St. Brigid

Parish History

Saint Brigid was founded in 1998 as a Catholic mission in the Johns Creek/Alpharetta area under Archbishop John F. Donoghue and was elevated to parish status on September 24, 2000, with Father W. Joseph Corbett as first pastor. The first Mass drew about 500 people to Centennial High School's auditorium; the parish soon grew to more than 1,500 families and dedicated its current Gothic Revival church on November 2, 2002. Under successive pastors — Msgr. Corbett, Msgr. Paul Reynolds, Msgr. David P. Talley, and the current pastor, Father Neil Herlihy — the parish has grown to more than 4,050 registered families, completed a rectory in 2008, and launched the 'Upon This Rock' capital campaign to expand parking and classroom space.

Patron Saint: St. Brigid of Kildare

Saint Brigid lived in Ireland in the 5th century (born c. 457 in County Kildare) and is, after Saint Patrick, the best-known Irish saint. She founded the Convent of Cill-Dara (Church of the Oak) and several monastic schools, and is honored as a patroness of students, of charity, and of compassionate care for those in distress. Her feast day is February 1, on which the parish notes the traditional custom of obtaining a Brigid's Cross in hope of the saint's blessing.

Clergy and Staff

Saint Brigid is led by Father Neil Herlihy (Pastor since July 1, 2013), assisted by Parochial Vicar Father Colin Patrick, Father Bill Hao (Priest in Residence), Senior Priest in Residence Msgr. Hugh Marren, and a team of permanent deacons including Deacon Leo Gahafer (Pastoral Associate and OCIA Director), Deacon Tom Huff, Deacon Ron Leidenfrost, Deacon Tim Tye, Deacon Paul Doppel, Deacon Jim Wolf, and Deacon Henry Hein. A full non-clergy staff supports Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, Music, Religious Education, the Day School, Finance, Sacramental Records, and Hospitality.

• Rev. Fr. Neil Herlihy — Pastor ([email protected])
• Rev. Fr. Colin Patrick — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
• Rev. Fr. Bill Hao — Priest in Residence ([email protected])
• Rev. Msgr. Hugh Marren — Senior Priest in Residence
• Rev. Mr. Leo Gahafer — Deacon, Pastoral Associate & OCIA Director ([email protected])
• Rev. Mr. Tom Huff — Deacon ([email protected])
• Rev. Mr. Ron Leidenfrost, Tim Tye, Paul Doppel, Jim Wolf, Henry Hein — Deacons
• Theresa Martin — Day School Director
• Jonathan Eason — Director of Music
• Marissa Couch — Life Teen Youth Minister
• Molly Hembree — Receptionist, Sacramental Recorder, Adult RE Assistant
• Mimi Gamel — OCIC Coordinator & Special Needs Youth Ministry Coordinator
• John D. Revell, Sr. — Chief Operating Officer
• Charisse Excell — Director of Finance / Wedding Ministry

Mass and Worship Schedule

Saint Brigid offers daily Mass Monday through Friday at 6:30 am and 9:00 am in the Chapel, a Saturday morning Mass at 9:00 am in the Church, the Sunday Vigil at 5:00 pm Saturday, and six Sunday Masses: 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm (Spanish/Español), and 5:00 pm (Life Teen). Evening Prayer with the Blessed Sacrament is held in the Chapel on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm.

• Monday–Friday: 6:30 am & 9:00 am — Chapel
• Saturday: 9:00 am — Church
• Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm — Church
• Sunday: 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm — Church
• Sunday: 2:30 pm — Spanish Mass (Español)
• Sunday: 5:00 pm — Life Teen Mass
• Wednesday 7:00 pm — Evening Prayer in the Chapel

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith Formation at Saint Brigid spans every age — from early childhood through adult — under the direction of Deacon Leo Gahafer and a team of parish catechists. Programs include PSR (Parish School of Religion) for preschool age 4 through 5th grade, Confirmation preparation in 9th and 10th grades, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Level 1) for ages 4–6, and Adult Education.

• PSR — Parish School of Religion (PreK–Grade 5, Sundays 10:30 am and Mondays 4:00 pm)
• Confirmation (9th and 10th grade)
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — Level 1 (ages 4–6)
• OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (Sept–April, Sunday mornings)
• OCIC — Order of Christian Initiation of Children
• Adult Education — Molly Hembree, coordinator

Youth Ministry

Saint Brigid runs one of the Archdiocese's strongest youth programs, anchored by Life Teen (high school) and EDGE (middle school), with a parallel track for teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Life Teen meets in Corbett Hall after the Sunday 5:00 pm Teen Mass; EDGE meets Sunday nights from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Both programs are supported by adult CORE teams, small-group leaders, meal-prep volunteers, retreat chaperones, and service-project coordinators.

