2018 archive of From the Desk of Fr. Mike
It was a Wonderful Easter Celebration!
Posted by Anne Serwe on 4/09/18
We had such a wonderful Easter! At each of the triduum liturgies I was overwhelmed with the talent that was being shared by our choir. Our readers did their best as they read the seven major readings for Easter Saturday. This year with a master of ceremonies assisting at our ... Read More »
Hallelujah - He is Risen!
Posted by Anne Serwe on 4/03/18
So many Catholics focus on the death of Jesus and not the resurrection. When we look at the cross we think, Jesus died for my sins. While this is true and good, it is only part of the message! The fact that he rose from the dead and conquered ... Read More »
Celebrate Easter with Us!
Posted by Anne Serwe on 3/26/18
As we enter into this most holy time of the Church’s calendar my hope is that you will be able to take time to join the community in its celebration of the Triduum. These celebrations highlight the most important events of our faith life. We celebrate the gift of ... Read More »
The Confessional is a Beautiful Place
Posted by Anne Serwe on 3/19/18
For many years I had the impression that Christianity was a self-improvement program. I thought we were given the sacrament of Reconciliation with hope that we can make promises that we would change our behavior but as I have gotten older I have discovered this is a very misleading ... Read More »
God's Works Visible Through Man
Posted by Anne Serwe on 3/14/18
Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him”. This is Jesus’ response to the apostles question of who sinned to make the man be born blind: himself or his parents. What an odd and interesting ... Read More »
Jesus Bringing us to Wholeness
Posted by Anne Serwe on 3/05/18
We have several catechumens who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil and because of that we shift from the ordinary readings of the Sundays of Lent to what we experts would call the “Year A” readings. There are three Gospel readings that the Church deems extremely important for ... Read More »
The Season to Grow Closer to the Father
Posted by Anne Serwe on 2/20/18
As we enter into this Lenten season some of us have already “blown it” by eating meat on Ash Wednesday or last Friday. Some started Lent with a new discipline like not eating candy only to find themselves with a hand full of M&Ms two days later. This is not a self-improvement ... Read More »
"Who am I to judge?"
Posted by Anne Serwe on 2/12/18
In one of Pope Francis’ first interviews one reporter asked him about a gay priest. His very famous answer was to say: “Who am I to judge?” It was very personal and an unexpected answer which caused great discomfort for many within the Church who use moral judgements to ... Read More »
Preparing for Lent
Posted by Anne Serwe on 2/06/18
It is Mardi Gras time. There is a group of German people called Speilmanzug, who follow a German way of preparing for Lent by beginning the celebration of Mardi Gras on November 11 at 11:00 pm. From that point until the beginning of Lent they hold several celebrations in which they ... Read More »
Thank You for the Warm Welcome Back
Posted by Anne Serwe on 1/29/18
I am pushing myself too hard; I can tell because twice now in the last week my right knee has “buckled” on me. The first time was at the grocery store and I was able to catch myself on the counter only to be asked by the clerk if ... Read More »