Happy Fourth,

This week, our 8th graders have their graduation. I am grateful to our middle school teachers and our principal, Mr. Sorci, for all their hard work.

We also celebrate our Kindergarten Promotion this week on Thursday. As we wind down the school year, I am grateful for all of our teachers and staff. We have an incredible school staff and a great community. Please keep our children in prayer as they prepare for the next steps in their academic journey.

Happy Sunday!

Last Saturday, we had a wonderful celebration of First Communion and Confirmation with Bishop Dolan. There were 88 children and adults who received these Sacraments. I am so grateful to our catechists, volunteers, and staff who did such a great job preparing everyone and organizing the day. It was a beautiful celebration and a great witness to the way the Catholic Church is thriving here in Flagstaff.

Happy Sunday!

As I write this we are a week removed from the death of Pope Francis. It has been a time of sadness as we remember such a beloved pope. The nine days of mourning ended this past week and in an odd way our attention turns to the conclave to elect the next Successor of St. Peter.

We continue to pray for Pope Francis but also pray for the cardinals as they gather in Rome to begin the next conclave very soon. Please pray daily for the election of a new pope, that the cardinals will be docile to the Holy Spirit during this very beautiful and solemn time.

Happy Divine Mercy Sunday!

Today the Church exults in the great mercy of God. A few years ago I gave a homily about a man who had committed numerous war crimes and yet, when he was in prison waiting to die, he asked for a priest. It was very difficult to find a priest but after a few days a priest was brought to him to hear his confession and bring him Holy Communion before he died. The Monday after the homily I received a very long voicemail rebuking me for using this person as an example. I was told I shouldn't use such a public sinner as to make a point.

Happy Easter!

The Lord is Risen! With the 40 days of Lent concluded, we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord and begin the 50 days of Easter celebrations. The Opening Prayer for Mass during the day on Easter says this: "O God, who on this day, through your Only Begotten Son, have conquered death and unlocked for us the path to eternity..."

Happy Palm Sunday!

I can't believe we are already here. Lent has flown by and now we are beginning the final stretch of Holy Week to the Easter Festivities.

We will add confession times on Tuesday evening at 5:00pm along with our regularly scheduled Wednesday evening confessions. The Triduum liturgies begin on Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord's Supper at 6:00pm. As the Mass ends we'll process to the Bosco room for the altar of repose.

Happy Sunday!

This weekend we celebrate the 5th Sunday of Lent and the Third Scrutiny for those Elect preparing to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. Please keep all of our Elect and their families in your prayers in these final weeks before full initiation into the Church.