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