September 26, 2010

Thanks to those parents and friends who helped make the week a success
● Ms. Kelly Choi and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dang for providing refreshments for our football team.
● Mrs. Casey Cook for being the primary organizer behind the 2010 Gala.
● Alumni Parents, Brian and Bonnie Cox, who volunteered to host the weekenders for an action-packed Saturday, October 9th!
● Mr. Randy Howard for filming Friday’s football game.
● Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Martin for hosting the cross country team for a barbecue.
● Mrs. Cathy Porretta and Mrs. Maria Saglietto for their key roles in helping coordinate parent participation in another successful Gala.
● Mr. Paul Porretta and John Tran '10 for helping out at the football game.
● Mrs. Elizabeth Tractenberg for hosting weekend students.
● Mrs. Brian Tran for taking pictures at Friday’s football game.

General announcements to Parents
All parents are encouraged to attend our first Parent Talk, which will be given by Fr. Augustine Puchner, O. Praem., on Sunday, Sept. 26, at 7:00 pm (in mobile classroom): “Raising a Man of God for Others”.

Four students from St. Michael’s Prep School have earned Advanced Placement Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the College Board AP Exams. The AP exams are scored on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. Congratulations to Michael Haeuser, Nicholas Hanson, Jacob Holke, and Thomas Nguyen who are St. Michael’s Advanced Scholars.

In honor of St. Michael’s Day on Wednesday, Sept. 29th, students will attend Mass in the morning followed by an afternoon field trip off campus to visit Cal State San Marcos and John Paul the Great University.

We will be using a new product in our infirmary, Emergen-C, to help students maintain a daily intake of vitamins and to stay hydrated during illness. Please take a moment to research the product. Please notify our office if you do not want this over-the-counter product to be given to your son.  To learn more about this product, click here.


This week’s photos: Mr. Tomescu teaching Algebra; Students learning Cicero; Pioneer Football Team; Alumnus Joe Rivero, Assistant Coach of the football team

Parent/Student Handbook: Chapter 4, Sections 7 and 8
Section 7: Conduct Demerits and Detentions
When a student’s behavior is at odds with the standards established and sustained by the school, the student suffers demerits. Demerits may be given by teachers, administrators, and student leaders. Demerits vary in amounts from 5 to 100 points, with the exact penalty for each offense being determined by the Dean of Students. If a student receives 100 demerit points in a given week, he must serve a weekend detention at the school. During the detention time, students contribute their labor to advance an identified goal of the school. Their work must meet the pre-identified standards of the work supervisor. Detentions must be served within the same quarter relative to the offenses committed. When a detention obligation conflicts with family plans and/or flight arrangements, a student may request a change of date.

Section 8: Behavior Contracts.  There are occasions when a student’s behavior would merit the writing of an explicit contract. Many of these offenses are listed in the later sections of suspension, withdrawal, and dismissal. Contracts do vary in length of obligation. There are consequences for being “on contract.” Moreover, a contract potentially impacts an invitation for returning to the school and, if returning, any student who had begun a contract within one semester of a new academic year must pay the tuition IN FULL before being permitted to return for the next school year.

Etiquette Point of the Week:
A gentleman never touches someone else’s belongings without asking permission first. Why? Because a gentleman understands that it is rude to help oneself to another’s personal or private possessions.
How To Raise A Gentleman, Kay West; Brooks Brothers Press


Student Birthdays:
9/28 Michael Howard
9/29 Jacob Holke
10/06 Charles Sandoval

Athletics
The varsity cross country team took 3rd place last week at the Mason Park League Cluster sponsored by TVT. St. Michael’s top runners: James Howard and Jake Holke.
Tuesday, Sept. 28th Cross Country League Invitational at Mile Square Park.

Homily preached by Fr. Victor Szczurek, O. Praem.
Among other things, Fr. Victor teaches Latin.

