Solemnity of the Ascension

06-01-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Fred Adamson

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.

We can ask ourselves this day, how we live empowered by the gift from on high? Are we living the bold profession of love, mercy, forgiveness and kindness we are called to as Christian witnesses in the world? Nothing speaks louder than Christians witnessing the faith in their daily lives… let us be filled with hope and joy.

Next week is Pentecost so remember to wear red – as a sign of the fire and power of the Holy Spirit. A group of parishioners, along with Fr. Simon and Fr. Ryan are leaving this week for a European pilgrimage that includes visits to Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Lourdes, Santiago de Campostela, Assisi, Rome, San Giovanni Rotondo, Giovanazzo, and Medjugorje. We keep them in prayer as they make their journey and trust they will pray for us. We begin two weeks of summer camps for our young people on Monday. First is the Musical Theater Camp that culminates in the performance of A Not So Terrible Parable at 7pm on Friday, June 6th.

All are welcome to come and enjoy our young people’s artistic talents at the direction of master musician and director, Kent Campbell. The evening performance will be followed by an Ice Cream Social hosted by the Knights of Columbus. The following week will be buzzing with young people once again for our True North Vacation Bible School. The young people learn more about their faith and how to trust God in the wild world we live in. Through stories, prayer, music and fun this time allows are young people to grow in their faith.

Please pray for them and Kathie Stine, summer Bible camp expert, and her army of volunteers. We are blessed. On June 3rd – I celebrate my 30th anniversary of Priestly ordination. It is hard to believe it has been 30 years but I am truly thankful for the journey with the Lord and I am especially grateful that God has placed me here at Saint Bernard of Clairvaux to celebrate and live my priestly life. A special thanks to Fr. Ryan, Bishop James Wall and all those who contributed to the new set of vestments to mark my 30 years as a priest.

They are a great reminder of the call to serve at the Lord’s Altar and what a joy it has been to do so for 30 years. I am filled with gratitude and joy. As we enter now into the summer months, things will slow down a bit. Hopefully, we will soon see ground moving on the rectory as we wrap up the final details with the City of Scottsdale and the builder prepares to deploy the project. Thank you for your continued support of your pledges and for the gifts you have made over the years.

Peace and joy as we continue our last few weeks of the Easter season as Pilgrims of Hope.

In Christ,

Fr. Fred