Many, many thanks to all those who joined in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Deacon Wally's ordination as a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Little Rock. Kind congratulatory thoughts from so many before and after the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the following marvelous pot-luck dinner, will long be remembered by us and those of our family who were present.
Special thanks to Father Bill who initiated the gala event and for his generous comments, to Tom Canavan and Bill Hurley and their Parish Life Committee for all the wonderful arrangements. Thanks too for the many who came with delightful dishes and those who gave contributions for the Diaconate Koinonia Fund and/or the Seminarian Fund of the Diocese of Little Rock in our honor. Over $1,000 has already been received that will go to these good causes.
Suzy and I are so happy to be part of this Parish Family and are very grateful for the outpouring of love for us. You always warm our hearts.
We pray that God bless you and continue to bless our parish.
Deacon Wally and Suzy Gieringer
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| Deacon Wally Gieringer and wife Suzy. |
Born in Farmington, MO, in 1928, Wally attended Catholic grade schools and spent two years at a Catholic Jesuit college, St. Louis University. He then joined the Air Force and while serving at Wright Patterson AFB met his wife of 61 years, Suzy. He received his wings following pilot training and saw action in Korea during the war. Following five years of service Wally began his professional career that included 30 years in economic development work primarily in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. While in Pine Bluff, Wally and Suzy were very active in the local Catholic church serving in a variety of ministry and lay leadership positions. In 1982, with encouragement from his wife, family and a Sisters of Charity nun, Wally made the decision to join the diaconate program. Following three years of study Wally was ordained a Deacon on November 15, 1985.
Wally and Suzy have seven sons, 23 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. In 1984 Wally retired and in 1998 the Gieringers moved to Hot Springs Village where Wally was assigned to serve at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. The retirement age for deacons is 75 but when that time arrived for Wally in 2003, he asked the Bishop to allow him to continue to serve on a limited basis. That request was granted and Wally has continued to actively serve the parishioners of Sacred Heart.
Serving as a deacon, managing a large international economic development company and being a husband and father to a large family seems like a very stressful situation. Wally has always welcomed the challenges that come his way and the study at his home is filled with numerous awards and mementoes of the times he has cherished in the past with family, business associates and religious colleagues. When asked what was most rewarding over the 25 years as a deacon Wally says that he really enjoyed baptizing and bringing new life into the church. He also derives much satisfaction when, following a sermon, someone tells him how meaningful his words were to them.
The parishioners of Sacred Heart gave a big “thank you” to both Wally and Suzy as together they celebrate this milestone.
On Saturday, October 15, 2011, America Needs Fatima (ANF) successfully carried out over 7,500 Rosary rallies all over America including far-off Alaska and Hawaii and from Maine to California.
With Rosary captains around the nation, thousands of faithful Catholics and other Christians alike, armed with their rosaries and banners gathered in the public square to pray for America's conversion and heed the message of Our Lady of Fatima.
Not only did America Needs Fatima successfully reach this year's goal of 7,000 rallies, it far exceeded expectations, with 7,515 rallies, topping last year's 5,963 rallies. Once again, throngs of Catholic and Christian faithful proudly displayed their Faith as they publicly recited the Rosary for all to see and hear.
Here at Hot Springs Village, on a sunny Saturday afternoon on a vacant lot in front of Walmart on Hwy 7, there were 73 of the faithful who gathered to pray for the nation's leaders as they tackle the myriad dilemmas facing the country and for an end to abortion. They were led in prayer by Father William Elser and in song by Marcia Bresnahan, both of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. Displayed at the front of the gathering were two large banners saying "As human efforts fail to solve America's key problems, we turn to God, through His Holy Mother, asking His urgent help."
Plans are already underway for 2012.
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| Fr. Bill Elser leading prayer service. |
Preparing for the revised Roman Missal
There will be ONE FINAL PROGRAM on the changes in the Roman Missal that all parishes in the U.S. will begin using on November 27th. Anyone that was not able to attend the programs in September or October is encouraged to attend these final sessions. This final program will consist of 2 classes on consecutive Saturday mornings
Saturday Morning from 10:00 to 12:00:
November 12th will cover videos 1 through 9
November 19th will cover videos 10 through 18
In addition to the video presentations there will be group discussions and time for questions.
We will have a sign-up sheet in the Narthex. If you plan to attend these final sessions, please sign up so we have an approximate number of attendees.
