Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In an age of disinformation and fake news, a group called Arizona for Abortion Access is working to make abortion more available in our state. As they claim on their website: “There are many reasons why someone may decide to have an abortion. But no matter how you personally feel about abortion, every person should be able to make their own decisions with their healthcare provider and those they love and trust.” There are many problems with this statement, not the least of which is the ability to make decisions. The statement does not include the decision of the infant in the womb who would decide to live every time - if given the chance.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The recent declaration from the Vatican this past December entitled Fiducia Supplicans has caused a lot of anger and bewilderment throughout the world. The confusion has led many to wonder about the legitimacy of and reason for the document. Many good and faithful Catholics are clearly frustrated by this document’s wording. For many, the most frustrating and concerning things include the lack of consensus among the bishops worldwide on how to understand and implement the document. Therein lies the problem. Words matter. Many intelligent people are reading this document and finding it difficult to decipher its meaning much less how to implement it in a pastoral way.

Dear Brother and Sisters in Christ,

Your participation in the life of our parish is an important way to live the Catholic faith as well as use your gifts and talents with and for others. Being a good disciple includes loving, serving, and giving to build the Kingdom of God, especially within your parish. The underlying motive for the good steward is Jesus’ love for us. When a person accepts that everything has been given to you by God out of His love for you, the only response is to generously give everything back to Our Lord and His Church.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As intentional disciples of Our Lord Jesus, we know there is a cost as we live our faith. Like the Magi, true disciples know in their hearts that giving our life to Christ includes the cross. Living the faith changes us and moves us closer to the kingdom. True faith invites us into an intentional relationship with Jesus Christ… a relationship that includes doing the will of God. Many faithful Catholics know too well that Jesus invites His followers to humbly “take up their cross” and follow Him.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

To help us understand the importance of the family, the Catholic Church gives us the celebration of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Who is the Holy Family? The word “holy” literally means “set apart” by God for God. Of course, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are the Holy Family but by celebrating them, we also celebrate the fact that all families are called to be holy, to be set apart by God for God. From the beginning, God created mankind to be in families. As part of God’s original plan, He created the union of husband (Adam) and wife (Eve). This was the first marriage and the foundation of all families. This is why marriage is the union between one man and one woman. God created marriage and we cannot change God’s creation of marriage.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

It has been a good advent, albeit a quick one from my perspective. I think that means I am getting old. If you are traveling this week, have safe journey and Merry Christmas! If you are in town for Christmas, I look forward to seeing you again this evening or tomorrow for Christmas Mass and extending the Christmas greetings to you in person!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
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 are soon.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our family has had the tradition of putting up the Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving. For many years we had an artificial tree. Some years we would go and cut down our tree from some place up north that allowed us to do that for a small fee. This year we went to a Christmas tree lot like many people do. That whole process of getting a tree and decorating it got me thinking. Why do we have a tree and why do we bring the tree into our house?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Advent is the season is a time of preparation and anticipation of the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas. The four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. The Advent season also directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Catholic writer Sara Park McLaughlin wrote that, “Sometimes we treat God more like a celestial Santa Claus than an omniscient, omnipotent, loving Father who knows more about us and our needs than we do. Or perhaps we treat God like the ultimate fire fighter-someone we only call when there is a big emergency and usually as a last resort.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is always appropriate to find ways to be grateful to God from Whom all blessings flow! Thanksgiving Day is one such day that even our secular culture focuses on giving thanks. How and to whom secular folk give thanks is a topic for another Pastor’s Notes. For practicing Catholics, this day most certainly includes giving thanks to God for His countless blessings in our life. To that end, we will have two morning Masses (6:30am and 8:30am) on Thanksgiving day. Holy Mass is the best way to thank God who has given us everything.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

You may have noticed the large banner in the sanctuary with the image of St. Bernadette and a list of our parishioners who have died this past year. We also have the Book of Remembrance where you are welcome to write the names of your loved ones that you would like to be remembered at Holy Mass. What you may not know is why we remember the dead in November.

Traditionally, November is the month where the Catholic Church remembers all those who have died. We celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints on November 1st. This is a very special day in the Church calendar where we honor all Saints. The Catholic Church celebrates All Souls Day on November 2nd. This day is dedicated to praying for those who have died.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

May the Peace and Mercy of Our Lord pierce your heart!

For the past several months, a team of dedicated parishioners have been working quietly behind the scenes to bring about the newest addition to our parish and school community. It all began about two years ago when man shared with me that he found our parish to be a peaceful place where people come and experience God’s mercy, love, and healing. This experience of Our Lord’s mercy touched his heart and motivated him to want to do something about it. He felt called to find a way to promote the Divine Mercy of Our Lord right here at our parish.