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.