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.

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.

Advent devotions including the Advent wreath, remind us of the meaning of the season. Traditionally, Advent wreaths are made of a circle and may include evergreen branches into which four candles are inserted, representing the four weeks of Advent. Our gift shop may still have some Advent wreaths on the shelf.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I was recently up north enjoying Arizona’s version of the Fall season which lasts about two days. This is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather is beautiful, our programs are in full swing, and people just seem to be more pleasant. It is a great time to focus on our gratitude! Thanksgiving Day most certainly includes giving thanks to God for His countless blessings in our life. We will have two morning Masses (6:30am and 8:30am) on Thanksgiving day. There is no better way to give thanks to God who has given us everything.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I could have never imagined that one day I would be a pastor of a parish that had a school with nearly 640 students, much less a school where almost every student has access 24 hours a day 7 days a week to the internet via a smart phone or tablet . If you would have told me the sort of material that children have access to with just the click of a mouse or push of a button, I would have thought you were crazy. The sad reality is that our young people have access to much more addictive and horrible material than we ever even just a few years ago thought possible .

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Are you grieving after the death of a loved one? Prayers for souls in purgatory can help them and console you! While we can derive great comfort from the hope that our loved ones are enjoying Eternal Life with God, it never hurts to pray for their souls in any case.

In purgatory, the souls of many of those who have died in God’s grace undergo purification so that they may enter heaven.