I am happy to welcome back John Angotti this week. John held one-on-one musical sessions with our Parishioners and a concert for the school students this week that all enjoyed! The kids were up singing and dancing in the Church and turning to their neighbors to say, “I love you” – their energy was contagious! John talked with the kids about having an attitude of gratitude and how to spread God’s love by having a loving attitude towards each other. He will be playing at all Masses this weekend and I hope now that as we start off the school year and settle back into our routines that you return to Mass regularly in person and make it a habit. I look forward to seeing our Church full again! Never underestimate the simple witness of going to Church and how it forms you and your children. Speaking of being a witness of God, this past week I had the great honor and privilege of presiding at the funeral of the father of a good friend of mine in Palm Springs, Jack McGraw.
I have known Jack personally for many years and he treated me like a son in so many ways. What was interesting about Jack was he made many people feel that way—like a son or daughter. That was a common refrain from many of the guests who said some words of remembrance at the funeral reception. He used to say to each of his grandchildren, “don’t tell the others but you are my favorite grandchild.” What was funny at the reception when each grandchild got up to speak, each one of them started their reflections emphatically, “I was the favorite grandchild!” He made every one of them feel like they were the favorite!
The reality was that Jack was a generous man who spent most of his 91 years giving his life away, not only to his grandchildren but to all he met on his way through life. While he was an incredibly successful man in the business world, in his early years, his Catholic faith defined his life through all his years. He lived that faith by the way he gave back his time, talent, and treasure to all in need by serving and giving to others. He had a particular love of supporting those in need of education, especially the Hispanic community. I cannot count the number of scholarships at different elementary, high schools and universities that he supported throughout the country.
Many people wonder how they can model their lives after Jack’s life and where they can find people or places to serve. I assured them in the homily that Jack did not search for a particularly generous life but just opened his eyes and ears to all those in need around him and then he served them. He listened to people’s stories and was ready to journey alongside them wherever that took them. Jack did what most of the saints did, he served those around him by listening and responding to their simple needs.
We are all called to do that in our own lives too. We do not need to go far away to serve others. All we must do is open our eyes and ears to those around us and we will hear the needs of others. Good parents give themselves to their children, good grandparents do that for their grandchildren, good teachers do that for their students, good managers do that for their employees. Good Christians simply give themselves away to those in need around them. It is not how much we have that matters; it is how we spend what we have that matters. How we spend our time, talent, and treasure for others.
It sounds so simple and that is what scripture tells us over and over—give your lives away to those around you and you will secure joy in this life and in eternity. It is that simple! That does not make it easy! It is simple but not easy!
Parents struggling with the beginning of school and balancing a million things, know your children are your joy now and your way to heaven, so love them well.
Grandparents struggling with helping your children with their balance of work and home, know that by being a supporting grandparent you offer a gift to them and you will receive joy now and in heaven.
Managers and supervisors struggling with good and difficult employees, know that your work of mentoring and guiding is your discipleship at work and you will receive joy now and in heaven.
To all of us who meet the stranger and wounded person, know that our work is in welcoming them and not judging them, listening to their story and seeing how we can help them on their way this day and we will receive joy now and in heaven.
It is not enough to dine with Jesus on Sunday but we need to live our faith in everyday life. If we do that then we will receive joy now and in heaven. I look forward to seeing you, your family and friends this Sunday and the coming Sundays to enjoy the wonderful music at Saint Simon. Please join us to gather in fellowship and to look and listen for ways to support each other and our community.
God Bless,
Fr. Brendan