Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
In case you haven't "heard," Bishop Taylor has recently released some new protocols when it comes to safety measures in light of the threat of the coronavirus, after receiving counsel from the presbyteral council of our diocese.  While keeping the "mask mandate" when we are in church, he is allowing for more spacing in the pews when needed (parishioners can sit behind each other, and maintain 6 foot distance between families).  We now have altar servers back, gift bearers bringing up the bread and wine (please sign up in the back of church or call Marcie Margel) and holy water back in the font and at the entrances of church (though we will keep the "touchless" holy water dispensers at the main entrances into the church from the Narthex.

In addition to all this, the bishop is giving permission for lay Extraordinary ministers of Communion to resume bringing Communion to people who are shut-in because of health, age or continuing concerns about the coronavirus IF THESE MINISTERS HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED.  For now if you haven't been receiving Holy Communion from me in your homes and you would like to receive it weekly, call the church office at 922-2062, ext. 10 and leave your name and phone number and you wil be notified as to who will be bringing you Holy Communion either on Saturday after the 5:00 p.m. Mass or after one of the Sunday morning Masses (unless other arrangements are made).  These visits include a brief form of prayer and scripture before receiving Holy Communion.

Please respond to this invitation and start receiving Jesus, the bread of life in your homes for now.  If (or I hope when) you can come back to church for Mass, let the Extraordinary minister know that is the case and you will be taken off the list.  Holy Communion in the home or rehab. center can also be brought to you while you are recovering from an illness or surgery.  I appreciate all the E.M.'s to the sick and shut-ins that have the training and willingness to help me in bringing Jesus to you in your time of need.  Please don't hesitate to call me at 501-209-2502 if you or a loved one would like to receive the anointing of the sick before surgery, or due to a chronic or serious illness.