Notes from our Rector
Dear Friends, We need you this weekend! After each service this weekend, we will have a time of food and rich discussion in the Parish Hall. We will talk about where we see the Spirit working here at St. Monica’s, stewardship, and begin dreaming about our future together. On February 11th at [...]
Dear Friends, Any worthwhile nonprofit asks itself at some point: What would happen if our organization did not exist? I think churches should ask the same thing. Some churches may find that they function in more of a social role than anything else. In contrast, at St. Monica’s I am [...]
Dear Friends, As I look forward to the calendar year ahead, the theme for the stewardship campaign is “Let us build a house.” This comes from the hymn, “All are welcome” by Marty Haugen. The verse that stands out for the stewardship committee can inspire us: “Let us build a [...]
Dear Friends, I look forward to seeing so many of you this Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. At the 5pm service, the liturgy has been simplified, using “An Order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist” (BCP 400-401) which is more accessible for younger people. It will have a familiar and [...]
Dear Friends, As we approach Christmas, what do we anticipate? Does our faith suggest that we live into sentimental and fond memories of Christmas past? Instead, what could this Christmas bring? What are your deepest hopes? What would make you most full of life and love? What do you hope [...]
Dear Friends, At this time of year, as a father, I think about the gifts I give my children, and I answer requests from my parents and in-laws about what my children would like to have for Christmas. As a priest and as someone who has worked with non-profits, I [...]
Dear Friends, During this week of Thanksgiving, I am reminded of the spirituality of gratitude. Gratitude moves us out of being stuck or in a negative space to a place of contentment. Our whole relationship with God and creation can be altered simply by focusing on what one is thankful [...]
Dear Friends, We now enter a season in Southwest Florida where things get busy, really busy. It is now “season” in Naples and activities abound. We feel pressure and pull from so many possibilities and people in our lives. I invite you to consider this time with intention. What are [...]
Dear Friends, What a response! What a response! In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, we hosted, in partnership with Feed Thy Neighbor, a Free Market. We offered food, clothes, water, and ice for free here last Saturday. Noted on WINK, Fox4, and several social media sites, we reached hundreds of [...]
