Farewell to St. Brendan’s!

It is a bittersweet moment that I bid farewell to St. Brendan’s as my spiritual home and the community I have truly grown to love these last few years. I would like to share with you wonderful moments that have touched my heart.

 St. Brendan’s schoolchildren prepared BOTH birthday cards and farewell cards for me this year, treasures forever. ( I have already re-read the birthday cards a few times.  As a team, the St. Brendan’s staff and volunteer organizations helped us to restore the parish to the wonderful physical and financial status I remember as a child, ( my grandmother lived further up Rockaway and my aunt and uncle and cousins lived less than a block away on Ulloa St.). I remember throughout my life referring to St. Brendan’s parish community and facilities as the “Crown jewels of the Archdiocese”.

I will miss the shouts from very young children as I both proceeded into Church or recessed out, asking for a “high five”. Some of the smallest children had quite a whack! I will miss the school boys and girls playing on the lawn and the tree in front of Church, alternatively referred to as the “boy tree” or the “girl tree” depending upon who was highest in the branches. (It was never called the Fr. Mike tree!).

I will miss the impressive results of both the St. Brendan’s Mothers’ Club and the St. Brendan’s Men’s Club. They have very different styles. I still believe the Mothers’ club could end world hunger! I remain impressed at the cheerful sense of community and camaraderie that are ever present in the Men’s Club as they work to edify the St. Brendan community in visible and behind-the – scenes service jobs, always with cheerful enthusiasm and success.

I will miss a community with whom I have shared many joys, seasons and even sorrows as we have collaboratively worked to keep God in our lives and keep our faith strong. I will miss the joyful shouts of the kindergarten children as they receive a retrieved ball that has fallen outside the fence and I toss it back. You’d think they were made of gold!

I will miss the very intimate moments of being invited into people’s lives in moments of illness or hospitalization and even sharing the last precious minutes of a person’s life. Believe it or not, I remember each of these special moments. I will miss the opportunity to promote Riordan High School, although if one were to ask the children I always thank a Catholic School child/ high-schooler for “wearing their colors”. I believe it means more than the colors; it speaks of pride in faith! I will miss being invited to special moments with families. But most of all, I WILL MISS EACH and EVERY ONE OF YOU! Please consider St. Mary, Star of the Sea another “home”. My cell phone number is 415-246-5535 and personal email address is frmquinn@gmail.com.  Feel free to contact me.

Thank you for the best years of my life.

With All my Love,    
Fr. Mike Quinn

 

P.S. Thank you, Fr. Dan, and all the volunteers for a wonderful send-off.

 

“Now , indeed I know you are a person from God!”

Last Friday was the last day of school for 2012-2013. On Friday, 5/31/2013 our eighth graders graduated from, for most, 9 years of education at St. Brendan’s.  As they reflected upon their time here, they were full of gratitude for the education and athletic achievements allowed from the experience.  They were full of gratitude for their parents, their teachers and each other.  As I sat there with Archbishop Niederauer, Principal Carol Grewal and Father Dan, Pastor, watching and hearing their remarks, I felt as though I was sitting in the wrong place. I felt that I should have been with the grateful graduates who so clearly articulated their feelings of achievement and gratitude  at their matriculation through St. Brendan School. I am certain these remarks will have been echoed by our school-children as they close out the 2012-2013 school year.

 

When we are invited to an undertaking, we are at first full of hope and concern. As we are in the middle of the project, our confidence builds and we become increasingly confident as we encounter hurdles and best them and continue to progress. Such is not only the way of school, but it is the way of life.  Imagine the people present for our First Reading and Gospel- invited to believe and follow God as they literally saw the dead raised to new life. Perhaps spiritually, we are not confident. But we do have core values. We begin with where we are, just as our school children have done. What gifts we possess quickly become evident as we try to build upon them with learning efforts.  What challenges us and requires more work than perhaps our peers, also becomes evident. We are then faced with a choice-the first is to accept our gifts with grace and accept our weaknesses as well with the resolve to put in needed extra work. The alternative is to stay in our rut and trumpet our victories while bemoaning our failures. The latter is the way of the world where responsibility is not embraced.

 

     We are called to victory over our weaknesses, over worldly allure by our faith. Believing in God and living the sacramental life will relieve us and enliven us with spiritual life and belief as it did the characters present in our Scripture readings today. Just as at graduation there are proud people who love us glad for the effort that allowed achievement for our graduates and school-children, we are called to do so in faith. From the proud and loving looks of parents, one could not determine grades achieved, but I saw pride in the trying.

