Statue of St. John Vianney donated by Msgr. Malone

I want to sincerely thank the parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in the Village for their thoughtful prayers, gifts and friendship.  I donated the hand-carved,  4'2”, wood statue of St. John Vianney, Patron Saint of Diocesan Priests, to the House of Formation, as a result of your kindness and loving support.

Monsignor B. Malone

The babies we "spiritually" adopted back in April are due to be born January 17, 2013.  To welcome them into the world, we are planning a Parish Baby Shower.  All parishioners are invited to participate.  Please purchase a baby item, and bring it to the church, UNWRAPPED, beginning Saturday, January 5, and not later than Monday, January 14.  The Ladies of the Sacred Heart may consider this their "something extra" for January, and bring the gifts to the general meeting on January 14.  A display area will be set up in the narthex where the gifts can be left.  The donated items will be sorted and then delivered to the local Pregnancy Help Centers in Hot Springs, Benton, Malvern and Little Rock, based on need. Disposable diapers, all sizes, are always welcome.  Also, crib sheets, blankets, clothing for preemies and up to 18 months, powders, bath items, bottle, and just about anything else that parents would need for a newborn baby. Please DO NOT WRAP your gift.  For information, call Mary Costello (501-922-3915) after January 2.  A flyer, listing the needs of each agency will be available at that time.

A few reservations are still available for the pilgrimage "Pray, Hope and Don't Worry" scheduled for April 10, 2013 hosted by Father Bill Elser.  The trip will focus on the places and life of St. Padre Pio, the popular modern-day saint known to many Americans during World War II.  Sightseeing includes the American Cemetery, Anzio Beach, Nettuno, Shrine of St. Maria Goretti, Monte Cassino, Benedictine Abbey, and the Polish Cemetery.  Visit Pietrelcina birthplace of the saint, Cave of St. Michael the Archangel, and finally San Giovanni Rotondo with many sites related to the saint including his tomb.  An optional extension is offered in Rome.  For details, call Fran Boudreaux at 501-984-1519.

During Advent and the Christmas season come into our church library and browse through our selection of suitable books, tapes and DVD's.  You will be pleasantly surprised at the number of items available to expand your enjoyment and understanding of these periods of the liturgical year.  Go into the chapel and turn left - we are in the room marked Conference Room/Library.  Welcome!

God our Father, Giver of Life, we entrust the United States of America to Your loving care.  You are the Rock on which this nation was founded.  You alone are the true source of our cherished rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people.  Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation's leaders.  Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.  Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing Your will. Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of our land, grant us the courage to reject the "culture of death."  Lead us into a new millennium of life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

The weekly cards and games gathering in the Lower Hall on Wednesdays has been changed (yet again) to 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Hopefully, this time will stay the same and more of you will choose to join us for Spades, other card games, or other games like Mexican Train dominoes.  We take turns providing a dessert treat, so come for the fellowship and fun. Come and join in the fun. See you tomorrow afternoon!

The Sacred Heart of Jesus High School Youth Group, Caroline Eisenhauer, Camille Eisenhauer, Jonathan Semmler and Jacob Vasquez-Berg, chaperoned by Alia Berg, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catechist, attended the Stand Up Youth Rally sponsored by the Diocese of Little Rock on Sunday, October 21, 2012 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Youth Group interacted with guest speaker Steve Angrisano, director of Young Adult Ministries in York, PA and one of the most popular and effective Catholic youth evangelists.  Thank you to Caroline Eisenhauer, Linda Good and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Knights of Columbus for organizing and supporting the High School Youth Group.  The High School Youth meet every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart.  Click here to view more pictures in the photo gallery.

LOSH Members who modeled Lagniappe Boutique fashions: Back row l-r, Toni Phillips, Pat Becker, Darlene Barta, Vinnie Calvey. Front row l-r, Mary Duffy, Phyllis Melenson, Elsa Naeger, Dotti Asten.

On Monday, October 15th, the church hall at Sacred Heart was transformed with glitz and glamour into a fashionista’s delight. This year’s annual fund raiser, a combination of luncheon and fashion show, was attended by over 200 members and their guests.

Home Plate catered a very tasty chicken/spinach salad with pecans and mandarin oranges and raspberry vinaigrette dressing which was served by the “guys in bow ties”, members of Sacred Heart’s Men’s Club and the Knights of Columbus local council. The ladies were expertly pampered by these waiters, as well as by more “guys” who acted as bartenders serving mimosas or a selection of wines to satisfy the ladies’ tastes.

Fashions by Hot Springs Lagniappe Boutique, presented by owner Marcia Dobbs-Smith, proved that elegance and fun could be merged in fashionable clothing for all sizes, shapes and occasions. Models for the fashion show were all members of the Ladies of Sacred Heart. They graced the stage and then circulated among the tables so all attendees could get a close up look at the lovely clothing and jewelry they modeled.

The fashion show was interspersed with awards of door prizes, donated through the generosity of local businesses, and ended with the results of the raffle and winners of the silent auction bids. The beautiful raffle prizes and auction items were all the artful creations of very talented SHJ parishioners.

Fashion show chairwomen Nancy Froning and Joyce Field, with a whole lot of help from their committee members, can be proud of their highly enjoyable and very successful event.

Deacon Larry Lipsmeyer gives blessing over pets.

On Sunday, October 7, a small gathering of parishioners and pets received the blessing of the animals at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church.  Deacon Larry Lipsmeyer officiated at the annual blessing ceremony tied to the feast of the patron saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi.

Attending on this cool Sunday afternoon were quite an assortment of God’s canine creation.  Elegant poodles pranced, and laughing terriers danced.  Some felt the urge to “sing” God’s praises, some just barked out several well-timed “amens”, and some just sat stoically and contemplated the holy occasion in silence.

While Deacon Larry read the scripture and prayers, tails wagged, itches were scratched, and much sniffing ensued.  And when it was time for the sprinkling of the holy water, some of these well-loved companions tried to hide from the holy “rain drops”, others frolicked in this very pleasant diversion, and a few just sat and worried whether this sprinkling of water might mean a bath would soon follow.

Fifteen minutes later all pets followed their owners back to their cars for the trip back home.  They moved proudly and joyfully next to their human caretakers, trusting in them and happy just to be in their company.  The dogs had all been blessed, but each of the owners knew they too were blessed just to have one of God’s most wonderful creatures as their own special furry friend and companion.  Click here for more photos.

The 2012 Treasure Sale was very successful with $16,595 raised in support of Catholic education at Our Lady of Fatima in Benton and St. John's in Hot Springs.  Quite remarkably, the 2012 amount compares to $15,817 in 2010 and $16,668 in 2008.  Thanks to all the parishioners who donated items and volunteered their time.  A special thanks to those who have been working since May collecting, pricing, transporting and storing items.  Co-chairs John Bodensteiner and Chris Gleason wish to recognize and than the other committee members for their tireless efforts: Mike Frantz, Kathy Geske, Mary Ann Honzik, Claudia and Ed Keearns, Gerald and Ann Krawczynski, Larry Lipsmeyer, JoAnn and Terry O'Brien, Dave Witchger, Tom Yerina and Marvin Young.  Click here to view more pictures in the photo gallery.