Today the Church celebrates a saint who has more amazing stories credited to him than almost any other saint. In fact, just saying the name “Padre Pio” immediately calls up in one’s memory the stigmata, the physical wounds of the Savior, which Padre Pio bore in his own body for 50 years. And as if that were not enough in itself, there are also stories of him getting physically beaten up by the devil, bi-locating (that is, appearing in more than one place at a time), even appearing before the windshield of an American fighter pilot as he flew through the air on his way to bomb an Italian city; there are many cases of Padre Pio reading the hearts and minds of his penitents, having visions of his own guardian angel, and a whole host of other stories that could fill volumes. And yet, despite all this spiritual drama, if Padre Pio were here right now and we asked him how to get to heaven, the one piece of advice he’d give us would probably be the same simple words he has given to countless others: Pray, hope and don’t worry.

Pray, hope and don’t worry. “Pray, hope and don’t worry” are like three columns which keep us stable amidst the fluctuations of this world, described in today’s reading from Ecclesiastes—a world in which all of us at one time or another can feel like we’re being tossed about and buffeted on all sides; or maybe we even feel like our ship has already been sunk. What to do? Pray, hope and don’t worry. Whether it’s moving along a huge development project, or making it through your freshman year; whether it’s battling the old sinful man whom you had thought you could easily leave behind when you entered the monastery, or maybe it’s getting discouraged because, after so many years of being a Catholic, you are finally realizing that you are still a sinner Whatever the case may be, pray, hope and don’t worry.

If anyone ever had an excuse for not praying because they were too busy, it would have been Padre Pio. He spent hours and hours, sometimes entire days in the confessional forgiving sins and giving spiritual direction (like another St. John Vianney), yet he also prayed daily more Rosaries than some of us pray in a week (by the way, he also prayed the old Office, which took much longer, and we don’t have any record of him asking to be dispensed from it). And if anyone ever had reason to despair on account of the trials of this life, it would have been Padre Pio. Unjustly persecuted by the local clergy and Church hierarchy, falsely accused of horrible sins, treated both as a superstar and a criminal. But Padre Pio knew that as long as he prayed, he had every reason to hope and not worry; and he knew that if he didn’t pray, there would be no reason to hope and every reason to worry.

Pray, hope and don’t worry. Can it really be that simple? Perhaps the old Padre didn’t understand the complexities of the spiritual life, the intricacies of human psychology, the many different facets and fluctuations of the human social climate. Maybe he didn’t…or maybe he just didn’t care. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. Pray, hope and don’t worry.

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.

Prayer Requests
· Mr. Joseph Augustine as he struggles with cancer.
· Ava Torres who has health problems.
· Mrs. Betty Vaughan as she struggles with her declining health.
· 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 Robert Baldwin who was killed in action overseas while serving his country. Mr. Baldwin was the brother-in-law of alumni John Covey ’09.

September 19, 2010

Thanks to those parents and friends who helped make the week a success
For taking the time to be supportive of their sons’ learning by attending Sunday Night’s Student-Lead Conferences;
For helping with hosting students over the weekend: The Bowe Family;
For tutoring students, taking photographs and cleaning: Frater Alan Benander;
For hosting our reception which followed the Student-Lead Conferences: Mrs. Pam Christian.

General announcements to Parents
All parents are encouraged to attend our first Parent Talk, which will be given by Fr. Augustine Puchner, O. Praem., on Sunday, Sept. 26, at 7:00 pm (in the mobile classroom): “Raising a Man of God for Others”.

To read what Pope Benedict XVI said to Catholic school students in the UK, click here.

This week’s photos
Cross Country Team running their home course during this week’s practice; Youngkyoo Kim playing Korean Drum.

Announcement from the School Deans regarding student conduct.

In order to find their son’s conduct grade parents can check Teacherease, under personal conduct. For further information, parents may call Mr. Mike Smith, Dean of Students (ext. 271) or Fr. Claude, Assistant Dean (ext. 298).
Students who have a conduct grade of 60 or below must serve a half-day detention to be served on Friday afternoon or Saturday. Students who have a conduct grade of 20 or below must serve a full-day of detention, also served on Friday and/or Saturday. VIP points may not be used to remit demerits incurred for visiting in other student’s rooms.

