Tag Archives: Fr. Jeff Lewis

St. Mary 2025-26: It Takes a Community

Posted on by
Reply

I know I am a few years late using this phrase, but Sloan and Beau understood the assignment! Today they concluded the 2025-26 school year and are now on summer break.

The 2025-26 St. Mary Catholic School year came to a close this morning. Students, staff, and Fr. Jeff huddled together for this photo after mass (photo courtesy of Paolo Davila de Muela).

This recently completed school year, our sixth at St. Mary Catholic School, was a success. Not because our kids were perfect (they weren’t), not because Sloan was immune from drama (she wasn’t), and not because Beau was a perfect angel (don’t make me laugh), but because there was obvious growth—from both an academic, social, and spiritual standpoint.

Sloan and Beau pose for a photo inside St. Mary Catholic Church (Spokane Valley) during 2026 Catholic Schools Week. They weren’t perfect this school year but they did experience growth.

Sloan wrote book reports, learned multiplication and division, played basketball, joined the chess club, read her Catholic School Week essay at mass, and continued to forge close relationships with her very tight-knit class.

Sloan had a good third grade year.

Beau learned the basics of reading, tackled homework for the first time, endeared himself to his classmates, took a turn as star student of the week, and masterfully read the responsorial psalm at a recent school mass.

It was awesome to see Beau make strides in reading this year.

But the thing that makes St. Mary such a special school is that it is never about the individual performance of any one student—it is about the community as a whole.

And trust me, what I just wrote isn’t a hollow statement. I observed firsthand the pride and care that exists within the walls of St. Mary as I served on the 2025-26 School Advisory Council (SAC) with select school staff members and a handful of other parents. We discussed issues facing the school, opportunities for improvement, and proactive ideas to implement. The genuine desire to continually advance the school is inspiring and I was so impressed by the staff members who would stay long after the school day concluded to attend these meetings. Mrs. Kathy Olsen, Mrs. Devon Rapp, Mrs. Sharon Lonergan, and Mr. Kevin Schultz—you are all AMAZING!

I am heartened by how the St. Mary staff members support Sloan and Beau.

Don’t think I forgot about the individual who chairs SAC. Principal Stephen Hart did a fabulous job leaning into the expertise of each person on the committee—staff member and parent alike—to uncover the best ideas and guidance.

I snapped this photo of Mr. Stephen Hart when he opened the doors of St. Mary Catholic School (Spokane Valley) to begin the 2025-26 school year. Today he closed those doors on a successful year.

But let me make an overall assessment of Mr. Hart and his impact at St. Mary: It isn’t an accident that the school is devotedly Catholic, enrollment keeps climbing, test scores are superb, and that BIG plans are on the horizon. Stephen’s leadership has transformed the school community over the past three years and we couldn’t be in better hands.

And to think that Mr. Hart could still be in the public school system if a certain person didn’t make a somewhat unconventional hire at the end of the 2022-23 school year…

Today, Fr. Jeff Lewis said his last school mass at St. Mary (Spokane Valley). The kids got a photo with him afterwards.

As we say goodbye to Fr. Jeff Lewis as he leaves for his new assignment in Walla Walla, there is no doubt that his work with the school will be part of his outstanding and expansive legacy at St. Mary. Aside from his slam dunk principal hire, he made consistent/legendary visits to the classrooms, presided over beautiful school masses, and did whatever humanely possible to assist with fundraising. He worked great with Mr. Hart and always did what was in the best interest of the school. We will miss him dearly.

Fr. Jeff Lewis receives the gifts from Sloan during a St. Mary School mass. He always did an incredible job with the students.

Finally, my admiration for what we have going at St. Mary doesn’t just extend to the students, staff, principal, or even Fr. Jeff. I am also continually impressed with my fellow parents. Make no mistake about it, at any private school the moms, dads, and guardians can have an oversized influence—for better or worse. Of course, no matter where you go, any school will probably have a mix of both…St. Mary is no different. But I believe the positivity overwhelmingly outweighs the negativity and some of that evidence can be found in the parents of the third grade and kindergarten classes.

Beau poses with his kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Kristen Mead, this morning. Mrs. Mead is not only a St. Mary teacher but a St. Mary parent as well. In fact, she is one of the third grade parents in Sloan’s class.

