A Quiet Word to Friends in Memphis

An invitation to remember, pray, and listen

Friends,

Over the past several years, many of you took a few minutes to complete a simple story survey—often at the grassroots invitation of Fishers of Men and Men’s Morning of Spirituality (MMOS). I want to begin by saying thank you. That small, intentional act of reflection has helped shape a long season of listening, discernment, and waiting.

As we’ve listened over time, a few things have become clear. Some people are ready and willing to share their stories, while many more feel hesitant or unsure. In most parishes across Memphis (and throughout the Church), stories are rarely preserved or celebrated using the tools of our time. And yet, despite this, a strong hope continues to surface—a shared desire for a future where stories of faith, struggle, and hope are more regularly honored, remembered, and received within the life of the Church.

My name is Todd Miechiels. About a decade ago, I traveled from Atlanta to Detroit on a series of mission trips focused on helping memorialize and steward the testimonies of Catholics who had experienced growth and transformation through Adoration and Alpha. During that season, I formed eternal friendships with Deacon Steve Mitchell and Father John Riccardo. Through these dear brothers, I was introduced to Bill Platten and Mike “Bish” Bishop, and we have walked together ever since.

I write today with gratitude for that long season of patient sowing in Memphis. Bill’s faithfulness and encouragement continue to bear quiet fruit even after his passing in 2020. Bish has been a steadfast encourager and champion along the way. More recently, I’m thankful for our friend John Zelinka, who has generously stepped forward with a willingness to invest time and care toward stewarding what has been entrusted here—carefully and without hurry.

In recent months, something meaningful has begun taking root at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Atlanta. Not a program, but a presence—marked by attentive listening, formation, and care for testimony. I share this as someone who has been walking with Rob Montepare, Director of Missions at St. Peter Chanel, for the past five years after being introduced through Deacon Steve Mitchell—another quiet thread of connection formed through shared testimony and friendship.

Rather than trying to describe what is unfolding, I’ve included this short video below with reflections in the words of those closest to the work: parish leadership and parishioners who are simply sharing what they are noticing as God creates space for people to tell the truth of their lives with reverence.

This page is not an announcement or a proposal. It is simply an invitation to remember and to listen again.

If, as you sit with this, you sense a gentle nudge, one meaningful next step would be to take (or retake with fresh perspective) the simple story survey. For some, this may feel like revisiting familiar ground. For others, it may open new reflection. Either way, it helps rekindle conversation, prayer, and shared discernment among those who have already shown openness over the years.

Some may also feel led, in time, to sow into what is already being planted elsewhere, as a way of coming alongside this season of listening. Others may simply wish to stay attentive, or to let John Zelinka know of their interest in learning more in the months ahead. All of these are received as faithful responses.

There is no timeline, no campaign, and no promised outcome here—only a shared desire to move at the pace of prayer, trusting that what has been sown in humility will bear fruit in due season. As you pray with this, you may also sense an invitation to share this letter with someone you trust—perhaps a priest, deacon, or pastoral leader—simply as a way of inviting prayer and discernment.

With gratitude and hope,

Todd Miechiels

If you’d like to learn more about what’s taking root at St. Peter Chanel,
including how some are choosing to support that work, you can find additional context here:
toddmiechiels.com/stpeterchanel