Catholic Church throughout the world.
As pastor of this parish I have been entrusted with the task to meet the spiritual needs of parishioners but also to care and maintain our facility and property. Today, as in your homes, inflation has increased parish expenses two or three times the level of just a few years ago. Decreasing vocations necessitates more and more lay involvement in administrative and support staff. Our parish is committed to providing the best possible religious education to our children. Naturally this requires your financial support. The children are the church of tomorrow and must be prepared for that challenge.
Unfortunately in the midst of these rising costs the average Catholic family only contributes approximately 1% on their income to the Church. Most people continue to give the same amount now that they have given each week for the past decade or more. It is important to remember our only source of income is your weekly donations.
While I appreciate each gift and remain committed to fiscal responsibility, I hope that by understanding the need for your financial support you will be as generous as possible.
As you join our community I once again welcome you, promise to keep you in my prayers and assure you that my door is always open. Please feel free to call me if I can be of any assistance to you and your family.
Peace and Blessings,
Rev. Gill C. Babeu, Pastor
Saint Bridget of Ireland Church
Welcome Information For New Parishioners
Joining A Parish
How to Register:
Registration forms are available in the vestibule of the church and can be downloaded by clicking the button below. Completed forms may be mailed to the rectory or given to any priest or usher following Mass. Please call the rectory at
324-2910 with any questions.
Parish Support:
We as a parish have been blessed by the Lord in so many ways. It begins with our Eucharistic celebration and extends to our community of faith.
Finances are obviously very important to support our ministry, and we appreciate the generous support we receive from our parishioners. As Catholics, we recognize that all we have – our time, our talents, our resources, even our very lives – are gifts from God. We are called to be good stewards of all these gifts, investing them wisely and generously for the sake of God’s Kingdom. We know that our Lord’s promise is to “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.”
After registering you will be sent donation envelopes. Each envelope states the purpose for that collection. Using the envelopes allows us to maintain records of your donations for income tax statements. Donation records are used to verify attendance and eligibility for the Catholic School system, to receive Sacraments or serve as a God parent or confirmation sponsor.
To help make it more convenient for you to financially support the parish, we have added an electronic payment option. This offers you the opportunity to make automatic financial contributions from your credit card or bank account to our parish. Electronic banking costs you nothing and provides many advantages to both you and your parish.
If you would like to take advantage of this new time-saving opportunity, please use the Payment Authorization Form below to provide your account information and choose a contribution schedule. You specify the contribution amount, how often you would like to contribute, and the specific date when funds will be transferred from your account. Return your completed form to the parish office or drop it in the collection basket. As always, please contact us if you have any questions.
We thank you for your generous and continued support of Saint Bridget of Ireland Parish as we work in service to Christ and our community.
Why register?
Opening the lines of communication between the parish and family is very important. This enables the parish priest and staff to make available rights and privileges guaranteed by Church law.
Canon Law and Diocesan policy require full parish membership before some sacraments may be administered. This is true of Baptism, Confirmation,
Marriage and Holy Orders. Affiliation with a parish is also required to be eligible to serve as a Godparent of Confirmation Sponsor
Sacraments
Baptism: Pre-baptism class is required for all parents prior to baptizing their first child. Classes are individually scheduled with our pre-baptism
instructor. Baptisms may be scheduled for any Sunday at 1:00 PM or in conjunction with any Sunday Mass. Please call the rectory to schedule
your class and Baptism.
Marriage: Arrangements should be made at least one year in advance. Each couple must meet with the Pastor prior to scheduling anything. A Diocesan Marriage Preparation class is required.
Anointing of the sick: Anyone seriously ill at home or in a hospital should be anointed. Please call the rectory to arrange a visit. Several times a year the Anointing of the Sick is offered at special Masses of healing and hope.
Funerals: The funeral liturgy is planned with the priest who will celebrate the Mass. He willprovide all information needed about the liturgy. Family members are encouraged to participate by proclaiming the readings.
Eucharist: As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for at least one hour.
Reconciliation: Saturdays from 3:30 PM - 3:45 PM or by private appointment. Contact a priest at the rectory (203) 324-2910 to schedule a time
Religious Education
Saint Bridget’s Religious Education Program
is available to assist parents in presenting the
Catholic faith to their children.
Program Objectives:
1. To provide religious education opportunities for
students in kindergarten - grade 8 who do not
attend Catholic School.
2. To assist Parents as they promote Catholic
attitudes, values, and practices to their children.
3. To provide opportunities and preparation for
the reception and celebration of the Sacraments.
4. To allow parents the opportunity to be active
participants in the faith lives of their children.
Program Prerequisites:
1. Family must be a registered, contributing member of St. Bridget’s parish.
2. Each child must be registered before entering the class.
3. Parents must provide documentation of any Sacraments the student has already received.
4. Children must attend Mass as part of their commitment to our faith and
the religious education program.
Parochial School Students:
Students attending Catholic School receive their Sacraments in their home parish. These students must register and attend preparation classes during
the year they are to receive the Sacrament (First Communion or Confirmation).
SAINT BRIDGET
OF IRELAND
STAMFORD CONNECTICUT
Click the buttons to
download a registration form or calendar
