The closing hymn last Sunday truly was a prayer for me and I hope for many of you, that God will indeed change our minds and hearts and make them more and more in conformity with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, during this Lenten season and beyond. In particular, I must admit I prayed that God will change the minds and hearts of people who support the taking of human life by the state through Capital Punishment. This is especially crucial when it comes to our elected officials, including our Governor Asa Hutchinson who can stop the executions of four people who are sheduled to be executed during the days between April 17-27 here in Arkansas. I promised in my homily last weekend, after quoting recent Scripture passages which speak in language that clearly would not support the practice of capital punishment and the reasons some given to justify doing it, that I would give, in writing, some other reasons that all followers of Jesus Christ and His Gospel should oppose the "death penalty" and ALWAYS promote human life as a gift from God from conception until natural death. I encourage you to go to the parish website: www.hsvsacredheart.com and read last weekend's homily again and ponder what was said, as well as these points.
While the Catholic Church does not say that there are no circumstances where the death penalty might be used, it does say that in countries where prisoners can be housed in secure settings where they pose no danger to the public for the rest of their lives, that that should be the choice rather than executing them. Also, there is no universal standard by which the death penalty is applied from case to case. Much depends on the prosecutor's leaning whether the death penalty is sought as a possible punishment for a crime. Finally, the defense for those who are accused of serious crimes is often inadequate in terms of legal representation they receive, especially when defenants get "court appointed" attorneys and this leads to some being convicted and sentenced to death, who are, in fact - innocent.
I hope many of you will join me in contacting our governor to try and stop the upcoming executions (as other governors have bravely done) and encourage lawmakers, many of whom have thankfully worked diligently to protect the life of the unborn, to be consistent and protect ALL HUMAN LIFE from harm from individuals and from the state. Remember, when Jesus was asked to affirm the "death penalty" decision when it came to the woman caught in adultery, His response (which was consistent His whole life) was and is (thankfully for us), His mercy. He never gave up on anyone, and neither should we!
While the Catholic Church does not say that there are no circumstances where the death penalty might be used, it does say that in countries where prisoners can be housed in secure settings where they pose no danger to the public for the rest of their lives, that that should be the choice rather than executing them. Also, there is no universal standard by which the death penalty is applied from case to case. Much depends on the prosecutor's leaning whether the death penalty is sought as a possible punishment for a crime. Finally, the defense for those who are accused of serious crimes is often inadequate in terms of legal representation they receive, especially when defenants get "court appointed" attorneys and this leads to some being convicted and sentenced to death, who are, in fact - innocent.
I hope many of you will join me in contacting our governor to try and stop the upcoming executions (as other governors have bravely done) and encourage lawmakers, many of whom have thankfully worked diligently to protect the life of the unborn, to be consistent and protect ALL HUMAN LIFE from harm from individuals and from the state. Remember, when Jesus was asked to affirm the "death penalty" decision when it came to the woman caught in adultery, His response (which was consistent His whole life) was and is (thankfully for us), His mercy. He never gave up on anyone, and neither should we!
I truly hope you were as overwhelmed as much as I was by the information that was supplied last weekend (by Dave Witchger-thanks) which spelled out in detail all the charitable giving that came through Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish for the calendar year 2016. The number of beneficiaries that resulted from the generous giving of time, talent and treasure were many and varied, from the poor (i.e., Jackson House, Samaritan Ministries), to young people (i.e., St. John's and Our Lady of Fatima Schools), to missionary efforts in our country and around the world and many others including our seminarians and retired priest and religious. While the amount of money that was given through the stewardship of Sacred Heart Parishioners was very impressive ($331,187), I am equally impressed and thankful for the efforts of our parish organizations: Ladies of the Sacred Heart-$13,000, Sacred Heart Men's Club-$9,500, Knights of Columbus Council 10208-$113,250, as these funds were raised due to much time and effort being exerted behind the scenes and during fund-raising activities.
As we have started the season of Lent which stressed almsgiving (which we encourage especially through Operation Rice Bowl which benefits Catholic Relief Services), I can say with confidence that almsgiving is going on in this parish all the time which speaks loudly of a commitment to Jesus that is spoken in Church (especially through the recitation of the Creed) and in action-on a regular basis both at our church and in the community at large.
