Dear Brothers and Sisters,

“Lent is a privileged time of interior pilgrimage towards Him Who is the font of mercy. It is a pilgrimage in which He Himself accompanies us through the desert of our poverty, sustaining us on our way towards the intense joy of Easter.” (Pope Benedict, XVI, Lenten Message, 2006) We all need a “spiritual tune up” from time to time. Lent provides God’s faithful a time for conversion and an opportunity to grow in one’s faith.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Lenten Season begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb 22. On Ash Wednesday, St. Bernadette parish will offer a 6:30am Mass, 8:30am Mass, a 12:00pm Liturgy of the Word and 5:00pm Mass. Everyone who comes to Mass or the noonday Liturgy of the Word will receive ashes on their foreheads. The symbolism is powerful. The ashes are reminders that each one of us came from dust and will return to dust one day. The ashes on our foreheads are in the shape of a cross. Wearing this sign on our foreheads proclaims to others "I live for Christ".

For non-Christians, the Lenten season means nothing. But for those who would like to grow in their relationship with Our Lord, Lent is a time to offer personal sacrifices by giving something up like a favorite food, doing greater works of charity, and praying more intently. The Apostle Paul gives us words of encouragement: "We entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain.... Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor 6:1-2).

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Like the early disciples, we too, are a faithful community that seeks to love the Lord with our whole hearts. We too are invited to be in close relationship with Jesus. We too have been called to a unique mission of bringing hope to the hopeless, comfort to the sorrowful, and love to the lost. Sharing your blessings, your gifts and talents, brings the light of Christ to those who have known much darkness.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our Lady’s statue arrived at the parish over 8 years ago. This statue of Our Lady of Lourdes once adorned our church space high above the altar on top of the baldacchino. Our Blessed Mother has been reverenced by thousands of parishioners for several years here at St. Bernadette. Since the parish beautification project included an image of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception on the apse in the sanctuary, it was decided that the statue would be better seen and venerated in the grotto along with a statue of St. Bernadette to represent the apparitions in Lourdes.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I like a good movie. I had a chance during my Christmas break to see a movie in the theater. It had been a while. I usually like getting popcorn, maybe some candy, a beverage and just enjoy relaxing. But I found myself saddened by what is produced in Hollywood these days. The previews for upcoming movies repulsed me and the movie itself was a disappointment.

I must admit, my movie tastes aren’t for everyone. I go to movies to feel inspired by humanity or at least see someone who is trying to be better themselves. I like a movie to offer some sort of redemption or at least some redeeming values. I like the good to win and the bad to lose.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we come closer and closer to the dedication of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, I am excited to update you on the latest way for you to be a major part of the Grotto for many years to come. I want to invite you to be a part of a lasting legacy at St. Bernadette Catholic Church and St. John XXIII Catholic School while supporting our parish family and our students by participating in the Commemorative Brick Paver Program. The campaign was launched in January of 2023 and the pavers to be installed will help create a beautiful, commemorative walkway in front of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As children of God, we celebrate the Right to Life. We are all called to be Pro Life. All life has an inherent dignity because we were created by God with a unique and eternal soul. Our Lord reminds us of the sacredness of every human life. Faithful Catholics have always held and will always preach the value of human life. The Church has taught for thousands of years that life begins in the womb and that all God’s children, born and unborn, are a reflection of the face of God. Each and every person, bear the image of God, our bodies belong to God, and it is the task of the Church to cherish and value every human life, especially the most vulnerable.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany. On Christmas, we focused on Jesus’ humanity. On Epiphany, we turn our attention to Christ’s divinity. The magi help us to understand what His divinity means through their presence and their gifts. The gift of gold honored Jesus as king. The gift of incense honored Jesus as God. And, the gift of myrrh point to Christ’s death. Our Lord was born to sacrifice His life for us. Upon the Cross, Our Lord gave His life for the forgiveness of our sins. Our Lord’s resurrection destroyed the power of sin and extended the offer of eternal life to those who love Him. Throughout our lives, we offer our gifts, just like the wise men who offered this Divine Child homage and adoration as only a true King deserves.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. As we begin this new calendar year, we are reminded of God’s amazing love for us today. God calls us His adopted sons and daughters and Mary is our true mother. What does is mean to be called God’s adopted children? Why is Mary our true mother?

With the celebration of Mary, Mother of God, and our Blessed Mother, St. Paul reminds us of how we are invited into a relationship of adoption. Our adoption as God’s beloved children happens at our baptism and in that moment our relationship with God changes forever! Through the Sacrament of Baptism, you are fully welcomed as a child of God. That is why we can use words like, “Abba, Father” when speaking to God. This is an endearing word that a child would use to call his or her own biological father. Jesus taught us to call upon God as “Abba, Father” when He taught us how to pray the Our Father.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

May the Grace, Mercy, and Peace of Our Lord be with you and your family during this Christmas season! If you are new to St. Bernadette parish or just visiting, welcome home. If you have been away, welcome back! If you are a parishioner, welcome to one day closer to the Kingdom of God. I pray that during our busy lives, the Christmas celebration may find room for Our Lord in your hearts. Our merciful Lord desires to be with you. Your relationship with Our Lord can bring you joy that only He can give.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

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 family, 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, baking, and hopefully gathering with friends and family. Of course we need remember the most important preparation of all… spiritual ones.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

Maranatha! We hear this word during Advent. 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 Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As a child, I can remember counting down the days until Christmas. Mom would put up the felt Advent calendar that had one piece of candy tied to it for each day of Advent. It was a mild form of torture… the waiting for the days to pass seemed like forever. I remember wanting to untie them two at a time, thinking Christmas would somehow arrive sooner. It never did. The Advent season seemed like forever when I was a child.