One of the things pastors hear often is: “The Church is always asking for money!” I answer “yes”, because second only the preaching the Kingdom of God, Jesus talked about money and how we use the gifts God gives us more and any other subject. There are two points I like to point out:

Next weekend after the Masses we will have our annual Ministry Fair in the Parish Center. All of our various groups and ministries will be there to talk about their plans for the year and their need for volunteers. After we “shut down” during Covid-19 many groups are just starting to get going, and they can use your help. Also, there are a lot of plans for the coming year; you will want to know what is planned and when so that you do not miss out.

It is hard to believe that we are half way through October already! As I have been telling you, our parish is getting very busy with activities and I want to make you aware of what is coming up.

The Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos Gala will take place here at our parish on Saturday, October 29. This is their major fundraiser for the year and we are happy to host them. Tickets can be purchased online at NPH South West. The speaker this year is a young man with a very special story; and he is a friend of mine.

Last month we began again talking about our new rectory and some questions came up that I want to clarify. First, a rectory is not a “house” it is more complicated than a house. Each priest needs private space, so there are “suites” not just bedrooms in a rectory. Each suite has a sitting room, a bedroom and a bathroom and each suite has a separate temperature control. Usually a rectory will have a chapel for prayer and a guest room. Our rectory will have four suites to allow us to have retired priests with us to help, and to pay rent.

I’m excited to endorse another Men’s (Oct 16-17) and Women’s (Oct 23) RENEWAL weekend in our parish center. This is the 55th Renewal weekend that our parish has offered, and hundreds have experienced this Renewal transformation. There is no charge for these weekends - it is a gift from the parish. What a great way to meet another 20-30 bothers and sisters in Christ. If you have attended before, consider attending again. It is a Renewal weekend and we all are in need of Renewal.

Next month, October, is Respect Life Month. During this Year of St. Joseph, the Holy Father invites us to reflect more deeply on how St. Joseph loved Jesus with a father’s heart. Joseph’s unhesitating adherence to God’s will as he faithfully and lovingly protected the Christ Child and the Blessed Mother from conception and throughout his life. This reminds us of our own call as Christians to safeguard God’s gift of human life.

I hope you all have your tickets for the Padre Pio luncheon and then the Oktoberfest. It seems we are a party people! I am looking forward to both events.

Another event coming up, Saturday, October 23, is the NPH Gala. As many of you know, I am very involved with the Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos. We are founded by Fr. William Wasson, a graduate of St. Mary’s High School, in the 1950’s. NPH is not an orphanage, but a family, a very large family.

This week Fr. Simon and I will be in Flagstaff at the annual convocation for priests in the diocese in Phoenix. This is an important time for all of us priest; there is a program of continuing education, we hear from our bishop, and especially we get time together. In our large, busy diocese we don’t get to see each other very often.

As usual, we begin with Labor Day, where we honor the dignity of human labor. Of course, our office will be closed on Monday… we will not be laboring.

Our Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament is next Saturday, September 11. Also, as usual, we will remember September 11 with a short prayer service before Mass on Saturday outside at the flagpole starting at 8:30am.

As we work to get back to some sense of normal, we have a number of opportunities coming up to celebrate our family of St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Of course we come together to celebrate Eucharist, the presence of Christ among us, every week, but social time together is also important.

Next month we will begin coffee and donuts after mass! Our KofC Golf Tournament is September 11. We will celebrate the feast of Padre Pio on Sunday, September 26, at 11:00am Mass with Bishop Olmsted and a brunch to follow. The next Saturday evening, October 2, is our Oktoberfest– yes, it is back after the pandemic year.

As vacations are over and schools have begun, you will also see our parish bloom and come to life again. Get ready, because things are starting to get moving already.

We have been registering for religious education classes for our children and for Jr. High and High School youth programs. At the end of the month we will be hosting another Blood Drive and next month we begin our Wednesday exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Also next month is our Knights of Columbus Gold Tournament and our celebration of the Feast of St. Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) with Bishop Olmsted.

OK, I admit, I have been watching the Olympics occasionally. Usually I just check to see what is on and watch if I am interested. The other I suddenly became aware of how many athletes were referencing God before or after their event. Yes, some made the sign of the cross, others just pointed up (to God), and there were others. I then became aware of how many were wearing crosses or crucifixes during their event.

I was in Texas recently preaching for Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos and the parish had an interesting sign in the vestibule of the church, it read:

You are entering a place of worship to God, please dress appropriately and practice quiet.

I know we live in the desert, but Texas is also hot and humid. I don’t believe in dress codes for church, but it is nice to be reminded of where we are and why we are here. There are always parishioners who comment to me about dress and actions in the church.

It is August and I know that many of you will be returning from vacations; it is wonderful to have you back! Please remember that Covid numbers are still high and our children and some adults are still vulnerable: masks are optional for those vaccinated and it is still a good idea to physical distance. Please know that the staff and I are watching the numbers closely.