This Sunday, May 5th, at the 11:00 AM Mass, we will have five children receiving First Communion. Their names are Bianca Charrel, Alexander Charrel, Alyssa Evans, Gwenevere Hyc, and Layla Mulcahey. I am always inspired by the faith of those who are ready to receive the Eucharist for the first time, especially children. Their excitement, devotion, and sincerity to receive the Lord is a reminder for myself to never take this great sacramental gift for granted. That is my hope, of course, though sometimes I fall short of the ideal. Familiarity can breed contempt unfortunately. It is a common weakness in human nature. Therefore, let’s take this opportunity to ask the Lord to reaffirm our own faith, and to receive the Eucharist with the same childlike devotion as our First Communicants.
It is also the end of the school year with a number of events taking place here at St. Brendan’s. On Monday, we have the Eighth grade class and their parents for morning Mass and a Parent’s Appreciation breakfast afterward. The students will then stay for a retreat day in preparation for their graduation. Rehearsal for graduation and a class dinner/dance will be the following week on May 16th, and the actual graduation ceremony will be on May 17th. All of these events will be hosted by our parish, since we are one of the four official feeder parishes of St. Cecelia Catholic School. Every feeder parish takes it turn, and so it’s our turn this year in the rotation.
Key celebratory moments in young people’s lives, like First Communion and Graduation, are important opportunities for reflection, gratitude, and continued growth. My hope is that children and adults alike will hold the many (but temporary) joyful occasions of life as a means of preparation for the true and lasting happy ending. The joy and happiness of any celebration is just a glimpse of the supreme joy and happiness that awaits us someday in heaven. As important as these moments may be, they are still just steps along the way to help take us to our ultimate destination. May the words of Jesus in this Sunday’s Gospel give us a proper spiritual outlook when he said to his disciples, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete.”
Peace. Father Tim
April 28, 2024
Dear Parishioners, I learned a long time ago that there is never a convenient time for a priest to get sick. Last week I was diagnosed with Shingles. What I understand is that it comes from the dormant virus of having had Chickenpox. In my case, I think I had Chickenpox when I was 5 or 6 years old. This time the doctor prescribed an anti-viral medication and put me in “quarantine,” at least until I finished themedicine. That ended on Tuesday, April 23rd. At this writing, the pain is still present but bearable. Naturally, this happened during a week when I was expected to attend a number of scheduled events. To start, we had three important St. Cecelia School functions in celebration of its 75th anniversary, including an Alumni Mass & Breakfast, the annual Auction & Dinner, and the Bishop’s SchoolMass. There was the funeral Mass for the dear mother of parish staff employee Sheila Osorio. I had to cancel various weekday appointments with people who wanted to see me. And, of course, we have Mass scheduled at St. Brendan’s every day, and twice onSundays. But finding substitute priests at the last minute is getting more and more difficult due to fewer numbers. I was able to fill the Masses for the weekend but not some of the week days. As a result, a simple communion or prayer service was provided instead. Then this week I have a wedding and its rehearsal scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, but I should be well enough to cover them. This whole situation reminds me of that famous John Lennon quote, “Life is what happens to you while you’re making other plans.” An apropos and true enough insight, certainly in this case. Plans and schedules are important and necessary things in life, but they must always be in service to life and not the other way around. Life is much bigger than schedules or any particular plans. Forwithout life, plans and schedules become irrelevant. It’s all a matter of priorities and putting everything in proper perspective. The Easter season reminds us of the ultimate source of life; specifically, Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Our Lord says inthis Sunday’s Gospel, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, becausewithout me you can do nothing.” In other words, focus on Jesus first and everything else will fall in proper place. May the Lord help us feeble branches to prioritize our lives by first and foremost connecting to the One True Vine. Peace. Father Tim
April 21, 2024
Dear Parishioners,
This week our nation observes two annual events. On Monday, April 22nd is Earth Day and on Friday, April 26th is Arbor Day. The first Earth Day was observed in 1970 to support environmental protections and peace initiatives. Today there are over one billion people in 193 countries par- ticipating. The theme or focus for this year is “Planet vs. Plastics,” with particular attention on the accumulation of plastics in our oceans. Arbor Day was first observed in 1872 when Nebraskan citizens planted more than one million trees. It was originally observed on the same day as Earth Day, but was later moved to the last Friday in April.
Soon after my arrival to St. Brendan’s, I had two southern oak trees planted on the parish property, one at the rectory and the other one in our back parking lot/field. Honestly, if I could, I would plant the whole field and make it a beautiful park instead of a parking lot. That, of course, is not practical, especially for Sunday Masses. But even as it is now, our field is the last green space on Island Estates. Every piece of property has either been built upon or is in the process of being built upon. And the result is that residents are drawn to our “recreational” field every day, including those who need a place for their dogs to run and play.
