Dear Friends,

As I reflected on the readings for this second Sunday of Lent, the theme of this article, inspired by my American Mom, came to my mind. She often told me, “Fr. Robert, you’ve got to give to get.” It made me wonder further how you would feel if an authority you deeply respect asked you to give up something you value above all else? Would you? You would likely find yourself torn between loyalty to that authority and love for what you hold dear. Would you be ready to let go of something precious to secure a relationship?

Dear Friends,

Lent is a season within the Church's Liturgical Calendar. Lent is a graceful period lasting 40 days, during which the Church invites all her members to pray, fast, be reconciled with God and with one another, and be grateful in anticipation of Christ's redemptive passion, death, and Resurrection. During Lent, we are challenged to share with others what we have received from God. This requires a proper attitude and faith commitment. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Thursday of Holy Week.

Dear Friends,

We live in an age of unprecedented connectivity. With a swipe of a finger, we can see what is happening on the other side of the globe. Yet, as our digital worlds expand, our physical worlds, the ones inside our own living rooms and dining tables, are often shrinking. The reality of this was powerfully brought home to me at a recent workshop Fr. Paul and I attended at the diocese as part of our priests’ ongoing formation.

Dear Friends,

As your pastor, I am often asked about the Church’s stance on celebrating weddings during Lent. While the Universal Church law (Canon Law) grants the faithful a right to the sacraments, liturgical guidelines specify that any wedding held during Lent must be significantly "toned down" to respect the season of penance.

Dear friends,

Recently, I had a brief but meaningful encounter at the bank with a young woman behind the counter, which I wished lasted longer. Seeing my clerical collar, she struck up a lively conversation with me and asked if I was a priest. When I confirmed I was a Roman Catholic priest, she shared a story I hear often: She had received all her Sacraments—Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation—but today, she only attends Mass occasionally to accompany her grandmother.

Dear Parishioners,

Three weeks from now, we celebrate the OLMC Festival. Come one, come all to share together as a community of faith, called, baptized, and sent to spread the good news by our lives. "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Dear Parishioners,

I am currently chairing an ad hoc committee that Bishop Dolan has set on the presbyterial council to write a policy on retirement for diocesan priests in the diocese of Phoenix. Part of the initiative I took was to sit down recently and speak with some retired priests whose opinions I respect, so as to gather their experiences. Allow me to share one of the pieces of feedback I got, which moved me deeply. My retired priest friend said:

Dear Parishioners,

As your pastor, my goal, as I have repeatedly told you, is to help lead you to heaven, and our mission as a parish is to help everyone who walks through our doors to heaven. This continues to be a great blessing and joy for me to walk this journey of faith with you. I love you deeply, and I am grateful every day for your commitment to our parish, our school, and to one another. It is in this spirit of gratitude and love that I invite you to participate in our second Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and School Endowment Drive.

Dear Friends,

We have just passed the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, and we will now enjoy a little more light each day. Christmas itself is a feast of lights, isn't it? Trees are brought into homes and made radiant with brilliant lights; yards and streets are also illuminated; stores are decorated with lights. The whole world is illuminated. In other ways, too, our lives are aglow with light. Families come together and are sometimes reunited after many years; kind wishes and gift-giving strengthen bonds of love and friendship, and memories are brought back to life while new memories are born. These events of grace truly light up our lives.