Welcome from Fr. Eric

Click here for special video welcome message from Fr. Eric


Dear Friend,

As pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Community, I welcome you to our parish website. If you are searching for a spirit-filled community to call home we hope that you will visit our parish.

St. Patrick is located in north Scottsdale, Arizona. We are a Roman Catholic community that challenges itself to be a family of hospitality and life giving worship, and then taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the world.

What kind of parish is St. Patrick? Having attended two of the best seminaries in the country (humbly speaking) Immaculate Heart of Mary in SantaFe, New Mexico and Mount Angel, a Benedictine seminary in Oregon, I learned the importance of having a spirit of hospitality, making people feel welcome, giving them dignity and respect. Furthermore I learned to approach life pastorally, taking them where they are while lovingly calling them to new more abundant life in the Lord. I also learned that good liturgy is important to the life of the parish. I hope that parishioners and visitors find these principles alive at St. Patrick.

There are four foundational areas emphasized in all we do at St. Patrick:
+ Good Liturgy Builds Faith – We are dedicated to celebrating the sacraments well. The Vatican II documents on liturgy clearly speak of full, active and conscience participation in the liturgy, not being spectators. Liturgy is the way we bring Christ to one another in our singing, praying and worshipping.
+ Hospitality – We strive to offer an attitude of welcoming to all, taking everyone where they are in life as they build a stronger life centered on Jesus Christ.
+ Stewardship – For Christians, what we have does not belong to us, but to God. God calls us to share what he has given us with others in a commitment of good stewardship of our time, talent and treasure. One day Christians will not need to hear homilies on generosity, but that day isn’t here yet. We continue to work toward that day!
+ Social Justice – Throughout the Bible we are called to biblical justice, God’s desire for the world. Justice aimply means being in “right” relationship with God and one another. With God as the priority in our lives concern for our neighbor’s lack of basic needs is our imperative. However our response can not simply be one of charity. We must reach out in relationship with those we assist, which can then lead to systemic change and biblical justice. Our parish commits both energy and resources to bring about justice in response to what the church teaches and the Gospel calls us to.

St. Patrick is a parish that is dedicated to the vision of the Second Vatican Council. What does that mean? Come and see. Please accept our invitation to join us at the table of the Lord. We look forward to meeting you.

Peace in Christ,
Fr. Eric Tellez
Pastor