The irony to all of this is that human beings have an innate desire for green and blue spaces. Yet the very spaces we desire and are drawn to have either been built over or blocked from view. In my case, I know that the water is close by, but I need to be 60 feet tall to see it from where I live. This is not meant to be a personal gripe session. However, I do know there is a reason why spiritual places, like monasteries and retreat houses, are usually found in natural settings. Such places, like forests, clean bodies of water, or even a little parish field, can help to refresh the soul. Despite the high demand for commercial developments, the spiritual life simply cannot live without natural places that foster stillness and inner peace.
This Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Images of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, come to my mind as he “makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul” (Psalm 23:2-3). May we all receive that peace of soul that only God can give. Sit under the shade of a nice big oak tree. Or better yet, plant a tree or something else that’s green. It might help.
Peace. Father Tim
April 14, 2024
Dear Parishioners,
An adapted version of an old maxim says, “There are no atheists in foxholes—or in IRS waiting rooms.” Monday, April 15th is Tax Day. Years ago, long before the 911 terrorist attacks, I flew to Canada to visit family in Toronto. It was during the time when our laws with Canada were starting to require proof of passport to allow reentry into the U.S. Of course, I never got that memo and a customs agent at the airport took me to a side room for interrogation (just like in the movies). It used to be that crossing back-and-forth between the U.S. and Canada only required a valid photo ID, like a driver’s license. That apparently changed during my visit, because I got into Canada with just a driver’s license but then could not cross back. It was a predicament to say the least. Well, to make a long story short, as the agent was rattling off a string of questions, he quickly asked me, “When are taxes due in the U.S.?” I quickly responded back, “April 15th.” I guess that was enough proof for him that I was a U.S. citizen because he let me pass, though he reminded me to bring my passport next time. The memory still makes me chuckle that simply knowing the date of Tax Day without hesitation was convincing evidence of being American. That certainly would not pass muster in this day and age. Life is more complicated now, unfortunately. But the deeper message for us is to realize the spiritual importance of having a dual citizenship in this world and in the Kingdom of Heaven. The second reading from the first Letter of St. John reminds us that Jesus Christ is our Divine Passport, who is the “expiation of our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.” Easter, and its fifty-day liturgical season, is all about the celebration of this glorious redemptive act of Jesus Christ. So, when our own time comes to crossover from this life to the next, remember my adapted version of the old slogan from American Express Travelers Checks: “Don’t leave home without Him.”
Peace.
Father Tim
April 7, 2024
Dear Parishioners, Holy Week went very well with all of the special liturgies, particularly the Triduum. We also had a good turn-out of people, especially for Easter Sunday. All four Masses, both in the church and the hall, were completely full with standing room only. My Masses in the church were jam packed, and the 9:00 AM Mass had people standing the whole length of the back walls. One of the ushers said that he counted over 700 people at that Mass. It was quite a sight to behold. I give thanks to God for such a wonderful showing of people for worship, and the wonderful weather we had as well. God bless you for your participation and generosity. I also want to give you an update on Msgr. Devine and his health. He has been receiving rehabilitative care at Sabal Palms Health & Rehabilitation Center in Largo. A few months back he fell and broke his elbow and chipped a tooth. That incident sent him to the hospital and to the rehab facility where he currently is now. His cast was removed about a month ago, and the physical therapists have been working to gain strength back in his arm. The goal is to gain back enough strength to support himself with a walker. Sabal Palms has now informed us that he will be released on Thursday, April 4th. I think it is a little too soon, but my guess is that it has more to do with insurance stipulations than his readiness. In any case, Msgr. Devine is going back to St. John XXIII Residence in Lutz. That is located on the third floor of the Angels Senior Living at the Reserves of Idlewild. I do not yet know his room number, but I understand he has a very nice two-room suite. Hopefully we will know soon enough to include it in this week’s bulletin and on Flocknote. Of course, the sad part to all of this is that after twenty-five years Msgr. Devine is no longer in residence at St. Brendan parish. But rest assured, he will be with other priest-friends and getting the level of care that he needs. Plus, I have no doubt that the good people of St. Brendan’s will stay in touch with him by mail, phone calls, and occasional visits. If not, I will hear about it for sure. Happy Easter! Father Tim
March 31, 2024
