St. Mary Magdalen Catholic parish in Altamonte Springs, FL is my home church. My wife was a member of the parish throughout her youth, we were married there in 2008, and it’s really the only parish I’ve known as a Catholic.
Today, it’s where I meet in small groups with young and old, men and women, rich and poor alike. It’s where I worship alongside Anglos, Spanish, Vietnamese, African-Americans, and people from a number of other backgrounds. It’s where I study and where I teach, where I confess my sins and where I pray. And it’s where I receive the Eucharist each morning–the home-base of my relationship with Christ.
While many parishes around the country are closing their doors, St. Mary Magdalen is booming with activity. Last I heard, we have 5,800 people on our parish register and over 160 different ministries (though I’m always quick to caution that abundant activity doesn’t necessarily produce holiness–just ask Martha.)
Over the last year, a videographer chronicled the life of our parish, and he just finished editing the final video. The parish debuted it this past weekend, and I think the video does a wonderful job highlighting the life of our community. Check it out!
(You’ll see me make a cameo at the 6:35 mark, where I talk about a weekly food collection that our parish justice community began a few months ago. We’re pretty happy with how it’s going, as many parishioners have begun connecting the Mass with caring for the poor–not to mention that we’ve collected over 4,000 pounds of food in just a couple short months.
Also, the priest at the 0:43 mark is Msgr. Ed Thompson, my spiritual director, lecture partner, and personal hero. If you haven’t heard his incredible story–especially how he held hands in prayer, concurrently, with both Mother Teresa and Archbishop Fulton Sheen–be sure to check out this video.)