This blog is really supposed to be a tribute to my brother, Fr. Michael Sepp, and not a political platform, but occasionally I run into a story that my brother would surely have a lot to say about and I want to speak for him. I can't help it. I know he'd have some strong words and it must frustrate him that he can't speak out about these things now.
The Stupak Ammendment
There's been much controversy over this amendment to the health care bill and I'm not sure why. Well, that's not true. I know why. Because abortion is big business in this country and it's especially big business for Planned Parenthood and other such racist organizations that live off the provision of subsidized abortions for the poor.
The Stupak Amendment was named after Michigan Democrat, Bart Stupak who co-authored the amendment. It's controversial because the Stupak amendment would prohibit federal money from being used to buy any policy offered that covered abortions unless the abortion is sought in cases related to rape, incest or danger to the mother's life. It also would require insurers that offered elective abortion coverage to also offer identical policies minus abortion coverage with the same exceptions mentioned above.
This seems totally reasonable to me. Now, I know Fr. Mike was an exceptionally strong protector of the unborn and would not be satisfied with any abortion loopholes in the mix, but we are living in a society where many of our population are "pragmatic realists" or "Godless creatures" who don't give a crap about the rights of unborn children and think it's fine for women to choose to end their pregnancy. I'm one of those people who thinks it is a choice for a women to do what she wants with her body; but I'm not too keen on her making decisions for her unborn child. The kid can't speak yet. That's pretty messed up, in my opinion. But that's just me. I guess you can justify abortion by taking a self-defense claim and saying the baby will destroy your life and your plans. OK, then. Kill your baby, miss. You have to live with that decision, self-defense or not. BUT I'M NOT GOING TO PAY FOR IT!
I'm outraged by the idiots in this country who actually think they have a right to demand abortion provisions from a public program! They are completely insensitive and oblivious to the MILLIONS of people living in the US and paying taxes who who wholeheartedly believe abortion is a heinous crime against humanity. Even if some might support the right of others to choose to end their baby's life, it is really that woman's decision. ABORTION IS NOT A MEDICALLY NECESSARY PROCEDURE IN MOST CASES! And, when it is, that will be covered under this policy.
If you cared about Fr. Michael and you believe that the unborn have rights too and you do not want your tax dollars spent on a the racist abortion provisions desired by Planned Parenthood and other organizations in this country, please speak out! Write to your senator and tell them you support the Stupak Amendment! http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Memorial Mass at St. James the Apostle in Carmel, NY
Fr. Michael was remembered in a mass celebrated by Fr. Anthony Sorgie at St. James the Apostle church in Carmel, NY on Saturday, June 13th, 2009. The mass marked three months since Fr. Michael's passing.
The whole family was there, including the nieces and nephews. Even Kevin's sister, Maureen came down from Massachusetts. Kevin is Michael's brother-in-law by his sister, Joan. There were several friends representing Sacred Heart and St. Francis as well.
Fr. Sorgie was particularly moved during the mass. He had given a heart-felt homily where he again reiterated his love and friendship for Fr. Michael. His respect for my brother seems unrelenting and for that I think my family is very greatful. I've said before that we all knew what an amazing person Mike was and how hard he worked. He was a perfectionist who put himself last nearly all of the time. It was impossible not to admire that about him.
Once again, Fr. Sorgie read from Fr. Michael's prayer journal - a diary of sorts in which he kept track of his thoughtful prayers over the last nine months of his life. I recently started to read the journal myself and am just more and more amazed by my brother's selflessness as I turn each page. I am truly humbled by his personal humility and dedication to God. This man whom I had always seen as supremely dedicated, prayerful and organized, saw himself as lacking in all of these. He wanted nothing more than to please God and to ease the pain of those around him who suffered.
I think my brother was a saint. I hope that's not blasphemous or that I'm overstepping what might seem appropriate to many people - but I really think he was as good a person as a person could be. On top of that goodness, was a man who truly dedicated himself to God and the Roman Catholic Church.
