This past Tuesday, November 12, the Church celebrated the memorial of St. Josephat who was a bishop in the early 17th century. He was Polish and grew up in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He served as the Archbishop of Polotsk from 1618-1623 and died a martyr's death on November 12, 1623. His efforts to promote unity between the Eastern and Western Church were in large part the cause of his martyrdom. He died seeking to bring Christians together at a time when others had strong feelings and actions in the other direction, toward seeing others who disagreed with them as the enemy. Exactly one week before the memorial of St. Josaphat, many people in our country went to the polls and made their choices among the candidates who were on the ballot to lead them for varying periods of time, starting in January, 2025. In light of the continued polarization that this country faces with some seeing fellow Americans who disagree with them on a variety of positions as being "the enemy", I say we not only needs the prayers of saints like Josaphat to inspire a more Christian heart and response toward those who disagree with them on one or usually a variety of issues, but also inspiration from the Spirit of unity, to try to understand and work with others to come up with solutions and policies that truly benefit the common good. It seems to me that in most recent times (or maybe longer) people on the extremes of positions have had too much voice and influence that has led to hard feelings and a stalemate when it comes to getting things accomplished. Also, in the area of religions in our country it is important that we applaud and promote those who strive to find common ground and mutual respect for those who do not believe as they do. There are more than a few things in most religions that unite us rather than divide us, and we should pray that sincere efforts to work together be supported and prayed for on a daily basis. The history of our country and the even longer history of the Church has shown time and again how much good happens when people start with basic respect for others (especially those who disagree with them) and a readiness to work toward solutions that are considerate of the wisdom of all sides and of course, reflect first and foremost the mind and heart of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
As we prepare to celebrate the feast of "Christ the King" (November 24) to close out the Church year, let us pray that we will always have the perspective that looks beyond what this or any other country stands for and be committed first and foremost to the King of heaven and earth in thought, word and deeds. Striving to be united in him, we can live in these seemingly troubled times in peace with God and with one another!
As we prepare to celebrate the feast of "Christ the King" (November 24) to close out the Church year, let us pray that we will always have the perspective that looks beyond what this or any other country stands for and be committed first and foremost to the King of heaven and earth in thought, word and deeds. Striving to be united in him, we can live in these seemingly troubled times in peace with God and with one another!
In a "perfect parish world" (or close to it) every parishioner would, besides participating in Mass at least on the weekends (EVERY weekend) would be involved in a ministry at Mass AND in at least one parish activity or ministry outside of Mass. I dare not even dream of that being a reality, because if I did so, I
could only imagine the countless blessings that would come from it both within the parish and outside of the parish community!
Thankfully, our parish is blessed to have people like Marie Hylden, our Very Important Parishioner for the month of November who step up and get involved in multiple ministries and activities in the parish AND larger community that blesses the people impacted by her efforts and the happy, helpful and kind disposition she exudes in her interactions with others. Given all she does, it seems like she has been doing it for many years, though the reality is that she has lived in Hot Springs Village for just 8 years as she and her husband, Rick moved to the Village from Plano, Texas. For those who don't know this, Rick died suddenly about two years ago. They were blessed to be husband and wife for 44 years and have three children and seven grandchildren, (who Marie goes to see quite often) and who are the "loves'' of her life. Marie is often present on the altar as a lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and has recently started taking Communion to the homebound. She served enthusiastically as the
vice-president and the president of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart. She is the captain of Guild 2 and has recently accepted the leadership of the Spring LOSH Charity Golf Tournament. She has taken over as head of the holiday food basket effort and the Angel Tree, and works with various people and organizations of the parish to help these needy families from the area schools. She joins in the seasonal efforts of our church decorating committee and helps to take down and put up the drapes in the sanctuary when the Church seasons change. She is also a member of one of the Parish counting teams which gathers on Monday mornings to count the stewardship from the weekend Masses. In the larger community, Marie is very involved with he Hot Springs Village Symphony Guild (currently as the
president) in its efforts to support the Arkansas Symphony and the beautiful concerts it puts on (including a concert for a large group of school-aged children this month). She is a past president of the Desoto Women's Club and an active member of P.E.O. Chapter CU. As you can see, Marie is much more likely to say "yes" than "no" when asked to do something, AND she is one who I'm truly thankful for, not only because of all that she has done and continues to do, but also because she takes initiative even when not asked to give of her time, talents, treasure and faith to benefit others! God bless you Marie for being the person God calls you (and all of us) to be!
could only imagine the countless blessings that would come from it both within the parish and outside of the parish community!
