Recently the parish council discussed and then recommended that in the not so distant future we start recognizing parishioners at Sacred Heart Church who give good example of what it means to love and serve the Lord and this faith community in a variety of ways. This will include reserving a special parking place for them for a period of time and perhaps a special prayer and blessing over them at the Mass they attend on the weekend. I know from my experiences here at Sacred Heart that the list of people to recognize is long and many of you will not have to think for long before coming up with a few or many names to recommend.
Today, in my column I want to recognize and give thanks to God for Buddy and Martha Dixon who in fact are leaving us to move close to family support. They will not have the opportunity to be the first to receive a special parking space in our church parking lot, but they would certainly be on mine and many others' lists as most worthy of recognition. While you may have at least seen Buddy in the role of lector at the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass with his strong and distinctive voice and for years as a cantor at Mass, and soloist for special Masses, the fact is that Buddy served the Lord in various ways "behind the scenes." He was a recruiter and trainer of cantors for more than a few years and was the coordinator for the Knights of Columbus premiere event every year, the Mass to celebrate the lives of the deceased brother Knights of our council and assembly, pray for them and honor the widows of our deceased Knights. It was always well planned and well carried out and was an event that was always anticipated by the current Knights and widows of Knights in large part because of the efforts of Buddy behind the scenes and at the Mass and dinner that followed including leading the traditional ending of everyone getting in a circle and singing "Let There Be Peace On Earth" in the lower hall.
Buddy also headed up the Sacred Heart Columbarium Garden Committee and with great compassion and diligence worked with people who wanted to purchase a niche in our Columbarium as a final resting place for themselves and others. The fact that we have the most beautiful Columbarium garden in the Village and beyond, is in large part due to Buddy's attentiveness to it and guidance to those who keep it looking so nice year round.
Martha has been an active member of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart with the St.Teresa of Calcutta Guild and of course has been a great supporter of her husband Buddy in all his activities at Sacred Heart Church and beyond. I say beyond because Buddy has been involved with the POA in a number of capacities, including most recently as an elected director. Both Buddy and Martha will obviously be missed by many, including me, and it is with much gratitude that we say good-bye and best wishes to this couple who have definitely left a lasting mark on this parish and community that they have loved and served for many years. God bless you, Buddy and Martha! I will make sure you have a special parking place if you ever return to visit this community that you love and who loves you!
Today, in my column I want to recognize and give thanks to God for Buddy and Martha Dixon who in fact are leaving us to move close to family support. They will not have the opportunity to be the first to receive a special parking space in our church parking lot, but they would certainly be on mine and many others' lists as most worthy of recognition. While you may have at least seen Buddy in the role of lector at the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass with his strong and distinctive voice and for years as a cantor at Mass, and soloist for special Masses, the fact is that Buddy served the Lord in various ways "behind the scenes." He was a recruiter and trainer of cantors for more than a few years and was the coordinator for the Knights of Columbus premiere event every year, the Mass to celebrate the lives of the deceased brother Knights of our council and assembly, pray for them and honor the widows of our deceased Knights. It was always well planned and well carried out and was an event that was always anticipated by the current Knights and widows of Knights in large part because of the efforts of Buddy behind the scenes and at the Mass and dinner that followed including leading the traditional ending of everyone getting in a circle and singing "Let There Be Peace On Earth" in the lower hall.
Buddy also headed up the Sacred Heart Columbarium Garden Committee and with great compassion and diligence worked with people who wanted to purchase a niche in our Columbarium as a final resting place for themselves and others. The fact that we have the most beautiful Columbarium garden in the Village and beyond, is in large part due to Buddy's attentiveness to it and guidance to those who keep it looking so nice year round.
Martha has been an active member of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart with the St.Teresa of Calcutta Guild and of course has been a great supporter of her husband Buddy in all his activities at Sacred Heart Church and beyond. I say beyond because Buddy has been involved with the POA in a number of capacities, including most recently as an elected director. Both Buddy and Martha will obviously be missed by many, including me, and it is with much gratitude that we say good-bye and best wishes to this couple who have definitely left a lasting mark on this parish and community that they have loved and served for many years. God bless you, Buddy and Martha! I will make sure you have a special parking place if you ever return to visit this community that you love and who loves you!