Some of the moms and dads in Sloan’s class (and their kids) have been around since we started her in Pre-K3 six years ago. The students in the third grade class are extremely close and that bond extends to us parents as well. I am constantly amazed at how supportive they are not just of the school but of my kids (Beau, too). I watch as many of these parents invest heavily in both their time and money to bolster St. Mary Catholic School…it blows me away.

The third grade class is close and it extends from the students to the parents as well. It was extremely special that Sloan and her classmates made their First Communion/Confirmation together this year.

Then we have the parents in Beau’s class. Sid and I have had the chance to get to know many of them better over this school year (hello birthday party circuit! 😂) and I am really impressed by their energy and passion. There are parents in that class who are going to spearhead some major projects that will keep the school’s current momentum for years to come. But aside from the big picture, my heart is warmed by how quickly the parents in Beau’s class volunteer and lift each other up. Oh, and the way they showed up at this year’s school auction was the stuff of legends.

Beau’s kindergarten class has a lot of energy…both the students and the parents.

The summer is now upon us and I hope the entire school community is looking forward to some well-deserved rest and relaxation. As Fr. Jeff said in his final St. Mary School homily this morning, it would serve us all well to enter into friendship with Jesus over the break. When the 2026-27 school year starts on Aug. 31, things will look a little different with Fr. Curtis Seidel overseeing the school and some new teachers roaming the halls. But as I have alluded to throughout this post, the foundation for saint-making has been set and the sky…I mean Heaven…is the limit 🙏🏻. Thanks be to God. Don’t Blink.

Closed Thursday Rundown

Posted on by
Reply

Thursday always seems to come sooner when preceded by a Monday holiday. Tonight’s Thursday Rundown will be my last of the month so let’s send May out with a bang…

Fr. Jeff’s 15th Ordination Anniversary – Our family priest marked his 15th anniversary of his ordination this week. That’s right, Fr. Jeff Lewis has now been part of the priesthood for a decade and a half. We have enjoyed celebrating Fr. Jeff’s ordination anniversary (here and here) over the years and this latest one was bittersweet as he will leave St. Mary next month for an assignment in Walla Walla.

Fr. Jeff Lewis celebrated his 15th ordination anniversary on May 26. We celebrated the milestone with him at our young family group meeting.

Family Faith Night – Speaking of Fr. Jeff, he was in attendance with us last night at the final St. Mary Family Faith Night of the year. The theme centered on different Catholic religious orders, a topic that was of great interest to me. It is a gift from God that priests and others are able to live out their vocations under special spiritual missions. Once again, the evening was a complete masterpiece thanks to the organization, thought, and creativity of Marie Bricher.

Beau yells something at Fr. Jeff Lewis as we “try” to listen to Marie Bricher during the last Family Faith Night of the school year on May 27, 2026. The topic/theme centered on different Catholic religious orders.

Flight 509 – I felt for the Spokane business community when Flight 509 announced its closure on Tuesday night. The entertainment center is closing after just two years in business. Those owners poured a lot of money, time, and effort into making Flight 509 a clean and fun place with all the bells and whistles. It truly had everything from laser tag to a ropes course to bumper cars to bowling lanes to robots who delivered pizza. Even the adults felt at home with a swanky bar and large TVs. The kids did receive Flight 509 gift cards for Christmas so we will be making one final trip before the business closes its doors to the public on June 13.

Flight 509 was fun. Photos are from our first ever visit and from when we found free passes in a geocache. I thought Flight 509 did excellent community outreach. It is sad to see them close.

Hard Mt. Dew – Normally I wouldn’t purchase something like this, but I wanted to enjoy a fun beverage with my brother before we headed to the Ron White show this past Saturday. On my way to his house, I stopped at a convenient store and couldn’t help but reach into the cooler for two of the Hard Mt. Dew Baja Blasts. When I handed one of the cans to Glen with a mile-wide grin, he knew he had no choice but to indulge with me. It tasted pleasant and tropical but much to my dismay it contained no caffeine. That was a head scratcher to me. How could any Mt. Dew beverage—alcoholic or virgin—not have any caffeine? Anyway, it was definitely a change from the rare light beer I drink every now and then.

Cheers! Glen and I hold the Hard Mt. Dews we drank before the Ron White show.