     Personally, I relate to this call to believe. I am being called to serve another parish but doing so involves cost, the greatest is that of leaving the people I have come to love deeply as if you were all of my own blood, the people of St. Brendan parish. To those I must leave, you will never leave my heart and my prayer for you is to embrace my replacement just as you did me. For it was in that act of Christian love that my belief in Christ was edified. I know that you and your families are all people through whom God works. I know indeed that “You are persons from God!”  May God bless you always, wherever your travels take you!  

 

    Fr. Mike

 

Welcome Scouts – The first Sunday in June, at the 9:30am mass, is our annual Scout Sunday Mass.  At St. Brendan, we have not only scouting for boys but also for girls, as many of you are aware when they sell their delicious cookies.  But more than just fundraising, our scouts are also involved in many activities from fun recreational activities to service projects.  Scouting helps our youth to try new things, build self-confidence and learn habits for healthy living, while serving the community and fulfilling their duty to God.  “Do a good turn daily” is a core scouting precept.  So today we recognize them for their achievements and their service to the community, and pray that God will continue to bless the work of their hands, so that they in turn may bless many others through their service. 

 

A Busy Time for our 8^th Graders – This past week was a busy time for our graduates.  Beginning on Tues., May 28, they had a friendly volleyball game against the Faculty.  Surprisingly, the Faculty has had dominance over the 8^th graders the past few years.  Then on Wednesday night, they had their dinner dance.  The Class Dinner was held in the school library at 6:30pm.  Afterwards, at 8pm, they met up with their parents, who were waiting outside the Church Hall, and escorted them into the Hall for an evening of dancing and delight.  On Thursday, they and the 7^th grade Altar Servers were treated to a day off at Raging Waters Amusement Park in San Jose.  This was a parish treat for our Altar Servers who serve throughout the year at daily and Sunday masses.  Finally, on Friday, May 31, our 8^th graders graduated from Elementary School.  There was a mass for them and their parents with the school in the morning at 8:15am, followed with the graduation ceremony in the evening at 5 p.m.  Their commencement speaker was Archbishop Emeritus, George Niederauer.  So although it was a busy time for them, but it was also a fun time filled with laughter and memories for years to come.  God Bless you, Class of 2013.  We’ll miss you, but don’t be a stranger.  See you at mass.

 

A Movie about Medjugorje – As part of the Year of Faith (YOF), the YOF Committee recommended a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, a place where the Blessed Mother is reported to continue to appear to seers.  The Pilgrimage will be from September 26 – October 5, but reservations need to be in by June 15.  A documentary about Medjugorje will be shown on Sunday June 9, from 1-2:30pm, in the Church Hall. 

If you’re thinking about going on such a pilgrimage with fellow parishioners and me, I invite you to come and see it.  In this Year of Faith, we’re encouraged to do something to help us deepen and grow in faith.  This might be what is needed for you and for your family and friends, to have a closer encounter with the God who so desires to show us the depth of His love.  For more information about the pilgrimage, contact the parish office at 415-681-4225 or parishioner, Mrs. Zdenka Bodisco at 415-681-4100.  The cost is $2,650 per person and it is organized by Trinity Pilgrimage at, www.trinitypilgrimage.com.  Their contact person is Jim Benzow at 408-443-3912. 

 

Fr. Dan

 

Reflections of our Parochial Vicar

Aspects of Discipleship & Trinity

We celebrate this weekend our Trinity Godhead is of the same substance and that each person of the Trinity, which we celebrate on this Trinity Sunday, is important in our lives.  We have been chosen for eternal life out of the Father’s love for us, and so can address God the Father as “Our Father” in the Our Father Prayer said at every Mass.  Christ the Son spends a good deal of time in the gospels letting us know that the spirit that is within Him is the Spirit of the Father, the love that is within him is the love of the Father. Jesus became Man so as to allow us to become acquainted with the Triune God whose love for us can only be described as “radical.”

 

After giving us the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes and wonderful example, Jesus went so far as to give His very life for ours! When Jesus rose from the dead, we were given the choice to choose life with God or death in choosing the ways of the world as our highest values. We were invited to eternal life with God as adopted sons and daughters. At Pentecost we celebrated being filled with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, allowing us to choose right from wrong, allowing us to trust, allowing us to share love and compassion and become forgiving ourselves. How wonderful!!

 

 I compose this article reflecting that my time here as God’s disciple and priest has been more than I could ever have expected.  I have enjoyed the people – all ages, more than I can possibly communicate. I have felt  privileged with those I have celebrated the sacrament of Baptism with; I have also had the privilege of presiding at wonderful liturgies, serving as confessor; anointing of the sick; companioning families through the funeral processes; counseling; spiritual direction and weddings have been life-giving as the excitement of the bride and groom and families I find infectious.  I hope I have helped build a bridge between school and parish life for our school children and de-mystified what goes on in God’s tremendous love for us and in the actions  of a priest.  There are many other ways I have been called to serve  but in all have truly felt the presence of  God. Whatever gifts I have are and have been shared gifts from God. I have also found the people of the parish most charitable even when we differ on some points, because we agree in our belief of our Triune God working in our lives.

I have found a family that I love here in the parishioners, as if you were all related by birth. I will always hold you in my heart as I do my love for God. Because we are family, though soon to have a minor distance, it does not end my love and affection for you all. It simply means that we might not see each other as often. You all are always welcome wherever I am called to minister.  I believe we also have this deepening sense of being loved by God, if we search for spiritual awareness in our lives. There is no geography or circumstance that could change this.  God truly exists in and for us!

 

  Fr. Mike

 

    Making New Beginnings – Last Sunday we celebrated Jesus’ Ascension.  With Jesus’ departure, the Apostles were commissioned to continue His work.  So this marked a new beginning for the Apostles as they set off on their own.  Fortunately, Jesus didn’t abandon them but left them His Spirit to guide them, to encourage and to strengthen them in their work.  That’s what we celebrate today, the feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the birth of the Church.  As we celebrate Spring, it is a celebration of new life and new possibilities, the old giving way to the new.  For many of our 8^th graders who have been here at St. Brendan School since Kindergarten, it is the ending of one chapter of life, but a beginning of another.  In less than 2 weeks, they will be graduating on Friday, May 31. 

   Today, they celebrate with the parish at the 8am mass, to

    thank you for all the financial and spiritual support you’ve

    given them over the years and to ask for your ongoing

    prayers. It’s very appropriate that their parish graduation

    mass falls on the feast of Pentecost, because just as the

   Apostles were fearful of what to do, as Jesus left their

   side, but guided by the  Holy Spirit they were able to

   do great things and the Church quickly grew, in spite

   of persecution and hardships. So relying on the Holy

   Spirit, our young men and women can also achieve

   and do great things.  Please keep them in your prayers,

   as they begin an exciting and new chapter in life. 

 

    Congratulations, 8^th graders!  Our prayers go with you…

    Fr. Mike’s Graduation – Speaking of new beginnings,

    most of you have already heard that Fr. Mike Quinn will

   also be graduating from St. Brendan and going to

    bigger and better things.  Although he has been

   ordained a priest for only 4 years, but he has

    maturity and life experience.  With the

   announcement of Fr. Tom Parenti’s retirement

   at Star of the Sea in Sausalito, the Archbishop has

   asked Fr. Mike to become the Pastor there, beginning

   on July 1.  So we congratulate him and of course,

   pray for him that God may bless him, so that he

   may achieve great things for God there in Sausalito. 

   A farewell celebration will be held for him on Sunday,

   June 23 following the 9:30am mass.

    Welcome New Parishioners – We’re blessed to be able

    to welcome new parishioners to St. Brendan this Sunday

    at the 9:30am mass.  Twice a year, one before

    Thanksgiving and one near the feast of our patron saint,

    St. Brendan (May 16), we welcome new Catholics to our

    community.  I want to thank the Welcome Committee

   chaired by Rebecca Kassekert and Paula Haskell-

   Miraglia for planning and organizing this event. 

   To our newest members, a hearty warm welcome to

   you all!  You get first “dibs” on the coffee and pastries

   this Sunday. 

   Fr. Dan

 

 

Reflections of our Parochial Vicar

Life is Dynamic and Changing – Celebrate the Ascension

 

This Sunday we celebrate the Ascension of Christ.  As believers in the Death and Resurrection of Christ, we recognize this as our time to respond in faith. If I might simplify things a bit, biblically,  up to this point we have been given the Promise of sharing eternity with God both as the Old Testament unfolds and the New Testament, the life of Jesus Christ and his Apostles is recorded in Sacred Scripture. At his point in the unfolding of the Gospel story of Jesus we have been students , so to speak, urged to develop a sense of trust, faith and a sense of being loved – just as we love others.

 

Because of the Ascension, Jesus entrusts the building of his church to the people of God for all time and for all ages, not limiting his presence to one time in history or one place in the world. Jesus promised in last week’s gospel message that God the Father would glorify all who choose to believe in Christ.  That includes us!!!

