“My house shall be a house of prayer, says the Lord: in that house, everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” - Mt 21:13; Lk 11:10

Today, our hearts are gladdened as we celebrate the reopening of the St. Bernadette Catholic Church of the Diocese of Phoenix in Scottsdale, Arizona. The completed beautification process of this magnificent House of God would not have been possible without the generous support of our donors – laity and clergy – from our parish.

Joseph De Veuster (Father Damien of Molokai) (1840–1889), Professed Priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Picpus Fathers) (Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium – Molokai, Hawaii, part of U.S.); missionary to the Hawaiian Islands from Belgium; voluntarily chose to serve the sick and dying in the leper colony of Kalupapa on the island of Molokai; died from the disease after serving 16 years there; Declared Venerable: 7 July 1977; Beatified: 4 June 1995 by Pope John Paul II and Canonized: 11 October 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI; St. Damien De Veuster’s feast day is May 10.

Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, (“one who speaks like an eagle”) (1474-1548), Married Layperson ofthe Archdiocese of Mexico City (Mexico City, Mexico); the first Catholic saint indigenous to the Americas; Our Blessed Mother Mary appeared to him four times and consecrated the North American continent by her presence; Declared Venerable: 9 April 1990; Beatified: 6 May 1990 by Pope John Paul IT and Canonized: 31 July 2002 by Pope John Paul II; his feast day is December 9.

Our Lady of Lourdes & St. Bernadette

On February 11, 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a poor, fourteen-year-old girl, Bernadette Soubiroux. There were eighteen visits of Our Lady to Bernadette at this place known as Lourdes. The last visit took place 16 July, of the same year. Bernadette often fell into an ecstasy during these visits. The mysterious vision she saw in the hollow of the rock Massabielle was that of a young and beautiful lady. “Lovelier than I have ever seen” said the child.

“Art is meant to bring the divine to the human world, to the level of the senses, then, from the spiritual insight gained through the senses and the stirring of the emotions, to raise the human world to God, to his inexpressible kingdom of mystery, beauty, and life.’”
– Built of Living Stones §142

This week we look at six more stained glass windows that will fill the clear glass now flanking the doors on the north side of our church as well as the windows located in our confessionals.

As the preparation to move back into our newly renovated church begin, I thought it would be appropriate to thank all our parishioners who have donated so generously to this project and encourage those who may still want to share their blessings through a financial gift, please prayerfully consider doing so. There is a spiritual and emotional satisfaction knowing that you are part of something that will impact others for generations in a such a meaningful way.

Born: October 23, 1964
Ordained: June 7, 2003
Assignments: Parochial vicar at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Scottsdale and St. Timothy, Mesa; pastor at St. Bernadette since 2007.
Died: September 13, 2017

Fr. Pete Rossa collapsed during morning Mass on September 12 at St. Bernadette Parish in Scottsdale. Fr. Rossa died the following day. He was 52.

Traditionally, the four Gospel writers have been represented by the following symbols: St. Matthew, a pine man; St. Mark, a winged lion; St. Luke, a winged ox; and St. John, a rising eagle.

You can find these symbols first referenced by the Prophet Ezekiel (1:1-21):

In the 30th year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the river Chebar, the heavens opened, and I saw pine visions… As I looked, a stormwind came from the north, a huge cloud with flashing fire, from the midst of which something gleamed like electrum.

The references to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary can be found in Sacred Scripture which point to the love and compassion of Jesus and Mary. The image of the heart can be found throughout Sacred Scripture and can offer us powerful insights into the mercy, compassion, and love of God.

“Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart.” Matthew 11:25