206 Tours ( a national Catholic pilgrimage company)

Email from Mike K:

I have been working with 206 Tours (a national Catholic pilgrimage company) to promote one of their tours. Carol and I are registered and are planning to go. Hope the link below works, which will take you to a website with full information. If not, please let me know and I can send you the link separately.

https://www.206tours.com/cms/kozak

Full Disclosure: Carol and I would enjoy a trip incentive depending upon how many people sign-up under our website. Our group will be joining an existing 206 Tour. It is my understanding that the total number of pilgrims is limited to about 34 and I’m told this particular tour tends to sell out, but I was also told that probably won’t happen until next year or late 2026.

FYI, Carol and have been on a previous 206 Tour to Poland and we thoroughly enjoyed our trip. We are asking everyone to keep in mind that this is a spiritual pilgrimage, not your standard vacation. As you know, when things get out of order you just have to offer it up! Having said that, we thought 206 Tours was a first-class operation. Please let me know whether you have any interest. Also, please let me know if you have any questions.

Peace,

Mike K

April Meeting - Saturday April 11, 2026

Our April meeting will be Saturday April 11, 2026 at 6:45 am, in the meeting room off the commons.

We’ll start at 6:45 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend 8:00 am Mass.

The Doctor we will cover is St. John of the Cross (Chap. 27 in Pope Benedict’s book), preceded by our Gospel reflection for Divine Mercy Sunday ( which is April 12 this year ).

You can find information about him in

Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict

or

The 35 Doctors of the Church by Fr. Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew Bunson which is available at this link.

Thanks to Mike K for volunteering to facilitate our April meeting!

Thanks to David W for facilitating our March meeting!

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!

April Meeting - Saturday April 11, 2026

Our April meeting will be Saturday April 11, 2026 at 6:45 am, in the meeting room off the commons.

We’ll start at 6:45 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend 8:00 am Mass.

The Doctor we will cover is St. John of the Cross (Chap. 27 in Pope Benedict’s book), preceded by our Gospel reflection for Divine Mercy Sunday ( which is April 12 this year ).

You can find information about him in

Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict

or

The 35 Doctors of the Church by Fr. Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew Bunson which is available at this link.

Thanks to Mike K for volunteering to facilitate our April meeting!

Thanks to David W for facilitating our March meeting!

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!

April Meeting - Saturday April 11, 2026

Our April meeting will be Saturday April 11, 2026 at 6:45 am, in the meeting room off the commons.

We’ll start at 6:45 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend 8:00 am Mass.

The Doctor we will cover is St. John of the Cross (Chap. 27 in Pope Benedict’s book), preceded by our Gospel reflection for Divine Mercy Sunday ( which is April 12 this year ).

You can find information about him in

Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict

or

The 35 Doctors of the Church by Fr. Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew Bunson which is available at this link.

Thanks to Mike K for volunteering to facilitate our April meeting!

Thanks to David W for facilitating our March meeting!

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!

April Meeting - Saturday April 11, 2026

Our April meeting will be Saturday April 11, 2026 at 6:45 am, in the meeting room off the commons.

We’ll start at 6:45 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend 8:00 am Mass.

The Doctor we will cover is St. John of the Cross (Chap. 27 in Pope Benedict’s book), preceded by our Gospel reflection for Divine Mercy Sunday ( which is April 12 this year ).

You can find information about him in

Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict

or

The 35 Doctors of the Church by Fr. Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew Bunson which is available at this link.

Thanks to Mike K for volunteering to facilitate our April meeting!

Thanks to David W for facilitating our March meeting!

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!

April Meeting - Saturday April 11, 2026

Our April meeting will be Saturday April 11, 2026 at 6:45 am, in the meeting room off the commons.

We’ll start at 6:45 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend 8:00 am Mass.

The Doctors we will cover are TBD.

You can find information about them in

Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict

or

The 35 Doctors of the Church by Fr. Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew Bunson which is available at this link.

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate our April meeting!

Thanks to David W for facilitating our March meeting!

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!

April Meeting - Saturday April 11, 2026

Our April meeting will be Saturday April 11, 2026 at 6:45 am, in the meeting room off the commons.

We’ll start at 6:45 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend 8:00 am Mass.

The Doctors we will cover are TBD.

You can find information about them in

Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict

or

The 35 Doctors of the Church by Fr. Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew Bunson which is available at this link.

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate our April meeting!

Thanks to David W for facilitating our March meeting!

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!

April Meeting - Saturday April 11, 2026

Our April meeting will be Saturday April 11, 2026 at 6:45 am, in the meeting room off the commons.

We’ll start at 6:45 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend 8:00 am Mass.

The Doctors we will cover are TBD.

You can find information about them in

Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict

or

The 35 Doctors of the Church by Fr. Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew Bunson which is available at this link.

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate our April meeting!

Thanks to David W for facilitating our March meeting!

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!

Speak Up! Henrico Bus Sign-Up Form - 2026 VA March For Life (April 22)

Emails from Mike K:

The Virginia March for Life is scheduled for April 22nd at 11:00 a.m., beginning with a Rally on the grounds of the State Capital. This year’s March is critically important. As you know, pro-abortion members of our General Assembly have succeeded in getting a so-called “right to abortion” constitutional amendment on the upcoming November general election ballot.  If yes votes garner a simple majority, the Virginia Constitution will be amended to provide for almost unlimited abortion, up to and including late term abortions. Tragically, this would make Virginia one of the most permissive abortion states in America, leading to the possibility of “abortion tourism” filling the coffers of Planned Parenthood and the like. Most Virginians would favor at least some limits on the abortion license, but education is necessary so people understand that this amendment would remove virtually all regulatory oversight and parental consent provisions of Virginia’s already liberal abortion regime.

The link below will provide you the opportunity to register for free bus transportation downtown. The bus will be departing from the Grove Avenue Baptist Church on Ridge Rd. Full details available by clicking on the link. You can also register to attend a free lunch seminar, where further information will be provided on the abortion amendment referendum.  Of course, please invite your families and friends.

I will also try to arrange a carpool leaving from St. Bridget at 10:00 a.m. or so on the morning of the March. Please email me directly if you are willing to drive. Whether you ride the bus, carpool, or drive yourself, I would urge you to prayerfully consider joining this crucial witness to the right to life in our Commonwealth.

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops statement on Faithful Citizenship, the respect life issue is the preeminent issue of our times. Moreover, the pro-life cause is one of the pillars of the Knights of Columbus.  Whether by prayer, fasting, donations, and/or marching, I would again respectfully urge you to engage in this spiritual struggle to protect the most vulnerable among us.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBYg_I00Q4Ay2EdPIpDFc9Ci7tHUcr9H5ONuQGytVCx_GiLg/viewform

Fraternally,

Mike K.

P.S.  Speaking of threats to the pro-life cause, don’t forget the referendum on the special election ballot coming up on April 21.  Passage of this disingenuously titled act would allow for partisan gerrymandering of Virginia’s House of Representatives districts before the 2026 midterm elections in November. Please prayerfully consider the consequences of your vote and make sure you understand what is at stake.


Second email from Mike K:

Received some information from Jo Ellen that follows up on my email of March 18.  This also provides a link to the Virginia March for Life website for further information:

…I am providing the information for the Speak Up Henrico bus registration. You can also register through the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBYg_I00Q4Ay2EdPIpDFc9Ci7tHUcr9H5ONuQGytVCx_GiLg/viewform

 

For the referral question- Be sure to put Saint Bridget Catholic Church…It is free to ride; they only ask for an offering for anyone who may want to contribute when they return. I feel seats will go fast this year. If you want to keep informed about all the schedule and information for the VA March event, you can also register as an individual through the link here as well. This will also provide more information about the Engage meetings we discussed today. We are hoping to have the largest crowd ever for this event!!

https://marchforlife.org/virginia/ 


April Meeting - Saturday April 11, 2026

Our April meeting will be Saturday April 11, 2026 at 6:45 am, in the meeting room off the commons.

We’ll start at 6:45 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend 8:00 am Mass.

The Doctors we will cover are TBD.

You can find information about them in

Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict

or

The 35 Doctors of the Church by Fr. Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew Bunson which is available at this link.

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate our April meeting!

Thanks to David W for facilitating our March meeting!

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!

Holy Thursday Request

Email from the St. Bridget Liturgy Committee:

Good morning,

I'm reaching out on behalf of our parish's Liturgy Committee. We're asking our parish community to play an important role in our Triduum celebration. Will you please distribute the following request to your membership.

We will continue the traditional foot washing on Holy Thursday - the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament. This world-wide (and Jesus-introduced) practice is a beautiful sign of humility and responding to God's call, but we know it's not an easy one!

Our priests will wash the feet of twelve volunteers at Mass on Holy Thursday evening - April 2nd at 7:00 PM. We're reaching out to you for a nominee (or two) from the Men's Ministry to join this group of twelve. To volunteer, please reply to Brook B at brkbll@gmail.com or Don D at donaldfdelaneyjr@gmail.com by March 25th.

Thank you for all you do for our parish.

April Meeting - Saturday April 14, 2026

Our April meeting will be Saturday April 14, 2026 at 6:45 am, in the meeting room off the commons.

We’ll start at 6:45 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend 8:00 am Mass.

The Doctors we will cover are TBD.

You can find information about them in

Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict

or

The 35 Doctors of the Church by Fr. Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew Bunson which is available at this link.

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate our April meeting!

Thanks to David W for facilitating our March meeting!

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!

March Meeting - Saturday March 14, 2026

Our March meeting will be Saturday March 14, 2026 at 6:45 am, in the meeting room off the commons.

We’ll start at 6:45 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend 8:00 am Mass.

The Doctors we will cover are St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila, Chapters 24 and 25 in Pope Benedict’s Doctors of the Church.

You can find information about them in

Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict

or

The 35 Doctors of the Church by Fr. Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew Bunson which is available at this link.

Thanks to David W for volunteering to facilitate our March meeting!

Thanks to Pat A for facilitating our February meeting!

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!

March Meeting - Saturday March 14, 2026

Our March meeting will be Saturday March 14, 2026 at 6:45 am, in the meeting room off the commons.

We’ll start at 6:45 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend 8:00 am Mass.

The Doctors we will cover are St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila, Chapters 24 and 25 in Pope Benedict’s Doctors of the Church.

You can find information about them in

Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict

or

The 35 Doctors of the Church by Fr. Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew Bunson which is available at this link.

Thanks to David W for volunteering to facilitate our March meeting!

Thanks to Pat A for facilitating our February meeting!

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!

March Meeting - Saturday March 14, 2026 NEED A FACILITATOR!

Our March meeting will be Saturday March 14, 2026 at 6:45 am, in the meeting room off the commons.

We’ll start at 6:45 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend 8:00 am Mass.

The Doctors we will cover are TBD.

EMAIL LSHADOWEN@AOL.COM TO VOLUNTEER TO FACILITATE OUR MEETING!

You can find information about them in

Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict

or

The 35 Doctors of the Church” by Fr. Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew Bunson which is available at this link.

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate our March meeting!

Thanks to Pat A for facilitating our February meeting!

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!

March Meeting - Saturday March 14, 2026

Our March meeting will be Saturday March 14, 2026 at 6:45 am, in the meeting room off the commons.

We’ll start at 6:45 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend 8:00 am Mass.

The Doctors we will cover are TBD.

You can find information about them in

Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict

or

The 35 Doctors of the Church” by Fr. Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew Bunson which is available at this link.

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate our March meeting!

Thanks to Pat A for facilitating our February meeting!

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!

March Meeting - Saturday March 14, 2026

Our March meeting will be Saturday March 14, 2026 at 6:45 am, in the meeting room off the commons.

We’ll start at 6:45 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend 8:00 am Mass.

The Doctors we will cover are TBD.

You can find information about them in

Doctors of the Church by Pope Benedict

or

The 35 Doctors of the Church” by Fr. Christopher Rengers and Dr. Matthew Bunson which is available at this link.

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate our March meeting!

Thanks to Pat A for facilitating our February meeting!

Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!

Shrine Pilgrimage Reminders



Dear St. Bridget Pilgrims,



Just a reminder that you should plan to be at the front parking lot no later than 6:20 a.m. this Saturday morning. Our departure is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. sharp.



A couple of the St. Edward’s overflow may need rides, so we will probably need Tony, Henry, and Bill to drive. Please note my reference to EZ-Pass below. Free lunch for the drivers and Fr. Patrick!



The schedule is below.



With Fr. Patrick celebrating Mass at 11:00 a.m., I will plan to lead the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet immediately following Mass.



There is a half marathon scheduled for Saturday, March 7 with road closures along the Cary St/ River Road/ Huguenot Road corridors. Road closures start at 6am. This should not affect those approaching St. B from the north, but east, west, and south approaches are impacted. See attached.



Looking forward to seeing everybody on Saturday morning!



Peace be with you,

Mike K.



All activities are optional for the individual pilgrim ( except for our departure time):



6:20 a.m. Arrive at St. Bridget front parking lot for carpool



6:30 a.m. Prompt Departure



8:30 a.m. Coffee, etc. ( Shrine Cafeteria )



9:00 a.m. Guided Tour of the Shrine



10:00 a.m. Confessions available, private prayer, bookstore, gift shop



11:00 a.m. Private Mass celebrated by Father Patrick ( Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel on the Lower Level of the Shrine ) followed by praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet



11:35 a.m. Rosary prayed in the Crypt Church (Lower Level of the Shrine) before the regular Shrine Mass at 12:10 p.m. in the Crypt Church



1:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross in the Cyrpt Church ( immediately following Mass)



1:45 p.m. (approximately) Meet back in Cafeteria. Departure for lunch at The Dubliner. Traditionally, clergy and drivers have lunch covered by the rest of the group. Please bring cash to pay your pro-rata share to the person who puts the bill on his credit card. We are usually in the $30-$40 range per person (usually closer to $30 and usually my credit card )



We depart for return to St. Bridget immediately following lunch and are back by 5:30-6:00 p.m. depending on traffic. Express lanes are open southbound on Saturdays as I recall, so bring or borrow an EZ-Pass if you’re going to be a driver.