Saint Anthony on the Desert

Pros

• It is a nice place for a school graduation.
• They love the new priest; the church is beautiful, the congregation is sweet, and all are welcome.
• It is a friendly spiritual place open to all.
• It is a nice church.
• They would give five stars if the sermons were laced with politics.
• It is spiritual.

Cons

• They are not sure they can deal with a woman pastor.
• They would rate it five stars only when the sermons are laced with politics.

Review

The collection of notes describes a church that many readers find appealing for both life events and regular worship, with a generally warm and welcoming atmosphere. Several writers mention it as a suitable setting for meaningful moments like graduations, suggesting the space carries a sense of ceremony and community that can stand up to important milestones. The idea of stopping by for a Sunday service also comes up, signaling the place as a potential regular stop for spiritual and communal life, not just a one-off visit.

There is a clear thread of admiration for the leadership, particularly around the "new priest." One reviewer emphasizes how lovely the priest is, and another notes that their mother and they are fond of the new priest, describing the clerical leadership as beautiful. This positive response to the new pastor helps frame the congregation as a place that some visitors see as caring and well guided. It also highlights a personal, intergenerational connection to the church, with families feeling at ease under the current leadership.

Alongside this appreciation, there's a candid caveat about the role of women in church leadership. One reviewer states a personal hesitation about having a woman pastor, signaling a reluctance rooted in tradition or personal belief. This contrasts with the more enthusiastic reception to the newer priest from others, illustrating a range of feelings about gender and clergy within the community. It's a reminder that even in a welcoming church, diverse perspectives on leadership persist.

For many readers, the church comes across as a genuinely friendly and open spiritual home. Phrases like "Beautiful church," "sweet congregation," and "all are welcome" emphasize a hospitable environment. The repeated emphasis on inclusion - an open invitation to everyone - contributes to a portrait of a place that people want to belong to, whether they are long-time parishioners or newcomers exploring their faith and community.

Several brief but telling notes reinforce the positive, uncomplicated sense of belonging. A succinct remark called it a "nice church," while another simply labels it as "spiritual" and "home." These short assessments converge on a sense of peace, belonging, and simplicity - the idea that the church offers more than ritual; it offers a place to feel at ease and at home in a spiritual sense.

There is a humorous or pointed aside about the sermons' content: one reviewer says they'd give five stars when the sermons are "laced with politics." This signals that for some attendees, the heartbeat of the church may be tied to the topics addressed in preaching and how they align with personal or communal concerns about civic life. It's a reminder that worship traditions and political sensibilities can intersect in ways that color how people rate a church's impact.

Finally, there's a note of ambiguity about firsthand experience. A reviewer simply states, "I was never there," which underscores that not all readers have engaged with the church directly. Taken with the rest, the mix of admissions of not attending, positive words about leadership and community, and cautious notes about leadership style paints a nuanced portrait: a welcoming, beautiful church with a warm congregation that invites participation and ceremony, yet where personal comfort with leadership and sermon focus can vary from one person to another.

This part of Scottsdale, Arizona offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. The area is home to top hospitals such as Mayo Clinic Hematology/Oncology and Piper Surgery Center, providing excellent healthcare options. There are also several physicians' offices nearby, including Mayo Clinic and NeuroHealth Solutions. Places of worship like Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church offer spiritual support, while pharmacies like Fry's Pharmacy and Walgreens ensure easy access to medications. Residents can enjoy dining at various restaurants like Goldie's Neighborhood Sports Cafe and Chick-Fil-A, as well as cafes such as Dutch Bros Coffee and Panera Bread. For leisure activities, there are parks like Kierland Park and Thompson Peak Park, as well as Harkins Theatres Scottsdale for entertainment. Additionally, transportation options like Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Scottsdale Municipal Airport make it easy to get around the area.

Hospitals

• Mayo Clinic Hematology/Oncology (0.4 miles)
• Piper Surgery Center (4.8 miles)

Physicians

• Mayo Clinic (0.4 miles)
• East Scottsdale Medical Care (1.9 miles)
• NeuroHealth Solutions (1.9 miles)
• Healthcare Specialists (3.4 miles)
• Advanced Fertility Care (4.3 miles)
• Medical Plaza 1 (4.7 miles)
• Valley Sleep Center - Scottsdale Center (4.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church (0.7 miles)
• Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church (4.3 miles)
• Impact Church (7.6 miles)
• Salt River Assembly of God (7.9 miles)
• St Bernadette Catholic Church (9.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Fry's Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (4.7 miles)
• Bashas' Pharmacy (4.9 miles)
• Walgreens (5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.3 miles)
• Walgreens (7 miles)

Restaurants

• Goldie's Neighborhood Sports Cafe (3.6 miles)
• Jack In The Box (5 miles)
• White Castle (5 miles)
• Portillo's Hot Dogs (5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (5.1 miles)
• Parkview Tap House (5.1 miles)
• Pei Wei Asian Diner (5.8 miles)

Cafes

• Dutch Bros Coffee (5.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.8 miles)
• Starbucks (6 miles)
• Butters Pancakes & Cafe (6.1 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (6.3 miles)
• Starbucks (7.7 miles)
• Starbucks (9.2 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7 miles)
• Scottsdale Municipal Airport (SDL) (7.1 miles)

Parks

• Kierland Park (8.3 miles)
• Thompson Peak Park (8.5 miles)

Theaters

• Harkins Theatres Scottsdale (9.2 miles)