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

Saint Michael and All Angels
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WHAT MATTERS MOST THIS SEASON by Rector Chris Girata

WHAT MATTERS MOST THIS SEASON was published in the Katy Trail Weekly, "The Good Word" Column, December 21, 2019
Chris Girata is the Rector of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas, TX.


As we enter the rush of Christmas, I hope we can all remember what matters most. For some, this season is explicitly religious. Ask a child at my church what Christmas is all about and I expect they will say that it’s Jesus’s birthday. That’s a perfectly good answer and one that I’m happy to teach to young children. But honestly, I don’t think Jesus would be satisfied if all we did was celebrate his birthday on Christmas. I believe Jesus, of all people, would want us to be inspired to something bigger than a sacred birthday party.

Take a moment to answer this simple question: What matters most to you? At Christmas, we get the chance to consider that profound, complex and dynamic question. For most of us, we will have a litany of answers that speak to the complexity of the question, but perhaps the answer can be simple. I recently read an article about how terminally ill children answered this question, and their answers are profound.

They literally felt better being near people they cared about and who cared for them.

Dr. Alastair McAlpine is a physician who works with children who suffer from life-threatening illnesses every day. He recently reported that he asked many of his patients, all between the ages of four and nine years old, what was most important in their life.

He reported that many of his patients mentioned their pets. “I love Rufus, his funny bark makes me laugh.” Another responded, “I love when Ginny snuggles up to me at night and purrs.” Other patients mentioned their parents, often expressing worry or concern. “Hope mum will be OK. She seems sad.” Another said, “Dad mustn’t worry. He’ll see me again soon.”

Many of the patients went on to report what they appreciated most about others in their lives. “My real friends didn’t care when my hair fell out.” And all of them noted the kindness they had been shown by others. “’My granny is so kind to me, Jonny gave me half his sandwich when I didn’t eat mine,” and “I like it when that kind nurse is here. She’s gentle. And it hurts less.”

Every one of those children was swallowed up with toys, balloons and treats, yet when asked what was most important, they pointed to people, to the connections they have with others. They literally felt better being near people they cared about and who cared for them.

This Christmas, what matters most is being with one another.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the drama of this Christmas season. Did you get the right present? Will there be a big fight between family members? Will the food be ready on time? All of these issues are real and they matter somewhat, but they don’t matter nearly as much as spending time together.

This Christmas, what matters most is being with one another. If you can spend extra time with loved ones, do. If you don’t have loved ones around you, find a place where you won’t have to be alone. And if you can spare the gift of time, consider sharing yourself – just your presence – with those who will feel alone.

Yes, for children, this is the birthday of Jesus. But I promise you that Jesus is much more interested in how we treat one another than how we throw his birthday party. So, this year, don’t get distracted by the trappings of the holiday. Instead, actually love one another generously and fiercely, because when we share love, we experience what matters most.

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



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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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The Foundation of Saint Michael and All Angels is essential to the vitality, growth, stability and success of our parish. Its grants support the mission of the Parish, consistent with priorities established by the Vestry and the Rector.

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As God’s stewards, we build on the foundation left by those who came before us. We, in turn, have the opportunity, with a bequest to Saint Michael, to sustain and enhance our parish ministries and programs for the benefit of future generations.

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