Next Friday we will celebrate the founding anniversary of our parish, St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Since July 1, we have witnessed the presence of our God in this community in North Scottsdale. I know many of you have been with us since that day in 1994 and have watched us grow.

In the Breviary there is this interesting reading from a letter written to Diognetus:

“Christians are indistinguishable from other men (and women) either by nationality, language or customs. They do not inhabit separate cities of their own, or speak a strange dialect, or follow some outlandish way of life. Their teaching is not based upon reveries inspired by the curiosity of men. Unlike some other people, they champion no purely human doctrine. With regard to dress, food and manner of life in general, they follow the customs of whatever city they happen to be living in.

Next Sunday is Father’s Day! No, not priest fathers, well, maybe, but most especially fathers of families and grandfathers, godfathers, etc. It is a good time to remember St. Joseph, the adopted father of our Lord. His example reminds us that fathers are the primary teachers of the faith.

After our Confirmation/First communion celebration, one of our young boys came up to me and asked if I would give God a message. Of course, I said “yes”. He handed me this note:

(Ok, I changed some of the spelling.)