By Currents News and Ed Wilkinson
PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Speaking to a group of first- and second-generation Irish Americans, Bishop Robert Brennan said he feels the U.S. can do better when it comes to immigration policy.
Referring to the recent debate that has turned violent on several occasions, he said he was “deeply concerned about the rhetoric on both sides,” and added, “We can have law and order, and we don’t need chaos. At the same time, we can welcome newcomers.”
Bishop Brennan was the principal celebrant and homilist at the Diocese of Brooklyn’s second annual observance of the feast of St. Brigid, one of the three patron saints of Ireland, along with St. Patrick and St. Columba.
The cultural celebration on Jan. 31 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, which was organized by the diocesan Irish Apostolate, directed by Father Christopher Heanue, drew about 300 people despite freezing temperatures and icy conditions.
The bishop asked the congregation to intercede to St. Brigid of Kildare, known as a miracle worker, “so that Christ will dwell in our hearts.”
Referring to the Gospel of the day, Bishop Brennan noted that Jesus identified with the poor in spirit rather than with those who seek power, possessions, and popularity.
In the same way, he said, St. Brigid rejected the riches that could have been hers and instead embraced a life of prayer and extreme charity. She adopted a radical stance of solidarity and identified with the poor.