Dear Parishioners,

This week we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus – the prayer of Mass reminds us, “He ascended, not to distance Himself from our lowly state but that we, His members, might be confident of following where He, our Head and Founder, has gone before.” It is an invitation to a deeper understanding that we are living in a different state of being with Christ as our head, not separated but living as people on a journey focused on living His truth and love in our lives each day. Of course, it is through the gift of the Holy Spirit, which we celebrate next week on the Feast of Pentecost, that we find power and grace to love like Jesus.

Dear Parishioners,

The month of May is one dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. At our parish, we have a special dedication to the Memorare prayer. It is a prayer linked to Saint Bernard of Claivaux and is the mosaic that wraps the upper walls of the main aisle of our Church. To honor Our Lady and to be in solidarity with one another as fellow parishioners, I invite you to pray the Memorare every day in May for peace in our families, community, country and world. We trust in the intercession of our Blessed Mother and the gift of peace, which is her Son. We have printed the prayer in the centerfold of the bulletin. Let us unite as the people of Saint Bernard of Clarivaux in this common prayer.

Dear Parishioners,

This week we hear Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” This is a reminder that Jesus desires to be connected to us – to be in a relationship. He invites us to remain in him so that he might remain in us. So what does that mean? How do we stay connected to Jesus? To his peace, truth and goodness?

Dear Parishioners,

Last weekend was a great celebration for the parish as over 50 young people were confirmed and received First Holy Communion. The Church rejoices in God’s saving love. Congratulations to these young people.

Dear Parishioners,

The Easter Season is one of celebrating the Sacramental life of the Church. We have been blessed with eleven Baptisms, seven Confirmations and Holy Communions at the Easter Vigil. This weekend we celebrate with Fr. Don Kline, the Dean of our Vicariate, over fifty Confirmations and Holy Communions. What a gift it is to share in God’s graces.

Dear Parishioners,

Today, April 7th we complete the Octave of Easter. Eight days of an intense celebration of the Risen Lord, but not still in the fifty days of Easter. Called as a people to continue to celebrate that we are an Easter People. That Jesus is risen from the dead. We live with new hope, joy and peace in Him.

I found this beautiful Easter prayer from our patron, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux: