Dear Parish Family,

I wanted to send you a brief update and, most importantly, thank you for the prayers, Mass intentions, messages, and kindness since my surgery. By the grace of God, the surgery went very well, and I am happy to report that my recovery continues to move in the right direction.

Each day brings a little less swelling, a little more energy, and another small step toward normal life. I am discovering that recovering from major jaw surgery requires two virtues that do not always come naturally to a busy pastor: patience and doing absolutely nothing! Substantial recovery will take several weeks, so I am trying to be a good patient and give my body the time it needs to heal properly.

More importantly, I am trying to receive these weeks as a gift from the Lord. This time away has become something of a spiritual retreat for me-a chance to slow down, spend more time in prayer, listen more attentively to the Lord, and reflect with gratitude upon the many blessings He has given me. Each day, I bring our parish family before the Lord in prayer: our families, our children, our staff and volunteers, those who are sick or struggling, and all those who have entrusted particular intentions to me.

I am deeply grateful to God for bringing me safely through the surgery, for the excellent medical care I have received at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, and for the hope that this surgery will bring significantly improved health in the years ahead. I am equally grateful to all of you for allowing your pastor the time necessary to heal.

Although I may be many miles away at the moment, St. Mary Magdalene is never far from my heart or my prayers. I look forward to coming home rested, healed, and-God willing-with a little less swelling and perhaps a little more patience!

As we look ahead to the fall, I am grateful to share with you several exciting developments taking place at St. Mary Magdalene. Our parish continues to grow-not only in size and activity but, most importantly, in our shared mission to deepen our faith, strengthen our community, and bring Christ to others.

I'm excited to share that our Magdala Coffee Shop is getting closer to opening its doors! The space is taking shape, equipment is being selected and installed, and the committee is working through the final preparations and permitting necessary for opening. I am very encouraged by the response from our parish community, with several volunteers already stepping forward to serve as baristas, cashiers, and order takers, helping bring Magdala Coffee's spirit of hospitality to life.

I am deeply grateful to the volunteers, donors, committee members, and parishioners who have already given so generously of their time, talent, and resources to make this new ministry possible. Please continue to pray for Magdala Coffee as we prepare to welcome you this fall. My hope is that it will become much more than a place to enjoy a good cup of coffee-it will be a place of hospitality, friendship, community, and encounter.

Finally, please join us for the next installment of our Lecture Series on Wednesday, October 7, when we will screen the documentary film Solanus Casey: Priest, Porter, Prophet. I produced this film in the early 2000s and have remained deeply moved by Blessed Solanus' virtuous and remarkable life ever since.

The film explores the heroic life of this extraordinary modern-day mystic, Father Solanus Casey. Because of difficulties with his seminary studies, Solanus was ordained a sacerdos simplex, with limitations placed upon his priestly ministry. He was eventually assigned the humble duty of serving as porter, or doorkeeper, at his Detroit monastery. Yet God transformed this seemingly ordinary assignment into an extraordinary ministry. From his place at the monastery door, Solanus became a source of spiritual counsel, healing, consolation, and hope for countless people.

Sometimes referred to as the "American Padre Pio," Solanus became known for his extraordinary faith, his compassion for the sick and poor, his wise counsel, and the remarkable favors attributed to his prayers. When he died in 1957, thousands came to mourn a humble Capuchin friar who had spent his life quietly directing people toward Christ.

Solanus Casey: Priest, Porter, Prophet tells the story of his simple and unshakable faith in God through interviews with friends, colleagues, eyewitnesses, biographers, and those who experienced remarkable answers to prayer through his intercession. The film also includes rare historical footage and photographs documenting his extraordinary life and legacy.

I pray you will join us for this special evening as we discover-or perhaps rediscover - one of the great American witnesses to holiness. And because every good Catholic gathering can be improved with food, popcorn will be provided!

Thank you again for your prayers, encouragement, and patience during my recovery. Please know that you and your intentions remain very much in mine. I look forward to seeing you again soon.

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