My Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ,

May God’s peace and joy be with you.  I was able to finish a faith formation video on Andy Warhol and Catholicism.  This video is a bit different than many as it reflects on an unlikely life of faith in someone whose choices and community seem so antithetical to the Gospel.  This video will be released in the 4th quarter.

 Second, I released a video this weekend on the biblical figure I most identify with.  I think many of us hold the biblical figures in great esteem and forget their real humanity.  We should aspire to be saints but often fall short of the ideal.  Thankfully, the Lord is gracious and merciful.  Even when our priorities are misguided and sinful, God is waiting to take us back and can make all things new.  This video is linked below.

Moreover, this week was spent in emails with our bishop regarding the liturgical life of the church.  I will soon start posting videos on the Daily Office but the format may be changing soon.  I think it might be prudent to wait.  At the same time, you can pray our Divine Office as it currently exists by visiting https://www.ordinariate.info/  and clicking on the links on the left side under the heading “The Daily Office.”

I started reading a new book by Cardinal Yves Congar and hope to begin working on a faith formation video to be released later this year.  Finally, this week let us pray for the liberation of all people seeking religious and political freedoms throughout the world.  May God bless and keep you.
Peace,
Rev. Ben

My sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ,
May God’s peace and joy be with you.  A few things of note, I am updating the small Saint Oscar Romero chapel in my residence.  I was able to complete a lot of the work last night with the help of my wife but I need to order a few additions, and I am awaiting a couple of icons to arrive. 

Second, I plan to begin posting a minimum of two times a prayer weekly.  I will explain more about this and how you can follow along when I begin this project.  I believe daily prayer is essential.  While I pray the office daily, I see some benefit to streaming it so we can pray communally.

Third, I have most of the faith formation videos completed through the end of the third quarter and a few in the fourth quarter.  This weekend, I posted a video on Catholics and the Bible.  I believe we Catholics need to grow in our awareness of the rich treasures contained within the Scriptures.  You can see the video linked below.

Fourth, I am working through a book on holy fools.  I have one video created and will be released in Q4 on this topic but may create another video.  Holy Fools are people called to a special vocation that are misunderstood by their contemporaries.   I believe it is an important vocation that a few have but it must be done with deep prayer, humility, and under guidance by a spiritual master.  We need holy fools today to challenge the pride and knowledge of the rich and powerful for Mary proclaims how God will cast down the mighty from their thrones.  Paul reminds us that God chose the weak to shame those who think they are something.

Finally, I am working on a faith formation video for later this year on Andy Warhol and Catholicism.  I had no idea he was Eastern Catholic and the importance of his faith in his life.  I am including a listing of links here below in case you are interested in reading more:
https://oldarchive.godspy.com/culture/Andy-Warhol-Transubstantiating-the-Culture.cfm.htm
https://www.warhol.org/warhols-relationship-with-catholicism-was-far-from-simple-still-he-evoked-god-through-his-art/
https://firstthings.com/andy-warhols-sacraments/
https://benedictinstitute.org/2019/08/andy-warhol/
https://guides.library.duq.edu/byzantine-catholic-warhol
https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2022/01/07/catholicism-art-postmodern-242158
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/andy-warhols-religious-journey
https://jcrt.org/archives/01.3/carpenter.shtml
https://angelusnews.com/arts-culture/pop-heart-andy-warhols-complicated-catholicism/
https://nathaniel-metz.writeas.com/any-warhol-pop-art-and-the-inverse-of-christian-icons
https://now.fordham.edu/arts-and-culture/a-fordham-take-on-andy-warhols-iconic-catholicism/
https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2022/02/02/andy-warhol-st-john-paul-ii-and-st-sebastian/
https://www.bkmag.com/2021/11/08/andy-warhol-comes-to-the-city-of-churches/
https://www.warhol.org/exhibition/vanitas/
May God bless and keep you.
Peace,
Rev. Ben

My sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ,
We have some exciting updates for Saint Oscar Romero Ministries.  First, Bishop Rob who incardinated Rev. Ben Stern as a presbyter, after much discernment and prayer, officially established The Old Catholic Ordinariate for Specialized Ministries - U.S.A.  The Old Catholic Ordinariate for Specialized Ministries  This jurisdiction will better accommodate our ongoing mission to provide Christian formation and education.  Moreover, the Ordinariate provides some possibilities that might better work for our situation.  For instance, there is a model in development for an extended parish. 

The move to a newly formed jurisdiction entails a few changes.  For instance, Rev. Ben led evening prayer (Vespers) on several social media sites three times a week.  Very soon, this will resume on the Saint Oscar Romero Youtube page.  https://www.youtube.com/@SaintOscarRomeroMinistries/featured 

The move to a new jurisdiction means that we have a greater role on determining the shape of our jurisdiction both now and for the future.  Finally, I think the move means that we stand in greater solidarity to those neglected by others – the poor, outcast, sick and sinner, the refugee, immigrant, and others who face discrimination due to gender, race, or sexual orientation.  We recognize the timeless truth of the Gospel is always inculturated and must take root in our minds AND our hearts.  May we hold fast to the truth revealed in Jesus Christ and boldly bring this message of peace, justice, reconciliation, liberation and love to others.
Peace,
Rev. Ben

May the Grace and Peace of Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you!

