We lost a friend to Saint Miriam last week. Donna Conway lost her battle to pancreatic cancer. I married Donna and her husband Dan just a couple years ago. You might have met them when they attended Mass at the parish often. She was a beautiful soul and warm woman and a lady in every … Read more
Dear Friends, Quick: what is the purpose of Christianity? If you had to write a Mission Statement for Christianity in as few words as possible, what would you write? What’s the plan? Well, as we begin to read Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, Paul states succinctly what he calls God’s “plan for the fullness of … Read more
When Jesus visited Nazareth, where He grew up, He faced rejection. He was not able to perform any miracles, apart from curing a few sick people. He was amazed at their lack of faith! Contrast this with the story of the Centurion, when He said, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel … Read more
Mark’s Gospel continues this Sunday with the story of the woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years and the synagogue official’s daughter who had died. Last week it was Jesus calming the Sea. It is as if Mark’s Gospel is a highlight tape of Jesus that includes His greatest hits. It’s short, fast-paced, and to … Read more
I was cleaning out some old desk drawers last week, in a not completely successful attempt to feel more organized. But the project ended up being a blessing: amid papers and notes and holy cards and lots of other stuff, I discovered an old, tattered booklet that had been gifted to me way back in … Read more
With this Sunday finding Mark’s Gospel bringing us the famous lesson on storms and the fact that President Biden offered a way for immigrants to stay together in our country, and it also being a week of remembering freedom with Juneteenth, I decided to go deep into the water to remind us that, as Catholic Christians, … Read more
Dear Friends, I have to admit: I get the disciples’ reaction to the storm at sea. “Why are you afraid?” Jesus asks. I want to answer, “Um. Gee. Maybe because the boat is taking on water and we’re being knocked all over the place and could go overboard or sink at any moment.” I think … Read more
This coming Sunday we hear another famous parable! Jesus often thinks and speaks in parables and uses images which he draws from the world around him. Jesus reaches especially for symbols of life and growth in His wonderful illustrations using words and story. Today we hear a familiar, yet ever evolving, mustard seed parable! From … Read more
Are you a patient person? Are you patient with yourself, with others, with the world? Or do you like things done—and done perfectly—lickety-split? Do you like immediate results? And only the best results? I admit I can be impatient—with myself, with others, ok, let me just admit it: with the whole world, and, yes, even with … Read more
Yikes! Jesus doesn’t seem to be a very “family values” type guy in today’s gospel. It seems as if he is snubbing his mother and his brothers and sisters. Add this to the time that Jesus remarked that no one could come to him without hating father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters and it … Read more
People imagine their god intervening in the world to different degrees. Once, God is like a Watchmaker, Occasionally, God is a tinkerer for some but not for all. Constantly, well we are mere Marionettes! The whole idea of a tinkering God suggests that God might have created one thing, later decided to change it, or … Read more
It’s one of my favorite memories from my days at Mother of Mercy House: We were celebrating Thanksgiving Day Mass in our tiny chapel. An elderly man peeked in our window, saw us praying and decided to come in and join us. It was obvious that he wasn’t Catholic as he didn’t know the responses but … Read more
This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, or Trinity Sunday! We priests often joke that a new seminarian is often appointed to preach on this day by the Pastor because no one can explain the Holy Trinity! I know that many will suggest that the Trinity is an obscure doctrine that we’re … Read more
The Holy Trinity: God is three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We all know that. We may not completely understand it. But we know the facts. But here’s a question: how do we know that God is Trinity? It’s not something we could have figured out on our own. The truth is, we know God is Father, Son … Read more
It’s Time to Gather Together! We’re bringing back Newcomer Gatherings at Saint Miriam! We welcome all who are new, wish to learn more, ask questions, or just greet one another! Our next Newcomer Gathering will be on Sunday June 23rd. Right after the 9:30am Mass. Meet out team and gather in joy! Let us know … Read more
Dear Friends, Blessed and Joyful Pentecost: the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—given to ALL who were present for that great and mysterious event! There is so much I could say about this pivotal moment. But you know me: never one to say too much… For now, I just want to share with you a quote from … Read more
Well, it’s here! Finally! It is Pentecost! Pentecost takes place on the 50th day after Easter Sunday and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary, the beloved mother of Jesus, and the Apostles of Jesus, while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. … Read more
Ah May: traditionally, for Catholics, the month of Mary. But which Mary: Mary, inviolate? Mary undefiled? Mary Immaculately Conceived? Mary every docile and obedient to God? Mary dressed in blue? These are all ok, I guess. A tad simplistic for me. And the stress on her virginal purity always smells like patriarchal control to me. … Read more
This Sunday’s passage from John occurs near the end of Jesus’ life. Jesus’ lengthy discourse actually begins back in chapter 14 and runs all the way through chapter 16. When used of relationships, as it is here, it suggests we live within a deep, steadfast relationship using our heart and soul in unity with God. In order … Read more