Parent/Student Handbook: Chapter 5, Sections 5 and 6

Section 5: Study Detention
Students may forfeit their evening recreation periods when they have a grade of 73% or less in any class until the next progress report proves the grade to be satisfactory, or when they fail to complete their homework properly, or when their academic work is unsatisfactory. Teachers may request the administration to intervene so that the student will complete whatever work is necessary. If academic performance is unsatisfactory, a student may be required by the administration to stay on Friday afternoon(s) or over the weekend to study. Weekend fees are charged. If academic performance is chronically unsatisfactory, a student may be required to withdraw.

Section 6: Conduct Grades
Conduct grades are given each quarter. The formula used to calculate a conduct grade is the following: RoomGrade - Demerit Deduction + V.I.P points.
RoomGrade: The RoomGrade is the average of the “RoomCheck” grade and the “RoomJob” grade. Each dorm room is inspected daily for order and cleanliness, and the room is then given a weekly “RoomCheck” grade. Each room is also given a weekly “RoomJob” grade based upon the thoroughness of completing an assigned evening cleaning job (e.g. vacuuming the dorm hallway). Each occupant in a given room receives the same RoomGrade.
Demerit Deduction: With regard to the conduct grade, the Dean will determine the exact deduction to be made for demerits received by a student in a given quarter. Factors considered include the number, gravity and frequency of the demerits.

V.I.P. Points: (V.I.P.=Virtue Incentive Program). For charitable deeds done for fellow students and for the school, students may be nominated to receive VIP points. The nomination may be made by teachers, administrators, or student leaders. The determination of how many VIP points to be awarded will be determined by the Dean of Students. VIP points do not take the place of “school service hours,” i.e. ordinary labor that each student is expected to contribute each quarter to projects like school thank you notes, home athletic events, Open House events, etc.
A student’s conduct grade, as his academic grades, is available online by means of the school’s internet-based grading program.

Etiquette Point of the Week:
In the midst of a dinner conversation – or in any conversation – a gentleman does not attempt to make himself the center of attention. A gentleman also does not reach or grab for food. Instead, he waits for it to be passed to him by a fellow diner, or to be served to him by a server. “A Gentleman at the Table” by Bridges and Curtis; Rutledge Hill Press.

September Birthdays:
9/22 John Michael Mikolaycik
9/28 Michael Howard
9/29 Jacob Holke

Athletics
Sept. 21st: Cross Country League Cluster @ Mason Park; 2:30 pm
Sept. 24th: Football vs. Warner @ STM; 3:00 pm

Homily preached by Fr. Adrian Sanchez, O.Praem.
Among other things, Fr. Adrian works as chaplain in the prison ministry of the Diocese of Orange.

Our two saints of the day, Pope St. Cornelius and St. Cyprian, are joined on this date for a number of reasons: first the closeness of their heavenly birthdays, St. Cornelius passed to his reward on this day in 252, and St. Cyprian six years later on the fourteenth.

But that is the least of the aspects in which their lives coincide because both these saints were great shepherds; Cornelius the bishop of Rome, and Cyprian of Carthage. They knew each other and collaborated in the defense of the church. Both guided their flocks through times of schism and heresy, and both ended their careers giving witness to the sincerity of their faith with their own blood.

Time is too limited to go into the fascinating details of their times and the great work they performed for the Church. Of all the things for which they fought perhaps the one most relevant to our times is the value they placed on the unity of priesthood, and in particular to the Roman see.

In our times we see a similar confusion, a practical if not manifest schism, a willing deafness to the voice of the See of Peter, whom St. Cyprian acknowledged as the source of priestly unity, and this within the Church.

Outside the Church we see a real hatred for the Popes, recalling what St. Cyprian wrote about the emperor Decius, responsible for the terrible persecution which claimed St. Cornelius: he would prefer a rival to his throne than another bishop of Rome.

