About Saint Miriam

Our ancient Catholic faith upholds the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and their successors. 

We trace our roots to the Church of Rome through the Archdiocese of Utrecht and the subsequent Union of Utrecht, which birthed the Old Catholic Church. 

We are Servants to All. We are a Haven of Mercy. We Maintain Open Doors.

As part of the Old Catholic Communion, we are part of a family of self-governing Churches.

We’re a New Catholic community with roots that go back to the 8th Century when our branch of Roman Catholicism was granted the independent ability to select our own bishops.  We used that to declare our independence from Rome in the 19th Century when the Vatican pushed the doctrine of papal infallibility and we disagreed with that much power being given to one person instead of a church council.

The Old Catholic Church is held together not by a centralized organization, not by a single hierarchy wielding power of the whole body, but by the double bond of unity in the faith and communion in the sacraments. The global Church functions as the original formed after Christ’s Resurrection, with a conciliar (councils who meet to discern together the focus and changes in the church.

Each Church, while independent, is in full agreement with the rest on all matters of doctrine, and between them all there is in principle full sacramental communion.

This decentralized system of independent local Churches has the advantage of being highly flexible and is easily adapted to changing conditions, consequently there was considerable variation in liturgical practice and monastic rules. 

The emphasis of the church’s mission is on the image of God at the heart of the human and the conviction of the essential goodness of creation. Alongside these characteristics are other distinct features such as clerical marriage, celibacy as a ‘calling’, and the inclusion of women in the leadership of the Church. Today, we’re committed to the radical love of Christ manifested in our Gospels and to seeing every person as a reflection of God’s wonderful creation.  We believe all people are unique and worthy of being loved and respected.  We hope that we represent what Catholicism should be like in the modern age.

Saint Miriam is a reformed, inclusive, and welcoming Catholic parish community in Flourtown, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia.

Mission Statement

We, Saint Miriam Parish, proclaim to all the unconditional love of God. We share a set of ancient beliefs, rich historical traditions and a dedication to renew the sacred in our daily lives. Our mission is to carry the gospel, sacraments, and God’s love to all including the unchurched, the alienated, and the disenfranchised. We accept people where they are, as they are, without judgment or condemnation. We welcome everyone to the Lord’s table and we value the dignity of each human being without reservation. We strive, with God’s grace, to live truly authentic Christian lives.

Our Vision Statement

“Touch those who don’t know God, embrace those who do, and welcome the marginalized and the forgotten in a way that you wouldn’t expect!”

In-Person Worship

As we gather to honor our God together, remember that you are more than just a guest here, you are the very best part of our parish! You now enter Saint Miriam as you did the Church, at the front with the Pascal Candle. You then listen to the Word, hear the Reflection, journey to the Altar for the Sacrament, and reverently Reserve the Real Presence in the Tabernacle before departing to share and change the world as “living tabernacles.” You sit and ponder one another as shared worshippers and admire what God can do! We added seating on all sides of the Altar so join us where you feel most comfortable, but perhaps … move to a place you never thought to sit before! The music team, too, has moved and they are now a part of the congregation to help us with a deeper participation and enjoyment and the space is more reflective of our Franciscan culture and identity.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Join us Every Thursday, from 4:00PM to 6:00 PM – as we pray Benediction and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Open Adoration is every Thursday where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for Adoration in the Sanctuary for in-person or virtual gatherings from home. Understood simply, Eucharistic Adoration is adoring or honoring the Eucharistic Presence of Christ. In a deeper sense, it involves “the contemplation of the Mystery of Christ truly present before us”. During Eucharistic Adoration, we “watch and wait”, we remain “silent” in His Presence and open ourselves to His Graces which flow from the Eucharist … By worshiping the Eucharistic Jesus, we become what God wants us to be! Like a magnet, The Lord draws us to Himself and gently transforms us. Join us and sit with our Lord every Thursday. Prayers and Benediction Information are found below to help guide your prayer life.

