Breaking bread
We have had memorable and preoccupying events of late, both in St Patrick’s and out in the
world. In the parish, we helped launch the new priestly career of Fr Gabe LePage, and also
celebrated the patronal feast day of our Patron Saint, Patrick of Ireland. (Photos from both
happy events are elsewhere in the issue.) Beyond the parish boundaries, as we go to press,
there is war and economic dislocation. It’s an odd mix of plusses and minuses, a time of strong
emotional pushes and pulls.
What is the church to do in such times?
I’ve thought a lot about this question, and have become increasingly convinced that the answer
is simple. We should prioritize what Jesus told us we should: that is, observe first and foremost
the commandment to “love the Lord our God with all our heart and mind and strength and
soul.” Not that we ignore the second commandment, to love our neighbor as ourselves. Not at
all. But Jesus’ logic is that we do better at the second commandment when we get the first one
right.
In practical terms, this means that the worship of God is to remain our priority. In days when it
is so easy to let our minds be overwhelmed by events, the church is uniquely well situated to
remind us why we have minds in the first place: because we are created in the image of God!
When we keep ourselves oriented to this true north—when we praise God truly-- we navigate
the other demands of life in a healthy way, including participation in civic affairs.
All this being the case, I would call upon the good people of St Patrick’s to observe the
upcoming liturgies of Holy Week and Easter with attention and devotion. They move us into the
depths of God’s plans for us, and the eternal purposes of divine love. We can do no better than
to take them fully to heart. The schedule this year is:
March 29 Palm Sunday 10AM
April 2 Maundy Thursday 7PM
April 3 Good Friday 12 Noon
April 5 EASTER DAY 10AM
Before I close, I want to put in another word for the second Commandment, the one about love
of neighbor. During Lent, it has become clear that this commandment truly is on our hearts as
well. The guest speakers have been listened to with careful attention. The special collections
have all been generous:
February 22 Montana Writing Coaches $430
March 1 Al Ahli Episcopal Hospital $517
March 8 Valley Neighbors $520
March 15 Flathead Warming Center $441
March 22 Bigfork Food Bank TBA
It’s been a good Lent; now, on to Easter!
Yours faithfully,
(Rev) Donnel O’Flynn
We have had memorable and preoccupying events of late, both in St Patrick’s and out in the
world. In the parish, we helped launch the new priestly career of Fr Gabe LePage, and also
celebrated the patronal feast day of our Patron Saint, Patrick of Ireland. (Photos from both
happy events are elsewhere in the issue.) Beyond the parish boundaries, as we go to press,
there is war and economic dislocation. It’s an odd mix of plusses and minuses, a time of strong
emotional pushes and pulls.
What is the church to do in such times?
I’ve thought a lot about this question, and have become increasingly convinced that the answer
is simple. We should prioritize what Jesus told us we should: that is, observe first and foremost
the commandment to “love the Lord our God with all our heart and mind and strength and
soul.” Not that we ignore the second commandment, to love our neighbor as ourselves. Not at
all. But Jesus’ logic is that we do better at the second commandment when we get the first one
right.
In practical terms, this means that the worship of God is to remain our priority. In days when it
is so easy to let our minds be overwhelmed by events, the church is uniquely well situated to
remind us why we have minds in the first place: because we are created in the image of God!
When we keep ourselves oriented to this true north—when we praise God truly-- we navigate
the other demands of life in a healthy way, including participation in civic affairs.
All this being the case, I would call upon the good people of St Patrick’s to observe the
upcoming liturgies of Holy Week and Easter with attention and devotion. They move us into the
depths of God’s plans for us, and the eternal purposes of divine love. We can do no better than
to take them fully to heart. The schedule this year is:
March 29 Palm Sunday 10AM
April 2 Maundy Thursday 7PM
April 3 Good Friday 12 Noon
April 5 EASTER DAY 10AM
Before I close, I want to put in another word for the second Commandment, the one about love
of neighbor. During Lent, it has become clear that this commandment truly is on our hearts as
well. The guest speakers have been listened to with careful attention. The special collections
have all been generous:
February 22 Montana Writing Coaches $430
March 1 Al Ahli Episcopal Hospital $517
March 8 Valley Neighbors $520
March 15 Flathead Warming Center $441
March 22 Bigfork Food Bank TBA
It’s been a good Lent; now, on to Easter!
Yours faithfully,
(Rev) Donnel O’Flynn