St. Brigid of Kildare

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Summer Greetings from Solas Bhríde Spirituality Centre

“Light, Light, the visible reminder of invisible Light” – T.S. Elliott [Sassy_Social_Share] Summer Greetings from Solas Bhríde Spirituality Centre We have been truly blessed over the last few weeks by beautiful sunshine. We have also been blessed by the many pilgrim groups and visitors who have ‘dropped in’ to visit and spend some time at the Centre. Many have come to Kildare for the first time but for some, Solas Bhríde is a regular stopping point as they travel to monastic sites around Ireland. We have also noticed an increase in the number of individual pilgrims, family and parish groups who come to Solas Bhríde – all are welcome. If you are in Kildare Town, do drop in…you may like to stroll in the garden, mindfully complete the meditative walk or spend some quiet time in the Brigid or Prayer Rooms. The summer programme is available to view on our website and includes a Celebration of Mid-summer Light – Solstice time, a Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of St. Brigid and a National Heritage Week event ‘The Wisdom of Trees”. For futher details on these events and how to book see below. Plans are underway for an exciting programme of events for the Autumn and for the commemoration of Brigid 1500 in 2024. As details are finalised, they will be posted on the Solas Bhríde website. Warm blessings of love and peace to all. Solas Bhríde Team & Cairde Bhríde Pilgrimage Day – Walking in the Footsteps of St Brigid – Saturday 1st July On this pilgrim journey we invite you spend time in reflection, to visit sites associated with St Brigid with a long spiritual heritage, to slow the pace and to feed the spirit.Gather at Solas Bhríde Spirituality Centre for 10.30am  To book a place for this click here Pilgrimage – Retracing the Footsteps of St Brigid & St Conleth – Saturday 29th July Look out for news on a pilgrimage organised jointly by Kildare and Newbridge Parishes “Retracing the Footsteps of St Brigid & St Conleth”. The pilgrimage is in prepartion for the commemoration of Brigid 1500 in 2024 and will be led by Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. Solas Bhríde are delighted to be a part of the preparation of this pilgrimage which will take in parts of the Curragh (Brigid’s Pastures). Information will be available shortly through Kildare and Newbridge parishes and on here. National Heritage Week – ‘The Wisdom of Trees’ – Thursday 17th August Join us at Solas Bhríde where Paddy Gleeson will lead us on a tree and shrub discovery walk through the Centre grounds, not only informing us of their environmental significance but also sharing much of the ancient folklore and mythology assoicated with our native trees. This is a family friendly event with a tree naming activity for younger members. To book a place for this click here Brigid 1500 at Solas Bhríde Planning for this momentous year is underway and as events are finalised they will be posted on our website www.solasbhride.ie ‘Rekindling the Flame’ ‘Rekindling the Flame’ is a beautiful collection of story, poems and meditations – the perfect companion for your pilgrim journey in Kildare Town. The book is on sale now and is available to buy by clicking the link below. Purchase Rekindling the Flame here Booking is essential for all events.Further details on all the events can be viewed here.Please book through our website www.solasbhride.ie or if you require assistance please contact us by email: info@solasbhride.ie or phone: 045-522890 ‘If light is in your heart, you will find your way home’ – Rumi Join our Mailing List Make a Donation Help support the work of Solas Bhride Spirituality Centre. CHY. NO. 18649

Summer Newsletter 2022

SOLAS BHRÍDE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN KILDARE TOWN From little acorns, grow mighty oaks Summer Greetings from Solas Bhríde as we approach the start of a years celebration to mark our 30 Year ministry in Kildare Town. The journey of Solas Bhríde commenced with the arrival of two Brigidine Sisters, Mary Minehan and Phil O’Shea on 22nd August, 1992 to further explore the spiritual and cultural heritage of their patroness, St. Brigid of Kildare. The challenge was to focus on developing Brigidine spirituality and reclaiming St. Brigid in a new way for a new millenium. Where else would you go, except to the heartland of St. Brigid to forge new pathways and respond to new and emerging needs. It was a whole new adventure, with a sense of excitement and anticipation as they journeyed into the unknown. A very warm welcome was extended to them by the people of Kildare. A year of celebration to mark the past thirty years will commence on 22nd August 2022 and conclude on 22nd August 2023.  A series of events are being planned to mark those thirty years. Our first public event is an open invitation to all to ‘drop-in’ for a cup of tea and a chat on Thursday 15th September and we will be delighted to welcome you to Solas Bhríde. There will further sharing from the archives in the coming weeks and a full programme of events will be posted on our website www.solasbhride.ie Míle Buíochas Mary, Phil & Rita

Spring 2022 Newsletter

Snowdrops, once known as Brigid’s footprints, popped up to greet the first day of Spring as friends old and new joined us in our celebrations of Féile Bríde through talks, ritual, pilgrimage, chats and stillness. The weeklong festivities as always were greatly enhanced by the involvement of Kildare Town Library, Kildare Education Support Centre, Kildare Heritage Centre, Into Kildare, the very committed members of Cairde Bhríde and with the support of Kildare County Council. We were also delighted to host an exhibition by SULT, a group of artists from across Kildare. ‘Moving towards the Light’ was the theme of this year’s Afri’s conference. The conference asked us to challenge the culture of violence and to re-define the meaning of maleness where the characteristics of aggression and dominance are replaced with the values of kindness, strength and compassion, values espoused by Brigid of Kildare. Rita Minehan presented the Brigid Flame, a symbol of Hope Justice and Peace. This is a special year for Solas Bhríde as it marks the 30th anniversary of the arrival of the Brigidine Sisters in Kildare Town and the subsequent establishment of Solas Bhríde Spirituality Centre. We look forward to sharing our memories of the many special people we encountered along the journey and will host events throughout the year to mark the anniversary. Thank you all for the richness of your presence this week and we look forward to welcoming you back to our many events planned for this year. We now share some highlights from Féile Bríde and introduce you to some of our spring/summer events for 2022. Mary, Rita, Phil & Geraldine