For the week of May 30, 2010

Thanks to the following families who helped this past week:
• For sponsoring a Parent Sponsored Luncheon: Sr. Christen Nguyen, Mrs. Ann Rincon, Mrs. Donna Stropko, and Mrs. Teri Wheatley
• For hosting students in their home over the weekend: Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Aaker, Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Schardt, Mrs. Catherine Bowe

This week’s photos are of Water Wars.

Announcements
May 31st : Baseball Awards Banquet, 7:00 p.m.
June 1st: Deadline for Student Account and Book Fee deposits
June 4th: Last day of school
June 5th: Parent Bucket Brigade – end of year cleaning of the school dorms, 9:00 a.m. All volunteers welcome!


Weekly Homily by fr. Benedict Solomon, O.Praem.
Among other things, frater Benedict teaches Scripture and leads the Cross Country and Soccer teams.

It was well known that Jesus had performed miracles. The man was blind and calling after Jesus. Bartimaeus calls him the “son of David”, showing that he believed Jesus to be the Christ. Why, then does Jesus ask “What do you want me to do for you?” when He already knew? St. Bede says the reason was in order to stir the blind man’s heart to pray.

When we focus on the things of this world and of the flesh; technology, convenience, food or pleasure, we become blind to the good things God wants to give us. We become blind to God’s hand in the events of our lives. So Jesus in His mercy allows us to suffer some loss in order that we may pray to Him. He allows us to suffer, to be humiliated, to be insulted and misjudged, in order to bring us to his feet. And as the blind man, all we are expected to say is “Jesus, have pity on me.”

St. Peter says “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and sojourners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul.” With our fallen nature we are attracted to comforts and pleasures in a disordered way. So we must battle these desires. The disordered enjoyment of the pleasures of the world darkens the mind and cools the heart. Our minds and hearts need the light of Christ.

We “are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people God has called his own, so that we may announce the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Jesus calls for the blind man. When the blind man hears- he throws aside his cloak, his worldly possessions and concerns. He seeks that Light which we can only enjoy in heaven and the way to which is faith. He doesn’t seek honors or riches from the Lord, but only to see. So Jesus says, “your faith has saved you.” And receiving his sight he followed him on the way.

Our eyes ought to be on Christ. Let us throw aside the cloak of this world which darkens our eyes, and follow Christ on the way. The joys of this world and delighting in the things of the body distract and diminish the inward joy we are meant to experience.

Like newborn infants, long for “pure spiritual milk so that through it you may grow into salvation, for you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, and let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” To Him be all glory and honor, forever and ever. Amen.


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.

Looking for something interesting and academic this summer?
Latin Immersion Camp for rising high school juniors and seniors takes place this summer at Christendom College located in in Front Royal, Virginia. There are two sessions, held from July 11-17 and July 18-24, and the cost is $895 per session. While some knowledge of Latin is helpful, it is not necessary, as we are able to incorporate various levels of fluency into the various elements of the program. The mood and wide range of activities make the program lively and fun. This is a unique program in that it uses active, spoken Latin as a way to engage students' interest and ability in the language, and in that it takes place within the vibrant Catholic setting that Christendom offers. You can find a complete description of the program at the website: http://www.christendom.edu/latin/index.shtml

Prayer Requests
• Mrs. Delores Hasset, godmother of Mrs. Debbi Holke, who is suffering from cancer
• Mrs. Maureen Mitchell, aunt of Mrs. Debbi Holke, who is suffering from 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 Mr. Robert Greer, Jr.