National Hamburger Day – Today is a big day in Americana as it is National Hamburger Day. I wrote my ode to the burger two years ago on this date that I felt served as my mic drop when it comes to our nation’s favorite food. But if you are still hungry for more, I once wrote about my top five favorite hamburger toppings, the freshest hamburger I ever ate, and one of the most unique hamburgers I ever ordered. Hope you celebrate with a burger tonight!

I love a good burger. Happy National Hamburger Day!

—————

Hope everyone has a great weekend. June will be here on Monday as it will kickoff what promises to be a very busy and memorable month for Sid and me. Don’t Blink.

Crowded/Glorious Engaged Encounter Retreat

Posted on by
Reply

This past weekend, Sidney and I presented at another Spokane Catholic Engaged Encounter retreat. It marked the fifth retreat that we have given since we joined the ministry in 2022 and the third since we were discerned as the community leaders in 2025.

The couples from the May 2026 Spokane Catholic Engaged Encounter retreat flash their certificates of completion.

This latest retreat was particularly noteworthy for a few reasons. First, we had 22 couples join us, a record for a post-COVID retreat. At the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center they had to change the seating configuration from a length-optimized setup to a width-optimized setup because of the sheer number of attending couples. We even had to speak into microphones because of the volume of people and the increased area of space we took up compared to an average retreat.

After mass on Saturday night, I ran up to the loft and took a photo of the 22 couples plus Sid, Fr. Jeff Lewis, and the Schroeders. The May 2026 Spokane Catholic Engaged Encounter retreat was memorable for the outstanding attendance we had.

Another unique aspect to this retreat was the addition of two other couples on top of the 22 who had already registered. In the Tri-Cities area of Washington State, the Catholic community down there is trying to bring its own Engaged Encounter ministry to fruition. Because of this, two couples from the group attempting to launch an EE presence came up to observe how we give retreats. It was fun to show them what we do and the teamwork needed to pull off a weekend. They were impressed.

We got to take the retreat outside on Saturday morning for a Spokane Catholic Engaged Encounter tradition known as the “Yes/No game.”

And most significantly, this retreat will forever stick out because it was the last one that Fr. Jeff Lewis presided over as the Spokane Catholic Engaged Encounter chaplain. For years he has been the lead priest on our ministry team but that all changed a couple weeks ago when Bishop Daly announced new priestly assignments. Fr. Jeff was impacted in the announcement as the bishop named him pastor of Assumption Parish and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Walla Walla, WA. Because he will now be three hours away from Spokane, he had to step down from his role as EE chaplain. However, I think we sent him out on a high note with so many couples in attendance and a retreat that went as smoothly as you could hope.

Sid and I stand with Natalie Schroeder, Joe Schroeder, and Fr. Jeff Lewis. We served as the ministry team at the May 2026 Spokane Catholic Engaged Encounter weekend that took place at the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center.

Thanks be to God for another enriching Spokane Catholic Engaged Encounter retreat. Special gratitude to Joe and Natalie Schroeder for presenting with us again. What a blessing this ministry has been to Sid and me…we can’t wait to present again. Don’t Blink.

Past Engaged Encounter Blog Entries
Embracing Vulnerability at Engaged Encounter
A Marital Lesson I Recently Accepted
Still Making It Look Easy: Fr. Pat Kerst
Presenting With My Wife at Engaged Encounter

Sacramentally Gifted

Posted on by
3

Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. (John 6:53-54)

Even though we had prepared for nine months, it was a sight that seemed a tad foreign. On Monday, May 11, 2026, Sloan waited her turn in the communion line at St. Mary Catholic Church. Once at the front, she approached Bishop Thomas Daly as he distributed Holy Eucharist. However, instead of crossing her arms across her chest and receiving a blessing, she received Jesus instead.

Sloan received the sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist last night at St. Mary Catholic Church. This is her with Fr. Jeff Lewis and Bishop Thomas Daly (Photo Credit: Paola Muela).

It was a surreal but very proud moment to watch Sloan make her First Holy Communion. In classes since September to prepare for the sacrament but genuinely yearning to receive it for the past few years, it truly was a holy moment to witness her reach the source and summit of Christian life.

Sloan receives Holy Communion for the first time. This is her drinking from the Blessed Blood.

But it wasn’t just Holy Eucharist that our daughter received last night. She also received the Holy Spirit via the sacrament of Confirmation. Prior to partaking in the Lord’s Supper, Sloan stood in front of the congregation and publicly renewed her baptismal promises, affirming her Catholic faith.