Thankfully, our parish is blessed to have people like Marie Hylden, our Very Important Parishioner for the month of November who step up and get involved in multiple ministries and activities in the parish AND larger community that blesses the people impacted by her efforts and the happy, helpful and kind disposition she exudes in her interactions with others. Given all she does, it seems like she has been doing it for many years, though the reality is that she has lived in Hot Springs Village for just 8 years as she and her husband, Rick moved to the Village from Plano, Texas. For those who don't know this, Rick died suddenly about two years ago. They were blessed to be husband and wife for 44 years and have three children and seven grandchildren, (who Marie goes to see quite often) and who are the "loves'' of her life. Marie is often present on the altar as a lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and has recently started taking Communion to the homebound. She served enthusiastically as the
vice-president and the president of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart. She is the captain of Guild 2 and has recently accepted the leadership of the Spring LOSH Charity Golf Tournament. She has taken over as head of the holiday food basket effort and the Angel Tree, and works with various people and organizations of the parish to help these needy families from the area schools. She joins in the seasonal efforts of our church decorating committee and helps to take down and put up the drapes in the sanctuary when the Church seasons change. She is also a member of one of the Parish counting teams which gathers on Monday mornings to count the stewardship from the weekend Masses. In the larger community, Marie is very involved with he Hot Springs Village Symphony Guild (currently as the
president) in its efforts to support the Arkansas Symphony and the beautiful concerts it puts on (including a concert for a large group of school-aged children this month). She is a past president of the Desoto Women's Club and an active member of P.E.O. Chapter CU. As you can see, Marie is much more likely to say "yes" than "no" when asked to do something, AND she is one who I'm truly thankful for, not only because of all that she has done and continues to do, but also because she takes initiative even when not asked to give of her time, talents, treasure and faith to benefit others! God bless you Marie for being the person God calls you (and all of us) to be!
I'm sure that many of you are like me when it comes to "relief" that election day is almost here (November 5). I hope the electorate as a whole has truly come to know where all the candidates for elected office stand on important issues and their record on what they have done when they have
served in an elected or appointed office in the past. There is no doubt that emotions are high and
sadly are anything but Christ-like in their verbal expression, especially when it is against a candidate or candidates.
One thing to keep in mind is that we all need to be diligent long after the election is over in standing
up for the teachings and values that come from the bible and the Tradition of the Catholic Church and be involved in the public arena in the ways we can to influence the decisions that are made on the local, state and national level that have an impact on people's lives in our country and around the world.
In addition to praying continually for our Church's leaders (the pope, bishops, and clergy) which we
do during the Prayer of the Faithful at Mass, the Church urges us to pray at Mass and other times
for our elected and appointed leaders that they will serve with integrity and promote policies that will benefit the common good, with special concern for the poor, the vulnerable, and those who struggle to care for themselves and their families. I want to urge you to consider joining us not only on election day, Tuesday, November 5 for Mass followed by the "Patriotic Rosary", but also join us throughout the year whenever we offer the Patriotic Rosary (usually on civic holidays) to pray for our country's public leaders on the national, state and local levels as well as citizens in every state in our country!
While there many things that have the potential to divide us when it comes to the public arena (and in
the Church itself), I hope we would all agree that prayer is something that always unites us as we ask for the Lord's unfailing help to make us what he wants us and everyone to be .
served in an elected or appointed office in the past. There is no doubt that emotions are high and
sadly are anything but Christ-like in their verbal expression, especially when it is against a candidate or candidates.
One thing to keep in mind is that we all need to be diligent long after the election is over in standing
up for the teachings and values that come from the bible and the Tradition of the Catholic Church and be involved in the public arena in the ways we can to influence the decisions that are made on the local, state and national level that have an impact on people's lives in our country and around the world.
In addition to praying continually for our Church's leaders (the pope, bishops, and clergy) which we
do during the Prayer of the Faithful at Mass, the Church urges us to pray at Mass and other times
for our elected and appointed leaders that they will serve with integrity and promote policies that will benefit the common good, with special concern for the poor, the vulnerable, and those who struggle to care for themselves and their families. I want to urge you to consider joining us not only on election day, Tuesday, November 5 for Mass followed by the "Patriotic Rosary", but also join us throughout the year whenever we offer the Patriotic Rosary (usually on civic holidays) to pray for our country's public leaders on the national, state and local levels as well as citizens in every state in our country!
While there many things that have the potential to divide us when it comes to the public arena (and in
the Church itself), I hope we would all agree that prayer is something that always unites us as we ask for the Lord's unfailing help to make us what he wants us and everyone to be .