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  8011 Douglas Ave, Dallas  ·   (214) 363-5471  ·   Contact Us  ·        

Saint Michael and All Angels
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"Ultimate Definition of Success" by Rector Chris Girata

Ultimate Definition of Success was published in the Katy Trail Weekly, "The Good Word" Column, August 13, 2021
Chris Girata is the Rector of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas, TX.


I’m a big Olympics fan. Certainly, there are imperfections in the Olympic experiment, but when I hear the theme music and watch the images of incredible athletes flash across the screen, I get chills. During the Tokyo games, my house was filled with hours of coverage and cheers from the oldest to youngest. I simply can’t help but root for the extraordinary athletes.

Without a doubt, there are some exceptional stories during the Olympics and Paralympics. Those stories often focus on the sacrifices and commitment of the athletes and their achievements. But occasionally, there is a human moment, a human story that falls short of the exceptionalism that is typically celebrated. Those stories—the ones when people don’t achieve what they’d hoped—are often the ones that fascinate me most.

What mattered most in that moment was the kindness and forgiveness one person showed to another.

For example, recall one of America’s track and field stars, Isaiah Jewett. Jewett is a middle-distance runner, specializing in 800 meters. During his qualifying heat, Jewett was in prime position to finish in the top two. As he rounded the final turn, his foot was hit from behind by Botswana’s Nigel Amos. In an instant, the two men fell to the ground, rolling in a pile, their dreams of competing for an Olympic medal crashing down around them.

Can you even begin to imagine the disappointment that washed over Jewett in that moment? The years of sacrifice and commitment, the hopes, and dreams, all gone in an instant. I wouldn’t have blamed Jewett for responding with extreme anger, but what he did was incredible. Instead of falling apart, Jewett got to his feet before helping Amos to his feet. Amos immediately apologized to Jewett, and Jewett put his arm around him, and they walked, together, across the finish line.

Following the race, Jewett told reporters, “I always have to finish a race. I got Nigel (Amos) up as well. I could see that he was devastated. He apologized to me. I told him, ‘Let’s just finish the race man.’” Amos insisted that Jewett walk across the line before him, and although they finished the race, that was secondary to the show of humanity on display. What mattered most in that moment was the kindness and forgiveness one person showed to another.

Even though the Olympics are truly unique, the pressure for perfection is universal.

Simple moments like that are profoundly countercultural. The Olympics put human achievement on display in extreme ways. To even qualify for the Olympics is extraordinary, but how often do commentators and announcers seem disappointed when a hopeful fails to win gold? Even though the Olympics are truly unique, the pressure for perfection is universal. In our own ways, we all struggle with achievement and perfection, often feeling horrible when we think we have failed. And yet, the moment between Isaiah Jewett and Nigel Amos exemplifies true human achievement.

Character matters. Kindness matters. Love and forgiveness and grace should be the ultimate definition of success in a world that too often pressures us toward competition. We are united in far more than whatever we think divides us. Once again, with rising infection rates and hospitals filled beyond capacity, we are in a phase of our history when we are challenged to stretch ourselves.

We are being challenged to be more generous, more patient, and more compassionate. It would be easy to see these challenges are too inconvenient or too unnecessary. But what if, rather than seeing others as a hindrance or an annoyance, we saw others as a sister or a brother? What if we recognized one another as messy, problematic, and imperfect, just like us? We can transcend our struggles and find unity, and when we do, be the people we were made to be.

"The Good Word" Column is published bi-weekly, and can be picked up at the Saint Michael South Entrance.


Tags: Blog & Newsroom

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
8011 Douglas Ave
Dallas, TX 75225
(214) 363-5471

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Sunday Services:

7:30 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I)
9 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite II)
9 a.m. Joy: A Children’s Service
11 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I)
11 a.m. Contemporary Rite II Service in the Parish Hall
5:30 p.m. Traditional Service (Rite II)
8 p.m. Compline

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Saint Michael also offers weekday services every Tuesday-Thursday.

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Saint Michael and All Angels is a member parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. We practice The Way of Love as members of The Episcopal Church.

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Service Times

IN-PERSONLIVE STREAMS

We are currently offering worship in-person. Several of our Sunday services are also streamed live.

Sunday Services:
7:30 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I)
9 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite II)
9 a.m. Joy: A Children's Service
11 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I)
11 a.m. Contemporary Service (Rite II)
5:30 p.m. Traditional Service (Rite II)
8 p.m. Compline
Weekday Services:
Tuesdays, 7 a.m. Morning Prayer
Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m. Eucharist Service
Thursdays, 7 a.m. Morning Prayer

More about services at Saint Michael and All Angels here.

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Saint Michael and All Angels
8011 Douglas Ave
Dallas, TX 75225

Contact Us
(214) 363-5471

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Welcome Children Service Times Getting Here & Campus Map Membership

Welcome! | Saint Michael and All Angels is a community of passionate people seeking to follow Jesus in a meaningful way that impacts both our own lives and that of the community around us. We are blessed with our parish home and so glad to share it with you. If you find yourself in Dallas, we would love to have you join us for worship!

- The Reverend Dr. Chris Girata, Rector

Welcome to Children and Family Ministry!

Our team in Children and Family Ministry provides children, ages 0 – 5th grade, and their parents with the tools they need to become faithful disciples of Christ. We achieve this through fun and interactive programming that allows children and families to explore their faith together.

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Sunday Services:
7:30 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I) in Saint Michael Chapel
9 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite II) in the Church
9 a.m. Joy: A Children’s Service in Saint Michael Chapel
11 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I) in the Church
11 a.m. Contemporary Rite II Service in the Parish Hall
5:30 p.m. Traditional Service (Rite II) in Saint Michael Chapel
8 p.m. Compline in the Church

Helpful Links

Service descriptions and more info
In-person worship information
Watch services live and on-demand

We are located just south of Northwest Highway off of Douglas Ave. at Colgate Ave. Via Northbound Tollroad: Exit Lovers Ln, continue straight on Lomo Alto a few blocks to Colgate. Church is on your right. Via Southbound Tollroad: Exit Northwest Hwy, turn left to Douglas Ave. Turn R on Douglas and church is a few blocks down on your right. Via US 75: Exit Northwest Hwy and go west to Douglas Ave. Turn R on Douglas and church is a few blocks down on your right.

Maps & Directions

If you are new to Saint Michael, curious about the path to membership, or simply want to learn more about life at our parish community, we invite you to join us for two different class events we have throughout the year: "Saint Michael 101" is an introduction to life here at SMAA, and "Episcopal Christians", where we explore what it means to walk as a Christian in the Episcopal tradition, discussing topics like our Anglican heritage, worship, the Bible and formation etc.

Saint Michael 101 Episcopal Christians
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Flowers in our holy worship spaces are a beautiful gift to God and those who attend services at Saint Michael as well as those being honored or remembered. A contribution to the Flower Fund is a meaningful way to honor or remember a loved one for special life events such as birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, confirmations, thanksgivings, or in memory of a loved one.

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