- Leave it to Winnie the Pooh…by Father Liam
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
—Winnie the Pooh
Leave it to Winnie the Pooh to say something so simply and so wisely!
Here we are entering into the Second Week of Advent—rushing, it seems, towards Christmas. We’re busy about so many things: Christmas shopping, decorating, office parties, special family events. All ...
Read More - The Coming of God. Simply. Beautifully.
Like St. Francis, I have always loved the Holy Season of Advent, but this year Advent has an even deeper meaning for me, as I grieve my mom and try to manage the chaos and pressures of our world to stay joyful for my children.
Just a few months ago, as we welcomed our third child ...
Read More - My Premature Holiday Message: Why My Kids Will Wait for Christmas.
My oldest came home from school and asked when we were going to put up our Christmas tree. (Apparently, a fellow student was talking about how her family already decorated and put up a tree.)
A staff member asked when they could begin to decorate the halls (deck the halls?) for Christmas in our ...
Read More - On This ‘Giving Tuesday’, I Want You to Give to Saint Miriam Because I Refused to Let a Family Join.
Well, I did it. I finally met a family that I had to refuse membership at Saint Miriam.
It has been 16 years as pastor now and I have never once rejected any membership request until now. In truth, I once had to explain to someone who was attending (and often under the influence of alcohol) ...
Read More - The Spilled Water of Others.
This coming Sunday is the anniversary for my ordination of becoming a deacon. There have been a lot of years since that day and so much has happened that as I sit and reflect. I can remember so much good, and there’s been some bad; there’s been a lot of unexpected experiences, and yes, sadly, ...
Read More - Are We Worth Saving: Praying for Empty Churches & Empty Pews…
It is no secret that we lost parishioners since the pandemic. We are about 40% lighter than prior. It is a miracle we are still here when over 4500 churches closed during the pandemic. This rapidly accelerating trend is reshaping the religious landscape in the United States and us here at home.
And, it should ...
Read More - No, The Church is Not Always a Place of Peace.
It’s almost ironic that just a week ago in my last blog to the parish I spoke about the need for peace. I spoke about my own experience as a pastor and as a priest and how all I want is peace. I also spoke how elusive peace can be in a world that doesn’t ...
Read More - “All I Want is Peace”
All I Want is Peace.
I was asked the other day how I was doing. I told my therapist, “All is want is peace.” Then, I began to cry.
It isn’t easy being a pastor today. It certainly isn’t made an easier by the concerns over COVID and returning after a 3-year pandemic. It isn’t made any ...
Read More - We Were Wrong.
I know, right? When was the last time the church, or a priest, or anyone for that matter, said those words? There really isn’t enough of us taking ownership of our own mistakes. So, let me be the first: I was wrong; WE were wrong!
We noted the drop in attendance and sat and pondered why? We ...
Read More - Sometimes Small People Arrive at Big Jobs.
In all my years as a priest I have learned that religious leaders can only lead you to where they themselves have once been. If they have faced their own shadow, darkness, demons- whatever you want to call it- then, and only then, are you in good company. If they have not, proceed with caution.
If ...
Read More - The Church Needs You. And You Need the Church.
This fall is a very busy one! We will soon post and announce so many new events at our webpage and at our Facebook page, but we will excitedly begin with this Sunday’s new church organ blessing and recital!
This will be our first post-pandemic year where we will open fully. We will bring back Small ...
Read More - A Covenant Worth Keeping? A Summer Recap of Changes to Come!
Dear Friends,
Welcome Summer!
It is no secret that we have been the object of scandal and laughter and ridicule from the days of inception. Some just wish to destroy a place that loves with wild abandon, opens its heart to everyone, and serves as well and as many as we do. Some would say it ...
Read More - 2023 Pentecost Message from Father Liam
Father Liam brings us a message on Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit turned everything upside down.
Read More - Summertime. A Blog by Our Pastor
On our way home the other day, Katelyn and I made an impromptu stop to get the car washed in Fort Washington. Jameson and Caleb were in the backseat and unaware of what was to come! We pulled in and soon the car was covered in water and soap and wax in multicolors!
As we passed ...
Read More - A Holy Week of Reflection and Substance: A Time to Change and Be Born New!
As I watched the donkey watch us last year on Palm Sunday, I was reminded of simpler things and things less fancy. I noted the shadow of the cross on his back. It was in his expression that I knew this year needed to be different. This Holy Week was meant to be different. This ...
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