My Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ,

Please continue to keep Bishop Rob Lyons in your prayers.
He continues to recover slowly and remains in need of our prayers for health and well-being. I spoke with him earlier this week—he is putting the final touches on our new Liturgical Book. This project has taken a great deal of time and dedication, and I am deeply excited about its completion.
This book will stand apart from most Old Catholic and Independent Catholic missals. It offers a broad selection of liturgies—from traditional Eastern and Oriental anaphoras (Eucharistic Prayers), to a contemporary ecumenical liturgy, and even a revised English translation of the traditional Roman rite. Once it is finalized, I plan to begin recording the liturgy to invite others to share in this Work of the People (the Liturgy). My hope is that some will be inspired to celebrate the liturgy in their homes, much like the ancient house churches of the early Christian community.
This week, I also completed a major update to independentsacramental.org, a website designed to serve and support the Independent Sacramental Movement (ISM). The movement, while often fragmented and facing significant challenges, holds immense spiritual potential—it is truly a “treasure in earthen vessels.” I am continually working to provide new resources for clergy and laity alike.
Several new pages have been added to strengthen the ISM as a whole, including one encouraging jurisdictions to broaden their appeal to unaffiliated communities seeking authentic connection with the ancient Church. I also began developing a series of apologetical resources for the ISM, as few formal works exist in this area. The first installment, both as an article and a video titled “Apologetics for the Independent Sacramental Movement,” is now available. Other recent videos include reflections on Dogmatic Overreach and a discussion of Eamon Duffy’s “The Stripping of the Altars.”
By God’s grace, I am also nearing completion of a book that both critiques and affirms the Independent Sacramental Movement—a project I hope to share more about in the weeks ahead.
Finally, I am deeply encouraged by the growing number of people who are responding to this work. My prayer is that God will continue to bless all who are seeking to live their Christian vocation with greater depth and sincerity. Our goal is not to build grand institutions, but to accompany others on their journey of faith and to be a resource for those seeking to follow Christ more fully.
May God bless and keep you.
Peace,
Rev. Ben

My Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Last weekend, I had the privilege of traveling to Indiana to celebrate the liturgy with the faithful at Saint Mary’s Ministries. Our bishop, Rob Lyons, has recently faced some health challenges, and we continue to lift him up in prayer—asking that God restore his health and renew his strength.
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This week, several new videos were released exploring Old Catholic themes and their connections with many Protestant insights. For me, Old Catholicism brings together the best of Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism. It embodies a spirit that seeks truth wherever it may be found—honoring the wisdom of the past while applying it meaningfully to the present. This balance requires deep faith, learning, and humility. You’ll find the links to those videos below.

Also included below is the homily I preached last weekend. I’ve shared it in case it offers you encouragement and spiritual nourishment. I look forward to the completion of our missal, which will allow me to begin celebrating liturgy online and resume regular preaching.

In addition, I’ve been working on several projects for the Independent Sacramental and Old Catholic movements here in the United States. I hope to share more about these efforts in the coming weeks. Please continue to keep this important work in your prayers. Know that I am praying for all of you who read these reflections and support our mission.
Peace,
Rev. Ben

My sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ,
This weekend, I will be traveling to South Indianapolis to assist with Bishop Rob Lyon’s liturgy at St. Mary’s Ministries. Sadly, Bishop Rob is suffering from pneumonia and needs our prayers for healing and a full recovery. Please join me—and the community at St. Mary’s—in lifting him up in prayer.
I’ve noticed that our Saint Oscar Romero website is receiving about fifteen visits each week. I would love to hear from you about what you’re seeking when you visit. Perhaps you, or someone you know, would like to receive the Sacraments but have been away from church for some time, or there may be other circumstances that make it difficult to attend. I am here to serve and would be honored to listen and explore how we can help.
I am also available to bring the Eucharist to you or even to celebrate the Liturgy in your home. There is no cost for receiving the Sacraments, and our ministry does not accept donations. Instead, we encourage those with the means to support organizations that meet basic human needs—such as shelters, food pantries, and relief agencies. While we do not have the resources to provide direct material assistance, we gladly direct people toward those ministries and organizations that make a real difference in the lives of others.
If we can serve you by celebrating the Sacraments or proclaiming God’s Word with you and for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
This past week, we also released three new videos addressing topics such as clericalism, the ideals to which clergy should aspire, and salvation. Many of these reflections are part of our continuing series exploring how much Old Catholic teaching aligns with the core beliefs of mainline Protestant traditions.
In our celebration of the Eucharist, we make no distinction between Roman Catholic or Protestant. All are invited by the Lord who calls us to unity in Him. May we always recognize the many gifts God bestows upon our community when we gather around His table.
Peace,
Rev. Ben

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ,

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to meet several people at the Out of the Darkness Walk at Creve Coeur Lake. We recognize that many in our world struggle with depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. We also acknowledge that suicide remains one of the leading causes of death today—an alarming reality that compels us to ask difficult questions. Why is this so? How can we, as followers of Christ, be people of light and hope for those who live in darkness and despair? How does Christ’s victory bring healing and renewal to our broken world?

Clearly, there is much work before us. We must pray and labor for a society that uplifts and protects all people—especially the most vulnerable among us.

Throughout this past week, we released several videos exploring how Old Catholicism finds much to value in Protestant theology. These reflections addressed the limits of Church Councils, the Sacraments, and the Eucharist. We also began a three-part series titled Lofty Clergy Ideals: Becoming an Icon. The videos are linked below for your reflection and discussion.

May we continue to strive this week to be true icons of God in a wounded world—so that others may see in us the hope of Christ and the love God has for all creation reflected in our own.

Peace,
Rev. Ben