For the week of February 28, 2010

Thanks to the following families who helped this past week
• For hosting students: Mr. and Mrs. Porretta, Mr. and Mrs. Rivero
• For taking photos during the Soccer Awards Ceremony: Mr. Brian Tran
• For hosting Wednesday’s Parent Lunch: Mrs. Tanya Le, Mrs. Hung Nguyen, Mrs. Kim Nguyen, and Mrs. Tina Nguyen.

This week’s photo gallery includes
• Soccer Awards Ceremony, February 21, 2010
• First Honors Paintball Excursion, February 26, 2010

Oratory Competition
Eleven students participated in two divisions, Varsity and Junior Varsity. Each student prepared and delivered "An Easter Sermon" by St. John Chrysostom.

The Junior Varsity winners are:
1st -- Anton Gerami
2nd -- Edward Lim
3rd -- Michael Martin

The Varsity winners are:
1st -- Jonathan Bonello
2nd -- David Suh
3rd -- Conrad Lakomy

Honorable Mention are: Nicholas Hanson, Jacob Holke, Daniel Murphy-Dimen and James Tran.

St. Michael’s announces its 2010 Baseball Team:
Josh Aaker
Matt Brooks
Nick Cannizzaro
Adrian Chavez
Peter Goodwin
Anthony Guerra
Nicholas Hanson
Jake Holke
James Howard
Alan Le
Michael Martin
Jacob McDowell
Daniel Murphy-Dimen
John Michael Mikolaycik
Sam Silverberg

Our first game takes place Friday, March 5th: Baseball vs. The Rock Academy @ Sunshine Field; 3:30 pm


Weekly Homily by Fr. Chrysostom Baer, O.Praem.
Among other things, Fr. Chrysostom is Dean of Students and teaches Religion and Greek.

When we hear God in the first reading throwing back in their faces the Israelites’ immature whining against His law, “The Lord’s way is not fair!” we might be inclined to ask: What, then, would they consider to be fair? Evidently, that the wicked should die, even if he were to convert, much like the attitude of the prodigal son’s elder brother. Or, that the just man should live, even if he were to forsake his justice and turn to sin. These things, one can surmise, are what the Israelites deemed fair: no second chance for the repentant, and once good always good.

This is so manifestly absurd, cruel, and self-serving, that one has to wonder what kind of attitude underlies this pathetic gripe. One of the most obvious is resentment of the repentant on account of a longing to commit sin. It doesn’t seem fair that such-and-such a person can commit whatever sin he wants then turn to God and be saved while I can’t do anything fun without being condemned. Implied here is an extreme lack of love for God, a cold heart that sees as unpleasant and barely tolerable what is truly good. Implied here is the avoidance of evil only on account of the consequent suffering.

Or, we can also see the preference of putting people into boxes and leaving them there. This can be consoling, to label and catalogue others so that we’ve got their number, and put them on the shelf where we have some kind of implicit power over them. Then, if they try to break out, we know they’re not really sincere, and so we still have some kind of power over them. But if God accepts repentance and punishes the sin of the just, then our presumptions were just presumptuous, and the power we thought we had was only an ephemeral self-delusion. We’re not as almighty as we thought we were. This was quintessentially exemplified by the Pharisees mentioned in the Gospel today, whose righteousness was insufficient for salvation. Remember, it was the Pharisee who gloried over the sinner Publican, even though he was expressing his contrition in the temple.

Or again, we can discern in the Israelite lament that God’s ways are not fair a waning charity for one’s neighbor that doesn’t want to see the need to correct or encourage others. If a sinner’s always a sinner, what’s the point of risking confrontation and negative emotions by suggesting that his evildoing is less than prudent? If a just man can never lose his justice, why congratulate him for the good he’s done or spur him on to persevere? And this is sloth, which shrinks back from the effort of the spiritual battle or grows lax in the midst of the fray and doesn’t want to add sorrow to sorrow by examining oneself, finding spiritual weak spots or injuries, and taking the time to remedy them.

What we need to prevent ourselves from slipping into this moral palsy is a constant custody of the heart, which is effectively what Jesus recommends in the Gospel. If someone comes right out and calls his brother a fool, he will be liable to fiery Gehenna. So keep guard over evil speech. Sometimes provoking words lead even unto violence, which is bad enough that our Lord doesn’t bother threatening about it. And if the tongue is withheld from intelligible curses, but wordless expressions of exasperation still burst forth through the teeth’s barrier, we will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, which was the council that condemned Christ.

But if we can keep control not only over our words but also any external manifestation of anger, then it remains for us to check even the interior movements to anger, “for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.” To this end, we should entrust ourselves, especially on this Friday in Lent, to the Heart that is meek and humble, filled with reproaches, bruised for our offenses, obedient unto death, and pierced by a lance; so that, far from accumulating for ourselves a debt from which we will not be freed until we have paid the last penny—that is, never—we may settle with our Almighty Judge on the way to the heavenly court, where through His mercy we shall rest in the Delight of all the saints. 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.

