On Tybee, we now have our own unique 9/11 as the backlash from Irma brought destructive waters to our island. And as we will be forever grateful to the first responders, especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, on
the 9/11, so we are happy today for an opportunity to give thanks for those first responders here on Tybee, who not only served us so bravely in facing Irma’s destructive force but who protect us with courage and dedication each and every day.
As we celebrate St. Michael, our patron saint, this weekend, we want to honor the members of our local police force, the fire department, life guards, first responders, and emergency personnel. We are grateful for your dedicated service. We welcome you to our faith community. And there are not too many words we can say, but the most important words we should say to you today, is to thank you. Thank you for your service to our community, to our brothers and sisters, and especially to those in need. To thank you, we’ve asked you to join us for a meal. It is really such a small gesture of gratitude, but please know that we truly are grateful for your service and we pray for you often.
It has become a tradition in the Catholic Church on or near the feast of St. Michael the Archangel to honor first responders. St. Michael is the patron of police officers. In the Book of Revelation, he is described as the head of the angelic armies and for centuries, Christians have sought his intercession: “St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil”. As first responders, police, firefighters and emergency personnel you like guardian angels also defend us “against the wickedness and snares of the devil”.
The word “angel” means messenger. Angels play important roles in Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In the Catholic Church, we celebrate the feasts of the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael on September 29 and Guardian Angels on October 2. Scripture scholars tell us angels in the Bible serve as a buffer between God and us. The most popular prayer of Catholics, the Hail Mary, begins with the greeting of the archangel Gabriel in Luke 1:28, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” We pray that as you go about your duties, you will always have a sense that the Lord is with you. May the angels of God surround you, protect you. May they remind of your great call to become angels for those you serve.
We also want to ask a special blessing upon your families today, because it’s your spouses, children, and parents who daily pray for your safety while you are at work, and who love and support you at the end of the day when your duty is done.
Finally, let us remember all those who have fallen in the line of duty, who never failed in their generous service, even when it meant the giving of their very lives. Let us give thanks to God for the witness they left us, a witness of sacrifice, and a witness to the dignity and honor of their vocation of service.
On 9/11/2001, my sister-in-law, Kimberly Ragan was on her way to a meeting at the World Trade Towers in New York. She was pregnant with my nephew Patrick but she was running late because Patrick’s brother Danny was a fussy baby that morning. Danny’s fussiness more than likely saved Kimberly and Patrick’s lives. 295 of Kimberly’s colleagues and 63 consultants working in the offices of Marsh & McLennan were lost in the terrorist attacks that day.
In the midst of the confusion, Kimberly tried to find her way to Penn Station so she could get back to Philly. She stood on a street corner uncertain of which way she needed to go. An elderly woman stood by her and reassured her that she would be okay and pointed her in the direction of the station. When Kimberly turned around to thank the lady for her kindness she had disappeared. In the midst of the great evil of that day, I believe many angels were present. Some we call first responders, others are known to God alone. Kimberly caught the last train that left New York that morning.
On Tybee, we now have our own unique 9/11 as the backlash from Irma brought destructive waters to our island. And as we will be forever grateful to the first responders, especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, on
the 9/11, so we are happy today for an opportunity to give thanks for those first responders here on Tybee, who not only served us so bravely in facing Irma’s destructive force but who protect us with courage and dedication each and every day.
As we celebrate St. Michael, our patron saint, this weekend, we want to honor the members of our local police force, the fire department, life guards, first responders, and emergency personnel. We are grateful for your dedicated service. We welcome you to our faith community. And there are not too many words we can say, but the most important words we should say to you today, is to thank you. Thank you for your service to our community, to our brothers and sisters, and especially to those in need. To thank you, we’ve asked you to join us for a meal. It is really such a small gesture of gratitude, but please know that we truly are grateful for your service and we pray for you often.
It has become a tradition in the Catholic Church on or near the feast of St. Michael the Archangel to honor first responders. St. Michael is the patron of police officers. In the Book of Revelation, he is described as the head of the angelic armies and for centuries, Christians have sought his intercession: “St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil”. As first responders, police, firefighters and emergency personnel you like guardian angels also defend us “against the wickedness and snares of the devil”.
The word “angel” means messenger. Angels play important roles in Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In the Catholic Church, we celebrate the feasts of the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael on September 29 and Guardian Angels on October 2. Scripture scholars tell us angels in the Bible serve as a buffer between God and us. The most popular prayer of Catholics, the Hail Mary, begins with the greeting of the archangel Gabriel in Luke 1:28, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” We pray that as you go about your duties, you will always have a sense that the Lord is with you. May the angels of God surround you, protect you. May they remind of your great call to become angels for those you serve.
We also want to ask a special blessing upon your families today, because it’s your spouses, children, and parents who daily pray for your safety while you are at work, and who love and support you at the end of the day when your duty is done.
Finally, let us remember all those who have fallen in the line of duty, who never failed in their generous service, even when it meant the giving of their very lives. Let us give thanks to God for the witness they left us, a witness of sacrifice, and a witness to the dignity and honor of their vocation of service.
On 9/11/2001, my sister-in-law, Kimberly Ragan was on her way to a meeting at the World Trade Towers in New York. She was pregnant with my nephew Patrick but she was running late because Patrick’s brother Danny was a fussy baby that morning. Danny’s fussiness more than likely saved Kimberly and Patrick’s lives. 295 of Kimberly’s colleagues and 63 consultants working in the offices of Marsh & McLennan were lost in the terrorist attacks that day.
In the midst of the confusion, Kimberly tried to find her way to Penn Station so she could get back to Philly. She stood on a street corner uncertain of which way she needed to go. An elderly woman stood by her and reassured her that she would be okay and pointed her in the direction of the station. When Kimberly turned around to thank the lady for her kindness she had disappeared. In the midst of the great evil of that day, I believe many angels were present. Some we call first responders, others are known to God alone. Kimberly caught the last train that left New York that morning.