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A Word From the Associate&
What a joy to be here at St. John the Baptist. The welcome from staff and parishioners has been delightfully warm and encouraging. My first weekend masses were especially warm, though I believe this had something to do with air conditioning.
I am told it is customary for the first column of a new Associate to be an introduction. Tricky business to introduce yourself, but here are some details:
I was born in the lovely and ancient town of Wurzburg in southern Germany, where Dad was stationed with the army. I remember nothing about it since I was six months old when we left. I have been told that I still cry with a slight German accent.
I grew up in Lakewood, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. I am the fourth of six children (three boys, three girls). We grew up under the shadow of St. Luke's Church in an Irish Catholic neighborhood. Three of my friends who lived on our street were named Tom Murphy, so we named them Tommy Murphy East, Tommy Murphy West, and Tommy Murphy Farwest to keep from getting confused. The Kelly's had nine kids, the Fayens had twelve, and the McFaddens had fifteen, all near neighbors. Instant gangs and ball teams. Mom just about murdered me once when I asked her why we didn't have a big family.
My Italian grandparents (Mom's parents), who were born and raised in the home country, lived with us and brought an old world flavor to the home. We made our own wine every autumn, 200 gallons of it from the grape, and bubbling tomato sauce was a constant feature of the kitchen. My Nonna is still alive at 102, still living at home, still cooking and shopping with Mom. She flew to St. Paul for my ordination. This is what olive oil will do for you.
The Cleveland Indians perennially stank. It broke a boy's heart, but taught me commitment.
I went to St. Ignatius High, a Jesuit all-boys prep school. We were regular state champs in football, which was good, but some of the fifteen year-olds were over two-hundred pounds and shaving, which was bad, at least for a prospective star of slight build. I developed a good jump shot instead.
We were a Wolverine family. Dad and Mom met at the University of Michigan Medical School, and five of the six of us went to Ann Arbor for college. Go Blue.
I started in Science, but soon switched to History and English. Then I did a Masters in Education. While at the university, through the influence of a campus ministry organization, I refound the faith my parents had patiently and lovingly brought me up in. It was the opening of an adventure with Christ that swept me off my feet, and that has not yet ended.
Just out of college I joined an ecumenical brotherhood of laymen called the Servants of the Word, who live the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience, and who do various kinds of Christian ministry. I was with them for a number of years, doing campus ministry and formation work within the brotherhood.
I first moved to the Twin Cities in 1988, and lived a few years in Dinkytown. I subsequently went to Notre Dame for a
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Doctorate in Modern European Intellectual History, which is to say, "How we got where we are today." Inner conflict was intense, and I endured many difficult and searching moments as I attempted the soul-harrowing task of integrating my love for the Wolverines with my newfound allegiance to the Fighting Irish. By God's grace I pulled through stronger for the experience.
I entered the St. Paul Seminary in 1998, and a year later was sent to study in Rome, where I lived for three years completing my seminary education and getting a Masters in Theology.
And now by God's grace I am at St. John the Baptist, with the conviction in my heart more firm than ever that there is nothing in life that compares to the love of Christ, that he is the secret and the source of our happiness, that his Gospel is both our highest joy and our only hope, that we find ourselves only when we lose ourselves in him.
Great to be here!
Fr. Michael Keating
Youth Newz&
Camp TNT will meet July 18. All registered participants should plan to be at St. John's, by 9:00 am. Please dress appropriately for your work project. Wear closed toe shoes ( do not wear sandals). If you are unable to attend your scheduled session please notify Mark or Kathy so that they can reschedule your group accordingly. 763- 754-7666.
Parents of TNT campers PLEASE NOTE: Parent volunteers are still needed to drive and supervise small groups of 7th-9th graders at service sites in the metro area. If you can volunteer for any of the Thursday mornings, July 18,25 or August 1, please call Kathy or Mark 763-754-7666. Thank you!
All 7th-12th graders mark your calendars for August 8th and plan to join us at Valleyfair. The cost of the trip, which includes transportation and admission to the park, is $25. TNT campers are already registered for this trip. Registration deadline is July 31. Call Mark Klein with questions 763-754-7666.
Seniors&
ATTENTION SENIORS. NOTE MEETING CHANGE
Please join us for our July meeting, Tuesday, July 16 at 9:15, (immediately following 8:30 a.m. Mass) in the Jeanne Jugan room in the lower level of the Pastoral Center. A continental breakfast will be served at no charge. No reservation is needed for the summer meetings. All persons who wish to come are welcome.
CASINO TRIP
Treasure Island Casino, Wednesday, July 17, 2002.
Because we will not be getting a seniors package from Treasure Island we will be getting a free buffet! Cost of trip is $6 we will have a four hour stay. Pick up a reservation form in the parish office.
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