And in that vein we may take heart in the observation made by St. Cyprian that the persecutions of his time never fell as hard on the heretics and schismatics as on the Catholics. In a letter to St. Cornelius he asks, “Who are the servants of God whom the devil so molests? Who are truly Christians whom antichrist with all his might opposes? For the devil did not trouble himself with those whom he has already made sure of, nor does he labor to conquer those that are now in his power.”

So let’s be encouraged by the knowledge that when we are opposed for our faithful adherence to Christ or the good we do it puts us in good company.

Let us ask the intercession of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian for the success of the Holy Father’s apostolic visit to Britain which he begins today, and for his personal safety. And let us be aware that if he is hated and persecuted by schismatics and by the enemies of Christ, it is because they recognize in him a true pastor, such as were Saints Cornelius and Cyprian.

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.

Prayer Requests
• Mrs. Maria Alquaddoomi for a successful biopsy.
• Mr. Joseph Augustine, as he struggles with cancer.
• Mrs. Betty Vaughan, as she struggles with her declining health.
• 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.
• In thanksgiving for a healthy baby girl, Cora Gertrude, born to Mr. and Mrs. Abe (Casey) Cook.

September 12, 2010

Thanks to those parents and friends who helped make the week a success:
For helping with photographing the football game: Mr. Brian Tran
For helping provide refreshments after the football game: Ms. Kelley Choi, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dang, Mrs. Joan Dimen, Mrs. Elizabeth Tractenberg, and Mr. and Mrs. Brian Tran.

General announcements to Parents
School pictures will be taken on Tuesday, Sept. 14th.

St. Callistus and Serra Catholic Elementary Schools will host the first in a series of High School Information Nights this week. St. Callistus will hold its information night on Monday, September 13th and is located at 12901 Lewis St., Garden Grove, CA 92804. Serra Catholic’s will be on Wednesday, September 15th and is located at 23652 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688. If you know anyone in those areas who would enjoy meeting our Norbertine priests and finding out more information about St. Michael’s, please let them know about the event.

Meet the Teachers Sunday, September 19th a face-to-face between parents, their son, and the teachers.

Time: Freshmen 6:30 pm; Sophomores 6:50 pm; Juniors 7:15 pm; Seniors 7:40 pm.
Begin: In the parking lot near the library where Fr. Gabriel will distribute name tags.
Continue: The yellow classroom and the recreation room.
End: Behind the school for a reception.
Note: Three minute timeframe. If parents have more than one student attending, the conference is "private"
and the other son should wait for his turn to lead his presentation about his learning.

The objective is to help your sons accept more of the responsibility and ownership for their learning. To demonstrate to what degree you son has accomplished this objective, he has prepared a sampling of his classwork to show you. During your meeting with the various teachers, your son will succinctly:
• Introduce you to his teacher;
• Tell you the basic academic habits (note taking, summarizing reading, using complete sentences) that he is good at;
• Tell you the specific things (knowledge, skills, abilities) in each class that he is good at;
• Tell you the things he is going to improve in (growth areas);
• Tell you the strategies/steps to achieve his goals;
• Tell you how you, his parents, can assist him to achieve his goals.

Your role as a parent is to
• Look at your son’s online grades before coming to the conference. This is easy when you log in at TeacherEase.com.
• Listen to son when he speaks about his strengths/weaknesses and goals for each of his classes;
• Briefly confirm (or correct) your son’s self-identified strengths/weaknesses and goals. Don’t plan on saying anything more than a few words – not more than one or two sentences
• Send a note to your son during the week which summarizes your view of the conference. Praise. Encourage. Exhort. Love.

Having a caring audience for learning gives students a powerful reason to continue to learn and to work hard. It gives extra value their efforts at school. Listening well is the most important role of parents at the conferences. We’ll see you on Sunday!

This week’s photos are of the football game against Ribét Academy of Los Angeles .

