When I sit down to write a column each week, my primary goal is to pick one theme and develop it. I am of the opinion that generally there just isn’t enough space to hit several topics. However, there seems to be just too much going on in a short time for me not to address a few important things this week, so here we go: Click title for full column.

The shortage of priests we are living through right now has had many effects on the Church and in our lives. Some are obvious, like the sharing of Pastors between parishes and changing Mass schedules. Others are unseen, but perhaps even more difficult. One of those effects I live with is the increasing isolation of parish life due to living on my own. Moving in at St. James marked the first time in my life I lived by myself, and the difference is palpable. We are made for communion, and isolation is dangerous, even for priests. This is the first age in many years, perhaps ever, when priests are more often than not living and working on their own. Click title for full column.

To sign up online please visit the WWPR SignUp Genius at https://bit.ly/2WehMkS or contact Terry Westerman at bearbug@fuse.net or 513-761-5758. Click on title for full article.

One of the first procedures that public speakers learn is not wasting their best material. It makes no sense to give a real barn-burner of a speech if you only have four people to hear it. Then if you try to use it again in front of a bigger crowd you can be accused of recycling material and being unoriginal. It’s why I’m hoping that the good people of this region have a short memory, because I’m not terribly old, haven’t had a particularly interesting life, and therefore only have so many “homily-worthy” stories. Click title for full column.

On Saturday May 11, we will hold a potluck dinner in Lonsway Hall in honor of the Feast Day of St. Matthias.  Dinner will commence at 5:30 pm following the 4:30 pm Mass.  Please come join your fellow parishioners for an evening of good food and good company.  Click title for full article.

The annual Marilyn Bushelman Flower Sale to benefit Right to Life will be held both Saturday & Sunday, May 11 & 12 before and after each Mass at St. James. Click title for full article.

One of the near universal things about coming of age, whether here in this country or virtually anywhere else, is the desire to fit in. But one of the most amusing things as an adult is looking back and reflecting on what it took to fit in during a particular epoch of popular culture. For some, I imagine it was bell bottom jeans. For another age, poodle skirts were a thing (I guess, but then I’m thirty, so who knows?). In the glorious 90’s, it was the Starter jacket. If you didn’t have one, your social status plummeted. One at least had to have a knock-off and then hope that no one noticed. Click title for full column.