Dear Parishioners,

Monday, July 1st is the 30th anniversary date of the establishment a new parish to serve the growing population in North Scottsdale. It would later be named Saint Bernard of Clairvaux in August of 1994. Since that time, we have grown in numbers of families, buildings on campus, but most importantly our faith. Those early years were important ones that were built on encounters with Christ as the community gathered first at Mountainside Middle School for 8:30 and 10:30am Mass.

Dear Parishioners,

Today’s Gospel and image is the storm on the sea. It reveals Jesus’ power over the wind and the sea. Who but God, who has such power, would have been in the hearts and minds of the men in the boat. Jesus was revealing to them that, as long as He is with them, they can survive any storm life brings.

Dear Parishioners,

Today we hear Jesus speak to us in parables about seeds. How fun it can be to scatter a packet of wildflower seeds in a pot or patch of ground and then watch them grow not knowing for sure what will pop up and when. What type of flowers will bloom over time? They, of course, need water and sun, but generally will do just fine with little care. They sprout and grow because it is their nature – their very reason for existing – to take root, grow and bloom.

Dear Parishioners,

June can be a month of weddings, anniversary celebrations, graduations, vacations and transitions. In the desert, the heat is here and we tend to spend a bit more time indoors. It can be a good time to spend some time putting together a personal or family plan for spiritual growth– thinking of what things will help you to come to a fuller appreciation of the goodness of God in your life. How do we pray, how do we serve and how do we deepen our knowledge can be three important questions to help form a plan.

Dear Parishioners,

On February 14th – Ash Wednesday, we made a commitment to consecrate our Parish to the Most Holy Eucharist. We did so on Holy Thursday in the Garden of Repose after celebrating the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Many of you participated in reading the 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory book as well as the discussion/prayer group. It was a special way to make the Lenten journey and renew ourselves in the great gift of the Holy Eucharist. We extended the hours of Adoration on Wednesdays for all of Lent and Easter – to allow us time to be in His Eucharistic presence.