St. Michael Catholic Church
Welcome to St. Michael Catholic Church located in Fernandina Beach Florida. We are happy you decided to visit. If you have been away from the Church, Christ longs for your return to join Him in the praise of God at weekly worship. The words of Jesus are in our hearts as in His name we extend a loving welcoming hand to you: "Come to me... and I will give you rest. Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart...my yoke is easy, and my burden light." Have you been away from the church? We welcome you back. Take a tour and view all our photos. Read about Saint Michael or spend some time and visit our prayers area. We have many areas of information to offer. We welcome your thoughts, concerns and prayers.
Please see our new section "Respect Life Ministry" Click Here
Please click here for the Saturday 5:30 Usher schedule
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NOTE:
The Saturday evening Mass at the United Methodist Church in Yulee is at 4:00 PM.
PENTECOST SUNDAY
MAY 11, 2008
1) Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104
2) 1 Corinthians 12:3b -7, 12-13
Gospel: John 20:19-23
The reading from Acts speaks of rushing wind, fire and Spirit that brought a group of frightened disciples out of hiding and energized them to go out and conquer the world for Christ. They were filled with enthusiasm, and all who witnessed it were amazed. The events in this reading probably stand out in sharp contrast to how we normally experience life, and especially our mission to be witnesses of Christ and his message. It is easy for life to become humdrum, if not discouraging. The never-ending responsibilities and ordeals we routinely face every day have a way of draining our ambition. Yes, we do what we have to do, but very often our heart isn’t in it. We work at our job and tend to our obligations, but do so with less and less enthusiasm. Even prayer and worship become dry. Sometimes it strikes us that we should be doing more with our lives, but the feeling doesn’t last. Over time we become more resigned to life than excited about future prospects.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul says, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.” What we need to understand here is that we share the Spirit that flooded the apostles with energy and enthusiasm. The Spirit is the same, and is always with us. Our personal development is never complete. We have work to do to build ourselves and the kingdom of God, and the Spirit continually urges us onto new heights. The work of the Spirit, however, can be significantly thwarted by our proclivities toward laziness, apathy and resignation. As we get older, we tend to stop setting goals; we back down from commitments and run away from challenges; we’re reluctant to try something new. If we wish a better quality life, however, we need to fight these tendencies. The Spirit is always present to us as energy, but it is up to us to tap into that energy by struggling against the forces of gravity that would pull us down. What this means is that we make a conscious choice for growth rather than comfort, for risk rather than safety, for more life rather than slow death.
Christians are Pentecost people, people with “spirit.” We stay “alive,” and feel more alive, when we determine to live with passion. We all know what a potent force enthusiasm can be. As a good coach might revive his dispirited team at half-time, it is up to us to rally ourselves to new zest in our marriage, better performance in our job, new friends, new interests, new activities, and new heights for our spiritual growth. We raise our spirits by living with spirit in everything we do.
As you think, so you are. What kind of thoughts occupy your mind most of the day? Dark, depressing thoughts, or positive, energizing thoughts? How you feel is up to you, by the kind of thoughts you allow. Wake up seeing every new day as full of possibilities for your happiness. Remember, it’s your attitude that sets the tone for what you will experience. Take responsibility for your energy levels. Read books that inspire you. Avoid people who make you feel down and associate more with people who build you up. Make sure you eat properly and make regular exercise part of your daily routine. Commit yourself to live with passion and your spirits will rise.
Readings For The Week
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Jas 1:1-11; Mk 8:11-13
Tuesday: Jas 1:12-18; Mk 8:14-21
Wednesday: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; Jn 15:9-17Thursday: Jas 2:1-19; Mk 8:27-33
Friday: Jas 2:14-24, 26; Mk 8:34 — 9:1
Saturday: Jas 3:1-10; Mk 9:2-13
Sunday: Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9; Dn 3; 2 Cor 13:11-13;
Jn 3:16-18
Please pray for the sick, especially Kathryn Taylor and the names in our Prayer Request Book. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Steven Lauerman, son of Bill & Liz Lauerman.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is immediately after the 8:30am Mass on Thursdays and closes with Benediction at 9:30am.
The rosary is prayed at 8:10am before each daily morning mass.
Our Mission Statement
St. Michael's has four M's
Melding, Ministry, Mirth, and Mission
We speak of melding into a new community. Remember Pentecost? We are from Fernandina Beach or Amelia Island, in Nassau County, Florida. We grew up in Jacksonville, Orange Park, Yulee, Callahan, and the regions around St. Mary's and Savannah in Georgia. There are even visitors from Wisconsin, New Jersey, Ireland, Italy and Japan. Yet each of us hears about the Marvels God has accomplished.
Ministry: What marvels should all these expatriates hear? "There are different gifts but the same Spirit: there are different ministries but the same Lord: there are different works but the same God who accomplishes all of them in everyone." Could there be a better description of a healthy parish?
Mirth: "At the sight of the Lord, the disciples rejoiced." Holy laughter is the corridor of a healthy parish.
Mission: "He showed them his hands and his side. As the Father has sent me So I send you." These words speak of mission. They remind us that the task is far from finished. Years of what has been points to what must yet be, what lies ahead.
Jesus still shows his hands and his side today. He still bears his wounds in the Poor and downtrodden. Jesus will not allow complacency to set in. Thus the parish's mission continues.