Student Birthdays
Mar. 03 Peter Goodwin

Prayer Requests
• Fr. Michael Huggins who struggles with cancer.
• Mrs. Amber Manly for a healthy pregnancy
• 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 week of February 21, 2010

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 the week of February 14, 2010

Thanks to the following families who helped this past week
• For hosting students: Ms. Tina Halim, Mr. and Mrs. Ban Van Nguyen, and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Stack
• For taking soccer photos when the team played Fairmont Prep: Mr. Brian Tran.

Congratulations to the Class of 2010 for these college acceptances:
Aquinas College (MI),
Arizona State,
CalSate Fullerton,
Christendom (VA),
John Paul the Great,
Loyola Marymount,
San Francisco State,
Univerisity of Portland,
University of Arizona,
University of California, Irvine,
University of Dallas

The Soccer Awards Banquet is February 21st at 7:00 p.m. in the Recreation Room


Financial Information for 2010-2011
• The room, board, and tuition is $17,900
• Available Financial Aid increases by 10%

There is no change in:
• 3% discount when tuition fully paid by June 5th, 2010
• Graduation Fee
• Non-refundable tuition deposit
• Sports Fees
• Student Account
• Textbook fee
• Transportation fees
• Vantage Point Gala participation
• Weekend fees

Please make your non-refundable tuition deposit of $3000 by Thursday, March 18th .

If you have any questions, please contact our Business Office
Mr. John Kohl kohlj@stmichaelsabbey.org 949.858.0222 extension 266
Mrs. Agnes Kwon agnesk@stmichaelsprep.org 949.858.0222 extension 268

Weekly Homily by Frater Benedict Solomon, O.Praem.
Among other things, fr. Benedict teaches teaches Religion and coaches Soccer

“Solomon then built a high place...to Molech, the idol of the Ammonites.”

Solomon worshiped Astarte, the goddess of the Sidonians, who was known as the moon - and queen of heaven, and in doing so he made himself a stain on the family line of the true queen of heaven. Solomon worshiped Molech, who was the sun and king for the Ammonites and therefore he abandoned the faith of David in the true Sun of Justice and King of the Universe.

Solomon was given wisdom. When he sinned, God not only appeared to him once, but twice to tell him to stop worshiping idols, and Solomon did not obey. Finally as a punishment, God leaves Solomon with the kingdom for the sake of David, but deprives Solomon’s son- and then even leaves him part of the kingdom. God was pretty nice to Solomon.

But why? Because of the faithful and zealous heart of David. Solomon performed many sacrifices, but David danced before the ark in addition to his sacrifices. Solomon built a temple for God. David had faith in that woman who would become the living temple of God.

David’s heart surpassed that of Solomon in every way. And for the zeal of David, Solomon was spared direct punishment.

When the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Bernadette at Lourdes, she told her that she must pray for the conversion of sinners. Our Lady had St. Bernadette pray the rosary and come every day to the Grotto. St. Bernadette had to endure many persecutions, sufferings, and humiliations for the mission she received. David wanted to build a temple for God--Our Lady wanted a chapel built at the Grotto and processions to be made there. She wanted people to pray and to pray with zeal and devotion as David prayed the psalms. This uneducated girl of 14 years by her perseverance, had a chapel built for the true Queen of heaven, unlike the pagan temple that the wise Solomon had built for the false queen of heaven. Our Lady comes before us as David came before Solomon, and because of her faithfulness, God wishes to show us mercy.

When Bernadette was asked if our Lady looked only at her when she was in the Grotto, Bernadette answered “No, She looked at everyone, and with so much love and affection! Sometimes she seemed to be looking one by one at the people there, and now and again her gaze would rest on someone for a moment as though she had recognized a friend.”

Every moment of every day the Blessed Virgin gazes at us, one by one. She wants us to pray and to pray with zeal, so that our hearts do not become lukewarm and hardened as Solomon’s did. In her purity and perfection, Mary was a more beautiful and perfect temple of God than Solomon’s temple was, arrayed in all its splendor.

By our zealous prayer, especially the rosary and the psalms, Our Lady wants to make of us fitting temples of God.

If David by his faithfulness and zeal could obtain mercy for his wicked son and if the Greek mother in the Gospel could prevail upon the heart of Christ by her faith and humility-for the sake of her child- How much more is Mary, the ark of the new covenant, able to obtain mercy and graces for all of her children who pray to her with devotion. Let us then go to her daily in prayer, especially the rosary. Let us place all of our works and prayers in her hands so that her gaze will rest upon each of us, not as mere acquaintances, but as beloved friends

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. 14th Hieu Pham

Prayer Requests
• Mrs. Betty Evans, who battles secondary infections after cancer surgery
• 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. Alice Goldsmith, grandmother of junior Jonathan Bonello.

For the week of February 7, 2010

Thanks to the following families who helped this past week
• For helping with science set-ups: Dr. and Mrs. Schardt
• For hosting students: Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Aaker, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Hanson, Mr. and Mrs. Tri Nguyen, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Rincon, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Tran

Soccer games this week
Monday, Feb. 8th vs. Fairmont Prep; 3:00 p.m
Wednesday, Feb. 10th vs. Southlands Christian; 3:00 p.m.