Perfect attendance at morning flag salute every day this week (on time, clean shaven, in full uniform):

Faris Alquadoomi
Andrew Bonello
Joanthan Bonello
Anton Gerami
Derek Giap
Nicholas Hanson
John Hebert
James Howard
YoungKyoo Kim
Justin Koh
Alan Le
Edward Lim
Spencer Manson
Michael Martin
Daniel Murphy-Dimen
Hieu Pham
Michael Porretta
Jacob Portka
Marco Saglietto
Dominic Salazar
Charles Sandoval
Scott Schardt
Austin Swanick
Vitalyi Tractenberg
Jonathan Tran
Matthew Vu
William Warnisher
John Wetzel
Timothy Wilger


Parent/Student Handbook: Chapter 4, Sections 3 and 4

Section 3: Expected Classroom Behavior
Class begins immediately when the bell rings. All students should be seated in assigned places and silent by the time the bell finishes ringing. Not to do so is to be tardy. Class begins with prayer.
Students must bring all necessary materials to class every day. Some section for notes is required in every academic class. These, together with all pertinent notes, constitute a “standing homework assignment” which is checked periodically and for which the student is responsible.
Respect for one another and for the teacher is the key rule in every class. When the teacher or another adult enters the classroom, all students should stand up, which is a sign of respect. Class ends with the teacher dismissing the students while everyone is still seated and quiet. The bell does not dismiss the class.
Section 4: Sickness and Excused Absences
It is the parents’ duty to report a sickness which developed over a weekend or vacation. Such a report should be made personally by telephone to either the headmaster or dean of students. In case of an accident or sickness occurring during the school week, the parents will be phoned and asked to take their son home. Parents should bring their son back to school as soon as possible upon his recovery. Absence is very disruptive to his academic progress. A doctor’s certificate is required when returning to school after more than three days’ absence or if not returning on time after long weekends or holiday breaks. The only excused absences are: bona fide illness, college visit, court appearance, funeral, and quarantine.
For each day a student is away from school with an unexcused absence, he works a weekend. Regular weekend fees are charged. This regulation applies even when the parents notify the school in advance of the absence itself.

Etiquette Point of the Week:
A gentleman always carries a clean and neatly folded handkerchief in his pocket. Why? Because a gentleman realizes no one else wants to witness him sniffling, snorting, wiping his nose on his sleeve, or using his tie as a handkerchief. Neither do they wish to be sneezed or coughed on. A Gentleman at the Table by Bridges and Curtis; Rutledge Hill Press

September Birthdays:
9/3 Christopher Nguyen
9/8 Brian Schardt
9/16 Scott Schardt
9/22 John Michael Mikolaycik
9/28 Michael Howard
9/29 Jacob Holke

Athletics
I would like to say thank you to the parents who provided refreshments for the players and coaches after Friday's game. The win over Ribet Academy gave our players a great pride and confidence. The game was highlighted by Brian Schardt's ten yard interception (INT) for a touchdown during the first quarter. Anton Gerami, David Suh, and Daniel Dang also contributed with two touchdowns apiece. The defense held Ribet to minimal total yards as well as recorded two safeties.

The game on Thursday, September 16th has been cancelled and the players will be dismissed on Friday at 12:30 pm. Our first home game of the 2010 football season will take place on Friday, September 24th at 3:30 pm. We are in need of volunteers for our first home game. Listed below are the following needs:
1. Chain Crew and Down marker (3 Men).
2. Refreshments for after the game.
3. Photographer.
4. Scoreboard operator.

If you are interested in helping, please contact me at 949-858-0222 ext. 272. Thank you again for your support and prayers. Have a great day and remember to always "GIVE IT A GO!" --Aaron Meschuk, M.A.

Homily preached by Fr. Gabriel Stack, O.Praem.
Among other things, Fr. Gabriel teaches Latin II and Spanish II.

Justice is expected of all, by all – even among the pagans. Jesus doesn’t want his followers to be only just. He wants them to be kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Jesus wants his disciples to be merciful, just as the Heavenly Father is merciful.