Sloan stands in our yard before we drove to St. Mary Catholic Church for her First Eucharist/Confirmation mass.

With family friend Fidela Perry by Sloan’s side as her Confirmation sponsor, Bishop Daly anointed Sloan with sacred chrism oil, sealing her with the Holy Spirit. The sacrament instilled in Sloan the same grace and charge bestowed upon the apostles and other followers at Pentecost.

With Fidela by Sloan’s side, Bishop Thomas Daly confirms Sloan by sealing her with the Holy Spirit.

Not bad for a Monday night, right?

Sloan and some of her St. Mary (Spokane Valley) third grade classmates. The bond these kids have is truly special and it was a blessing that they were able to receive the sacraments together.

Sloan has now received all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) plus the Sacrament of Reconciliation she received for the first time last year. These sacraments are truly gifts from God and I don’t know how to describe Sloan as anything else but sacramentally gifted 😉.

This is the banner Sloan made at the retreat held just a week prior to the First Eucharist/Confirmation mass. It was placed on the pew that our family sat in. I can’t thank Marie Bricher enough for all she does to prepare individuals to receive the sacraments.

But back to the two sacraments she received yesterday. On Monday morning, I crept into her bedroom for a few moments to gently wake her up (I was feeling nice 😂). As she started to slowly come to consciousness, I told her it was a big day and then I spoke from the heart as I started to become a little emotional. Stating what I wrote above, I told her I knew how much she was looking forward to tonight and how happy I was that she would finally receive Jesus. Luckily, she was still half asleep and couldn’t see my eyes watering up.

Sloan stands in the long line for her First Communion at St. Mary Catholic Church (Spokane Valley). It was worth the wait.

For the Sacrament of Confirmation, Sloan chose Fidela as her confirmation sponsor because—make no mistake about it—9-year-old girls can recognize and appreciate authenticity from a mile away. Sloan is inspired by Fidela, a convert to Catholicism (just like her mommy), who is on fire for the faith and a tremendous positive influence. When Fidela introduced Sloan to Bishop Daly, she used Sloan’s Confirmation name, St. Lucy. A martyr who turned away from her family’s wealth, Sloan was attracted to St. Lucy’s devotion and bravery.

Sloan’s confirmation sponsor was Fidela Perry, a family friend who has always been an incredible influence on Sloan.

As Sloan continues to walk in her faith, I hope she maintains the same devotion to the Holy Eucharist that she so passionately and genuinely had on Monday night. I also pray that she shows bravery when it comes to practicing her now-confirmed faith, even when it might be difficult or unpopular to do. In those difficult times, Sloan has the Holy Spirit to draw strength from. As Bishop Daly told the children last night, the Holy Spirit is like a coach or teacher ready to help and direct. May my daughter never hesitate to invoke this sacred member of the trinity. 

Words can’t describe how special Sloan’s St. Mary (Spokane Valley) third grade class is and the strong bond they all share. It was a joy and a blessing to watch these children receive the sacraments alongside by daughter as well (Photo Credit: Paola Muela).

Thanks be to God for the sacramental gifts bestowed upon Sloan. Pray for me as her father to always put her in a position to maximize their graces. Sid and I send our heartfelt appreciation to Marie Bricher and her team for preparing Sloan (and us!!) for these blessed sacraments. Come Holy Spirit! Don’t Blink.

Butcher Knives

Posted on by
1

Over the past five years, I have engaged in a recurring debate with our family priest. Yes, I admit it, I argue with our priest. But to know Fr. Jeff Lewis and the relationship we have with him would taper any astonishment you have over such a seemingly sacrilegious act on my part.

Fr. Jeff takes a photo with our family after he blessed our house. You would think since he does such nice things for us that I wouldn’t argue with him 😂.

Anyway, the debate centers on this: The merits of digital media to evangelize and promote the case for Christ and the Church.

As you can probably guess, I am a proponent of the wide-reaching positive impact that Catholic-based social media, blogs, e-newsletters, podcasts, and more can have on believers and non-believers alike. Fr. Jeff is more skeptical.

But this past weekend when Fr. Jeff wrote his weekly pastor’s column on the topic, he ended the very well-thought-out piece with an even better final notion…

The internet and other digital media are like any other tool, such as butcher knives: they sure can be helpful…and, if mis-used, very dangerous.

I thought his conciliatory statement hit the mark and provided guidance that I can totally rally behind. If you have time, you should read his entire column as he directly addresses topics such as internet traps (online gambling, porn, etc.), YouTube, and social media.

Fr. Jeff and my family playing some Bingo. We may have very well debated the merits of digital media at this table!

He also touched on one final digital media “plague” that anyone who attends any church of any belief is probably all-too-familiar with: phishing scams.

It happens all too often. People receive text messages and/or emails from their pastor asking for money or gift cards. The “Pastor Jones” impersonator says it is urgent and that he can’t speak on the phone at the moment. But if you just donate, the priest or pastor explains, you will help the poor or support an important charity.

Folks fall for this all the time. Well-meaning and elderly are especially prone to the scam. And it is rampant. Like seriously rampant.

I have attended events hosted by other Christian denomination churches and ended up on their email lists. Sure enough, I receive the same communications from those pastors warning of the scam and offering the same, “I will never text you for money…” spiel that either Fr. Jeff or our parish secretary recites every month. Seriously folks, watch out for the people who are vulnerable in your faith communities.

I do prefer the approach that my parish takes with these cases after issuing the standard few sentences about how Fr. Jeff would never do such a thing. After the copy and paste warning is out of the way that every other church uses, ours always ends with the following: Please say a Hail Mary for the conversion and repentance of those perpetrating these scams.

Yes, let’s do that. Don’t Blink.

Smarties Thursday Rundown

Posted on by
Reply

Happy October and good day! I hope everyone is enjoying a pleasant beginning to the HalloweenGivingMas season. Let’s begin with tonight’s five topics.

Sloan Discusses Trend With Fr. Jeff – One thing you should know about Fr. Jeff Lewis is that he spends just as much time involved with the school side of St. Mary as he does with the church side. He visits each class once per week and discusses faith with the students. However, pop culture topics come up frequently during these conversations. This past weekend, we were spending time with Fr. Jeff when he started talking about the “6-7” trend. I had heard nothing about the meme until my priest mentioned it during our visit and noted how St. Mary children seem pretty enamored with it. Of course, Sloan got a giant kick out of it and within no time both pastor and student were saying “6-7” with hand motions and all. It was quite the sight.

Fr. Jeff Lewis and Sloan go back-and-forth about the “6-7” trend.

National Smarties Day – Today is National Smarties Day and I have one big memory of the candy. Growing up, my mom would take us grocery shopping with her every week. When it was time to pay, we would always get in the line staffed by an elderly bagger named Kermit. This kind soul would joke around with us and then always hand us a pack of Smarties. If he didn’t already have such a distinctive and fun first name, I probably would have just started calling him “Smarties.”

This Valentine treat character, which was created in February 2021 for my daughter’s pre-school Valentine’s Day party, has Smarties as arms.

Lesson on Disabilities – The book I read to Beau last night was titled “You’re So Amazing” and was about a little boy with one leg. Whenever he would do anything—even the most mundane tasks—people would gawk and say you’re so amazing. Then, if he decided to sit something out just because he didn’t want to partake, people would take immense pity on him and think his disability was limiting him. The point of the story was to normalize those who might have a disability and refrain from making a big deal out of everything they do. The story’s subtitle summarizes it perfectly: being singled out doesn’t always feel amazing.

Beau and I received an important perspective when we read “You’re So Amazing”.

Eat Mor Chikin – The Chick-fil-A cow was at last week’s high school football game between Mead and Mt. Spokane. Sloan jumped at the chance to take her photo with the mascot. After I took the photo, I mentioned to her that I had my own photograph taken with the cow approximately 11 years ago when the Chick-Fil-A restaurant opened at Coastal Carolina University. I don’t think she was that impressed.

I took a photo with the Chick-fil-A cow at the grand opening of Coastal Carolina University’s Chick-Fil-A restaurant in September 2014..

Flood Waters – This weekend is the 10th anniversary of when Myrtle Beach was flooded via the byproduct of Hurricane Joaquin. It was the most surreal scene as people were literally riding on jet skis and floating on kayaks through the neighborhood streets. Although the governor told people not to go exploring, Sid and I did the exact opposite. Hey, you make stupid decisions in your 20s, right?! This was the blog post I wrote about the crazy spectacle.

This is me in the water during the expedition that Sid and I took during a massive flood that took place in Myrtle Beach in 2015. Follow the link to my original blog to see photos of the kayaks and jet skis.

