Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
If you did not come to the Saturday evening Mass last weekend, you didn't hear the homily that included talking about a dear parishioner, Pat Dunne whose Mass of Resurrection was held on September 24.  In that homily I talked about the fact that I called her a "miracle woman" because she survived a "code blue" in the hospital three times in one day and lived for another 5 years!  Pat, was a faithful participant at Mass every weekend and often at daily Masses, was an eager and humble Eucharistic Minister at Mass, and was a charter member and faithful adorer in our Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration ministry.  She also encouraged the start of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration here with confidence that our parish could do it since she moved from a smaller parish in Cherokee Village, Arkansas that was successful in starting and maintaining Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration.  When she told me a few years ago that she was somehow functioning with only 15% of her heart pumping like it should, I was very surprised that she was able to do what she was able to do for so long, until I pondered her frequent encounters with the Lord at Mass and in Eucharistic Adoration and concluded that it was through the power of the Holy Eucharist in her life, that she was given the "added" time she had in this world.  

I didn't mention or hear it mentioned at her funeral Mass or at last Saturday evening Mass that she was always happy to tell people that "Elvis Pressley" actually visited her home many years ago.  Much more so and with even greater zeal would Pat have shared with anyone and everyone how happy and blessed she was to welcome Jesus Christ into the home of her heart every time she received Holy Communion and when she spent time with him in the adoration chapel.......and now we pray for an eternity in the kingdom of heaven.  I hope the same goes for all of us who are privileged to encounter Jesus personally in Holy Communion at Mass and in the Monstrance in our chapel!!

I spoke at all the weekend Masses in Church about the IMMEDIATE need for weekly adorers who will answer the call of Jesus to be with him, especially during hours that don't currently have a regular adorer (on more than a few days 12:00-1:00 a.m; 1:00-2:00 a.m. and 2:00-3:00 a.m.).  Please call one of our leaders to sign up (their numbers are in an announcement in this bulletin or listed on our website) and let the Lord help to keep you going and growing, as he did for Pat Dunne and as he does for so many of us in our lives through his presence in Holy Communion!!!!