Over and beyond justice, we all have gifts that we can give. It is important to spend a moment with this truth. We regularly are able to explain (or justify) what skills, knowledge, abilities we don’t have and, consequently, why we cannot do even the minimum expected of us – let alone, do more.

Over and beyond justice, we all have gifts of mercy that we can give. These alms of mercy are concerned with our neighbor's physical and spiritual well-being.

The corporal works of mercy refer to acts of mercy that relate to bodily needs: to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, to clothe the naked and shelter the homeless, to visit the sick or imprisoned. to bury the dead.

The spiritual works of mercy refer to acts of mercy that relate to spiritual needs: to admonish the sinner and instruct the ignorant, to counsel the doubtful and comfort the sorrowful, to bear wrongs patiently, to forgive injuries, and to pray for the living and for the dead.

Today’s saint, Peter Claver, performed both corporal and spiritual works of mercy, primarily for the enslaved from Africa sent, to the New World to work. Over 10,000 slaves passed through the Columbian city each year in which St. Peter worked. When a slave ship arrived, Peter would go on board to minister to the miserable passengers. Later, he distributed food, medicine, and other necessities as the slaves were being auctioned. Though his efforts were opposed by some of the landowners, he never wavered in his commitment to the slaves, working with them for 40 years. Peter realized the importance of living Christianity by meeting a person’s physical needs, but he did not neglect their spiritual needs either. Peter gave the people basic instructions in religion and during his long ministry baptized an estimated 300,000 persons.

St. Peter teaches us that we can do great good – no matter what the circumstances – when we do our daily duties promptly and cheerfully. When we fulfill our individual obligations in the circumstances in which God places us, everyone benefits.

Now – on earth – we grow in virtue and are known as dependable and, even, likable. Later – in heaven – we will be rewarded by Him who knows us the best and loves us most mercifully with good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing.

For the mercy with which you measure will, in return, be measured out to you.

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.


Prayer Requests
• Mrs. Casey Cook 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

September 6, 2010

This weekly update is to keep you informed about and active in the life of your son, his schoolmates, and St. Michael’s Prep.

Thanks to those parents and friends who helped make the week a success:
A belated thank you to Mrs. Martha Elmer for her donation to the Back to School reception.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bonello and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Minder for hosting students over the long weekend.

General announcements to Parents
Parent Gala Meeting, Sept. 12th, 7:00 p.m. in the student dining room.

This week’s photos are of freshmen musicians: Michael Howard and Nicholas DiNapoli; of the deans: fr. Brendan Hankins, Mr. Mike Smith, and Fr. Claude Williams.

Parent/Student Handbook: Chapter 4, Sections 1, 2
1. Introduction:
This chapter presents the policies, rules, and practices which support the wholesome personal development of each student by promoting his harmonious living with other students. Individuals with good character augment the Christian character of the entire community. Clearly stated expectations and consequences, presenting the school’s philosophy in the varieties of daily life, support a student in his individual well being and as a member of the larger society.

2. Closed Campus:
St. Michael’s has a closed campus policy. Students are not permitted to leave the campus or receive any individual visitors without the permission of the headmaster or his delegate. Alumni and associate alumni are encouraged to visit the school and talk with the student body as a whole. All are to respect the privacy of the students by not entering the student residency. There is no special alumni privilege to visit brothers or relatives.


Etiquette Point of the Week: When a guest in someone else’s home, offer to help your host and hostess with household chores like emptying the trash, setting the table, or doing the dishes. Always clean-up after yourself and don’t expect to be waited on. Thank your host when leaving, and call or write a note within 24 hours to show your appreciation. Why? Because a gentleman never wants to be a burden to someone else.
How To Raise A Gentleman, Kay West; Brooks Brothers Press

Athletics This Week:
Friday, Sept. 10th, Football @ Ribet Academy, 3:00 p.m.

