Dear Parishioners,

Can you believe this weekend is the last weekend of August? Even though we who live here in Arizona have higher temperatures for a bit longer heading into September, things seem to change. Maybe it is the promise of cooler weather and the feeling that we made it through the hottest months. It is merely weather, but it does have an impact, as it reminds us of the changing seasons and the passing of life. God’s creation, including the wind, the stars, the oceans, rivers, mountains, hills, valleys, forests, and deserts, is deeply connected to us as men and women of faith. A favorite quote of our patron, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, is “You will find more in the woods, than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from the masters.”

Dear Parishioners,

In the Gospel of Luke this week, someone asks Jesus, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” Jesus does not give the inquisitive mind who asks the question a number, but rather the image of a narrow gate, not impossible, but narrow. It means that we must stay close to the Lord, come to know Him so that we recognize Him and pray that He recognizes us. It is more than just showing up, reciting prayers, and saying I am Catholic. It means connecting to the Lord and being on a continual journey of spiritual growth and conversion, allowing Him to work in our lives.

Dear Parishioners,

As we continue our journey through the ordinary time of the Church calendar, we embrace this wonderful opportunity to reflect on the enriching teachings of Jesus that guide us toward a deeper connection with Him and the Father. This week’s Gospel shares an inspiring message where Jesus passionately declares, "I have come to set the world on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!" This fire symbolizes the burning love of Christ ignited in our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Just like fire warms, purifies, and provides light, God's love is an incredible force in our lives, uplifting and transforming us.

Dear Parishioners,

It was nice to return to the parish and settle in after my time in Michigan. This weekend, we will be holding registration for religious education (K-8) and the Children's Choir groups. Our teens and their parents are encouraged to provide contact information so we can share the various activities happening in the parish throughout the year. The parish is a place of support for you in teaching your children the faith; it is a true partnership.

Dear Parishioners,

August is here, and soon kids will be returning to school. The parish, too, begins to get busier with activities after a bit of a slowdown over the summer months.

This week’s readings give us a good lesson to hold on to for perspective in life. Are we rich in what matters to God? So often, we chase after worldly things for our happiness when true peace and happiness can’t be found in things and possessions. We collect and store things that we will only someday leave behind.

Dear Parishioners,

We continue to read through the Gospel of Luke, following Jesus and the way He reveals God’s love for us. Today, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. They are Jewish men who knew how to pray. What they recognize is that Jesus’ way of prayer is different. He prays in a personal manner with His Father. It is more than duty; it is a conversation with the one He loves and is loved by.

Dear Parishioners,

The story of Martha and Mary is always memorable in the Gospel. It is memorable because it reveals a fundamental reality; God desires to be in human relationships, even in their imperfections. Jesus’ relationship with Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus must have been special, as He visited them on several occasions. God is a God of relationship, and He created us to be in relation with Him. It is what we are made for—to be in relationship with God, one another, and His creation.

Dear Parishioners,

This week, we hear the memorable story of The Good Samaritan. It is one that sticks in our mind as Christians because it reminds us that treating others with mercy is the best way to show our love for God and faith in Him. To love our neighbor as ourselves is a key statement because we must first remember that God’s love for us is what makes us confident to truly show His love and mercy to others. When we know God’s love, we no longer compete and compare, we avoid seeing others as outsiders or enemies, but rather as our neighbors.

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend, we return to the regular ordinary cycle of Sunday readings. We witness Jesus sending forth 72 others in pairs – so 36 pairs going out to different towns to spread the Gospel message. They are told to travel lightly yet full of humility and peace. They return rejoicing because of the way God works in their evangelization efforts. He reminds them not to rejoice in power but rather to strive for humble personal holiness and a commitment to God's will.

Dear Parishioners,

This week, we joyfully celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. This significant feast inspires great devotion in Rome, particularly at the renowned Basilicas of Saint Peter's and Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Peter, the steadfast rock and leader of our faith, along with Paul, the fearless preacher, both guided countless souls closer to Christ and His Church. We honor these Apostles, who continue to lead and pray for us as we navigate life today. Their example, preaching, and prayers enrich the Church profoundly.

Dear Parishioners,

As Pilgrims of Hope, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) this weekend around the world. It is a day in the Church to focus on the great gift of the Eucharist and in a particular way how the Eucharist is our hope. As I ponder what that means, I think of the hope we have in the mystical union that occurs as we receive the divine gift of God in the Eucharist. Holy Communion deepens our communion with God and with one another, the Church. He dwells in us and allows us to share in His divine life.

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend is Trinity Sunday. We focus on God as a Trinity of persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The early Church struggled with the understanding and definition of the Trinity. Over time it has been clarified and defined but still remains a mystery. What I think is important is that God is a God of relationship by the very way the Trinity is revealed as three persons – one God. Each individual but one. This means we can know God as a person in three different ways. As God the Father, the one who creates, loves and continually chases after us.

Dear Parishioners, This weekend is Pentecost and the last day of the Easter Season. We have celebrated for 50 days the great mystery that Jesus suffered, died, rose, appeared to His disciples, ascended into heaven and sends the promised spirit to dwell in us. Amazing. So, why we remember, we are called to do even more than remember, and that is to live it. We live the victory. Our relationship with God is restored. Sin, death and division are conquered by love, forgiveness and unity in Him.

Dear Parishioners,

This week we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension. As Jesus ascends to heaven, He promises that He will clothe us with power from on high. This promise is fulfilled in the gift of the Holy Spirit and is much alive in our faith community. When we speak of God, it is more than a concept, teaching or an ideal; it is a real relationship with the one who creates us, teaches us, saves us, dwells with us and empowers us to live the bold Christian life in our world today. He does not leave us but rather is now with us for all time in the gift of the Church.