———————

Have a great month everyone. This is my last Thursday Rundown as a 38-year-old (😱). Don’t Blink.

Twas The Night Before Independence Day Thursday Rundown

Posted on by
1

I love Independence Day so as I write this Thursday Rundown I am trying to manage my excitement. So on this Fourth of July Eve, please excuse me if I seem to write in an even more random manner than I usually do. But just like a firework does, I will do my best to sparkle…

Sunrise Mass – Last weekend was packed from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening. But sandwiched within all the activities was a really special opportunity on Saturday morning. At 4 a.m., Fr. Jeff Lewis led a small group of us up the Iller Creek Trail to a scenic clearing that overlooked the Spokane Valley and Palouse regions. Once there, he celebrated mass as the sun slowly started to rise. It was the perfect way to start the day and a great opportunity to worship God among his beautiful creation.

Fr. Jeff Lewis led a hike up the Iller Creek trail for a sunrise mass this past Saturday.

Orchards and Water – I mentioned in Monday’s blog post that Sid and I recently attended the wedding of a couple we mentored for their Pre-Cana marriage prep. After the wedding mass concluded at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brewster, Washington, we headed to the reception a few minutes away at a place called Lone Point Cellars. This winery boasted some incredible views as it overlooked fruit orchards and the Columbia River. What a setting for a reception! Sid and I feel blessed to be part of the marriage prep mentor ministry. Counting this couple and another one we graduated this summer, the two of us have mentored at least seven couples.

Sidney walks along the perimeter of Lone Point Cellars in Brewster, Washington. The view was incredible.

Anxiety – I get the appeal of self-serve flavor stations at shaved ice stands, but I really dislike them. The Koana Ice truck made an appearance at the finale of Catholic Summer Camp and I begrudgingly promised the kids I would get them one. Sloan managed for the most part but Beau trying to put his flavors on was a messy disaster. I told my friend that few things bring me more anxiety than watching a 5-year-old attempt to flavor his shaved ice.

When a 5-year-old is in the mix, this is always a disaster.

Is A Hot Dog A Sandwich – With the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest tomorrow, I must bring up the heated debate: Is a hot dog a sandwich? I still say NO. But I would be remiss if I didn’t defer to the experts. One of the more quirky projects I pulled off at WSU was producing a video that asked a food scientist for his opinion on the loaded question. It is worth a watch!

This might be the closest a hot dog comes to being a sandwich but what the competitive eaters will be eating tomorrow in  no way constitutes a sandwich in my mind.

Idaho Love – It was on this date in 1890 that Idaho became the 43rd state to join the Union. As Idaho marks its 135th anniversary, it is important to reflect on the fact that the state is going through some tough times. Bryan Kohberger accepted a plea deal this week, undoubtedly opening old wounds from that heinous night in Moscow back in 2022. And then this past Sunday, two firefighters were killed in an ambush right outside of Coeur d’Alene as first responders reported to a brush fire. Tomorrow my family will attend the Coeur d’Alene Fourth of July Parade and hopefully have the opportunity to honor those, both living and not, who answered the call on Sunday. We stand with our very close neighbors to the east!

Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890.

———-

Please be safe tomorrow. Use common sense when it comes to fireworks and take time to reflect on the good fortune we have to live in the United States of America. Don’t Blink.

A Radical Ride on the Wings of Prayer

Posted on by
Reply

Look up! If you see a plane flying gracefully in the sky with possibly some doves trailing it, Sloan and Beau may very well be on it. At the start of this week, they punched their tickets for a Radical Ride on the Wings of Prayer.

This summer, Sloan and Beau are taking off from the St. Mary Airport on the Radical Ride on the Wings of Prayer.

It is that time of the year—Catholic Summer Camp! For the fourth time since we moved to Spokane, our family is involved with St. Mary Catholic Church’s spectacular twist on vacation bible school. However, this year our involvement doesn’t extend to just one camper. Beau is making his camp debut as he joins Sloan for what has already been a memorable camp.

Sloan and Beau have loved putting on their camp shirts the past few days as they hop on the radical ride of prayer.