I am so sad he's gone. It makes no sense to me sometimes and I want to lay on my bed all day and cry about it and imagine he's still alive, but then I know he's still around. He is in everything that I know is good. I see Michael in every good deed and I hear his voice in every kind word I can manage. I feel so privileged to be related to him. I think anyone who knew him should feel so blessed by whatever that association was.
The whole family was there, including the nieces and nephews. Even Kevin's sister, Maureen came down from Massachusetts. Kevin is Michael's brother-in-law by his sister, Joan. There were several friends representing Sacred Heart and St. Francis as well.
Fr. Sorgie was particularly moved during the mass. He had given a heart-felt homily where he again reiterated his love and friendship for Fr. Michael. His respect for my brother seems unrelenting and for that I think my family is very greatful. I've said before that we all knew what an amazing person Mike was and how hard he worked. He was a perfectionist who put himself last nearly all of the time. It was impossible not to admire that about him.
Once again, Fr. Sorgie read from Fr. Michael's prayer journal - a diary of sorts in which he kept track of his thoughtful prayers over the last nine months of his life. I recently started to read the journal myself and am just more and more amazed by my brother's selflessness as I turn each page. I am truly humbled by his personal humility and dedication to God. This man whom I had always seen as supremely dedicated, prayerful and organized, saw himself as lacking in all of these. He wanted nothing more than to please God and to ease the pain of those around him who suffered.
I think my brother was a saint. I hope that's not blasphemous or that I'm overstepping what might seem appropriate to many people - but I really think he was as good a person as a person could be. On top of that goodness, was a man who truly dedicated himself to God and the Roman Catholic Church.
I am so sad he's gone. It makes no sense to me sometimes and I want to lay on my bed all day and cry about it and imagine he's still alive, but then I know he's still around. He is in everything that I know is good. I see Michael in every good deed and I hear his voice in every kind word I can manage. I feel so privileged to be related to him. I think anyone who knew him should feel so blessed by whatever that association was.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Padre Alberto: Why Defend Him?
I am not sure I should stray from the focus of my brother's life and story here, but being that Mike was so involved with the Spanish-speaking Catholic community, I just wanted to add the two-cents that I think he would have added were he alive to do so.
There seems to be a huge number of "Catholics" who are defending the actions of this Father Alberto Cutie and his sexual antics on a beach with his purported lover. The fact is, this kind of thing happens from time to time with priests and, though it is rare, it is a fact that some men have not been called to the priesthood but rather, called the priesthood to themselves. This is what I believe to be the case with Padre Alberto.
He was quoted as saying: "Since I was young, I always dreamed of being married, [of] having 10 children."
Why then, would he become a priest? Why would he pretend to devote his life to a parish or to the church as a whole? It's just not possible.
One of the things that made Michael Sepp such a great priest was his complete and utter commitment to his parishioners and to the Catholic Church and all it stood for. He never would have been able to perform his priestly duties to the extent which he did if he were involved with a family. He was awesome when it came to trying to make time for his siblings, parents and nieces and nephews; but he nearly always arrived late and left early to any family gathering. A wife would never be able to put up with that. Children would be hurt by that. These are precisely the reasons behind the Catholic church's stance on priestly marriage.
It is clear that this Padre Alberto was never interested in being a priest. He spent nearly all of his time (it would seem from how much time he spent in the spotlight) as a journalist, reporter, novelist...he is an "entertainer" and not someone who has devoted his life to God and His church. Why defend him?
I don't say you should condemn him either. He is simply a man. He has to follow his heart. He has to live his life. I just think he has no business proselytizing to anyone and if anything this whole scandal should be a wake-up call to anyone who bends too quickly to the words of someone on TV or the radio or in a newspaper. You don't know these people. You can't act like they're your friends and you shouldn't take advice from them because you really don't know where they're coming from either intellectually or spiritually. Those images on TV are ghosts. Those words on the radio are just words.
A good priest is recognized by what he does and how he lives his life. Simplicity, adherence to doctrine, compassion, hard work: these are the qualities that made Michael such a good priest and such a fantastic person.
There seems to be a huge number of "Catholics" who are defending the actions of this Father Alberto Cutie and his sexual antics on a beach with his purported lover. The fact is, this kind of thing happens from time to time with priests and, though it is rare, it is a fact that some men have not been called to the priesthood but rather, called the priesthood to themselves. This is what I believe to be the case with Padre Alberto.