Homily preached by Fr. Sebastian Walshe, O.Praem.
Fr. Sebastian teaches philosophy at both St. Michael’s Preparatory School and St. Michael’s Abbey.

Brothers, I could not talk to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ. (1Cor. 3:1)

St. Paul compares the Corinthians to spiritual infants on account of their carnality. An infant lives by sense knowledge and is lacking in understanding. So too, the carnal man is lacking the gift of understanding, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. St. Paul described this gift in the previous chapter which we read yesterday:

“‘What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,’ this God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God. Among human beings, who knows what pertains to a person except the spirit of the person that is within? Similarly, no one knows what pertains to God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God.” (1Cor. 2)

The gift of understanding perfects the virtue of faith. Faith is vague and in many ways obscure. The gift of understanding sharpens our faith to give us a more distinct and penetrating insight into supernatural realities and truths. The gift of understanding purifies our minds of false and imperfect notions about God and creatures. It does this not through study, but through love. The demon in this morning’s Gospel knew that Jesus was the Son of God before any of the disciples did, but this truth was a torment for him since he did not love Jesus. And Jesus silenced his confession. All our knowledge of God through study or natural genius amounts to nothing without charity. And if we teach these truths without love, the only reward we can expect from Jesus on the final day will be a rebuke and the dread command: “be silent!”

In contrast to study or genius, the gift of understanding gives us a kind of instinctual penetration into the truths of faith. We understand from a deep experience of God’s love what the Lord is really trying to teach us. When we know someone well and love them deeply, even a glance or a slight gesture is full of meaning for us. It is the same with God.

The carnal man who does not have the gift of understanding tends to place restrictions upon Jesus, because he does not understand the depths or power of His merciful love. The Corinthians wanted to limit Jesus to His ministers: “I belong to Paul, I belong to Apollo.” The people in the Gospel brought the sick to Jesus after sunset, thinking that He should only heal after the sabbath was done. The people of Jesus’ home town wanted to limit Jesus, thinking He should be as ordinary as any other carpenter’s son. Even Jesus’ own disciples placed restrictions upon Jesus, asking Him to depart on account of their sins.

We have the same tendencies. We place restrictions upon Jesus’ power to make us truly happy. We say to be happy I need Jesus and… I need Jesus and a good job, Jesus and a loving family, Jesus and the respect of my peers, Jesus and, Jesus and, Jesus and… Even when we have outwardly professed that Jesus alone is sufficient for us, our actions betray an interior lack of trust. When we enter religious life, we come with so many ideas of how it’s supposed to be, how Jesus is going to make us happy: if Jesus does such and such for me, if He takes away this or that defect in my soul, then I will be a saint. But we find out quickly, Jesus is not that kind of novice master. And even when we advance in religious life, previous misconceptions can give way to other attachments: I need Jesus and my apostolate, or even more subtly, I need Jesus and the conviction that I am holy and pleasing to God. I have to feel Jesus’ presence within me. The people in this morning’s Gospel begged Jesus not to leave them. They thought His power to save them was limited to His bodily presence. We can be the same way. We think that unless we experience the presence of Jesus in our souls, then He is not working there for our salvation, that He is not truly present. We become spiritual subjectivists: to be is to be perceived. But the truth is that all of the things we want besides Jesus end up limiting Jesus’ power to work as He wills in our souls.

Beloved in Christ, if there is anything you feel you need to add to Jesus in order to be truly happy, let it be what St. Paul added when he said: I have judged myself to know nothing but Jesus Christ AND Him crucified. By embracing the cross I embrace Jesus alone, without the other consolations this world has to offer. And to understand this is truly a gift of the Holy Spirit.

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.


Prayer Requests
• Mrs. Casey Cook for a healthy pregnancy
• Msgr. John Sheridan, and Ambassador Douglas Kmiec who were seriously injured in a car accident
• 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 Sr. Mary Campbell, a Sister of St. Louis who died in an auto accident last week.
• For the repose of the soul of Mr. Brian Loughman, a friend of the Alquaddoomi family who had battled a long term illness.