“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!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we celebrate the birthday of the Church. The promised Holy Spirit that we’ve heard about these last couple of weeks comes down upon the Apostles, and their lives would never be the same! The world would never be the same! The Catholic Church, as founded by Christ, now celebrates the fact that the Holy Spirit remains with us to this very day. It is the Holy Spirit that enables all of us to hear Our Lord’s call to follow Him every second of every day. It is the same Holy Spirit that enables us to build the Kingdom of God here and now. It is the same Holy Spirit that enables us to do God’s work, while we await His return!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Yes, I know that is a popular Christmas song made famous by Andy Williams in the 1960s but there is a lot to celebrate in May! During the month of May, as we honor Mary, the Mother of God, we also honor our own mothers as a sign of our love and respect for all they mean to us.

We also honor our graduates and congratulate them for reaching this milestone in their life. We wish you well and God’s blessings as you begin this next chapter in your life. May you know that you always have a home in our family of St. John XXIII and St. Bernadette.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are blessed with many wonderful families at St. Bernadette and in our grade school St. John XXIII. I am inspired and amazed at the incredible sacrifices I see parents make as they bring their children to Mass and to school each week. As I see moms and dads bring their little ones to religious education classes every week, I am inspired and grateful for our parents’ dedication and desire to share God's love with their children. The wonderful catechists and teachers at St. Bernadette and St. John XXIII are here to help you… But your role as your children's primary teacher is your gift to your children. You have the awesome privilege and blessing to form the future of the world In God's Image!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have many weddings here at St. Bernadette. It is a real blessing, but it can be challenging when it comes to modest dress, especially for the bride and the bridesmaids. And weddings are not the only time people struggle to find the perfect attire. For as long as I can remember, the issue of what apparel is appropriate to wear to Holy Mass has been an issue for most conscientious Catholics. A brother priest once shared with me that a distraught parishioner came to him for advice on what she was wearing to Mass. Her issue was that on the prior Sunday, someone in the parish called her out because of her choice of clothing. She came to the priest hoping that he would see her perspective and approve of what she was wearing. However, one glance at her wardrobe choice gave him a clear understanding of why she may have had the unpleasant interaction with the parishioner.