He was quoted as saying: "Since I was young, I always dreamed of being married, [of] having 10 children."
Why then, would he become a priest? Why would he pretend to devote his life to a parish or to the church as a whole? It's just not possible.
One of the things that made Michael Sepp such a great priest was his complete and utter commitment to his parishioners and to the Catholic Church and all it stood for. He never would have been able to perform his priestly duties to the extent which he did if he were involved with a family. He was awesome when it came to trying to make time for his siblings, parents and nieces and nephews; but he nearly always arrived late and left early to any family gathering. A wife would never be able to put up with that. Children would be hurt by that. These are precisely the reasons behind the Catholic church's stance on priestly marriage.
It is clear that this Padre Alberto was never interested in being a priest. He spent nearly all of his time (it would seem from how much time he spent in the spotlight) as a journalist, reporter, novelist...he is an "entertainer" and not someone who has devoted his life to God and His church. Why defend him?
I don't say you should condemn him either. He is simply a man. He has to follow his heart. He has to live his life. I just think he has no business proselytizing to anyone and if anything this whole scandal should be a wake-up call to anyone who bends too quickly to the words of someone on TV or the radio or in a newspaper. You don't know these people. You can't act like they're your friends and you shouldn't take advice from them because you really don't know where they're coming from either intellectually or spiritually. Those images on TV are ghosts. Those words on the radio are just words.
A good priest is recognized by what he does and how he lives his life. Simplicity, adherence to doctrine, compassion, hard work: these are the qualities that made Michael such a good priest and such a fantastic person.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Everything Happens For A Reason
Living past the death of a loved one, especially when the loved one is someone like Fr. Michael Sepp, is sometimes hard to deal with. On the one hand, we all know we were lucky to have him for as long as we did; but on the other hand, we feel cheated. Many of us feel like he was the last person who should have died. After all, he did so much good and was so dedicated to helping others. I'm certainly not nearly as giving as my brother was, yet here I am.
What is the reason why God took Micheal? It's certainly hard to fathom. But I think time will tell. Many believe that Michael can do even more good work in the spiritual realm. He certainly wasn't afraid of death and in some ways even embraced it. Maybe he was preparing himself for more good work. In any case, I'd like to believe that all this has happened for a good reason.
It's something that I have come to believe in the year or so since Mike was diagnosed with cancer. The thought of him dying or suffering often brought me to tears and frustrated me so much because I just couldn't get my mind around it.
One of the things that had happened as a result of Michael's vehement dedication to his priesthood (and consequently, his parishioners) was that Michael became slightly more distant from the family. This was not because he was alienating us intentionally, but simply because the level at which he was determined to serve his community required a great deal of attention. This was especially true at Sacred Heart, which is a tremendous parish with a large school. He simply didn't have the time for us that he once had.
However, the treatments that followed his diagnosis with terminal cancer, were frequent and long. He often needed company when receiving transfusions or chemotherapy. I say "needed" but it was mostly "wanted" I think and when I look back at this, despite the horrific impetus behind it all, I cherish these treatments. They were often long and in the middle of the day. He had to get there during rush hour and stay for hours on end, but these hours were precious time that I had and many of my siblings had - and even my mother had on one or two occasions - to spend with our beloved Michael.
Now, I've been unemployed for a very long time. In fact, I started my bout with poverty and unemployment just after Michael was diagnosed. It occurred to me that though this seemed very much like a curse (I was newly married and struggling to start a life with my wife and despite a fairly good education found myself bored and jobless) it was actually a blessing. Maybe God knew that this was going to be the way that Michael and I could reconnect. That I would have an opportunity to learn things from this man who had so much to say yet had so few opportunities to share things with me. One of my sisters lives in Connecticut and she, for reasons of geography as well as her own familiar obligations, was also underemployed during this time. This just so happened to open up many opportunities for her to attend Mike in these last precious moments before he finished his earthly "assignment".
Sometimes what seems like a curse or a misfortune might just be a tiny part of God's big plan.
What is the reason why God took Micheal? It's certainly hard to fathom. But I think time will tell. Many believe that Michael can do even more good work in the spiritual realm. He certainly wasn't afraid of death and in some ways even embraced it. Maybe he was preparing himself for more good work. In any case, I'd like to believe that all this has happened for a good reason.
It's something that I have come to believe in the year or so since Mike was diagnosed with cancer. The thought of him dying or suffering often brought me to tears and frustrated me so much because I just couldn't get my mind around it.
One of the things that had happened as a result of Michael's vehement dedication to his priesthood (and consequently, his parishioners) was that Michael became slightly more distant from the family. This was not because he was alienating us intentionally, but simply because the level at which he was determined to serve his community required a great deal of attention. This was especially true at Sacred Heart, which is a tremendous parish with a large school. He simply didn't have the time for us that he once had.
However, the treatments that followed his diagnosis with terminal cancer, were frequent and long. He often needed company when receiving transfusions or chemotherapy. I say "needed" but it was mostly "wanted" I think and when I look back at this, despite the horrific impetus behind it all, I cherish these treatments. They were often long and in the middle of the day. He had to get there during rush hour and stay for hours on end, but these hours were precious time that I had and many of my siblings had - and even my mother had on one or two occasions - to spend with our beloved Michael.
Now, I've been unemployed for a very long time. In fact, I started my bout with poverty and unemployment just after Michael was diagnosed. It occurred to me that though this seemed very much like a curse (I was newly married and struggling to start a life with my wife and despite a fairly good education found myself bored and jobless) it was actually a blessing. Maybe God knew that this was going to be the way that Michael and I could reconnect. That I would have an opportunity to learn things from this man who had so much to say yet had so few opportunities to share things with me. One of my sisters lives in Connecticut and she, for reasons of geography as well as her own familiar obligations, was also underemployed during this time. This just so happened to open up many opportunities for her to attend Mike in these last precious moments before he finished his earthly "assignment".
Sometimes what seems like a curse or a misfortune might just be a tiny part of God's big plan.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Memorial Mass at St. Francis Of Assisi parish, Bronx, New York CIty
Fr. Michael Sepp was remembered in a mass held at St. Francis of Assisi parish in the Highbridge section of The Bronx, last night. The mass was celebrated by Msgr. Robert Trainor, who dearly loved Michael and was, in most ways, Michael's mentor in his ministry to the Hispanic population of New York City. The touching homily was given by the Parochial Administrator, Fr. Joe Franco. Fr. Franco talked about what a festidious person Mike was and how that quality mobilized a lot of changes in each of Mike's parishes. Since his father and brother work in the construction business as builders, and since Michael was sometimes known around the block as the "white tornado", he came in and did quite a bit of fixing up in every parish he was assigned to. This quality was key to Michael's popularity with his parishoners. He believed that cleanliness and having a beautilful atmosphere in which to worship helped the parishoners to feel more at home in the church. His job was to spread the love of God and that loving God would not invite guests to a dirty house!
The parishoners of St. Francis were very welcoming to the family after the mass and we all wish to express how great it makes us feel when we hear good things about our beloved Michael. We know how great he was but it really doesn't get old when we hear it again and again. So, keep it coming! We do appreciate it.
The parishoners of St. Francis were very welcoming to the family after the mass and we all wish to express how great it makes us feel when we hear good things about our beloved Michael. We know how great he was but it really doesn't get old when we hear it again and again. So, keep it coming! We do appreciate it.
Monday, March 23, 2009
I Feel Selfish for Wanting Him to Stay Here Longer
The grief that accompanies death is difficult to subdue. I don't think anyone who's lost someone they truly love feels happy after they die. Even those with the greatest faith feel a sense of loss when a family member or great friend passes on to their heavenly reward.
In my case, I not only felt sad but I often felt selfish in the days surrounding my brother's death. I knew he'd accepted death and was not afraid of it. He didn't view death as an end and he "welcomed" it, as he often said.