The Mass

The Mass is the central act of our Christian worship. The New Testament tells us that, for as long as Christian communities existed, they have followed the example of Jesus in breaking bread and drinking wine together to make his presence known among them. What we do in our High Mass is, of course, far removed in its external character from the simple meal which was the Last Supper. But at the same time, it is not radically different from the celebrations Christians have conducted from as early as the second and third centuries. A church or chapel has no purpose apart from the worship of God. It has other uses, to be sure, but no other purpose. It is holy, set apart, for God. For this reason, the atmosphere of a church should never be ordinary. Just as in worship we offer our whole selves to God, so every aspect of that worship the sights, sounds and even the smells are different, set apart. We strive to offer what the Psalmist calls the beauty of holiness while welcoming everyone to our parish.

We believe that the best way to understand our shared, Catholic liturgy is not through the abstract discussion, but rather through real contact with actual ritual, that is what our church tradition does at its best: places people in touch with the Mystery of God through Sacramental celebration of life and hope! The congregation is told what is happening at every step along our wonderful journey together, so newcomers won’t be lost. So please come and try us out!

Our Catholic liturgy will seem very familiar if you have attended a Latin Rite church before with an added element or two of surprise and meditation! It is designed to be inclusive, but mysterious and wondrous at the same time! And, the ideal for our liturgy is also very simple: the focus should be on the Eucharist, but be inclusive and inviting for all who attend. And, the elements of Bread and Wine should be pure, simple, and inviting to all of our senses.

The simple nature of our modern worship space at Saint Miriam is to allow for our focus to be on the center of our worship and to not detract. And, the warmth of our space comes from one place: YOU! Therefore, when our community gathers, the space becomes alive and we focus on our corporate worship and community together.

Our Altar Table and Processional Cross are designed in the very-recognized style of renowned artist Alberto Giacometti by artist and blacksmith, Edward Worthington (click here to visit). The hammered iron rods and scarred table allows us to visualize how, despite our wounds and imperfections, we are still beautiful and serve God’s good use! Our gospel procession allows all to participate and to realize that we are all part of the plan and made and created to honor God and serve to make our world a better place!

Our liturgies are spiritual experiences where we encourage people to sing, dance, and eat together. A space where we share silences, concerns, and prayers to God. A safe place where we gather to hear Scripture and listen for the still voice of God. A sacred room where our priests teach with compassion and the Assembly witness the love of God and self. Our worship is designed to be fully participatory! Therefore, we welcome all people –especially strangers and children—to worship with us and to receive Holy Communion.

Healing Mass

Join us on the second Sunday at 11:00am. The Mass Setting is one for Reconciliation, and includes a gathering at the Altar for the Eucharistic Prayer as well as anointing, as desired, with sacred oil. Special prayers and music are offered for healing, and beginning in December (December 9th) , our Friary Dogs will be available in the Library for a session of Pet Therapy! Come and heal with God every month!

Contact us for dates!

Our Weekly Liturgies

Please Click Here to visit our schedules page.

Virtual Gatherings

At Saint Miriam, we are committed to bringing you a variety of ways to engage community, educate, teach your children, find faith formation, increase your spirituality, connect to outreach, strengthen service to the community, and worship with us. In person and virtual gatherings will inspire you to be a better you!

Online Services.

Attend church online at a time that works for you in real-time, we offer the same things you would normally experience at our main location.  Messages are intentionally designed for wherever you are on your spiritual journey and are practical and relevant to everyday life. In addition to the engaging music and practical teaching, you can also Live Chat with others or with priest!