 Throughout the ages, the true Church, which is the people, have tried to understand and educate others as to their God. The True Church is not comprised of buildings or government- like entities, but rather the body of believers acting as one. We are called to be part of this effort. It definitely is not a passive activity. We are called to action! Throughout history, because the Church is comprised of men and women like you and me, there have been different emphases, different liturgies, some mistakes –but not in core matters. The important part is to have our hearts pointed towards God. Parents at Baptism are asked to educate their children in the ways of faith, by word and example.  The Ascension is one Feast where we might ask ourselves if we have been true to Christ’s trust in us. When Jesus left the world, he did not leave us, only His physical Body did. My favorite book on the Easter Season is The Wellspring of Worship , authored by Jean Corbon. A selection follows:

“  But in fact the Ascension is a decisive turning point.  It does indeed mark the end of something that is not simply to be cast aside: the end of relationship to Jesus that is still wholly external. Above all, however, it marks the beginning of an entirely new relationship of faith and of a new time: the liturgy of the last times.

“… In his Ascension , then , Christ did not disappear; on the contrary, he began to appear and to come… If , however , we reduce this “ascent” to a particular moment in our mortal jistory, we simply forget that beginning from the hour of His Cross and Resurrection Jesus and the human race are henceforth one.  He became a Son of Man in order that we might become children of God. The Ascension is progressive

“ until we all… form the perfect Man fully mature with the fullness of Christ Himself” (Eph 4:13). The movement of the Ascension will be complete only when all the members of the Body have been drawn to the Father and brought to life by His

Spirit… It is the never-new “moment of His coming.”

 

         Are we living and celebrating our participation in this

         moment and mystery?

     Fr. Mike

 

Pastor's Corner

St. Brendan Mother’s Club Auction – The Mother’s Club Auction was held last Saturday at St. Mary’s Cathedral, courtesy of Msgr. John Talesfore, Rector of the Cathedral.  The hall spaces were beautifully decorated with a touch of Paris.  The Silent Auction was held in a side hall while the main hall, hosted the fancy dinner catered by Knight’s Catering whose owners are also St. Brendan’s parishioners, Adrian and Maureen Kelly.  The main dining hall was decorated like the city of lights.  The ambiance was exquisite as guests were dazzled by the lighting effects provided by one of our parents, John and Megan Woods.  Many people made this event possible, especially the donors who provided the items for auction.  There were over 35 items for the Live Auction and they included a keep-sake photo collage of each class, special dinners, room makeover, vacations at special destinations, a special pew and parking for Graduation, a 49er Tailgate party, and even a cruise around the Bay on a SFFD Fireboat.  Msgr. John Talesfore even made a generous $500 contribution to the school, if he was allowed to celebrate the next Christmas eve mass here at St. Brendan.  He is always welcome, whether he makes a contribution or not, but don’t tell him that. 

It was a wonderful evening with music, friendship, dancing and laughter.  Special thanks go to the Auction chairs, Lisa Ikeda, Karen Pierotti, Maureen Simpson and to Kevin Morrison, the coordinator from the Men’s Club.  To all who supported them and gave generously for this School’s fundraiser, a great big THANK YOU!!!

Praying for a Deeper Conversion – I would like to enlist you to join me in praying for a deeper conversion in our parish, in our Archdiocese and throughout the world.  As part of the Year of Faith (YOF), Pope Emeritus Benedict called us to have a deeper appreciation for the gift of our faith.  But there are many whose faiths have turned lukewarm or cold.  I think we all know family members or friends who were baptized Catholics but are no longer practicing the faith, or that would only do so on Christmas and Easter.  Mother Mary, in each of her many apparitions throughout the centuries, had one consistent message.  She called on her children to return back to God and she encouraged us to pray and fast for a deeper conversion, beginning with ourselves, and then for others.  The rosary is a special prayer she gave us, so we can join her in that endeavor, to pray for each other.  I’ve returned to the practice of praying the rosary, since October of 2012, at the beginning of the Year of Faith.  The Lord put in my heart a special desire to pray for you, the people of this parish and I invite you to join me to pray, in particular, for those who have fallen away from their faith, the teens at Juvenile Hall, the sick at home or at Laguna Honda Hospital.  Prayer, said a cloistered nun, is the most effective and efficient way of getting things done.  So pray with me, for a deeper conversion of our students, their parents, and for each other.  And if you are able to join me in a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, for these or for your personal intentions, visit www.trinitypilgrimage.com for more information.  Their contact person is Jim Benzow at 408-443-3912.  Or you can also contact our parishioner, who is coordinating this locally, Mrs. Zdenka Bodisco at zbodisco@sbcglobal.net or at 415-681-4100.  The pilgrimage will be from Sep 26 – Oct 5, 2013, departing from San Francisco, and it includes round trip air and ground transportation, 7 nights in Medjugorje, breakfast and early dinner daily, all taxes and tips included.  The cost is $2,650 per person. 

Peace,

Fr. Dan