Howdy,

Many of us sometimes make the sign of the cross so often that we sometimes do not think about it. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) in his book, Spirit of the Liturgy, commented on the importance of the common gesture:

The bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) regret that legislation (SB 1600) to protect the lives of babies born alive was just vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs.

We believe in the dignity of human life from conception until natural death. Unfortunately, it is often the case that the most vulnerable people are the ones who need the most protection, whether it be the disabled people, the elderly, or newborn children.

Blessed Easter to you all,

In 1999, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger wrote a book asking a good question for our world today: “Can there really be special holy places and holy times?” The book is entitled, The Spirit of the Liturgy. While it can get a little technical, it is also very readable and appropriate for Catholics today.

He writes, “Christian worship is surely a cosmic liturgy, which embraces both heaven and earth.” He then asks, “Is the whole world not now God’s sanctuary? Is sanctity not to be practiced by living one’s daily life in the right way?

Howdy,

I pray your Lent was holy and now we enter into the most sacred time of the year: Holy Week. It is like no other week of the year and I hope you are all able to adjust your schedules to enter this week as much as possible.

We begin with Passion Sunday, first with the joyful entry into Jerusalem waving our palm branches and then preparing ourselves by hearing the reading of our Lord’s Passion. Monday the priests of our diocese have a retreat to prepare ourselves for the week. Monday evening is Chrism Mass, when the priests renew their promises and the Holy Oils for the coming year are blessed by Bishop Dolan. Wednesday we have confessions at 5:00pm.

Howdy,

I am sorry for not writing in the weekly bulletin lately; I was in El Salvador with Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos for two weeks and then came home with only one week to move. My lease was up on my apartment and we decided not to pay month-to-month because that is more expensive. To save money I have moved to St. Simon and Jude Cathedral where I will be assigned in July. I cannot tell you how great it is to be back in a rectory with other priests! However, I do have a 45 minute commute back and forth.

In conjunction with the Eucharistic Revival mission to inspire, educate and unite, there will be monthly quotations from Bishop Emeritus Thomas J. Olmsted’s Apostolic Exhortation, Veneremur Cernui– Down in Adoration Falling. The Bishop wrote this letter calling upon priests and laity to embrace a deeper love for and understanding of the Eucharist as the Source and Summit of the Catholic Faith.

Howdy,

Many of you know that February kicks off our annual Diocesan Charity and Development Appeal (CDA). This is how our diocese supports so many outreach programs and ministries throughout our diocese including: Catholic education, Sanctity of Life, support of poorer parishes, and the poor and needy among us.

Howdy,

It is almost February and this is usually a rather slow time in a parish...but not this year. Next weekend begins the annual diocesan campaign, the Charity and Development Appeal (CDA). Before Mass there will be a video from Bishop Dolan so please plan to arrive a little early.

Next week we have decided in light of the Eucharistic Revival that the American Bishops have called for, we will begin having Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament starting after the 9:00am Mass and concluding at 6:00pm. There will be sign-up sheets in the vestibule so that we know that Our Lord is never left alone. Our plan is to, at least, continue this through Easter.

Howdy,

I am sure most of you have heard that Bishop Dolan has accepted my offer to resign as pastor. Obviously, I have very mixed feelings about leaving, but it is the best for me and for my health. I am confident that with our great staff and with our wonderful community, the future will be very bright.

Beloved in Christ,

As we welcome the second Sunday in Ordinary time of the Liturgical Year, let us behold Jesus Christ the Lamb of God as the Gospel tells us, with love and humility to draw mercy and strength from Him. The USCCB has encouraged us to continue this year to preach and promote the Eucharistic Revival Campaign in our different parish levels. The focus of the Eucharistic Revival is on the Real Presence. We are called to believe and preach that the Blessed Eucharist is the Body, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ (CCC), and our food for eternal life (John 6:54).

A friend of mine is a young priest who teaches high school physics at a Catholic boys’ prep school. Like many today, the boys often think science and religion are enemies. So, he delights in their raised eyebrows when he reminds them his first full-time job as a priest was to be an astrophysicist. He cataloged the size, shape, and matter of distant stars. He tells them, “Science gave me more love for God, not less.”

We hide ourselves and our secrets from God because we are afraid. Even Mary can seem too perfect to approach. The shepherds find the strength to speak to Mary and Joseph at the moment they see the child in the manger. They open their hearts and share what they’ve experienced. Saint Luke writes of the shepherds, “When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.”