Happy Easter Everyone! The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! There will be time enough in the weeks ahead during the Easter season to reflect on the Lord’s resurrection. Butnow is the time to celebrate. To give thanks and praise to our God. The Risen Jesus has essentially used an “Easter Eraser” to remove our sins by His passion, death, and resurrection. Maybe in the spirit of Easter we in turn could offer pardon to someone and extend our hand of forgiveness. What a great way to spread our gratitude for this great gift. As St. Paul urged the people of his day, so may we too “be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ” (Eph 4:32). Again, Happy Easter! Father Tim
March 24, 2024
Dear Parishioners, We did it! The “little parish that could” beat all the other parishes of the diocese by coming in first to reach our goal in pledges for the Catholic Ministry Appeal. This is the second time we crossed the finish line first. The previous time was two years ago. Further details were not yet available at the time of this writing, only that we had won and that additional information would soon follow. Folks, this is quite an accomplishment, and it underscores the commitment and generosity of all of you. It shows in a tangible way your commitment to our parish, and your generosity to the ongoing work of charity. From the bottom of my heart, I want to sincerely thank you for responding to the challenge and participating. Let us remember now to follow through with our pledges to actually pay off the goal. But in the meantime, congratulations and accolades are certainly in order and well deserved. I take no credit in this achievement, and I told the diocese to focus their acknowledgements on the parishioners of St. Brendan parish. Give credit where credit is due, and it could not have happened without YOU. God is never outdone in generosity; and so, may God bless you all with an abundance of grace as we enter Holy Week and the Easter season. Peace. Father Tim
March 17, 2024
Dear Parishioners, March 20th marks this year’s Spring Equinox. What is that, you ask? The word equinox comes from the Latin; it means“equal night.” A Spring Equinox is that point when the Sun crosses the equator line, heading north in the sky. The length of day and night is nearly equal in all parts of the world. It also marks the start of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. That has more meaning for folks up north who look forward to warmer temperatures than for us in Florida. We have plenty of warm weather here, but I well remember the long, cold winter months of my childhood years in the Midwest. People would eagerly look for the first signs of Spring, like song birds singing or robins looking for worms, daffodils poking up from the soil, trees showing buds, and farmers starting to prepare the fields for planting. I recall Robert Frost’s poem A Prayer in Spring where he sees in the signs of Spring--like the flowers, bees, trees, and birds--as signs of God’s love. We will soon mark Spring’s rite of Easter and celebrate God’s ultimate love for the world. Perhaps, like Spring, we would do well to look for the signs of this important liturgical season. Where do we see the first signs of God’s ultimate love for us in our everyday lives and in our community? How or what does the salvific act of Jesus’ passion, death, andresurrection reveal to us today? This Sunday we hear the story from John’s Gospel about Greeks in Jerusalem who asked Philip, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” But it was their desire through faith that ultimately led them from such a far distance to see Jesus. And it is that same desire through faith wherein lies the key to seeing the signs. As that old songfrom Michael W. Smith goes, “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, I want to see you.” Peace. Father Tim
March 10, 2024
Dear Parishioners, We had our annual St. Patrick’s Dinner & Dance on Saturday, March 9th in anticipation of the actual feast day on March 17th. A good time was had by all in our parish hall. Of course, we are all familiar with the date of March 17th being St. Patrick’s Day. But I would venture to bet that few people know that the day before on March 16th is “Bathing in the Shannon” Day, another old Irish celebration. It started on the belief that if you were dipped in the Shannon River you were washed free of all bashfulness. It was sometimes referred to as the “Irish baptism.” Maybe that explains why I have never met a shy Irish person. I mean, think about it, have you? Irish and shy just don’t go together. And we are all beneficiaries as a result. The Irish people, particularly missionary priests and religious sisters, brought their boldness of faith and evange- lized our country from its earliest days to still today. Irish culture and faith have contributed much to the history and development of our way of life here in the United States. Take time this week to reflect and give thanks to God for those who were not shy about sharing their faith and all things green. Speaking of non-bashful Irishmen, this is a good opportunity to give you an update on Msgr. Devine. At this writing, I was told that his arm cast will be removed on Monday, March 4th. If the bone has healed, the Sabal rehab facility will work to get his arm strong enough to support his weight with a walker. I’m not sure how long that will take, perhaps a week or two. At that point, a determination will be made by the medical team to give the okay for him to leave. But he will not be coming back here. He realizes that he can no longer care for himself. And so, he has decided, in consultation with those responsible for his care, to move back permanently to the assisted-living facility at Lutz. The diocese has a partner- ship with St. John XXIII Residence where other priest-friends of Msgr. Devine are now also living. In the meantime, please keep him in your prayers as he continues his recovery. I will let you know more when they let me know. Peace. Father Tim