A Letter of Welcome from Our Pastor
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Dear Friends,

As a lifelong Catholic, I know it is not easy visiting a new parish community for the first time. First you need to find a way to allow yourself to believe that another church even exists! Then, once you do find enough gumption to go, sometimes you feel like you are visiting a country club rather than a church. Not to mention all those questions! Often, you are filled with lots of reservations like: Do I really belong here? Am I really welcome? Will the people be unfriendly, or perhaps ‘too’ friendly? Will I be conspicuous? Will it be easy to leave if I don’t enjoy it? Will they ask me for money? Will my kids enjoy it? How should I dress? Am I welcome if I don’t believe in everything that they do? What if they find out that I am more sinful than I am pure?

Well, I want to assure you that many of us began right where you are today! We all had doubts, fears, and concerns, and many of us needed to overcome these uncertainties in order to find someplace that is rather special, Saint Miriam!

That is why as pastor of this wonderful parish I want to make your every visit an enjoyable experience from the first moment you walk in to our parish. I also want the experience to be stress-free and relaxing. That is why we designed our new parish home from the ground up! Our worship experience is designed to be warm, exciting, visually stimulating, and "user-friendly" for people of all backgrounds, including those who have never attended church or those who have been away. And, yes, we welcome all types of sojourners, even those who were never even Catholic to begin with…imagine that!? In fact, most of our people were not regular churchgoers prior to attending Saint Miriam. They had just given up on ever finding a good fit. Then, one day, they walked through our doors and something magical happened!

So, if you're new, a little fearful, or have been away from church for a while, you are in the majority when you visit us! We went to great lengths to make this a community for you and by you.

We have our own beautiful church located in the suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the township of Whitpain, called, Blue Bell. Please come and visit this wonderful space and all the people who are dedicated to serving all who enter without reservation or prejudice!

As you explore our on-line home in these wonderfully designed web pages, I hope you will take a moment to listen for that ‘still, small voice’ that’s whispering in your heart. (It’s God calling you!) And, as you listen, won’t you ask yourself, “Can Saint Miriam be the community I’ve been hoping for?” "Can she help my family begin to find God again?" If you think the answer is "yes!" then please come and visit us, or let me know by sending me a secure e-mail at .

I promise a wonderful church experience and personal reply from me!

Welcome Home!

Monsignor Jim+