St. Michael's Church

5/17/12

Increasingly wider segments of American society note the cultural and sometimes economic distance between those who take on military service and those who do not.

Sometimes the contrast is too stark.  Affluence and highly educated young men and women do serve with distinction and dedication.

But the evolution of Memorial Day from a solemn observance of lives laid down to the final Monday of May and the beginning of summer season shows a crippled memory and a loss of reverence.

We move from a forgetfulness to callousness.

It is a wholesome thing to recall the dead.  The frightened brave men and women who died in the hope of protecting their comrades and our freedom are worth remembering.

Others paid much of the cost for what we have and who we are.  The weakening of gratitude brings a lessening of appreciation and perspective.

Others surviving war bear its pain in their souls and do not thrive.   Too often, we find them on our streets and in our shelters.

War is a dreadful thing, claiming huge costs.

To bring those kinds of thoughts before the Lord as we worship is one way to honor these men and women and connect with them spiritually.   

4/25/12

This weekend, we start our sermon series based on the book “Seek First The Kingdom— Challenging The Culture by Living our Faith” by Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington.

He will sound familiar to us. We used his book “The Mass” as we reflected on its meaning last year.

The Church/State issue has become more of a hot one than it was when I decided on this book. After some hesitation, I decided to go ahead with the series, nonetheless.

People can find Catholic commentary on the more contested issues from various kinds of Catholic perspectives on our Facebook page. There, one is free to leave one’s comments.

The hot button issues are not the focus of this book. Understanding our Christian calling is. We will be prodded to think about how we are Catholic in the family, at work and as citizens.

It is a constant challenge for each of us to keep in mind that Christ has called us, indeed, commissioned us, to make His presence felt in the world.

Again, I want to thank those who were generous in giving to the Easter collection.

As I write this, I am waiting for the engineers to check out water issues the Church building challenges us with. Their report, once completed, will go to the Building Committee.

4/19/12

4/12/12

Holy Week and Easter stand at the heart of the Church year.

This time is also a fruitful challenge for parishes.

“Behind the scenes” is a great deal of work, a large number of people and intricate logistics.

You will find in the Bulletin names of volunteers who carried most of the burdens. 

The St. Michael’s staff are terrific at bringing people together, providing what is necessary and keeping an eye on excellence.

While all the staff are very much engaged, the trinity of staff who make things happen during this season are Eugene Somma, John Balme and Debbie Patella.

Please remember to thank them when you see them.

We have been treating in our sermons the Mass and family life for the better part of a year.  The weekend after next, we will be taking up the challenge of being good Catholics in our workplaces and what they call “the public square”, the place in which the conversation forms the quality of our social, cultural and political lives.

We will be using the book “Seek First the Kingdom—Challenging the Culture by Living Our Faith” by Donald Cardinal Wuerl.  The book is available at amazon.com and also at our local book store, AMDG, 200 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ  732-483-0800.

We hope, too, to encourage parishioners to discuss it among themselves on our Facebook page.

4/3/12

A welcome message to our guests:

All of us here at St. Michaels are very happy to see the number of guests who come to share with us the Feast of Easter.

We are proud of our beautiful Church, the quality of our music, and the variety of priests who assist here.

But, that is a matter of pride which can turn into something unhealthy unless connected with the God given impulse to enter into the mystery of the Mass, the growth in knowledge and virtue of parishioners, young and old, and the practical aid of those in need.

We pray that some of our visitors will stop by again to test us on these things.  If you find them, you may want to join us.

Our website, www.stmichaels-westend.com gives a feel for who we are and what we are about.

Our Facebook page permits you to listen in on our conversations (you are welcome to join in). 

You will also find links to current Catholic comment on current events, and commentary on spirituality and culture from a wide range of Catholic perspectives.

We believe God is working through St. Michaels and hope you might consider joining us in His service.

Again, welcome, and Happy Easter.