Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 16:13-20, we are given a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus and His disciples. This passage is important to Catholics since it speaks to the very foundation upon which Christ has built the Catholic Church. It’s a passage that invites us to reflect on our faith, our understanding of Jesus, and our role within the Body of Christ.

Jesus posed a critical question to His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Of course, Our Lord knew who He was but Jesus leading His disciples to a much deeper place in their faith. They responded, recounting the various opinions circulating, likening Him to John the Baptist, Elijah, or other prophets. But Jesus was not really interested in public opinion; He was seeking a confession of their faith.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

If you have ever had questioned your faith or wondered if the Lord hears your prayers, then today’s Gospel is for you. Our Lord offers us a powerful lesson in faith, humility, and perseverance. The Canaanite woman (who would not usually speak to a rabbi) approaches Jesus asking him to help her daughter who is suffering. She calls out to Jesus: "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon."

Obviously this woman has a great need. Her daughter is being tormented by a demon. Most people believe that Jesus would respond with great compassion. But Jesus initially seems to ignore this woman’s dire request. Jesus seems to be testing the woman’s faith. But instead of being discouraged, she persists, kneeling before Jesus and pleading for His help.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Tuesday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into heaven. The Catholic Church teaches that the Virgin Mary “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” This doctrine was dogmatically defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950, in the Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus, while exercising papal infallibility. But this feast has long been a belief in the Church.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We at St. Bernadette are so blessed to have St. John XXIII Catholic grade school as part of our history. For over 20 years, dedicated teachers and staff have educated thousands of young people in our beautiful Catholic faith. As we begin our 2023/2024 school year, we are blessed to welcome our students and their families.

“For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” John 6: 55-58

“For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” John 6: 55-58

“For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” John 6: 55-58

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I want to share with you a powerful reflection on the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament. It is my hope that this reflection and many others like it will help to strengthen your love for Our Lord and help you to understand His amazing love for you. I understand how difficult it can be to believe that Jesus is truly present in the Host. If you are struggling with your faith and your trust that Our Lord comes to you in the Most Blessed Sacrament, the small and humble host, then prayerfully hear these powerful words from Fr. Kemmy and ask Our Lord to strengthen your love for Him and His Eucharistic Presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

My family enjoys celebrating the 4th of July. It’s a day when we get together as a family to enjoy quality time together - swimming, grilling burgers, and watching the fireworks. Typically, Americans understand this day as a day to celebrate our independence. The freedom we celebrate as Americans was won (and is maintained) by the sacrifice of many lives. Sadly, many have misunderstood and even abused the freedom we enjoy. I believe this abuse stems from the erroneous understanding that our freedom is a total freedom; a freedom that believes that a person does not need God.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The time has come for Catholics to rise up and renew their focus on Our Eucharistic King, Jesus Christ, truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. To that end, I am excited to announce that the Eucharistic Revival has begun! Bishop Andrew Cozzens, the Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, stated that the Church in the United States is “responding to the bishops’ call for us to be healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and then sent out on a mission “for the life of the world” (Jn 6:51). We are invited to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ, Our Lord, through the celebration of the Eucharist, so that we can be set on fire for the mission our Church needs so desperately.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The attack on the family and particularly on fathers and fatherhood seems to be a favorite pastime for many who are out of touch with reality. These attacks come in the form of promiscuity and adultery which is seemingly glorified by many in social media and other Hollywood types. Divorce rates are happening at a record pace which is leading many young couples to fear making a commitment to anyone. As a result, couples often decide to cohabitate with no intention of marriage “in case things don’t work out.” This “test run” for marriage often leads to children who are then abandoned by their fathers.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Church is blessed to celebrate this special Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi. So what are we celebrating? Today we celebrate the fact that Jesus is the Bread of Life. The Gospel reminds us that Christ feeds multitudes with bread. In the Mass, Our Lord feeds us with His own Body and Blood! Christ Himself gave us the Eucharist on the night of the Last Supper. The Church has offered Holy Mass from then until now and the Church will offer Holy Mass until the very end of time. Why? She will do this simply because Jesus commanded us to “do this in remembrance of me”!

Hello St. Bernadette parishioners,

My name is Ryan Everson, and I am a seminarian from your parish! Prior to entering seminary in 2021, I was a parishioner at St. Bernadette, and I am very grateful that the Diocese assigned me to work at St. Bernadette’s for my 2023 summer assignment. I look forward to seeing you around the parish over the next two months!