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.