What's New

There was a time in my life, perhaps it is with me still now, when I just wanted to run away and join a monastic community.  I don’t really know if this is because I want to run away from the difficulties of life or because I really like monasticism.  I wonder if other people have this experience as well, when they just wish they did somet...

The usual business of the fall has been different for many of us this year.  As the COVID-19 restrictions continue to be in place and change, we are forced to adapt and work with them.  The same is true for us at St. Mary’s and the Missions Parish.  Things will continue to open up slowly, so please continue to monitor our website and onlin...

When shutdowns first started in February, we started offering Rosary every weeknight at 9pm live streamed on our website.  The intention was to pray for an end to this pandemic, and to invite our parishioners to pray with their priests.  Praying the Rosary as a community each day has made me rediscover the richness of this devotional praye...

“God has shown you what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: To do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God”  Micah 6:8

As we are getting close to the start of another school year, I offer this reflection for our educators.  First, let’s look at how the Scriptures differentiate between true prophets and false prop...

Lately I have been feeling somewhat disoriented, not quite sure how to get back to the groove of things.  As I reflect on the possible source of this disorientation I keep thinking of the importance of consistence and grounding in our lives.  As exciting as new realities can be, we are hard wired for consistency.  What makes going away on...

   Sometimes I could kick myself for being so timid, for not speaking up, for remaining silent where my faith is concerned. My non-Catholic, non-Christian friends do know my faith. In my timidity, I’m careful not to preach, but I have made my beliefs clearly known. Still, I’m too cautious, too careful, and, to the outside world, my gentle...

I had an interesting conversation with one local tradesman about the state of affairs in the world today.  He said to me that even though he is not religious, he is convinced that what people are missing in their lives is religion.  I was intrigued by his assessment of current events, and wanting to know more about his hypothesis I asked a...

Before I was married, I spent a year on an island, teaching in a one-room school house. The population of the island was about 100 and there was no church of any denomination. The school teacher (me) and my aid lived in the ‘parsonage,’ which was where the minister would come and stay in the summer months.

      The island is approximately...

The life of the Spirit is central for followers of Jesus.  We commonly refer to this as spiritual life, because it indicates that we are open to the Spirit of God dwelling within us, and guiding us towards our call of holiness.  It is recommended that we continue to reflect on our spiritual life in the midst of ever changing circumstances...

“The wait is over, the battle won!”  These words of an Easter Hymn have been playing in my head all this week.  Why, you may ask? Well, we (priests) have finally moved into the rental house, and our offices are fully functioning and are now open.  Yes, we are back.  Thank you to everyone who helped us, especially my friend Roger and his so...