UPDATE: Fr. Michael Sepp Memorial Scholarship Fund
Dear Friends of Fr. Michael:
I hope you're all having a great start to the New Year.
The Scholarship is now entering it's Third Year and we are excited to continue helping the young people of Sacred Heart Parish (and plans are in the works to add student-members of Resurrection's CCD program) achieve their academic dreams by attending one of New York City's Catholic High Schools.
The family would like to take a moment to thank Mr. Richard Curtain for his generous donation to the Fund! Mr. Curtin is a Bronx, NYC native who attended Cardinal Spellman High School and has fond memories of Mike and his good work.
I'm sure my brother is smiling up there in heaven knowing that Rich has helped to continue the good work Michael started by helping young people in need.
If anyone else out there would like to help out, anything you can contribute is extremely appreciated.
Kind Regards and Warm Prayers,
The Sepp Family
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The Fr. Michael Sepp Scholarship
As we approach the second anniversary of Fr. Michael's death, our family has decided to initiate the long-planned Fr. Michael Scholarship, dedicated to helping those families struggling to afford a quality Catholic education for their children entering high schools in New York City.
Please spread the word and donate if you can.
Dear Friends of Fr. Michael Sepp,
As most of you know a scholarship has been established in Fr. Michael’s name to help students in Sacred Heart Parish achieve their goal of attending a Catholic High School. Fr. Michael helped several students with tuition, despite his limited means, because he believed wholeheartedly in the value of a Catholic Education.
Today our economy continues its decline, leaving a growing number of families struggling to afford the tuition. Now more than ever they need our help.
Please donate today. Any amount you can afford will be greatly appreciated.
God bless you and keep you!
The Family of Father Michael Sepp
Please write checks to: "Fr. Michael Sepp Scholarship Fund"
Mail to:
EJ Sepp
160 East 100th Street, Suite 5B
New York, NY 10029
---------------------------Please cut along dotted line and mail with donation-------------------
Name______________________Address______________________________________
City_____________ State_______ Zip Code________ email_______________________
Donation $________
Sunday, March 21, 2010
One Year
Sacred Heart Church hosted the one-year anniversary mass for Fr. Michael last week on March 13th, 2010. The mass was celebrated by Fr. Anthony Sorgie, long time family friend and classmate of my brother. My family announced the commencement of the Father Michael Memorial Scholarship which will be offered to one student from Sacred Heart School or Sacred Heart's CCD program to attend a Catholic high school in New York City. We will award $1,000 toward the secondary education of a student who has a good academic record and who is actively involved in the parish. An essay along with academic records and a letter of recommendation from a parishoner will be required for the application. More information will be available here and in the Sacred Heart bulletin as it becomes available.
Several hundred family members, SH parishioners as well as parishioners of Michael's former parishes, were in attendance. After the mass, fellowship was held in the school gymnasium where a video of Michael's last years was screened for the attendees.
Of note: There was a very nice booklet handed out at the end of the mass which included pictures of Michael along with some quotes from the prayer journal he kept during his cancer treatments. The family is somewhat concerned that some private information that is out of context might give those who do not know my mother, the impression that she is obsessed with money. This is not the case. My mother has been battling dementia for some time now and this is something that weighed hard on Michael's heart in his dying days, as it does on the hearts of all of her family. He was praying that her mind would become clearer. One consequence of my mother's dementia is a great confusion about numbers and an obsession with the mail. This has lead to a focus on bank statements which confuse her greatly. Though this is a perfectly common situation in the lives of persons fighting brain disease, taken out of context, it may make some think that my mother is greedy or sinfully obsessed with money, which is exactly the opposite of her nature. My mother has always been extraordinarily generous despite growing up poor and being of modest means - much like Michael - and she is neither greedy, nor immorally obsessed with money. I know that anyone who is familiar with my mother knows what a wonderful person she is. We apologize if this quote caused anyone any confusion.
Several hundred family members, SH parishioners as well as parishioners of Michael's former parishes, were in attendance. After the mass, fellowship was held in the school gymnasium where a video of Michael's last years was screened for the attendees.
Of note: There was a very nice booklet handed out at the end of the mass which included pictures of Michael along with some quotes from the prayer journal he kept during his cancer treatments. The family is somewhat concerned that some private information that is out of context might give those who do not know my mother, the impression that she is obsessed with money. This is not the case. My mother has been battling dementia for some time now and this is something that weighed hard on Michael's heart in his dying days, as it does on the hearts of all of her family. He was praying that her mind would become clearer. One consequence of my mother's dementia is a great confusion about numbers and an obsession with the mail. This has lead to a focus on bank statements which confuse her greatly. Though this is a perfectly common situation in the lives of persons fighting brain disease, taken out of context, it may make some think that my mother is greedy or sinfully obsessed with money, which is exactly the opposite of her nature. My mother has always been extraordinarily generous despite growing up poor and being of modest means - much like Michael - and she is neither greedy, nor immorally obsessed with money. I know that anyone who is familiar with my mother knows what a wonderful person she is. We apologize if this quote caused anyone any confusion.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Universal Healthcare and Abortion: What Would Fr. Michael Say?
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
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
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.
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