It was December 22, 2001. I had returned to California after 30 years and I was looking for a parish. I had been without a parish since 1970 when I walked away. Each week I tried another church, but there was no energy in any of them. Then I walked into,St Francis church in Midtown and started shivering and crying. “I think this is it.” Whenever I get caught up in my dissatisfaction with the institutional church, I remember that moment and trust that what I knew that day remains true, that there remains a community of faith that I can trust. I was reminded of this yesterday when I gathered with other parishioners to celebrate the life of a long time member. We sang familiar songs, shared memories and expressed our gratitude for one another as we share the journey of faith. There are moments – big and small – that help along the way.
