Dear Family,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

I find today’s gospel passage to be incredibly moving. This print depicts the Flight into Egypt. In the picture, Mary is resting between the paws of the Egyptian sphinx as She cradles Her newborn Son. Meanwhile, Joseph lays in front of a smoldering fire absolutely exhausted. They are a suffering family and Mary and Joseph have done everything they can do to protect the Christ child.

Dear Family,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

Today is the 4th Sunday of Advent. Because so many of us will be traveling over Christmas, I want to take this opportunity, on behalf of our parish staff, to wish all of you a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Over the next few days, we will be wrapping up our Christmas preparations—decorating, buying and wrapping presents, sending cards, and baking. Of course, we must remember the most important preparations of all… spiritual ones.

Dear Family,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

Maranatha! It simply means, “Come Lord Jesus!” This simple prayer of the early Christians was offered because they expected the Lord’s return at any moment. As they waited for His coming, they lived like it and they were joyful about it. Today is a reminder that the celebrations of Christ’s coming draws near.

Dear Family,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

In his book about Jesus’ birth, Pope Benedict wrote: “I consider it important to focus on the final sentence of Luke’s Annunciation narrative: ‘And the angel departed from her.’ The great hour of Mary’s encounter with God’s messenger – in which her whole life is changed – comes to an end, and she remains there alone, with a task that truly surpasses all human capacity.”

Dear Family,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

Jesus once commented that those who believe in Him without seeing would be blessed (Jn 20:29). Yet in His mercy, He still provides a way for us to gaze upon Him two thousand years after He walked the earth (2 Cor 3:18). Therefore, "fix your eyes on" the eucharistic Jesus (Heb 3:1). Consider visiting Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. In this place of believing, let Him fill you with "eucharistic amazement" (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Pope John Paul II, 6).

Dear Family,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

On the television show Jeopardy, the final question was “How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns”. All three contestants missed it! So if you are ever a contestant on Jeopardy… here are some facts about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why? 21 steps: It alludes to the twenty-one-gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

Dear Family,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

What is Parish Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration?
Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is a Eucharistic devotion whereby members of a Parish (or some other community) unite in making continuous adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament (in most cases, exposed) throughout the twenty-four hours of the day, seven days a week.

Dear Family,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

Our St. Bernadette family has been blessed to have adoration of Our Lord offered for many years. We have several committed parishioners who adore Our Eucharistic King regularly. This is such a wonderful blessing for them and for our parish.

Dear Family,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus! The Solemnity of All Saints can inspire us to become who God has created us to be, namely, saints. As I get to know the holy men and women who are now Saints in heaven, I am inspired by their heroic lives. How did these ordinary people end up living such extraordinary lives? One thing we can point to is their love for Our Lord… a love often fostered by spending time in His Real Presence in Eucharist Adoration.

Don’t take my word for it. Here is what some of the Saints have said about Eucharistic Adoration.

Dear Family,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

I’m sure you have seen the rather macabre Halloween scenes in front yards around your neighborhood. The fascination with evil is troubling. The way our culture currently recognizes Halloween is more than scary… it is wrong. Let me attempt to clarify a few things. Next week we will celebrate the Feast of All Saints, which is celebrated every November 1st. This celebration dates back to the fourth century. It was originally called the Feast of All Martyrs. The words “martyr” and “saint” originally meant basically the same thing — someone who is a witness to Christ even unto death.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

It is no secret that many Catholics live a sort of “buffet line” Catholicism. They pick and choose what pleases their moral palates. For “Cafeteria Catholics” the deposit of faith we have received in the Church is seemingly nonessential depending on a person’s mood and/or circumstance.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

We are inspired when we read about the lives of the Saints who have made real sacrifices and have expressed true love. Their witness reminds us that life is sacred and their way of living and loving has impacted our world in many positive ways. Saints inspire holy marriages, build and support strong families, and bring many lost souls to the Catholic Church. During this Respect Life month, we can look to the Saints to help us to see every person as God sees him or her. Saints inspire us to never shy away from a human being who is sick, or dirty, or ignorant, or mentally ill.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

As we celebrate Respect Life throughout the month of October, Our Lord reminds us of the sacredness of every life. Catholics have always held and will always preach the value of human life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that: