Father Jim 
Dear Friends, Jesus is such a scandal! Yes, you read that correctly: Jesus is a scandal. And his actions are nowhere more scandalous than in today’s gospel. Jesus, a Jewish man, alone with and talking with a heretic Samaritan woman who has had many husbands. Such behavior just isn’t done! It’s unacceptable. It breaks all the rules … Read more
Dear Friends, In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up the mountain to pray. And while they are there, something extraordinary happens. His face shines. His glory is revealed. For a moment, everything feels clear, holy, and full of peace. And Peter says what most of us would probably say: let’s stay here. … Read more
Today I stood in a trauma bay and was reminded how quickly life can end. A man with violent wounds to his face and neck did not survive. His family gathered in shock, their world rearranged in a single afternoon. We stood with them for hours as they tried to process the unthinkable. In the … Read more
As a proud Puerto Rican, I absolutely loved everything about this year’s halftime performance! Super Bowl LX’s halftime show, led by Bad Bunny, felt like more than entertainment. It felt like a pause—a collective exhale—one of those rare moments when a massive spectacle quietly turns into reflection. There had been plenty of noise leading up … Read more
This past weekend, while most of us suffered in the coldness of the snow, Father Liam snuggled up to his computer and attended a virtual ‘Centering Prayer Summit’ entitled, Learning to See in the Dark. It might be a surprise to you to find out but Father and I speak almost every day. No, not always … Read more
I waited to write. I needed to wait. I needed time for my dismay and then my palpable anger and fear to dissipate. I needed facts and I needed time to assimilate all the news. Then, I wrote. I know I’d make a lot more friends if I didn’t speak up like this, but that’s … Read more
This Sunday we honor the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This is one of the “theophanies” – that is God’s self-revelation to man. In this one event the whole Trinity reveals itself! It is why I absolutely love artist Mike Moyers beautiful work used as my image today! God the Son makes himself … Read more
Beloved Family in Christ, As we come to this Sunday’s celebration of the Feast of Christ the King, we’re invited to ask a very personal question: Who or what really rules my heart? The Church ends the liturgical year not with a warning, but with a beautiful reminder that above all the noise, uncertainty, chaos … Read more
My Dear Friends, This week I will journey to Assisi, the home of Saint Francis, with my oldest and dearest friend, Liam. In the company of friendship, I am reminded of how Francis lived: he saw every relationship as a window into God’s love and every person—no matter how different—as a brother or sister. Our nation, as … Read more
In our Gospel from Luke, often called, ‘the parable of the rich fool’, for this coming Sunday, we read, “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’’ You see, the rich farmer is a fool not because … Read more
So, there are a few truths that I have decided will never change. First, the NSA will always know where I am, what wrongs I have committed, and what I am doing now. Secondly, Alexa will always record things that I do in my bedroom; let’s just leave it at that! And, if Alexa compares … Read more
Christians are compared to sheep in our gospel for this week and then reminded that Jesus will only be with them for a little while longer for the following week. I am not sure if being compared to sheep is a very flattering comparison, it is, however, eminently consoling, for of all creatures there are … Read more
Dear Friends and Parishioners, It is Holy Week! We all enjoyed – together, in person, or virtually – a beautiful Palm Sunday. The start of the holiest week of the Christian year has begun. Much preparation has gone into this week, from liturgy to planning to music and so much more, and now we are … Read more
Today, as we begin to look toward Holy Week, we are confronted with the famous story of the women caught in a sinful act. However, as always, Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of the Pharisees – the religious of the day – who seek to condemn her. Instead, Jesus offers her mercy and forgiveness, urging her … Read more
Dear Friends, Soon it will be April and I will carefully unwrap my fig trees in the side yard. A gift from Katelyn’s grandfather, Louis, and all the way from Italy, they are a treasure, but they take a lot of work! Every fall I harvest the last figs, say a prayer, and then wrap … Read more
Poverty comes in many forms. It isn’t just financial. Trust me, as a priest I find that some of the poorest people I’ve met in my journey have had the largest bank accounts and the weakest spirituality. The love of things that will pass often drive people to insanity as they chase the elusive dream … Read more
If you are like me, the lesson from Luke’s Gospel for this Sunday is a bitter sweet pill to swallow. Luke reminds us of Jesus’ admonishment when faced with terrible people around us, “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless … Read more
My Dear Friends and Parishioners: In our readings appointed for this coming Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear those words from St. Paul to the people at Corinth regarding the ‘body of Christ’, that is, “As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, … Read more
As many of you know, I celebrate a lot of weddings! I LOVE weddings! I enjoy the process of engaging them (No pun intended!) and helping them to craft the perfect wedding ceremony. I also enjoy being there for them on their special day and later, I often get to baptize babies and every now … Read more
Dear Friends and Family, This Sunday we honor the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This is one of the “theophanies” – that is God’s self-revelation to man. In this one event the whole Trinity reveals itself. God the Son makes himself known, the Father speaks, and the Holy Spirit descends! By celebrating this … Read more