Thanks to the following families who helped this past week
• For hosting the Soccer Awards Reception: Col. and Mrs. Joseph Bowe, Mr. and Mrs. Steve LeMire, Mr. and Mrs. Tjoan-Houw Lim, and Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Mikolaycik.
• For hosting students: Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer Howard
• For taking photos during the Soccer Awards Ceremony: Mr. Brian Tran
The Soccer Awards Ceremony – Special Awards for 2010
Most Valuable Player - Jake Holke
Most Inspirational - Marc LeMire
Coach's Award - Nick Cannizzaro
Captain #1 - Jake Holke
Captain #2 - Daniel Murphy-Dimen
Team Manager - Don Nguyen
Speech and Debate will compete at an Intramural Meet on Saturday, Feb. 27th from 10 a.m. to noon. Parents should check with their sons for their current status.
Weekly Homily by Fr. Vincent Gilmore, O.Praem.
Among other things, Fr. Vincent is rector at JSerra High School
Why do we fast? Why do we give up things for Lent? Why do we make sacrifices, giving up things that are otherwise good? We do these things because we have bodies. Angels don’t fast, the souls in heaven, purgatory, and hell for that matter, don’t fast.
We fast because we have bodies. Our bodies are supposed to be subjects to our higher faculties like intellect and reason, but they are not, because of original sin. Our bodies are like spoiled children demanding their own way. If we let our bodies have their
own way, they would lead us away from God and would lead us right into damnation. The body fights against the spirit and what is right. We make sacrifices during Lent because the body has to be reminded who is in charge.
Fasting says “no” to the body and “yes” to the Spirit. Fasting places things in their proper order and perspective. The body is passing away, the soul lasts forever. So who should have the final say in the dispute? It should certainly not be the body. The body cannot perceive eternal truths that should guide one’s life and decisions. Only the mind can understand with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Just two days ago we had ashes put on our heads with the words “Remember, man, that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” If this body of ours is heading for dust, do we really want it driving our lives? The body only thinks of now, what satisfies us now. The right thinking man has the long view of eternity and the body becomes the vehicle to get him there.
Our bodies do carry our should and are an integral part of who we are, therefore, we have to be kind to them, take care of them, and respect them. However, we have to make sure that once they deliver us up to eternity, and surely they will, they deliver us into the right place with our soul intact. The question will be: who was in charge, the body or the soul? Was it mind over matter or the other way around?
We fast because we have bodies. We fast because our bodies need to be subjected to higher realities and truths than those beyond the expediency of the moment. We fast because our bodies do not know the way. They need to tamed and guided by self-mastery and an enlightened and prayerful mind.
The first reading from the Prophet Isaiah gives us clear directives as to purpose and outcome of fasting. And we can add here any form of sacrifice or manifestation of fasting. If fasting is making us irritable, quarrelsome, cranky, or proud, then it is not pleasing to the Lord and is not serving its proper purpose. Fasting that does not lead to a greater charity is not pleasing in God’s eyes. All penance is worthless if it does not make us kinder, gentler, more compassionate, and more generous.
The gospel also teaches us an aspect of fasting and penance. It should lead us to union with Christ – the bridegroom of our souls. When Jesus was present to the disciples, they did not need to fast. But when He is taken away they will need to fast. The discipline and sacrifice of fasting draws us closer to Christ. Once union with Christ is achieved in heaven and we find ourselves in the presence of the bridegroom, all fasting is over. The body will no longer be an issue and we will have reached perfect charity. This is true freedom. This is the freedom of the sons of God.
And so as we are at the beginning of another Lent, let us remind ourselves why we fast and make sacrifice. The body must be made subject to the spirit. It is the spirit of truth and charity which prepare us for union with the spouse of our souls – Jesus.
In publishing this homily, we hope to share a portion of the spiritual treasure by which the students are enriched every day. However, this homily may not be reproduced by the parents or friends of St. Michael’s without written permission of the author.
Student Birthdays
Feb. 22nd Michael Martin
Prayer Requests
• Dr. Joe Gloudeman, dad of Fr. Francis, who battles cancer
• Mrs. Amber Manly for a healthy pregnancy
• Mr. Richard Nelson, grandfather of David Hall, who is battling cancer
• St. Michael’s older priests and those who care for them
• Those who suffer in the current economic crisis
• Those who are in the armed forces.