​Saint Oscar Romero Ministries is doing some important work.

First, we post a weekly faith formation video at: Mystery of Faith - YouTube

Second, Ben leads evening prayer three days a week on the Communion of International Catholic Communities YouTube Page at: https://www.youtube.com/@unityinthechurch8316 

One of our biggest hopes is to have a physical ministry.  If you know someone who would like a pastoral visit or to receive the sacraments, please contact us.  If you are interested in having a liturgy at your home or institution, please contact us. 

With the nicer weather of Spring upon us, Ben will be making himself available at surrounding parks on Saturdays and Sundays offering prayer and sacraments.  Please do not hesitate to say hello.  May God bless and keep you.
Peace,
Rev. Ben

My Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,

Over the past two weeks, I have prayed to find a location for our liturgical worship.  I contacted a couple of assisted living centers to see if there is interest among their residents and am awaiting responses.  If you know of a location desiring a liturgy, such as an assisted living or a hospital chapel, please let me know.  I would be more than happy to volunteer and celebrate liturgy with residents on a weekly basis.  Please pray with me that our desire to meet for worship will soon be fulfilled.

Father, you desire not a temple made with human hands but a heart that pleases you.  We seek not so much a building to meet our needs but a place where we can gather and worship you in spirit and in truth.  You promise that where we gather, you will be with us.  Hear our prayers so that we may gather in your name and seek nothing but your will.  We ask all things through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.  Amen.

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​My Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
This past weekend, I joined with Bishop Rob Lyons and the People of God at St. Mary’s in Greenwood, IN.  During the celebration of the Eucharist, I was incardinated as a presbyter in the American Catholic Communities.  Each presbyter is appointed to a particular ministry or church.  I was appointed to serve God’s people in the Greater Saint Louis Metropolitan area under the auspices of Saint Oscar Romero Ministries.  With the incardination and appointment, I have faculties to celebrate the sacraments in accord with the tradition of the church, preach and teach, and a commission to show God’s love and concern especially for the marginalized.  The real work of our ministry now begins.  Please pray for our ministry that I may be a faithful disciple of Jesus and together we may build up the Body of Christ on earth while awaiting its fullness to come.
Peace,
Rev. Ben

​My Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
This upcoming weekend (September 29th) we as a church celebrate the Feast of the Holy Archangels.  I am joining Bishop Robert Lyons of the American Catholic Communities in Greenwood, IN for the Eucharist.  I am excited to join with my bishop and his community in prayer and fellowship.  In a special way, I will be recommitting myself to my priestly vocation by making promises to him and the American Catholic Community.  The act of incardination is the first major step needed to officially launch Saint Oscar Romero Ministries.  I will be committing myself to be of service to God’s people and recognize my own weaknesses and sinfulness.  Please pray for me both for this weekend and for the challenging work that awaits as I assure you of my prayers.
Peace,
Rev. Ben

Greetings my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ,
​
I wanted to provide a few updates on Saint Oscar Romero Ministries.  First, I applied for incardination with an Independent Catholic Church in the Old Catholic tradition.  I was granted apostolic oversight (faculties) during a time of discernment and inquiry.  Please pray for me and the community during this time.  If God wills it, I hope to be incardinated at the end of September 2024.  At that point, I hope to formally establish a place where we can gather for liturgy and fellowship. 

Second, I began a YouTube channel just for Saint Oscar Romero Ministries. The link to the YouTube page is found here: https://www.youtube.com/@SaintOscarRomeroMinistries  Currently, I am posting morning and evening prayer.  Before we begin a formal ministry, it is important to pray for wisdom, courage, and love.  I pray that this ministry may faithfully bear witness to the Gospel – the Good News of what God has done through Jesus Christ in the gift of the Holy Spirit.  We must seek first God’s kingdom and the rest will be granted to us.

Finally, I want to invite you to consider joining us for prayer and worship when our ministry gets off the ground.  Many of us have been hurt by our churches, what others have told us about God, and what we have been led to believe about ourselves.  God is truly mercy and love.  I am imperfect, our ministry is imperfect, but we need each other because we all have something to offer one another.  Each one of us is created in God’s image and likeness and no one can take that away.  Sometimes we need reminding of the Good News when we live in a wounded and broken world.  It is easy to find what is wrong, but my hope is that we will focus on what is good and where grace is to be found.

May God bless and keep us.  Please know that you are in my prayers, and I ask for your prayers that I may faithfully minister and for the success of Saint Oscar Romero Ministries as God defines it.
Peace,
Ben

Thank you for coming to learn more about the Saint Oscar Romero Community Ministry.  The website is a work in progress as we seek affiliation with a jurisdiction within the Old Catholic Tradition.  Please pray for God's blessing to be with this ministry that we may faithfully proclaim the Good News of Salvation.