Merry Christmas!

Christians around the world continue to celebrate the great mystery of Christmas: the Incarnation, God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. This mystery was unfathomable to the people of Jesus' time, and in many ways, it should still leave us in awe today. It reveals the astonishing, generous, and tender love God has for His people. God did not choose exaltation or privilege, but humility. He entered our world vulnerably, revealing that our journey of faith is one of humility, tenderness, and loving care for one another.

Dear Parishioners,

As we enter the fourth Sunday of Advent, the final purple candle joins the others in shining brightly on our Advent wreath. Together they remind us that the Light of Christ is drawing near, just four short days away. These final days before Christmas are often filled with activity and last-minute preparations. But as important as the tree, the decorations, and the gifts may be, even more important is a heart that is ready; ready to receive the peace and love of our God and the incomparable gift of His Son.

Dear Parishioners,

Ten days remain in this holy season of Advent as we move steadily toward the radiant celebration of Christmas. These final days invite us to wait with renewed longing, with expectant and joyful hearts, allowing God to deepen within us the wonder of His love. Our Advent theme, "Be Still," continues to guide us.

Dear Parishioners,

What a blessing it is to be in this holy season of Advent with our parish prayer challenge to BE STILL. Earlier today, as I sat quietly in our darkened church, I was reminded that Ad- vent means "He is coming." We remember His coming in three ways: He comes in history - Jesus entered our world, became man, and dwelt among us. He taught, healed, forgave, and invited us to know the Father. He came so that we might be his friends. What amazing love was revealed in His coming! He comes in mystery - He is present now whenever we recognize Him in the world: in the Sacraments, in the Scriptures, in acts of kindness and charity, and in the daily moments of grace. He is with us today. He will come in majesty - one day He will return to reconcile all things to Himself. His promise is one of hope, heal- ing, and restoration for our wounded world.

Dear Parishioners,

Welcome to our Advent journey...

This weekend we step once again into the quiet beauty of Advent; a season not of frantic activity, but of vigilance, preparation, and holy readiness. While the world around us rushes into decorating, shopping, and baking, the Church invites us to something deeper: to pause, to breathe, and to become attentive to God's presence breaking into our lives.

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, the great feast that crowns our liturgical year. On this day, the Church throughout the world proclaims that Jesus alone is the true source of all truth, beauty, and goodness. He is our peace, our wisdom, our light, and our mercy.

Dear Parishioners,

A heartfelt thank you for your generous response to our Mission Engagement Commitment Weekend - to all who submitted a card in person, mailed one in, or are still prayerfully discerning your commitment. This intentional time for us as a parish family helps renew our focus on the mission Christ has entrusted to us: to grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus and one another.

Dear Friends in Christ,

This weekend we continue our Mission Engagement – Together in Christ reflections, and we also celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. You may wonder, “Why do we celebrate the dedication of a church so far away?” Because the Lateran Basilica is the Cathedral Church of Rome, the mother and head of all churches in the world. It was dedicated in the year 324 and served as the residence of the popes for over a thousand years.

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend, our parish turns its focus to Mission Engagement, a time to renew our awareness of the great call entrusted to every Christian: to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world. Providentially, this weekend also marks the Solemnity of All Souls, when we pray for all who have gone before us and commend them to the mercy and love of God. It is a beautiful reminder that the mission of the Church is the salvation of souls, helping every person encounter the life-giving love of Christ that leads to eternal communion with God.

Dear Parishioners, It is with a heart full of gratitude that I share with you our 2025 Mission Impact Report. A parish is far more than a building; it is a living, breathing community of Catholics who come together first to worship God in the celebration of the Mass, and then to extend His love and mercy into the wider world through service and witness. As we reflect on the past year, we do so in gratitude for all that has been accomplished and in hope for all that lies ahead.

Dear Parishioners,

After a weekend of much-needed rain, it’s wonderful to see the sunshine return and to feel the cooler air settling over the Valley. It truly feels like fall has arrived in the desert! The rain reminded me how essential water is for all life. For us as Christians, water is also the sacred sign through which God brings us into His divine life. In Baptism, through water and the Holy Spirit, we are washed clean of sin, reborn as children of God, and called to live in newness of life.

Dear Parishioners,

We continue our journey through the Gospel of Luke, we’re invited once again to reflect more deeply on what it means to live as people of faith. Last week, Jesus reminded us that faith—even as small as a mustard seed—has the power to do great things. This week, we are called to cultivate another beautiful virtue: gratitude.

Dear Parishioners,

October is here and what a spiritually rich month it is in the life of the Church! These early days of the month are already filled with heavenly celebrations: we began with the Feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux on October 1st, followed by the Guardian Angels on October 2nd, and St. Francis of Assisi on October 4th. These saints—and the angels—remind us of the depth and beauty of our Catholic faith and of our belonging to the great Communion of Saints.