2022 archive of From the Desk of Fr. Mike
Conscious of Health Issues
Posted by Anne Serwe on 3/28/22
Since returning from St. John Vianney Center last year I have been more conscious of my health issues so I have been getting physicals every six months. In October the most remarkable notation (for me) was that I had dropped from a height of six feet to five foot ... Read More »
Living out Independence
Posted by Anne Serwe on 3/21/22
Many years ago, as my older sister was living out her independence from parental expectations, she decided to host Thanksgiving dinner. She prepared a wonderful roast beef dinner with all the right trimmings (including popovers) for that type of meal. Walking into her house one was greeted with the ... Read More »
Variety Show - A Wonderful Celebration of our Community!
Posted by Anne Serwe on 3/01/22
By now there is one more performance of “That’s Snowbiz” to be done. I have been practicing with the men’s group on our one contribution to the show: “Gotta Plow”. Last Sunday I joined the cast as they practiced with the stage band and was overwhelmed by the energy ... Read More »
The Very Young and Very Old
Posted by Anne Serwe on 2/21/22
To caress an elderly person expresses the same hope as caressing a child, because the beginning of life and the end are always a mystery, a mystery that should be respected, accompanied, cared for, loved. Pope Francis, Feb 9, 2022 on Tweet Deck.
I appreciate the wonderful reminder that ... Read More »
Blessed Is The One Who Trusts In The Lord
Posted by Anne Serwe on 2/14/22
During whatever show I was watching a commercial for Cindy Crawford’s “Meaningful Beauty Anti-Aging serum” began it’s wearying promises of a youth activating serum that comes from some melon grown in southern France. It shows a remarkable comparison between a regular cantaloupe and this cantaloupe looking melon that contains ... Read More »
God Reveals Himself
Posted by Anne Serwe on 2/07/22
How could helping a guy catch fish be a revelation of the glory of God? Isaiah the prophet gets a “real” revelation with the Lord seated on his lofty throne and the Seraphim crying out to each other: “Holy, Holy Holy is the LORD of Hosts! All the earth ... Read More »
Holiday Season Passes On
Posted by Anne Serwe on 2/04/22
As the holiday season passes on and I begin to get my tax information to prepare this year’s income forms I find myself pausing in thanksgiving for all the kindnesses I received over these past months. I received many Christmas greetings from parishioners as well as old friends from ... Read More »
Seeking Unity in Celebrating the Mass
Posted by Anne Serwe on 1/24/22
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. (1Cor.12:5-6)
Last Sunday we heard these words of Saint Paul proclaimed in the second reading. They continue today as Saint Paul talks about the singular body with its various parts. The whole point of his exploration is to encourage the Corinthian community (and us) to realize that Jesus comes to establish his Body here on earth for all time. The Corinthians were sparring with each other over several different issues, best characterized by their division over who was the best and most important. Instead of seeing their differences as an asset to be built on, they argued that one way was better than another. This caused friction and scandal not only within the community, but it overflowed as a public manifestation that even the non-members of the community could ... Read More »
The Wedding at Cana
Posted by Anne Serwe on 1/17/22
On the Second Sunday of Ordinary time the Church always proclaims John’s gospel story of the wedding at Cana. (John 2:1-11). John reports this as the first sign (manifestation) of Jesus’ glory as the Son of God. Three years ago, January 20, 2019 Pope Francis gave his Angelus address ... Read More »
Protect - Don't Condemn
Posted by Anne Serwe on 1/10/22
It is 7:08 am on Tuesday morning December 28, and as I write this column, once again Dr. Ashi Jha is giving the same report on the COVID virus. The major change of the moment (so that there might be anything to report) is that the waiting period if ... Read More »