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| Joan Smith, a Sacred Heart parishioner, prepares to take a load of donated clothes from Sacred Heart Church to Harvey’s Chapel Baptist Church. |
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| L to R, Wayne Kapple, Marvin Young, Bill Hurley and Bill Janser. |
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| Bill Patterson (right), President of Sacred Heart Men’s Club, and Buddy Dixon (left), Program Chairman, welcome John Paul to the club’s October meeting. |
John spent time reviewing the discussions underway on changing the course greens from Bent Grass to Bermuda Grass. Hot Springs Village is in the “transition zone” from a weather standpoint which makes this a difficult issue. There is no perfect solution, just a series of pluses and minuses depending on which way you go. At this point no decision has been made and John emphasized that any change will be made slowly and only following careful evaluation and trials.
After briefly outlining the plans for renovations and improvements projects during the coming year John took questions from the audience. Bill Patterson, President of the Men’s Club, thanked John for his presentation and for taking time to stay and answer the member’s questions.
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| Tim Keating, (left) past Men's Club President receiving past president's plaque from current Men's Club President, Bill Patterson. |
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| Father Bill Elser (center) greets visitors to the Sacred Heart open house. |
In commenting on the Open House, Father Bill said that he was pleased to offer the Hot Springs Village community the opportunity to come and see Sacred Heart, both the church and the people of the church. He was excited to share all that Sacred Heart offers for the community and for its parishioners. Father Bill also commented that the Open House was a planned, public time to visit but guests are always welcome to visit the church and to explore what Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church has to offer.
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| Sacred Heart Habitat for Humanity volunteers (l-r) Tom Townsend, Bob Gordon, Gerald & Ann Krawczynski, Dick & Diane Condon and Pat & Mike Miller. Volunteers not pictures are Bob Bowman, Dave Johnston, Tom Shields, Roland White, Ruth Kerwin, Pat Perilloux, Dave Witchger and Fr. Bill Elser. |
The Sacred Heart work schedule will continue on Tuesday, November 1 and Wednesday, November 2. This can be a fun and personally rewarding experience. If you can make any of these dates, please e-mail or call Dave Witchger at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or 922-9058. An information and organization meeting will be held in the near future. If you want to learn about the local Garland County Habitat affiliate, check their website at www.habitatgc.org.
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| Deacon John Froning gathers with Sacred Heart parishioners and their pets at the church entrance for the pet blessing ceremony. |
After the prayers of thanksgiving to God for his goodness to humankind, the blessing was bestowed on each dog with a sprinkle of holy water to convey this holy act. One adventurous Westie had already tasted the holy water before the ceremony actually began to ensure it was of the highest holiest quality.
It was obvious that the four-legged companions of Sacred Heart’s parishioners had already received the greatest blessing of being owned by very caring and devoted humans. Several of the pets were adoptees from our local HSV shelter that now live the good life, safe and cozy with owners who had seen their promise and picked them to share home and hearth.
As the dogs and owners headed back to cars after this blessing ceremony ended, if you looked very carefully you might have noticed little halos shined to perfection bobbing above each furry head. After all the excitement, owners and pets looked forward to going home for some quiet restful naps. And in their hearts, all were smiling.
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| Father Bill Elser is busy serving some of his home made ice cream assisted by students from the religious education program. |
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| Student Hazel Bonilla takes an order from Bill Patterson, Men’s Club President, and his wife Diane. |
Members of the Men’s Club prepare the dinner and also serve as waiters. Over 400 guests enjoyed a baked chicken dinner with salad, bread, potato, vegetable and coffee. Father Bill Elser, Pastor of Sacred Heart, made several flavors of ice cream that were sold and served by youngsters from the religious education program to raise money for the program. Bill Patterson, President of the Men’s Club, said following the event that the club had exceeded their goal and was very pleased with the success of this year’s Chicken Bake. The Sacred Heart Men’s Club is open to men of Sacred Heart parish and spouses of Sacred Heart parishioners.
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| Pictured (L-R) are Fr. Bill Elser, Fr. Vic Bieberle, Jonathan Semmler, Bishop AnthonyTaylor, Camille Eisenhauer, and Monsignor Bernard Malone. |
A dinner, prepared and served by the Ladies of Sacred Heart, followed the service for the families and friends of these two most recently confirmed youngsters, as well as for Megan Shaffer and Dylan Kinkade, who were confirmed earlier this year.