But if you have followed my past posts on Catholic Summer Camp (here, here, and here), you already know that this week-long adventure can’t be anything but memorable. When you have the world’s best vacation bible school director, you really can’t expect anything less. Marie Bricher makes sure the campers receive the complete VBS experience with music, skits, snacks, and games. She also takes themes to complete extremes (in a good way) and she has outdone herself once again by transforming the St. Mary gym into the St. Mary International Airport.

The St. Mary gym in the Spokane Valley has been transformed into the St. Mary International Airport.

However, there is something more important than the fun activities and clever theme—yes, I am talking about the content. This summer, it is all about prayer. Throughout this week, Sloan and Beau are learning more about prayer and how to put it into action (as Fr. Jeff Lewis says, “Just pray, baby!”). Each day, they are “flying” on the wings of prayer to a different country to learn about a specific type of prayer and a saint native to the nation they are visiting.

Upon entering the St. Mary International Airport, you naturally have to go through the metal detector.

Whether it be Lectio Divina, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, or just quiet contemplation in Eucharistic Adoration, these kids are learning a lot and growing spiritually. And this is absolutely crucial because let’s be honest: our society is anti-prayer. It has become popular to discredit and shun “thoughts and prayers” as worthless. People are so impatient and misinformed that they feel prayer is useless if if doesn’t end in an immediate miracle.

At the opening kickoff for Catholic Summer Camp on Sunday, a large contingent of saints “flew” into St. Mary International Airport to be part of the festivities. Camp volunteers stand on the gym steps with photos of these holy men and women.

Try telling that to the campers at St. Mary. I can tell you that they will be moving mountains in front of the blessed sacrament tomorrow.

Marie Bricher is making sure Sloan, Beau, and the rest of the campers know the power of prayer. Her love for a theme even extends to the pilot hat she is wearing.

But off my soap box and back to St. Mary International Airport. You seriously have to see inside the gym. Campers check in for their flight, walk through a metal detector, and find their airline. A large plane constructed by 8th grade teacher Kevin Schultz hangs from the ceiling. Aviation-themed photo backdrops are affixed to the walls. Sloan and Beau made their own carry-on bags and were issued passports. There is even a baggage claim where the kids can put their lunch boxes!

St. Mary School 8th grade teacher Kevin Schultz created the centerpiece airplane that hangs in the gym.

With the week more than halfway over, the radical ride will start making its initial descent soon. The final physical destination will be a Friday afternoon picnic lunch for all campers and families on the St. Mary blacktop. The ultimate destination? Well, Heaven of course. And if there is one thing that Marie Bricher and her volunteer staff has taught the 120+ campers this week, it is that prayer does provide some powerful fuel for that journey. Don’t Blink.

Memorial Day Weekend 2025

Posted on by
2

It was the perfect Memorial Day weekend.

It was the perfect kickoff to the summer for our family. This is Beau and Sloan at Riverfront Park enjoying the Spokane Falls.

Although we never left Spokane, the four of us had a fun-filled yet also relaxing few days off. Thanks to incredible weather and two well-behaved children (because you never know), I don’t think we could have asked for a better start to summer. In order to save these memories for years to come, here are some of the big picture highlights from each day.

It was a hot weekend and luckily Beau and Sloan not only got along but they helped each other out.

Friday – We celebrated the weekend’s kickoff with an evening out. The four of us went to Burger King for dinner as the kids donned the restaurant’s paper crowns. After stocking up on candy from Dollar Tree, we went to the movie theater to watch the new “Lilo and Stitch” movie. It wasn’t bad! But it really didn’t matter the quality of the film at that point because at multiple times I remember just feeling so content sitting in the comfortable chairs sipping on a cold Coke with my family by my side.

Beau and Sloan right outside of the theater before going inside to watch “Lilo and Stitch.”

Saturday – With Sidney working in the yard, I took Sloan and Beau to Avista Stadium for the 5 p.m. Spokane Indians vs. Tri-City Dust Devils baseball game. It was Disney Princess Night and since I made sure we arrived right when the gates opened at 4 p.m., the kids got to meet all four princesses before lines formed (view photos). They also got to do all the activities in the Kids Zone without waiting. As for the game, we ate ballpark food and cheered on the Indians as they dropped a close one, 3-2. After the game, Sloan and Beau had the opportunity to go on the field and run around the bases.

Hanging with Sloan and Beau at Avista Stadium.