For the repose of the soul of Mrs. Bridget Nwosu, grandmother of alumni Nnaemeka and Chibuzor Ejiaga
• For hosting the Soccer Awards Reception: Col. and Mrs. Joseph Bowe, Mr. and Mrs. Steve LeMire, Mr. and Mrs. Tjoan-Houw Lim, and Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Mikolaycik.
• For hosting students: Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer Howard
• For taking photos during the Soccer Awards Ceremony: Mr. Brian Tran
The Soccer Awards Ceremony – Special Awards for 2010
Most Valuable Player - Jake Holke
Most Inspirational - Marc LeMire
Coach's Award - Nick Cannizzaro
Captain #1 - Jake Holke
Captain #2 - Daniel Murphy-Dimen
Team Manager - Don Nguyen
Speech and Debate will compete at an Intramural Meet on Saturday, Feb. 27th from 10 a.m. to noon. Parents should check with their sons for their current status.
Weekly Homily by Fr. Vincent Gilmore, O.Praem.
Among other things, Fr. Vincent is rector at JSerra High School
Why do we fast? Why do we give up things for Lent? Why do we make sacrifices, giving up things that are otherwise good? We do these things because we have bodies. Angels don’t fast, the souls in heaven, purgatory, and hell for that matter, don’t fast.
We fast because we have bodies. Our bodies are supposed to be subjects to our higher faculties like intellect and reason, but they are not, because of original sin. Our bodies are like spoiled children demanding their own way. If we let our bodies have their
own way, they would lead us away from God and would lead us right into damnation. The body fights against the spirit and what is right. We make sacrifices during Lent because the body has to be reminded who is in charge.Fasting says “no” to the body and “yes” to the Spirit. Fasting places things in their proper order and perspective. The body is passing away, the soul lasts forever. So who should have the final say in the dispute? It should certainly not be the body. The body cannot perceive eternal truths that should guide one’s life and decisions. Only the mind can understand with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Just two days ago we had ashes put on our heads with the words “Remember, man, that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” If this body of ours is heading for dust, do we really want it driving our lives? The body only thinks of now, what satisfies us now. The right thinking man has the long view of eternity and the body becomes the vehicle to get him there.
Our bodies do carry our should and are an integral part of who we are, therefore, we have to be kind to them, take care of them, and respect them. However, we have to make sure that once they deliver us up to eternity, and surely they will, they deliver us into the right place with our soul intact. The question will be: who was in charge, the body or the soul? Was it mind over matter or the other way around?
We fast because we have bodies. We fast because our bodies need to be subjected to higher realities and truths than those beyond the expediency of the moment. We fast because our bodies do not know the way. They need to tamed and guided by self-mastery and an enlightened and prayerful mind.
The first reading from the Prophet Isaiah gives us clear directives as to purpose and outcome of fasting. And we can add here any form of sacrifice or manifestation of fasting. If fasting is making us irritable, quarrelsome, cranky, or proud, then it is not pleasing to the Lord and is not serving its proper purpose. Fasting that does not lead to a greater charity is not pleasing in God’s eyes. All penance is worthless if it does not make us kinder, gentler, more compassionate, and more generous.
The gospel also teaches us an aspect of fasting and penance. It should lead us to union with Christ – the bridegroom of our souls. When Jesus was present to the disciples, they did not need to fast. But when He is taken away they will need to fast. The discipline and sacrifice of fasting draws us closer to Christ. Once union with Christ is achieved in heaven and we find ourselves in the presence of the bridegroom, all fasting is over. The body will no longer be an issue and we will have reached perfect charity. This is true freedom. This is the freedom of the sons of God.
And so as we are at the beginning of another Lent, let us remind ourselves why we fast and make sacrifice. The body must be made subject to the spirit. It is the spirit of truth and charity which prepare us for union with the spouse of our souls – Jesus.
In publishing this homily, we hope to share a portion of the spiritual treasure by which the students are enriched every day. However, this homily may not be reproduced by the parents or friends of St. Michael’s without written permission of the author.
Student Birthdays
Feb. 22nd Michael Martin
Prayer Requests
• Dr. Joe Gloudeman, dad of Fr. Francis, who battles cancer
• Mrs. Amber Manly for a healthy pregnancy
• Mr. Richard Nelson, grandfather of David Hall, who is battling cancer
• St. Michael’s older priests and those who care for them
• Those who suffer in the current economic crisis
• Those who are in the armed forces.
For the repose of the soul of Mrs. Bridget Nwosu, grandmother of alumni Nnaemeka and Chibuzor Ejiaga
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