I pray that those who have not given much or any, will be inspired to share in the many ways that we are being Christ to others, especially to those in need, and consider joining our parish organizations that are doing so much and building good and positive relationships with one another. God bless you all!
As we have started the season of Lent which stressed almsgiving (which we encourage especially through Operation Rice Bowl which benefits Catholic Relief Services), I can say with confidence that almsgiving is going on in this parish all the time which speaks loudly of a commitment to Jesus that is spoken in Church (especially through the recitation of the Creed) and in action-on a regular basis both at our church and in the community at large.
I pray that those who have not given much or any, will be inspired to share in the many ways that we are being Christ to others, especially to those in need, and consider joining our parish organizations that are doing so much and building good and positive relationships with one another. God bless you all!
Spring Training to a baseball fan is, among other things, a reminder that the regular season of Major League baseball is right around the corner. To a baseball player in the "Big Leagues," it is a time to get their bodies into playing shape and to concentrate on the skills and repetitive practices that will help them to be ready to give their best and produce good results when the season starts. In some ways, the season of Lent is the "Spring Training" for all Catholics and people of some other Christian faith traditions. We are called to give ourselves to and concentrate on the disciplines of PRAYER, FASTING, and ALMSGIVING. Through our repetitive actions in these areas, we prepare ourselves for the Easter Triduum and Easter Season, and hopefully develop habits in all three of these disciplines that will bear fruit in the immediate and long term future.
I invite you to use daily the daily reflections from Pope Francis that we are making available as the Lenten season begins. Consider joining with so many of your fellow parishioners in the practice of prayer before Jesus in our Perpetual Eucharistic Chapel. You can start with a few minutes once a week, and maybe build up to an hour before Lent concludes, or just make a commitment to at least 15 to 30 minutes in there at the same time each week of Lent. Of course, we are always happy to welcome full time adorers or substitute adorers during the Lenten Seasonb. Call Mke Kerwin at 922-1531.
Lastly, there is an excellent way to combine the practices of fasting and almsgiving by participating in "Operation Rice Bowl" which encourages saving money that might have been spent on food or other pleasures and giving it at the end of Lent to Catholic Relief Services which is helping in disaster relief situations around the world and which is committed to poverty relief on an ongoing basis, also all over the world. Of course, you can choose additional means to get in good or better spiritual shape that are of your own choosing. Let the Lord and His Church guide you through the most beneficial Lent that you've ever had (including being reconciled with God and the Church anytime during Lent through the Sacrament of Reconciliation) at the times listed onf the front cover of the bulletin or during our Lenten Penance Service on April 6.
Pre-season baseball is the start of something that will lead to one team being crowned World Series Champion. Fortunately for us, the Lenten Season can lead to countless people of faith living as chamnpions for the Lord in the long term in this life and for an eternity in heaven. Join the spring training that is Lent. It is open to us all!
I invite you to use daily the daily reflections from Pope Francis that we are making available as the Lenten season begins. Consider joining with so many of your fellow parishioners in the practice of prayer before Jesus in our Perpetual Eucharistic Chapel. You can start with a few minutes once a week, and maybe build up to an hour before Lent concludes, or just make a commitment to at least 15 to 30 minutes in there at the same time each week of Lent. Of course, we are always happy to welcome full time adorers or substitute adorers during the Lenten Seasonb. Call Mke Kerwin at 922-1531.
Lastly, there is an excellent way to combine the practices of fasting and almsgiving by participating in "Operation Rice Bowl" which encourages saving money that might have been spent on food or other pleasures and giving it at the end of Lent to Catholic Relief Services which is helping in disaster relief situations around the world and which is committed to poverty relief on an ongoing basis, also all over the world. Of course, you can choose additional means to get in good or better spiritual shape that are of your own choosing. Let the Lord and His Church guide you through the most beneficial Lent that you've ever had (including being reconciled with God and the Church anytime during Lent through the Sacrament of Reconciliation) at the times listed onf the front cover of the bulletin or during our Lenten Penance Service on April 6.
Pre-season baseball is the start of something that will lead to one team being crowned World Series Champion. Fortunately for us, the Lenten Season can lead to countless people of faith living as chamnpions for the Lord in the long term in this life and for an eternity in heaven. Join the spring training that is Lent. It is open to us all!