Sunday – This was the hottest day of the weekend so naturally we spent a lot of time outside…at three different parks. We started off at Riverfront Park where the kids played on the red wagon, admired the Spokane Falls, and climbed on the Ice Age Playground (view photos). We then went to Orchard Park where members of our Catholic Adult Group met and we celebrated Fr. Jeff Lewis’ 14th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. From there we zipped over to Browns Park where we met my parents for an evening picnic. The park was filled with activity and as I drank a beer while watching Beau play near the splash pad, I thought, summer is here.

Beau and Sloan hanging with out on the red wagon in Riverfront Park.

Monday – After a very busy three days, we used Memorial Day to hang at home. The kids watched their devices while Sid and I watched Dateline. But the signature activity of the day was later that night when the four of us gathered in the living room for one last hurrah. We ate Otter Pops and watched “Wicked.” Although Sid and Sloan went to the theater to watch it originally, they had no problem watching it again with me. I will share my reaction to the film in my next Thursday Rundown.

On Monday night we ate Otter Pops and watched “Wicked.”

——————

I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend. If the past few days provide any indication of how the rest of the summer will play out, I think we will have a lot of fun in store. Don’t Blink.

Habemus Papam: Introducing Pope Leo XIV

Posted on by
1

WHITE SMOKE.

It didn’t matter if you were Catholic or not—on Thursday, it seemed like everyone on the planet was captivated by these two words. Once the College of Cardinals made a papal decision and the smoke conveyed the good news, you couldn’t escape the phrase: it resided on breaking news tickers of all stations, screamed in all-caps on social media, and filled up text message chains.

After the initial adrenaline rush and hysteria from just seeing the white smoke, attention started to shift to the monumental question: WHO?

I don’t think I need to fill much of this space with the pleasant shock I felt when Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was announced as the next pope. I shared the same sentiment as pretty much every other Catholic…surprise. This line is cliché by now, but I too didn’t think I would ever live to see an American pope. But here we are.

Count me all-in when it comes to the papacy of Pope Leo XIV! I am optimistic and excited for the direction of his holy leadership. Let me share three quick tidbits surrounding his selection…

I am excited for the papacy of Pope Leo XIV.

– Initially, you hear commentators proclaim that Pope Leo XIV is a moderate. I dislike using political terms to describe leadership tendencies of the Bishop of Rome so let me paraphrase it in a different way: I think the new pope is going to make the Church even stronger by uniting the faithful to a degree we haven’t seen in 20 years.

– It has been surreal for me to realize just how…umm…American that Pope Leo XIV is. I can go back to when he was Cardinal/Bishop Prevost and watch clips of him talking in plain English. I can view news reports featuring his siblings—ordinary American people—talking about an extraordinary disciple of Christ. I can scope out past social media posts, learn about his favorite Chicago teams, and research his time at Villanova. Pope Leo XIV simply hits very close to home…what a blessing!

– Speaking of blessings, I had the good fortune of benefiting from the insight and expertise of my pastor, Fr. Jeff Lewis, before/during/after the announcement of Pope Leo. When the white smoke was spotted, the Signal group I am part of with some of my best friends and Fr. Jeff started to blow up. After our initial excitement, we deferred to our priest as he took us through the proceedings, provided us background on Pope Leo, and offered his observations about the new pope’s initial choices and preferences (name, speech, clothing, etc.). It was enlightening and very much appreciated.

Pope Leo XIV made a great impression when he addressed the faithful who packed St. Peter Square.

But can I make a confession (pun intended)? Although I was so excited about the selection of Pope Leo XIV, I think I walked away from last week feeling even better about the way that Catholicism was truthfully and elegantly presented. Every single news station and media organization devoted wall-to-wall coverage of the conclave. And what did you see?…

You saw the true global reach of the Church. You marveled at the thousands upon thousands of devout people who filled St. Peter’s Square. You were touched by the joyous live reactions inside Catholic school classrooms when Pope Leo XIV was announced. You observed a diverse College of Cardinals comprised of holy clergy members from all corners of the earth. You sensed…perhaps even boldly felt…the billions of prayers being lifted up for Pope Leo and the Church in general. You were awed by the authentic faith in Christ that was on constant display.

What you saw was a large, passionate, faithful Church. It was simply a profound week for the 1.4 billion Catholics in the world—this blogger included.

As the papacy of Pope Leo XIV begins in earnest, let us pray for holy and humble leadership that leads us all closer to Jesus Christ. Don’t Blink.