Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

The word Advent comes from the Latin words advenire (to come to)   adventus (an arrival), and refers to Christ's coming into this world. The Advent season is a time of joyful expectation and preparation for Christmas, the day upon which Christ's birth is celebrated and His first coming into this world. The focus of Advent is upon the centuries of waiting and preparation by God's chosen people, which preceded the coming of the Messiah.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

I really enjoy this time of the year in Arizona and in our parish. The weather is beautiful, our programs are in full swing, and people just seem to be more pleasant. It is a great time to stop, rest, and focus on our gratitude! Thanksgiving Day is all about giving thanks to God for His countless blessings in our life.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis Cabrini, an immigrant who came to America from Italy over 100 years ago. (Her image can be found in the sanctuary of our church!) Ironically, Mother Cabrini came here reluctantly as her dream was to be a missionary in China. As God’s providence would have it (and also Pope Leo VIII!), she crossed the Atlantic to America

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus! Here is a quick rundown of all the upcoming major Feasts and Solemnities:

Solemnity of Christ the King
Sunday, November 21
The last Sunday of the liturgical year. There is a plenary indulgence associated with this day.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

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 in Christ,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus Christ!

The third tactic I want to address is known as argumentum ad populum or the "appeal to the people." This tactic uses emotion and hyperbole to appeal to the feelings of an audience and bring them to his or her side without demonstrating the validity of his or her position.

“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.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus Christ!

The next type of argument that people may use to make their point is called ad hominem. This tactic is often used against pro-lifers. The approach is referred to as argumentum ad hominem, or "arguing to the man," and it consists of attacking a person or the organization instead of the person’s moral or logical position. Instead of arguing to the point, the person making their argument attempts to distract the other person’s attention away from the topic that is being discussed and rather focus on tearing them or their organization down personally.

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.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus Christ!

I recently listened to a Catholic talk show host by the name of Jim Burnham. Jim is considered a wise sage in the Catholic media world who is known for his ability to share the faith in ways that are accessible to those blessed enough to hear him speak. During his show, Jim was discussing how to have meaningful conversations with people who would rather shut you up or as some say, “cancel you”.

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.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus Christ!

A few years ago, I was blessed to travel with a brother priest and some friends to island of Molokai where St. Damien De Veuster and St. Marianne Cope ministered to lepers (both Saints are now painted in the apse of our church). There are a few people who afflicted with Leprosy or Hansen’s disease who are now cured remain on Molokai. We did not get a chance to meet any of these people on the island because they prefer to be hidden from the world after being treated so harshly when diagnosed.