Despite his embracing view of death, I was still hoping for a miracle for Michael. When I thought about why, the main reason was that I wanted to have him around longer because he was just such a great guy. He was a person I could go to for advice on things both spiritual and temporal because he was a great gauge of what was right and what was wrong. He had lived among so many for so long, and he had seen so much goodness combined with so much badness that he simply knew much more than the average person. I think now that maybe I was being selfish. I wanted Mike to be around to help me make decisions. Maybe he felt he had made enough. He was tired of making decisions and was ready to move on.
I am sad - selfish as this may be - for the fact that my unborn children will not know him. Assuming God grants me the gift of offspring, I'll be the only sibling with children who were not baptized by my brother; that one especially hurts me because I think it's such a privilege to have been baptized by a man like Fr. Michael Sepp.
In my case, I not only felt sad but I often felt selfish in the days surrounding my brother's death. I knew he'd accepted death and was not afraid of it. He didn't view death as an end and he "welcomed" it, as he often said.
Despite his embracing view of death, I was still hoping for a miracle for Michael. When I thought about why, the main reason was that I wanted to have him around longer because he was just such a great guy. He was a person I could go to for advice on things both spiritual and temporal because he was a great gauge of what was right and what was wrong. He had lived among so many for so long, and he had seen so much goodness combined with so much badness that he simply knew much more than the average person. I think now that maybe I was being selfish. I wanted Mike to be around to help me make decisions. Maybe he felt he had made enough. He was tired of making decisions and was ready to move on.
I am sad - selfish as this may be - for the fact that my unborn children will not know him. Assuming God grants me the gift of offspring, I'll be the only sibling with children who were not baptized by my brother; that one especially hurts me because I think it's such a privilege to have been baptized by a man like Fr. Michael Sepp.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Priest, Son, Brother, Friend
Fr. Michael Sepp was born into a modest New York family on March 11th, 1953. He was the first born son and the second child of Joan Duffy Sepp and Elmar Sepp. Elmar was an immigrant from Estonia who supported his new growing family by working as a carpenter. Joan had worked as a New York telephone company operator before settling into family life. They had six children by the time Michael was 17 years old. At the age of 24 he found God calling him to serve Him as a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of New York. By the age of 29, he was ordained into the priesthood by Terence Cardinal Cooke in 1982. He served the parishes of St. Batholomew in Yonkers as a Deacon and then St. Rita's in Staten Island for his first parochial assignment as a priest. After serving the people of St. Rita's for six years, he chose to follow a call to become a missionary priest in South America. Michael loved the film "The Mission" and wanted to serve the poor. He went to Cochabamba, Bolivia to study Spanish while awaiting an assignment that never materialized. The political climate in Bolivia combined with a the death of his beloved Aunt Mary in New York, inspired him to return to New York where he felt he was needed and could do more. He was immediately assigned to Our Lady of Angels parish in the Bronx where he would serve for 6 years. There he honed his Spanish language skills. He soon found that there was a poor parish in Manhattan's Harlem that needed the help of a good priest. Michael was soon at Resurrection Church on West 151st Street. After six years of service as the pastor of Resurrection, Fr. Michael was then assigned to what would be his biggest challenge, Sacred Heart in the South Bronx. It was actually just over the Macombs Dam Bridge from Resurrection and an easy transition in some ways, but Sacred Heart, a much larger church and school, needed more attention and more of Fr. Michael's energy. He gave all of himself to Sacred Heart, as he did with each parish he was assigned to. A short time after taking the healm at Sacred Heart he was asked to add to that responsibility and take over as pastor of an additional church on Shakespeare Avenue called, St. Francis of Assisi. He certainly was a busy man and stayed that way until the end. Just days after his 56th birthday, on the night of March 13th, 2009. Fr. Michael Sepp gave up his earthly body and took his reward in Heaven.
This blog is meant as a tribute to Fr. Michael Sepp: an amazing priest, a perfect son, a loving brother and a dedicated friend. Feel free to post reply messages with nice or funny stories about Fr. Michael.
This blog is meant as a tribute to Fr. Michael Sepp: an amazing priest, a perfect son, a loving brother and a dedicated friend. Feel free to post reply messages with nice or funny stories about Fr. Michael.
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