Dear Brothers and Sisters,

When considering the history of the nations of the world, the United States is a very young country. This July Fourth marks only 249 years from the signing of our Declaration of Independence, where the 13 American colonies initially established by Great Britain declared their independence to the world. But even though we are considered a young nation, there are already many Americans who have been recognized by the Catholic Church as canonized saints and blesseds, and it is important to remember that the Catholic Faith came to America long before our Declaration of Independence was signed. In many ways, our beautifully decorated apse in St. Bernadette Church tells the story of our nation through the lives of our American Catholic saints who contributed to making this great nation what it is today.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Church is blessed to celebrate this special Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ also known as Corpus Christi. So what are we celebrating? Today we celebrate the fact that Jesus is the Bread of Life. The Gospel reminds us that Christ feeds multitudes with bread. In the Mass, Our Lord feeds us with His own Body and Blood! Christ Himself gave us the Eucharist on the night of the Last Supper.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As human beings, we need one another. We are united as God’s children. We are family. As such, it is good to understand that being a beloved child of God the Most High, we are called to seek a holy and lifegiving relationship with God and one another. Since each of us is created in the image and likeness of God, we are able to be a sacred reflection of the Most Holy Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today’s Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity celebrates the most powerful mystery of who God is as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As I give thanks to Our Lord for calling me to follow Him as a priest, my heart is filled with gratitude to God for my loving and supportive parents, my amazing brother and sisters, their devoted spouses and energetic children, my devout grandparents, cousins, friends, teachers, students, parishioners, brother priests, deacons, religious; and others, all who have blessed me and supported me throughout my life.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, which is something that is beyond comprehension. First, Our Lord triumphs over death and sin through His resurrection and now we celebrate His glorious ascension to the Father! With all that in mind, one can forget the important words that Our Lord left us before His return to Heaven. Jesus entrusted His disciples with a mission to spread the Gospel. In this great commission, Our Lord invites all to believe in Him and join Him in the of work of going “into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mk. 16:15-16).