2023 archive of From the Desk of Fr. Mike
Celebration of the Eucharist
Posted by Anne Serwe on 6/14/23
In 2019 there was a survey done by the PEW research (Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world) which announced its findings with the headlines: Just one-third of U.S. Catholics agree with their church that ... Read More »
God is the Creator
Posted by Anne Serwe on 6/05/23
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,so that everyone who believes in him might not perishbut might have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,but that the world might be saved through him.Whoever ... Read More »
Next Steps from the Synod
Posted by Anne Serwe on 5/30/23
A year ago, on Pentecost weekend, Archbishop Hebda held the first Archdiocesan synod in 80 years. We experienced the years of preparation as he first held multiple listening sessions. From that work he developed an outline for the synod and he began a series of parish based catechesis sessions ... Read More »
Medical Update
Posted by Anne Serwe on 5/22/23
My latest visit to Mayo Clinic went as I expected it to, but not as I hoped. I went to see a neurosurgeon who Dr. Dyck had referred following my first visit at Mayo. Dr. Dyck’s diagnosis based on a new MRI and a variety of other sensory tests ... Read More »
See God in Each Other
Posted by Anne Serwe on 5/09/23
What does God look like? In the book of Genesis God walks with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening and they converse with each other. Generations later, long after the fall of Adam and Eve; God enters a very close relationship with Abraham. Although Abraham has ... Read More »
Be Welcoming of Everyone
Posted by Anne Serwe on 5/01/23
Jesus said: "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep.All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.I am the gate.Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.
In his Regina Ceoli address last week Pope Francis said the apostle Thomas, “wants an extraordinary sign – to touch the wounds. Jesus shows them to him, but in an ordinary way, coming in front of everyone, in the community.” Jesus makes Himself known in the community, and it is in the presence of the community that He shows the Apostles His wounds, “the proof of his love, the ever-open channels of His ... Read More »
Fr. Mike Mayo Clinic Update
Posted by Anne Serwe on 4/24/23
I had a good week at Mayo Clinic. I met with Dr. Dyck, one of the teaching staff of neurology. Following that I had another MRI of the lumber region of my back. The next day I had several tests including an EMG to check the nerve sensitivity of ... Read More »
Alleluia - He is Risen!
Posted by Anne Serwe on 4/11/23
I want to thank all who made this Holy Week a wonderful prayer time—our musicians and choir, those who decorated our worship space several different times this past week—our liturgical ministers including hospitality, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, servers and the sound board and video board ministers.
I also want to ... Read More »
A Gift Received
Posted by Anne Serwe on 4/03/23
The mother of Zebedee’s children (James and John) came to Jesus with her sons. She got down on her knees before Jesus to ask something of Him. He said to her, “What do you want?” She said, “Say that my two sons may sit, one at Your right side and one at ... Read More »
Focus on Jesus
Posted by Anne Serwe on 3/27/23
Lord Jesus Christ, you commanded Lazarus to step forth from his tomb and by your own resurrection freed all people from death. We pray for your servant Weston, who eagerly approaches the waters of new birth and hunger for the banquet of life.
Do not let the power of ... Read More »