Sundays: 

• Rosary at 8:30am
• Masses rotate weekly to include 7:30am and 9:30am
• Baptism Mass at 9:30, every third Sunday except during Lent

Thursdays:

• Adoration from 4:00pm – 6:00pm
• Veneration of St. Francis of Assisi Relic from 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Livestream LINK

Virtual Small Groups

Regardless if it’s because you have a busy schedule, are traveling or if you need to remain cautious for health reasons, Saint Miriam has opportunities for fellowship in small groups on virtual platforms including:

The Book Club at Saint Miriam

Marriage PREP (Pre Cana)

Saint Miriam Prayer Shaw Ministry

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Parish Calendar

Children at Saint Miriam

Children are welcome at all liturgies at Saint Miriam. Each liturgy has a different feel, or “character”, but there is no service that is “off limits” to babies, children, or teens. We believe that “little Christians become big Christians by hanging around with big Christians”! So, bring the kids!

The Saint Miriam School

Saint Miriam School, A Franciscan Preschool and Daycare is inclusive and welcoming coeducational private schools committed to passionate and relevant teaching and the formation of the authentic person in a Christian environment.  We welcome families of all religions, backgrounds and ethnicities and see the inherent dignity of all faiths.  We see every person as a child of God and our mission is to educate the mind, body and soul.  In partnership with family and community, the faculty strives to promote basic Christian values like caring and friendship.  In today’s world, we are all hurting and in need of a non-exclusive place that offers unconditional love and hope, where everyone can grow and flourish. In our schools you will discover a safe and inclusive community where you are free to be yourself and ask questions.  It matters not to us where you come from; here is a place where you belong, a place you will call home!

Visit saintmiriamschool.com for more information!

Are You Interested in Being Baptized?

We welcome people of all ages who have not been Baptized before to come and receive the Water of New Life during one of our Sunday Masses. We routinely schedule Baptisms several times a year and these dates include: The Second Sunday in November, Second sunday in January, Feast of the Baptism of our Lord, Second Sunday in March, The great Vigil of Easter, Second Sunday in July, the Sunday before our annual InGathering in September. (The specific dates vary, depending on when Advent falls so please check the master parish calendar or email us.) We are pleased to work with all individuals and families as they seek to have their child baptized into our faith! To find out more about Baptismal dates, or to make an appointment to talk more about Baptism, please contact our Pastor here.

Baptisms are also Livestreamed here.

To learn more about the Sacraments in our Church, please visit this link.

Request A Baptism Date

See Sacraments by clicking here.

Directions

Parish Address:
654 Bethlehem Pike
Flourtown, Pennsylvania 19031

215-836-9800 Phone
215-701-4781 Fax

We are conveniently located close to the PA Turnpike and routes 202, 309, and Germantown Pike.

Please Note: The Entire Saint Miriam Campus is Smoke Free.

In Our Friary and PreSchool Building: Our Sanctuary, Betsy and Walter Diener Room, First Floor Classrooms, Foust Room, Leight Room, Silvers Room, Restroom Facilities, and all other public and garden spaces on the parish grounds are ADA Accessible to all those with physical limitations and wheelchairs. There are no steps or stairs to limit movement on the primary levels. We will be happy to assist you with special requests, or to greet you upon arrival to make your stay with us more enjoyable and stress free.

In Our Parish: Our Sanctuary, Saint Miriam Café, Spiritual Lending Library, Restroom Facilities, CFF Classrooms, and all other public and garden spaces within the parish grounds are ADA Accessible to all those with physical limitations and wheelchairs. The only inaccessible area is the Mezzanine Level for our Music Team. Otherwise, there are no steps or stairs to limit movement. We will be happy to assist you with special requests, or to greet you upon arrival to make your stay with us more enjoyable and stress free.

If you have any concerns, please contact us here.

Easy-Use Transport Chair Available.

An easy-to-use transport wheelchair is located in the closet directly inside the handicap entrance. The storage is clearly marked and a Greeter is available to assist, as needed. This chair is designed to help those who need transportation or are encumbered with walking issues to enjoy our parish. It is easy to use and has a 300 lb. capacity. Saint Miriam cares!

Outreach is a cornerstone of Saint Miriam. We serve by offering liturgy, education to children, care of the dead within our historic cemetery, and outreach to those suffering homelessness. We are also a Sanctuary Parish providing safe sanctuary to anyone in need, regardless of their immigration or religious status. In addition to this, we are the home to two AA charters and their respective leadership committees plus Recovery, Inc. Saint Miriam is also proud to support local agencies and outreach programs.