Bishop Taylor offered the blessing before the meal, and joined Fr. Bill Elser, pastor, Monsignor Bernard Malone, retired pastor, and Fr. Vic Bieberle in participating in the festivities. Celebratory balloons decorated the tables and Fr. Elser’s homemade ice cream and Mary Parks’ banana/chocolate cake were served as the very special dessert.
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| Father Victor Bieberle (second from right) greets parishioners and guests following his anniversary celebration mass along with (from left) Father Rossi, Father Elser and Msgr. Malone. |
Born in Bushton, Kansas 85 years ago, he entered the priesthood in the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas. After a career that included both being a pastor at various parishes as well as serving as a military chaplain, Fr. Vic retired in 1995 and moved to Hot Springs Village. Over the past 15 years he has assisted in various capacities at Sacred Heart Church. Now he has decided it is time to return to Wichita to be close to his family and truly retire. The home in the Village is sold and Fr. Vic will be heading back to Kansas in a few weeks.
Parishioners and guests gathered at the mass that was followed by a reception in the Lower Hall. Father Bill Elser, Pastor of Sacred Heart, presided at the mass and at the conclusion he presented Father Vic with a portrait that had been made in his honor and that will be hung in the church narthex. At the reception a variety of food was available for the more than 300 guests in attendance, all of which had been prepared by approximately 70 women of the Ladies of Sacred Heart Guild. John McGrail, a Sacred Heart parishioner, presented a poem that he had prepared to honor Fr. Vic which was a very moving tribute to this long serving priest. Monsignor Bernard Malone, who along with Father Raymond Rossi are past Pastors of Sacred Heart, were in attendance and thanked Fr. Vic for all of his years of service in assisting them to serve the parishioners of Sacred Heart.
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| Father Bill Elser, Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, will be welcoming visitors to an Open House on October 9th |
RCIA is a journey, not just a series of classes. It is a time for those exploring the Catholic faith to take a walk with Jesus to learn His message of love, and allowing that message to change ones heart. However, everyone who comes to explore the Catholic faith has a different faith background and some even have varying experiences with the Catholic Church. It simply doesn't make sense for everyone to be in the same setting as they discern God's call in their life. As a result and to accommodate various needs, programs will be offered to facilitate the unique needs of those wishing to explore the way and faith of the Catholic Church and the community of believers at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
The Sacred Heart RCIA program is open to anyone wishing to explore the Catholic faith for the first time and also to those who may have "fallen away" from the church and wish to explore what the church is today. For more information and to learn if this program fits your unique situation please call either Deacon Larry Lipsmeyer (501-922-3283) or Deacon John Froning (501-226-5506).
An Open House will be held at the church on Sunday, October 9, at 2:00 p.m. A tour of the church will be given and questions will be answered about all aspects of the faith community at Sacred Heart. Refreshments (including some of Pastor Father Bill's famous ice cream) will be offered.
Scott Randall, General Manager of the Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association, and his wife Sandi were guests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church Men’s Club at the club’s Kickoff Dinner on Tuesday, September 13th. Over 160 members, spouses and widows of deceased members attended the potluck supper meeting which included brats cooked by the members. Following the meal Scott shared with the group his observations about the Village since his arrival earlier this year and his goals for the continued success of the Village in the future.
Scott and Sandi Randall (picture at left) enjoyed the fellowship at the Sacred Heart Men's Club Kickoff meeting prior to the POA General Managers talk.
This fall, from September 28 to November 6, our community is uniting with hundreds of other cities around the world for the largest and longest coordinated pro-life mobilization in history: the 40 Days for Life campaign. Recognizing that "with God all things are possible," people of faith are praying that this effort will help bring an end to the tragedy of abortion.40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign that has already mobilized over 400,000 people worldwide, saved more than 4,300 lives from abortion, led to the conversion of 52 abortion workers, and seen 13 abortion facilities close. 40 Days for Life is made up of three components:
Prayer and Fasting: believers throughout our city are invited to join together for 40 days of fervent prayer and fasting for an end to abortion.
- Peaceful Vigil: stand for life during a 40-day peaceful public witness outside the Little Rock Family Planning at #4 Office Park Drive.
- Community Outreach: help take a positive, upbeat pro-life message to every corner of our city through media efforts, advocacy, and public visibility.