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From the Pastor's Desk | February 23, 2025
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Ingham County Health Department
Last week, we had an unexpected visit from the Ingham County Health Department due to a complaint levied against us. Specifically, the complaint alleged that safety standards were not being maintained and followed in the kitchen and specifically noted the following:- Counters are not being sanitized;
- Thermal food bags are being placed on the counter;
- Milk cartons are being placed on the counter;
- Food warmers are not at the proper temperature;
- Hair nets or hats are not being worn;
- Sinks are not in a regular state of cleanliness.
- Counters are, in fact, being regularly sanitized;
- Thermal food bags are being placed on the counter which is not a violation of code (because we do not place the food on the floor);
- Milk cartons are being placed on the counter which is not violation of code for the same reason;
- Food warmers are, in fact, maintained at the proper temperature and in good working condition;
- Sinks are, in fact, cleaned and maintained in a regular and acceptable state of cleanliness.
- All foodservice workers must wear hair nets or hats;
- Coats cannot be left in the room adjacent to the kitchen and ice machine.
Parish Mission
I strongly encourage all of you to prioritize attendance at the collaborative parish mission between St. Martha and St. Mary. More details here.Men’s Conference
The Diocese of Lansing Men’s Conference, Ignite, will take place on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the George Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan. I invite all the men of the parish to strongly consider attending the one-day conference. More information here.Diocesan Services Appeal
It’s that time of year again! The Diocesan Services appeal has begun! The Diocesan Services Appeal is an annual appeal, meaning gifts are used to sustain the ongoing, day-to-day work of the Church in our Diocese. Our contributions are put to work right away in a multitude of ministries and activities. The dollars are not invested or reserved for future use.
How are DSA contributions used? Contributions are restricted to fund the ministries, programs, and services that offer direct assistance to individuals and families and to our parishes, schools, and affiliated Catholic organizations. These include, but are not limited to:- Adoption and Foster Care Services
- Building and Property Management
- Campus Ministry
- Care for our Priests - Active and Retired
- Catechesis and Catechist Formation
- Catholic Charities
- Catholic Schools
- Communications and Technology
- Consecrated Vocations
- Diaconate Formation and Support
- Discipleship and Lay Formation
- Evangelization Initiatives
- Faith-Based Counseling
- FAITH Magazine
- Hispanic Ministries
- Human Resources and Legal Services
- Marriage and Family Programs
- Marriage Tribunal
- Natural Family Planning and Life Ministries
- Outreach Ministries
- Parish Financial Services
- Pregnancy Counseling and Services
- Professional Services for Parishes
- Religious Education
- Restorative Justice/Prison Ministry
- Retreats and Conferences
- Sacramental Records and Archives
- Seminarian Education and Formation
- St. Francis Retreat Center
- Worship and Liturgical Resources
- Young Adult Vocational Formation
- Youth Formation
Lent
Lent is just around the corner! It begins a bit later in the year than it did last year which means that Easter is also late. Please note the Mass times for Ash Wednesday: 6:30 am (no music); 8:20 am (with the school); 12:00 noon; 7:00 pmGospel Reflection
In our Gospel today Jesus says something that is both countercultural, not only in his time but in our time as well, and often misunderstood or misapplied. Jesus says, “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.” What does Jesus mean by that? Does he mean that there is no judgment? Does he mean that we should ignore evil?
Absolutely not! Jesus himself is clear that there will be a final judgment. Recall in Matthew 25 that Jesus himself says that the goats will be separated from the sheep and placed on his left and right, respectively. He himself will judge between the two welcoming those on his right into the Kingdom of Heaven and cursing those on his left into eternal damnation. Furthermore in John 5 Jesus says, “The Father himself judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son, so that all men may honor the Son just as they honor the Father” (Jn 5:22-23). There are certainly other scripture passages that clearly show we will be judged. Even at funeral Masses, the Prayer Over the Offerings reads, “As we humbly present to you these sacrificial offerings, O Lord, for the salvation of your servant N., and we beseech your mercy, that he (she), who did not doubt your Son to be a loving Saviour, may find in him a merciful Judge.”
So, Jesus is clearly not saying that we will not be judged. Is he then saying that we are not to judge others? The answer to that question is more nuanced. The answer is yes and no. We make moral judgments all the time - every day. And, we must make moral judgments. Our judgments which lead to our actions matter. This is precisely the basis on which we will be judged. We must make moral judgments in accord with both natural law (the law written on our hearts to do good and avoid evil) and divine law.
Then what does Jesus mean when he says stop judging and stop condemning? Jesus is not telling us not to make moral judgments. He’s telling us to stop making personal judgments against those around us, those we come in contact with, those we deal with regularly, those we hear about - judgments based on our own ego or pride, judgments based on our own ignorance, judgments based on our biases, judgments based on our prejudices, judgments that harm.
One anecdote I use to help explain what Jesus is teaching involves working with addicts. Addiction is an incredibly difficult and debilitating disease. I use the word “disease” intentionally because the science of addiction shows the physiological causes and effects of substance abuse. It is incredibly easy to pass judgment on someone caught up in addiction whether it be alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, etc. It is incredibly easy to pass judgments that tear down the human dignity of the person caught up in the addiction. We should never make judgments that denigrate the dignity of the individual. But, should we not pass judgment on the action(s) of the individual knowing that the actions lead not only to self destruction but the destruction of those surrounding the person caught up in the addiction? On the contrary. We must pass judgment on the actions in order to help the individual seek help. Making the moral judgment on the action is, in fact, the loving thing to do because we know the actions must stop for the individual to return to health. By judging the actions we are not judging the dignity of the individual. We know that God created the individual as good. We can, however, judge the sin in order to restore the individual to his dignity.
As we pray today, let us seek to see Christ in everyone, particularly the people we find most difficult to love. Rather than judging out of pride or ego, let us strive to see the dignity inherent in everyone. At the same time, however, let us remember that to admonish the sinner is a spiritual work of mercy requiring us to make moral judgments most particularly upon ourselves.
Know of my prayers for you all!
Fr. Ryan