• Life Teen (Grades 9–12) — Sundays 4:00–9:00 pm, with retreats and Mission trips
• EDGE (Grades 6–8) — Sundays 6:00–8:00 pm in Corbett Hall
• LTE: Living the Extraordinary — Special Needs Youth Group (6th grade – young adults)
• Vacation Bible School
• Children's Choir and Children's Liturgy of the Word

Saint Brigid Day School

Saint Brigid Day School is a Catholic early-childhood program for children ages 2 to 5, with a curriculum inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy of learning through exploration and play. In addition to the core classroom schedule, students receive Spanish, Art, Music, and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and the school describes itself as 'a place where children and families begin their lifelong journey of learning in a Catholic environment.'

• Ages 2 through 5
• Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum
• Spanish, Art, Music, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
• Director: Theresa Martin

Music and Liturgical Ministries

The Music Ministry, led by Director of Music Jonathan Eason, supports the parish's liturgies with multiple ensembles for children, teens, and adults. The sanctuary's choir loft is home to the parish's main choirs, while the Life Teen band '4HG' leads music at the Sunday 5:00 pm Life Teen Mass.

• The Choir of Saint Brigid
• Journey of Praise
• Children's Choir
• Cantors
• 4HG — Life Teen band
• Altar Servers
• Lectors
• Sacristans
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (to the Altar and to the Infirm)
• Greeters and Ushers
• Decorative Arts, Altar Flowers, Altar Linens

Outreach, Charity, and Helping Ministries

Saint Brigid parishioners serve the wider community through an active Saint Vincent de Paul conference, the local Habitat for Humanity chapter, Knights of Columbus service projects, Bereavement Ministry, Caring Connection, White Gloves (funeral receptions), Respect Life, Addiction Ministry, and a Career Transition / Employment Network. The parish also runs a Prayer Quilt Ministry and a Kitchen Angels team for parish meals and events.

• Saint Vincent de Paul
• Habitat for Humanity
• Knights of Columbus
• Bereavement Ministry & Funeral Receptions
• Caring Connection
• Respect Life
• Addiction Ministry
• The Employment Network / Career Transition Network
• Prayer Quilt Ministry
• Kitchen Angels

Devotions, Spiritual Growth, and Small Groups

Beyond the Mass schedule, Saint Brigid nourishes spiritual life through daily Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Marian Consecration, Lay Carmelites (Third Order), Legion of Mary, the Elijah Cup Prayer for Vocations, and the Renewed in Christ program. Small groups include Men's Bible Study, the Prime-Timers (seniors), the Man to Man ministry, the Mustard Seed group, Couples for Christ, the Cursillo Northside Ultreya, and Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

• Daily Rosary
• Divine Mercy Chaplet
• Marian Consecration
• Lay Carmelites – Third Order
• Legion of Mary
• Elijah Cup – Prayer for Vocations
• Renewed in Christ
• Men's Bible Study
• Prime-Timers
• Man to Man
• Mustard Seed
• Couples for Christ
• Cursillo – Northside Ultreya
• Worldwide Marriage Encounter

Marriage and Family Life

Engaged couples prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony through the parish's Sponsor Couple Program, in which an experienced married Catholic couple meets with them five times in their home using the book 'For Better and Forever.' Saint Brigid also hosts Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends, the Natural Family Planning ministry, New Beginnings (for separated or divorced), and Annulment support.

• Sponsor Couple Program — Marriage Preparation
• Worldwide Marriage Encounter
• Natural Family Planning
• New Beginnings
• Annulment support
• Wedding Ministry (Director of Finance / Wedding Ministry)

Getting Involved — New Parishioners and Registration

Newcomers can register online via the parish website and explore more than 70 ministries and organizations listed in the parish's Ministry Stewardship Directory booklet. The parish welcomes volunteers of all ages, from Day School parents and Life Teen CORE members to Adoration Guardians, Habitat for Humanity builders, Knights of Columbus members, and outreach ministry leaders.

• Online parish registration at saintbrigid.org
• 70+ ministries, organizations, and programs
• Volunteer opportunities for adults, teens, and young adults
• Online Giving available via the parish website

Facilities and Campus

The Saint Brigid campus at 3400 Old Alabama Road centers on the Gothic Revival-style church (capacity 1,200) with its choir loft, and includes a 100-seat Adoration Chapel, a parish hall (Corbett Hall) with a full restaurant-style kitchen, the Rectory (completed March 2008), the Day School building, and a large main-floor classroom wing. The 'Upon This Rock' capital campaign expanded parking and classroom space to accommodate the growing parish.

• Gothic Revival Sanctuary (1,200 seats) with choir loft
• Adoration Chapel (100 seats)
• Parish Hall (Corbett Hall) with full kitchen
• Rectory (built during Msgr. Reynolds' pastorate, completed March 2008)
• Day School building
• Classroom wing expanded via 'Upon This Rock' campaign