Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
It is alomost time again for our annual seminarian support dinner.  On Friday, July 14, we will welcome our bishop, priests, seminarians, and hopefully, YOU, to enjoy a delicious meal from Chef Johnna, some homemade ice cream from Your Truly (Arkansas Peach for sure), and some entertainment and witness to tell us about our future priests and what God is already doing to them and through them for others.  PLEASE GET YOUR TICKET(S) STARTING NEXT WEEKEND AND JOIN US.

We've definitely seen the fruits of our prayers and generosity to our seminarians in the large number of priest that we have ordained in recent years and in those six or seven who will receive ordination by this time next year including our adopted seminarian, Deacon Nelson Rubio.  I would ask you to continue your support and prayers for all of our priests, especially those who are in the early years of their priest ministry.  The challenges of priesthood are there for priests of all ages, and when one is new and doing so many ministries as priest for the first time, it can be difficult, and honestly, overwhelming at times.  I ask you to consider saying a "Daily Prayer for Priests" that is found in our Adoration Chapel and in some of our missalettes/hymnals.  You can find this prayer below this pastor's column.  It prays for priests who are doing well and those who are struggling.  It prays for priests of our past who made a positive impact on our lives for one reason or another.  Personally, I and other priests, are truly strengthened and encouraged by the thought of and reality of people praying for them.  When I get a card indicating some one has offered their Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament for me, I know that I am truly blessed by God's grace to do what He called me to do.  On behalf of myself and all priests (especially our young ones) that you pray for, or will start praying for, I say THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU!

DAILY PRAYER FOR PRIESTS
O Jesus, I pray for Your faithful and fervent priests,
Your unfaithful and tepid priests,
Your priests laboring at home or abroad
In distant mission field,
Your tempted priests, Your dying priests,
The souls of Your priest in Purgatory
Your young and newly-ordained priests.

But above all, I recommend to You
The priests dearest to me:
The priest who baptized me,
The priests who absolved me from my sins,
The priests at whose Masses I assisted
and who gave me Your Body and Blood
In Holy Communion;
All the priest to whom I am indebted in any other
way, especially . . . . . . . 

O Jesus, keep them all close to Your heart, and bless
them abundantly in time and in eternity.  Amen.