Admissions
Non-refundable tuition deposits will be due March 18th. For additional deadlines and due dates, please check our online school calendar.

Weekly Homily by Fr. Sebastian Walshe, O.Praem.
Among other things, Fr. Sebastian teaches philosophy in the school and in the seminary
.
A little later on in the Gospel, Jesus goes on to explain to His disciples the meaning of this morning’s parable. He says that the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, while the weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the reapers are the angels who will gather up all the evil-doers and cast them into Hell.

However, what Jesus does not explain is why pulling up the weeds will pull up the wheat as well. To his servants query about whether they should gather up the weeds, the Master answers: “No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat as well. Let both grow together until the harvest.” This response is a bit mysterious. Can’t the angels tell the difference between good men and evil-doers? Is there some danger that they will snatch up some good men and mistakenly cast them into Hell?

I don’t think either of these is a good interpretation. One possible interpretation, however, is to say that the presence of the wicked are the occasion of the just to grow in virtue, so that unless the wicked be allowed to remain in the world, the just would not grow to full maturity. For example, where would the patience of the martyrs be in a world where all the wicked are struck down by God’s wrath from the moment they consent to an angry thought? Or where would the virtue of forgiveness have an opportunity to grow when there is a shortage of living sinners to forgive?

But there is another possible interpretation as well. Unlike natural weeds, the weeds of the parable can change into wheat. And the truth of the matter is that most of us spend our lives fluctuating between being wheat and being weeds. St. John says that no one begotten of God sins, therefore, whenever we sin, it is not as a son of the kingdom, but as a son of the evil one. And so there is the distinct possibility that if the angels are sent out at once to gather weeds as soon as they come, they might gather up a weed that would have become wheat with just a little more patience and mercy from God, and a bit more of a good example from the just. And so if the weeds are gathered up before the harvest, the wheat that might have come from that weed would be rooted up as well.

One of the desires that can transform a soul into a weed with deep and far reaching roots is the love for money: “The love of money is the root of all evil,” St. Paul teaches us. In my life I have known many people who are ashamed of the fact that they are poor, but I have not met many who are ashamed of their desire to be rich. Yet it is something of which the Christian soul ought to be ashamed. We ought to be ashamed of the fact that we do not trust our Heavenly Father to provide for us, so we have to make plans to provide for ourselves, just in case we don’t like what He gives us. How many people treat being rich like a safety net in case God drops us? St. Paul admonished St. Timothy: “But you man of God, flee all these things.” The motto for our Prep. School is “Be a man of God for others.” St. Paul says to each of you here today: flee the love of money, the desire to be rich, men of God.

And lest the confreres in the choir feel that this admonition does not apply to them since they have all taken vows of poverty, we should consider that we struggle with substantially the same problem. People want to be rich so they can be in control of their lives and their future. Religious often want to control their lives and their futures too because they do not trust that their Heavenly Father will provide for them through the will of their superiors. This lack of trust can also become the root of many evils.

St. Frederick, whose feast we celebrate today, was keenly aware that he was a weed in need of God’s mercy and patience, as well as the prayers of others. He said as he prayed to the Virgin Mary: “I am the first one who needs your grace;” and as he lay dying, he said to his parishioners: “pray for me to make up for my many defects.” St. Frederick stands as a good reminder that the business of clerical reform begins in our own soul.

So sometimes, when we behold the tremendous evil in the word, we can wonder why God doesn’t deal with it the old fashioned way: fire from heaven, or world-wide floods, or the earth opening up and swallowing the wicked. Ahhh, the Old Covenant, those were the days! But the parable from today’s Gospel serves as an antidote to such thoughts. We were all once weeds dear brothers and sisters in Christ, and it is owing to God’s mercy and patience that we are wheat today, and whether we shall be wheat or weeds tomorrow, God alone knows. So let us instead imitate God in His mercy and patience with one another, so that by our prayers, sacrifices and good example, there might be an abundance of wheat at the final harvest.

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. 6th Tuyen Vu

Prayer Requests
• Mrs. Betty Evans, who has been inflicted with secondary infections after cancer surgery
• 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 affected by the earthquake in Haiti
• Those who suffer in the current economic crisis.
• Those who are in the armed forces.

Special Edition - Special Invitation

Parent Education - a talk for mothers

THE MASS, THE ROSARY, AND MOTHERHOOD

Sunday, February 7th 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the mobile classroom

Presenter: Mrs. Amy Zak

Amy Zak is a wife, mother, and Catholic educator. Amy knows Catholic, single-sex, boarding high school schools from the inside. She graduated from Marymount of Santa Barbara which was staffed by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary (R.S.H.M.), an order founded in France in 1848. Amy went on to earn degrees in education and counseling. Amy and her husband, Dave, were the 2009 Honorees of the Vantage Point Gala.

Key Points
1. Letting Go
2. Communication
3. Role of Mother
4. Role of Father
5. Relationship with God, our Father
6. Relationship with Mary, our Mother
7. Examples for us
8. Expectations
9. See ourselves as God sees us

Reviews of talk Friday, February 5th

real treasure

wonderful insight

practical and spiritual