Father Jim

Our doors are open. We have pleaded. Summer is now waning into fall and now it’s time. Come home. Our Catholic Catechism states clearly that parents are rightly called to be the primary teachers of the Faith to their children. Church leaders, educators, child psychologists and other experts persistently say, and have said, that the … Read more

It was March of 2020. That is just 15 months ago, although it may seem forever. We monitored closely what was happening around the world and within our own region. We sat, prayed, and consulted with one another. Then, we made that decision: close it all down. We intentionally put lives ahead of liturgy. We … Read more

Danusha Lameris’s poem, Feeding the Worms, reads, Ever since I found out that earth worms have taste buds all over the delicate pink strings of their bodies, I pause dropping apple peels into the compost bin, imagine the dark, writhing ecstasy, the sweetness of apples permeating their pores. I offer beets and parsley, avocado, and … Read more

In “The Unknown Craftsman,” Japanese art critic Soetsu Yanagi writes, “We, in our own human imperfections, are repelled by the perfect, since everything is apparent from the start and there is no suggestion of the infinite.” If you visited our home right now, the wall that leads upstairs to Jameson’s room, bears a trail of small fingerprints. Those … Read more

Last week, I watched the season finale of 911. In one dramatic scene, a standoff of sorts occurred between Bobby Nash, a firefighter Captain, and a sniper — a disgruntled former member of the LAPD SWAT team member. The sniper was angry that the fire department saved everyone. How could they save someone with a drug … Read more

I think one of the hallmarks I love best about Saint Miriam is that I have never once claimed to be perfect. In fact, we don’t ask anyone else to be either! While we do go to great lengths to protect our children, staff, and parishioners from such things as inappropriate touching and harassment, etc., … Read more

Saint Miriam has always recognized our imperfections. We, in fact, celebrate the cracks of our lives – and of our histories – and bring them weekly to the altar of God. All of us are welcome at a place of light and hope. All of us are permitted to reach out our feeble and broken … Read more

In my homily this past Sunday I used a line from Author David Kindred where, when asked why he does what he does, he simply replied, “Writers Write”. I suppose that is why I do what I do as a priest. Why I sacrifice for God and the Church, and why I try not to … Read more

My Dear Friends, Holy Week is upon us. But, this year, Holy Week will be intentionally different. There will not be the glory of Easter weeks of the past. There will be no grand focus on regalia and gold lame¢ fabrics or fringe. We will forgo fancy Bishop’s and their hats and regalia. We will … Read more

I am admittedly tired. We all are, right? The pandemic, more shootings and more death. More hate. More ‘Whiteous’ indignation and lack of care for those teeming at our border. More of our inability – or lack of willingness – to curb our gun access and find mental health solutions, even as so many die. … Read more

This morning I watched an episode of Blue’s Clues with Jameson after breakfast. There is a song that is sung by Josh called, The Imagination Song, that he sings together with Blue and Mr. Salt. It goes like this: First you close your eyes and see it, Then you swirl around to feel it, Then … Read more