Father Jim 
Dear Friends, This Sunday, Jesus once again gives us one of the most challenging teachings in the Gospel: forgive, and do not keep count. Peter asks Jesus how many times he must forgive someone who hurts him. Seven times seems generous. But Jesus responds, “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Jesus isn’t giving Peter a bigger number … Read more
Our Sanctuary arrangement has been updated after our clergy agreed on a design, and I want to share a little of the thinking behind these moves, as some have expressed some concern. First, I recognize that change in a sacred space can take some getting used to! Our Sanctuary is deeply familiar to many of us, and different … Read more
[Editors Note: Saint Miriam has the wonderful blessing of a seated Diocesan Bishop serving as our Pastor. During the predominate portion of the year, ‘Monsignor Jim’ serves under his this title and remains a Franciscan priest, but when the need arrives for him to exercise his Office as a Bishop Ordinary, the liturgical practices of … Read more
In this Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew, the disciples find themselves caught in a storm. The wind is strong, the waves are high, and fear begins to overtake them. Then, amid the darkness, Jesus comes toward them walking on the water. Peter steps out of the boat in faith, but when he focuses on the wind … Read more
Dear Friends, If I am honest with myself, I am almost always afraid. I am afraid that my children will get hurt or worse. I am afraid that I will not be able to keep the parish and school going through the worst of times. I am afraid that I will not live long enough … Read more
Dear Friends, In this Feast of Corpus Christi, I wanted to share this reflection which a friend shared with me. For me, this says it all: The Eucharist should not display who has managed to look acceptable. It should reveal Christ feeding the hungry into holiness. You do not have to choose between reverence and … Read more
May is the Month of Mary! For centuries, the Catholic Church has set aside the entire month of May to honor Mary, Mother of God. Not just a day in May, but the entire month! The idea of a month specifically dedicated to Mary can be traced back to baroque times. Although it wasn’t always held … Read more
My Dear Friends, Easter is too big for just one day. While the world moves on quickly after Easter Sunday, the Church continues to celebrate. In fact, we celebrate Easter for eight full days — what we call the Octave of Easter. It’s as if one day simply isn’t enough to hold the joy of … Read more
Dear Friends, I am admittedly tired. We all are, right? The political divisions, wars, lies, false flag information coming from the highest offices, more shootings, plane crashes, and death everywhere. Yes, even more hate and lots of ‘keyboard courage’ on social media, too. Add in a dose of ‘Whiteous’ indignation and lack of care for … Read more
Dear Friends, Have you ever ignored a phone call… not because you didn’t hear it, but because you just didn’t have the energy to deal with whatever was on the other end? Sometimes it’s not that we’re busy. Sometimes we’re just tired. And sometimes life can wear us down so much that parts of us … Read more
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