Resources & Articles

Preparing for Christ Mass
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The Church and the world prepare for the Lord’s Nativity in two very different ways. And these opposing preparations reveal what each really believes. The world prepares by putting up trees, lights and other decorations. It also offers “holiday” (or “seasonal”) parties, and thinks nothing of prematurely anticipating christmas day. The world simply can’t wait; in fact, it won’t wait. And so it barges ahead and “celebrates” christmas during the month after Thanksgiving. The world’s excuse for barging ahead is that “christmas is for the children.” Yet it doesn’t let... Read more...
Imitating the Saints
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On All Saints Day, the Church does not celebrate all those who were baptized, particularly the faithful who are still living. For the Church does not use the word “saint” lightly. Therefore, she does not refer to any or every Christian as a “saint.” Rather, the word “saint” is reserved for those who have led exemplary lives of holiness. And as a mark of their holiness, these men and women would not see themselves as saints. Rather, they would see themselves as unworthy of this honor. It is not a... Read more...
Learning Compassion From the Least of These
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THE MARGINALIZED, THE OUTCAST, the different, the diseased, the stranger, the warehoused—these are the people Our Lord frequently ministers to in and holds before us as examples of living faith. And so, if we wish to be Christians (i.e., those who have Christ living through us), then we should also show intentional compassion to these same folks. But who are they? The marginalized are the people whom we—in our mind, in our society, in our attitude—shove to the sidelines and think little of. The outcasts are the people who are... Read more...
Life & Living
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It certainly appears and feels like our lives are very busy. One result of this apparent busyness that I’ve noticed personally—and perhaps you also—is that we are forced to prioritize our tasks. Which of the many things demanding our attention will we do? Setting goals so that you maintain your focus on the important things is the key to all productivity apps, planners, workshops, and calendars. Know what is important, and make sure it is not pushed aside—that’s what’s crucial. Regrettably, when we think of goals, we think selfishly—about ourselves,... Read more...
May 8 – The Apparition of St Michael
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For a parish that is under the patronage, and exults in the merits, of so great an Archangel, it is most fitting that we learn of his appearances in other times and places. Here is the description of one such feast that we celebrate this month. That the blessed Archangel Michael, whose name means Who is like unto God?, is the prince of the faithful Angels who opposed Lucifer and his followers in their revolt against God. Since the devil is the sworn enemy of God’s holy Church, Saint Michael is... Read more...
Christ Loves You in Your Body
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Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia! These words that we just said: they are so much more than a joyful Easter greeting. To greet one another with these words is to proclaim to each other the most fundamental, the most significant, the most impactful, the greatest truth of our hope, both at this moment and as our last moment nears. St Paul says this clearly with these words: [Now] if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen,... Read more...
Holy Week Explained
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NOTE: This article is reprinted from "Holy Week in the Western Tradition" at The Orthodox West, a new website explaining Orthodox life and practice according to the ancient Western tradition. Holy Week in the Western Tradition: A Brief Synopsis Holy Week consists of two parts: the first four days, beginning with Palm Sunday; and the Triduum Sacrum (“holy three days”), which celebrate with particular solemnity Our Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. During the first half, the words of St Thomas should fill our hearts and minds: “Let us also go, that we... Read more...
Lent: Dying to Self
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Lent is a kind of retreat from the world. Just as Our Lord, after His baptism, retreated from the world for forty days to immerse Himself in fasting and prayer, so we follow His example. Yet our retreat is not to fight our own battles, just as Our Lord’s retreat was not to fight His own battle. Our Lord retreated in order to enter into our fray; and we retreat in order to participate in His passion. He strove against Satan so that, on the cross, He might overcome him... Read more...
Oh, How Blest Are Ye: All Souls Day
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Let us consider this possible conversation between ourselves and the Faithful Departed, whom we commemorate this day. We might say: Oh, how blest are ye whose toils are ended, Who through death have unto God ascended! Ye have arisen From the cares which keep us still in prison. And the Faithful Departed would respond: Truly, we to glory have arisen From all cares that held us in a prison, Earthly toil ended, We unto our God are now ascended. We are still as in a dungeon living, Still oppressed with... Read more...
Return to Being Little Children
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Where I grew up, it was customary to place in children’s bedrooms near the bed a precious picture of an angel watching two little ones cross a precarious bridge over a seething water fall during a nighttime storm. I had one of those pictures hanging in my bedroom. The point of this picture was as clear as it is comforting: Guardian Angels protect each of us when we are in danger. And that is the truth. Angels are bodiless spirits who serve God by serving us. And that truth is... Read more...
Receiving Jesus as He Gives Himself
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The goal is to live forever, not live for now. The goal is that we restrain our passions and our appetites, that we hold in check but we think matters most, instead of feeding our passions—our anger and lusts—and letting them get the best of us. The goal is that we find solace in the body of Christ—not simply in the Eucharist as an individual act, but in the church itself—rather than thinking that we will find rest and refreshment by working things out on our own. The goal is... Read more...
Lent at St Michael's Church
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Lent 2017 Lent begins on Wednesday, March 1. It is a season of instruction in the Christian Faith which centers primarily in the great mystery of Our Lord’s Suffering, Death and Resurrection and climaxes in the triduum sacrum (“holy three days”) of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Holy Lent, should be observed with worship in church. Mass will begin at 7 p.m., and will be preceded by “The Imposition Of Ashes.” As the ashes are applied, these words will be said:... Read more...