I know the P.O.A. has a Christmas gathering each year for all its employees and thanks them for their work with words and Christmas gifts from the people of Hot Springs Village which shows them in at least a small way how much they are appreciated for all they do.
At this time of the year, I too thank some special people at Sacred Heart Church for on behalf of myself and our parishioners for the work they do as a volunteer or as an employee. For those who don't know our employees (some of whom are contract workers) are Lynne Border, Marian LaVelle, Sheila Miller, Danny Elser, Brett George, and Margaret Keearns.
In addition, I want to thank all those who go beyond their time in the pews for Mass to help in so many ways. They include our head sacristan, Mark Lukasavige and the assistant sacristans who come early to set up and stay late to put away. There's also our parishioners who teach our children in R.E.Y., Bernadette Kroetz, Rose Harrigan, Josie Hanschmann, Ed Doyle, and Jim Berkstram who give an hour each week to teach our young people about the Lord and the Catholic Church and take time to prepare for each lesson. I want to also acknowledge and thank Pat Widlowski and Cathy Wedwick who have headed up our Helping Hands ministry for over 10 years and all the volunteers (too many to name) who help their fellow parishioners in many ways. Then there are all those involved in our bereavement ministry which includes Chris Franz (our hospitality ministry at funerals), and our ushers at funerals, and always at weekend Masses and other special occasions and Holy Day!
Of course the Ladies of the Sacred Heart Guilds are always ready to provide a reception for grieving family members after the funerals are over. Ken Gordon heads up our ongoing grief support ministry with the assistance of trained parishioners. Then there's Linda Broome, our fitness instructor, who gives so much time and energy each week to help our parishioners (and other Villagers) to function better physically through her exercise and yoga classes. There are our nurses who are offering themselves through the leadership of Cathy Silk (who has now moved to North Carolina) to be ready at Masses should someone need immediate medical attention during Mass.
Finally (and I hesitate to say finally) there are those who have stepped forward to help with all aspects of the parking lot Masses to make them run smoothly in good weather and not so good weather. When I add in the parish commission leaders and members, our other ligurgical ministers, and the efforts of our leaders and members of the Knights of Columbus, Men's Club, and Ladies of the Sacred Heart in all their charitable work, our SIngles headed up by Susan Harrell and Debbie Doughty and our Newcomers couples headed up by Debbie and Dwayne Garrett. I know I and so many are truly blessed by the efforts of all these people to do the work of the Lord in this wonderful parish.
I would like the naming of all this and these people to also serve as an invitation to all of you who are curently not involved in the parish beyond coming to Mass to see the many opportunities out there to use some of your time, talents and faith in ways that will bless others and bless yourselves as well. Call me (501-209-2502) and we can talk about it.
I almost forgot Tom Donnelly and our leaders and participants in Eucharistic Adoration. It all starts with a growing relationship with the Lord and not only the peace he gives, but also the guidance that leads to all the good we do in his name!
At this time of the year, I too thank some special people at Sacred Heart Church for on behalf of myself and our parishioners for the work they do as a volunteer or as an employee. For those who don't know our employees (some of whom are contract workers) are Lynne Border, Marian LaVelle, Sheila Miller, Danny Elser, Brett George, and Margaret Keearns.
In addition, I want to thank all those who go beyond their time in the pews for Mass to help in so many ways. They include our head sacristan, Mark Lukasavige and the assistant sacristans who come early to set up and stay late to put away. There's also our parishioners who teach our children in R.E.Y., Bernadette Kroetz, Rose Harrigan, Josie Hanschmann, Ed Doyle, and Jim Berkstram who give an hour each week to teach our young people about the Lord and the Catholic Church and take time to prepare for each lesson. I want to also acknowledge and thank Pat Widlowski and Cathy Wedwick who have headed up our Helping Hands ministry for over 10 years and all the volunteers (too many to name) who help their fellow parishioners in many ways. Then there are all those involved in our bereavement ministry which includes Chris Franz (our hospitality ministry at funerals), and our ushers at funerals, and always at weekend Masses and other special occasions and Holy Day!
Of course the Ladies of the Sacred Heart Guilds are always ready to provide a reception for grieving family members after the funerals are over. Ken Gordon heads up our ongoing grief support ministry with the assistance of trained parishioners. Then there's Linda Broome, our fitness instructor, who gives so much time and energy each week to help our parishioners (and other Villagers) to function better physically through her exercise and yoga classes. There are our nurses who are offering themselves through the leadership of Cathy Silk (who has now moved to North Carolina) to be ready at Masses should someone need immediate medical attention during Mass.
Finally (and I hesitate to say finally) there are those who have stepped forward to help with all aspects of the parking lot Masses to make them run smoothly in good weather and not so good weather. When I add in the parish commission leaders and members, our other ligurgical ministers, and the efforts of our leaders and members of the Knights of Columbus, Men's Club, and Ladies of the Sacred Heart in all their charitable work, our SIngles headed up by Susan Harrell and Debbie Doughty and our Newcomers couples headed up by Debbie and Dwayne Garrett. I know I and so many are truly blessed by the efforts of all these people to do the work of the Lord in this wonderful parish.
I would like the naming of all this and these people to also serve as an invitation to all of you who are curently not involved in the parish beyond coming to Mass to see the many opportunities out there to use some of your time, talents and faith in ways that will bless others and bless yourselves as well. Call me (501-209-2502) and we can talk about it.
I almost forgot Tom Donnelly and our leaders and participants in Eucharistic Adoration. It all starts with a growing relationship with the Lord and not only the peace he gives, but also the guidance that leads to all the good we do in his name!