Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
It is a new year and new opportunities to do things we have done before (but maybe not for a while) and try new things that can bless our lives beyond what we can imagine. Since we are in the second year of the Eucharistic Revival in our country, I have two possibilities for all of us to consider.

Firstly, the book we gave out as a Christmas present, "Beautiful Eucharist", (thanks to Becky Jordan in memory of her dear husband, Mickey) is a "must read" for all of us as it contains short stories and reflections of people who have grown in their love and appreciation for the miraculous gift of Jesus, body and blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist we consume and adore. I would encourage all of our Eucharistic Adorers to use part or all of your hour in the coming weeks reading and reflecting on a story or two in the booklet, then look at the Lord (hopefully for an extended time) and thank Him for being so present to us in the Eucharist. Of course, it would be good to find a quiet place at home or in  nature to read a chapter or two and reflect and pray about it. As we get renewed in our Eucharistic faith, hopefully we will be willling to share this book with someone who is no longer practicing their Catholic Faith or has grown lukewarm in their appreciation of the Eucharist. Hopefully, they will be drawn back to Jesus in the Eucharist and benefit from any reflections and insights we have had after reading this book that we share with them.

Secondly, we will be blessed to offer and join in with Catholics throughout the Unitted States in a sturdy and refelction on the Eucharist that is video-based and allows time for small group sharing. This will take place just before and during the Lenten Season, at a time when we are challenged to "put more on our plate" (not food) for our growth in the Lord in preparation for Easter and the Easter Season! Please be ready to sign up over the next two weekends on the day and time that works for you (on Mondays or Wednesdays for seven total sessions). Right now we are planning food and fellowship during those gatherings. I hope and pray this will be a "family affair" in those families who have more than one person in their household! I truly believe that those who participate in the ways I've described above in the first few months of the calendar year, will be blessed and will be a blessing for others for the rest of 2024 (and beyond)! One of my hopes is that it will lead to more participants in weekday Masses, more Eucharistic Adorers, and even more participation in the life and mnistries that we have here at Sacred Heart Parish.
I want to start my pastor's column by saying something that I'm sure you've heard and agree that it's true. "Don't believe everything you read or hear through social media" or, sadly, these days don't believe "very much" that you read or hear in social media, especially (I say) Catholic Church information. 

This is the case when it comes to what has been released by the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (Fiducia Supplicans) that was approved by Pope Francis on December 18, 2023. The subject is the pastoral meaning of blessings by ordained clergy (bishops, priests and deacons).  Some of the secular media and some Catholic publications would have us believe that this is a direct "teaching" of the pope that deals only or mostly on blessings of same sex couples.  A reading of this declaration of the DDS tells the reader that its scope doesn't start or end with the blessing of same sex couples.  It makes it clear that Church ministers MUST avoid any rites or prayers that contradict or create confusion about what marriage is.  The Church (pope and bishops) continues to affirm the Bible and the Church's Tradition that says that marriage is between a man or woman that is open to the conception and birth of human life from God.  When the document discusses possible blessings for persons in irregular or invalid unions or in same-sex relationships, it allows for the spontaneous blessing of such persons.

Our bishop, Anthony Taylor, in a statement issued on December 18, says that the DDF recommends, for example, to begin with a prayer asking that the individuals (NOT THEIR UNION) have peace, health, a spirit of patience, dialogue and mutual assistance_but also God's light and strength to be able to fulfill His Will completely.  Our bishop quotes the DDF that the intention of such a spontaneous blessing is NOT to legitimize anything, but to open one's life to God, to ask for help to live better, and also to invoke the Holy Spirit so that the values of the Gospel may be lived with greater faitfulness (n.40). Our Faithfulness to God's love for everyone needs to come out in blessings over individuals which rightly should include the call to conversation to be more Christ-like in all ways.

If you would like to read the whole statement of our bishop, please go to our parish website www.hsvsacredheart.com or get a copy of it in the narthex of our church.
As we enter the Christmas Season (according to the Church calendar starting Christmas Day and ending with the Feast of Baptism of the Lord, we are blessed to celebrate many special days of solemnities (i.e. The Nativity of the Lord-December 25, Mary the Mother of God-January1 and the Epiphany of the Lord-January 7); Feasts (The Holy Family-December 31, the Baptism of the Lord-January 8) and feasts of saints (like Stephen and the apostle/evangelist, John). Some of these fall on weekdays and are worthy of serious consideration of participating in Mass those days (look at your church calendar or the insert in this week's bulletin).  The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains many good points about the benefits of the reception of Holy Communion which are good to reflect upon and act upon during this Christmas Season. Under the title "fruits of Holy Communion" it includes these reflections. 

  1.  Holy Communion augments our union with Christ. The prinicpal fruit of receiving the Eucharist in Holy Communion is an intimate union with Christ Jesus. Communion with the flesh of the risen Christ...preserves, increases and renews the life of grace given at Baptism. The growth in Christian life needs the nourishment of Eucharistic Communion.
  2.  Holy Communion also separates us from sin. The Eucharist cannot unite us to Christ without, at the same time, cleansing us from past sins and preserving us from future sins. (CC1393). It helps us grow in charity and this living charity wipes away venial sins AND helps preserve us from future mortal sins. That is a clear statement about the poser of the Eucharist for those who receive it over and over again.
  3.  the reception of the Eucharist also unites us more closely to Christ's body, the Church. Communion renews, strengthens and deepens our incorporation into the Church which began at our baptism. The "Church" is our family in faith and we areinspired by the reception of Jesus in the Eucharist to recognize and celebrate that we are all in this together in our faith journey on earth and with the saints the eternal banquet feast in heaven.
  4.  As some go to their biological family at Christmas or have them come to visit, the sad reality of fallen away Catholics and/or in-laws who are of other Christain faith communities joining us at Mass, shows us through their inability to go to Holy Communion, that we need to pray for unity in Christ that we hope someday will lead us all to share at the table of the Lord as Jesus will to be the case. 

I ask you to spend time going back and spend time reflecting on all these points in prayer, which, at the least, hopefully lead you to say "Thank You, Jesus" for amking yourself so present to us at every Mass we are blessed to attend!