Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we begin the holiest week of the Church calendar. On Palm Sunday, the Sacred Scriptures invite us into Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Today we hear shouts of "Hosanna" as the people joyfully greet Our Lord, cheering and welcoming Him with palm branches. What an interesting way of honoring the Messiah. Notice how the King of Kings enters riding a colt. This is not because they couldn't find a fitting white stallion. Jesus intentionally offers Himself in humility to show that His kingdom is not of this world.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I can hardly believe that we have arrived to the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Next Sunday will be Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. These past several weeks are meant to be a time of preparation for Easter and the Resurrection of Christ who conquered even death. Throughout Lent, Our Lord calls us to offer sacrifices, prayers, and penances. These 40 days are meant to be a special time to reconnect us with God and to clear out the clutter that has accumulated through our sinful decisions. It is never too late to reconnect with Our Lord's mercy and love. Prayerfully consider making a good confession. A good confession can bring peace to the soul and strength to deal with future temptations.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Laetare Sunday We are celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Lent which offers a foretaste of Easter joy. The priest's vestments this Sunday are rose because we celebrate Laetare Sunday. The entrance antiphon chanted at the beginning of Mass begins with the word "rejoice”. “Rejoice in Jerusalem, rejoicе with her, all you who love her..." God wants us to be filled with hope and joy. In a world that can beat us up and steal our peace, Our Lord desires for us to experience His joyful presence in our lives.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Thirsty? As Arizona desert dwellers, we know the importance of drinking water... and lots of it. During those hot summer months, there are few things as refreshing as a nice cold beverage to quench our thirst. Not only do wewe enjoy a cool beverage on those hot days, we absolutely must hydrate our bodies or we will not last very long in the summer's heat.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The foundational call of Christians to charity is a frequent theme of the Gospels. During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on "almsgiving," which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity. As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, almsgiving is "a witness to fraternal charity" and "a work of justice pleasing to God." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462).

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Fasting is an important part of Lent. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, our personal disciplines united with personal sacrifices like abstaining from meat on Fridays, lessening or even giving up screen time on the computer, television, and phones. Fasting is a form of penance, which helps us turn away from sin and toward Christ. Lent is not just about giving something up. These 40 days can be about doing something positive. "I'm going to give more time, talent, and treasure to those who are in need. I'm going to exercise more. I'm going to pray more. I'm going to be kinder to my family, friends, and coworkers. I am going to be quicker to forgive and slower to get angry."

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Lenten Season begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026. On Ash Wednesday, St. Bernadette parish will offer a 6:30am Mass, 8:30am Mass, a 12:00pm Liturgy of the Word and 5:00pm Mass. Everyone who comes to Mass, or the noonday Liturgy of the Word will receive ashes on their foreheads. The ashes are a reminder that each one of us came from dust and will return to dust one day. The ashes on our foreheads are in the shape of a cross. Wearing this sign on our foreheads proclaims to others "I live for Christ".

Dear Brothers and Sister,

On Wednesday, February 11th, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, whose first of 18 apparitions to St. Bernadette took place 168 years ago in the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France. On February 26, 1858, during the 9th apparition, St. Bernadette, following Our Lady's request, uncovered the spring at Massabielle (the grotto). That same day, word spread of the event, but it was Catherine Latapie, who came just days later, who received what would become the first officially recognized miracle: her paralyzed hand was instantly restored after bathing it in the spring.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Presentation of the Lord and Candlemas Day The Church celebrates Candlemas Day on February 2nd every year which is the celebration of the Presentation of the Lord. This feast celebrates three important events. It commemorates the day that Our Blessed Mother Mary came to the Temple as the Law required of all women, to go through a purification ceremony 40 days after giving birth. Because of this, it is also referred to as the Feast of the Purification of Mary and is the reason why it is always celebrated on February 2nd.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On January 13, 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating January 22nd as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. His proclamation was made on the 11th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in all 50 states.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On November 5, 2024, Arizona Proposition 139, the Right to Abortion Initiative, was on the ballot in Arizona as a constitutional amendment. The ballot measure was approved by the voters. As a result, the state constitution was amended to provide for the "fundamental right" to abortion, among other provisions. This measure amended the Arizona Constitution and established that every individual has the "fundamental right" to abortion.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today, on the banks of the Jordan, we hear of the dramatic scene of Our Lord's baptism.This event is the first time that Our Lord enters the public scene as an adult, after leaving Nazareth. Upon reaching the Jordan River, Our Lord is among the crowd that is listening to John the Baptist. He lines up like everyone else, waiting to be baptized by John. John the Baptist sees Our Lord approaching and he recognizes that Jesus is the One for whom he has been waiting for his whole life. John understands Jesus is the One who is greater than he and that he was not even worthy to untie His sandals.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany. On Christmas we focused on Jesus’ humanity. On Epiphany we turn our attention to Christ’s divinity. The magi help us to understand what His divinity means through their presence and their gifts. The gift of gold honored Jesus as King. The gift of incense honored Jesus as God. And the gift of myrrh point to Christ’s death. Our Lord was born to sacrifice His life for us. Upon the Cross, Our Lord gave His life for the forgiveness of our sins. Our Lord’s resurrection destroyed the power of sin and extended the offer of eternal life to those who love Him. Throughout our lives, we offer our gifts, just like the wise men who offered this Divine Child homage and adoration as only a true King deserves.