FAMILY REUNION
Thank you to all who made last weekend’s Mass in the Park a success. I was sorry to miss it, but I had a good reason: I was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with more than a hundred of my second cousins and other relatives.
Family history: I grew up in Mitchell, South Dakota, in an extended Irish Catholic family. Reunions at that time involved hundreds of people, most with the last name of Garry. My maternal grandmother was a Garry who married an O’Brien. Gracie, as we called her, was the oldest daughter in a family of 13. Eleven of the 13 married and had many children, who had many children, who had many children . . .
I enjoyed meeting with everyone at the reunion, and it certainly got me to thinking about family. I’ve noticed that many churches—including St. Matt’s—have a family feeling. We often talk about our brothers and sisters in Christ.
At the same time, we’re part of a community that’s larger than most families. And our St. Matt’s community is part of a world-wide institution.
All levels are important. At the family and community level, we might know hundreds of people personally. At the institutional level, it’s more common to know roles: Pope, Archbishop, Vicar General, CFO, COO, etc. At the risk of oversimplifying, I think of family and community as sources of connection; and institutions as a means of assuring continuity. Both connection and continuity are important.
SCHOOL BUILDING WORK CONTINUES
Our school building continues to serve children, and we continue to work with our school tenant, Quantum STEAM Academy (QSA). QSA’s preparing for another successful school year. (Classes resume August 28.) We’ve learned that enrollment has increased yet again. In turn, that increases QSA’s rent payments, which allow us to maintain the building: roofs, walls, floors, doors, heating systems, and more. We’ve done a lot in the past few months!
Special thanks to Tony and Tom for repairing a tricky door in the school building, among other volunteer projects. You guys are amazing!
Thank you for your support, and have a great week!
Leave a Comment