Our Outreach Programs Include:

HumanFirstSaintMiriam.org
In order to bring about a stronger program to impact homelessness more deeply, we initiated an award winning outreach to the homeless and food insecure in our area called Human First @ Saint Miriam.

Car Safe at Saint Miriam
We opened our lower parking lot to help those people living within their cars by providing them a “Safe Car Space.” The program is simple: The car-resident registers at the Administration doors, complete a brief questionnaire to ensure our safety, and get a Blessing Bag and support services. They are able to stay overnight from 8pm – 7am as well as receive a referral to more permanent housing solutions! Registration occurs daily between 6:30pm and 7:00pm and no registrations can take place after 8:00pm.

“Scarfs with a Purpose” @ Saint Miriam
We have teamed with our Outreach Partners to distribute newly created homemade scarfs from our wonderful Prayer Shawl Ministry Group and generous donors and warm blankets for homeless persons in our area! Our warm, made with love, scarfs and blankets will be going to those who need warmth the most! Please support this outreach by donating materials or making a generous donation or joining the group and helping make wonderful strength-giving knitted and purchased items for those in need of some pastoral care! Join the group, or simply purchase a few scarfs or blankets and drop them off to our collection bin this season anytime during daylight hours at our main administrative entrance! It’s that easy to give the gift of warmth!

Recovery International
Recovery International gives people the tools to lead more peaceful and productive lives. Join the thousands upon thousands of people who have used Recovery International self-help groups to change their lives for the better. Recovery International offers a cognitive behavioral training method developed by the late neuro psychiatrist Dr. Abraham A. Low. For over 75 years this method has helped members learn to identify and manage negative thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviors that can lead to emotional distress and related physical symptoms. This small group meets every Tuesday at 6:30pm in the Betsy and Walter Diener Room.

Outside Small Groups that Meet at Saint Miriam

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA Sunrise) Saturdays at 8:30am
• Recovery International Tuesdays at 7:00pm 
• AA General Services, First Wednesday at 7:00pm

Outreach Opportunity Groups:

• Human First Outreach Initiative – Hygiene and Nutrition Support Bags Assembly (weekly on Wednesday afternoons or as scheduled)
• Human First Outreach Initiative – Onsite Food Service and Support Bags Saturdays from 11:00am – 1:00pm, Norristown Transportation Center
• CarSafe at Saint Miriam – Main Campus (as needed, on call)
• Dinner, Church at Saint Miriam – Kensington – Once Monthly, contact us for details to join

Faith Formation Small Groups:

• Family Faith Formation (FFF)
• Marriage PREP (Pre-Cana)
• Baptism PREP (Pre-Jordan)
• Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)
• Secular Franciscan Group (Third Order)
• Walk Beside Me

Service Small Groups:

• Saint Miriam Café and Hospitality, Second Thursday for Senior Group and Sundays 
• @Saint Miriam Pastoral Care & Prayer Chain
• @Saint Miriam Prayer Shaw Ministry
• Saint Miriam Sacristy Guild
• Ushers and Greeters Guild
• The Women of Saint Miriam

These groups truly has become a small ecclesia. In fact, that is what they call themselves “ecclesia.”  While we often are aware of ecclesia being the Greek word for “church”, we should also remember that the word refers to a community that met in the Greek cities to foster an environment of learning and sharing.  Groups like this remind us that church involves us in relationships that foster personal growth and deepen us as human beings.  The more people in groups like this, the more diverse opinions and perspectives become available.  The more perspectives that we have on a reading or topic, the deeper our understanding.  Without those other people sharing their thoughts with every member of the ecclesia, each individual member of the group would be impoverished in understanding.   

Groups with the “@” symbol denote that they also meet virtually.

If you would like to learn more about how Saint Miriam reaches out in support of our local community, click here.