Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
During my time as your pastor (almost 14 years), not surprisingly I have witnessed a turnover in some areas of ministry here and new additions that have been a help to the ones who remain in that ministry and a blessing to those that they serve. In one particular ministry, that of our choir ministry, I am really thankful for those who have been in our two choirs a long time and who stay with it not only because of their beautiful voices but also the reality that our choirs have had attrition and not too many additions in the time I have been here.

Our V.I.P. for this month, Barb Potter is one of those that is a long-time member of our 10:00 a.m. Sunday choir which means a consistent once a week practice session in addition to faithfully singing at the 10:00 a.m. Mass. and special liturgies such as Holy Week and Thanksgiving Mass to name a few. Soon after she and her husband Horace moved to Hot Springs Village in 2007, she joined the Ladies of the Sacred Heart where she has been actively involved in their fundraising efforts and in leadership positions as co-captain of the St. Anthony Guild for three years, vice-president of LOSH and then as president the next year. In 2015 she became a member of the welcoming committee and remains a part of this important ministry of welcoming and providing information to new members of our parish. She served two terms (4 years) on the pastoral council as a member of the social justice and charitable outreach commission. She coordinated the baby shower for the last two years which involved sorting through and delivering baby items to three pregnancy help centers in the area. She served as the chair of the pastoral council and put in extra time outside of the meetings, especially in recruiting volunteers to run for parish council positions as well as coordinating the elections and compiling bios of the candidates. She has put in extra effort as well in compiling information about our VIPs for each month and in getting information on this to the Village Voice. Finally, Barbara is an active person not only in church activities, but also in the community as she has volunteered at Potter's Clay and Jackson House and is a monthly tutor at Mountain Pine School along with other members of the St. Anthony Guild.

Personally, I want to say thank you to Barb for all the work she did in her role as the Pastoral Council president, and all of us should be grateful for the time and gifts she has given over the years to so many, including those blessed by her voice and that of her fellow choir members. Let us all sing to the Lord!