Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
Those who pray the "Prayer of St. Francis" are asking God to "make them" into many things that give him honor and glory and are a blessing to us and to those we serve.  At one point it says "it is in giving of ourselves that we receive."  Our Very Important Parishioner (VIP) for the month of October, Marvin Young, would no doubt, attest to many blessings that have come to him as he has responded to Jesus's call to be a servant in many ways for many people.  Most recently he did not hesitate when asked to take over from Deacon Wally, the leadership of our Sacred Heart Prayer Warriors (which number around 100).  He is the point person when it comes to this intercessory ministry of asking our prayer warriors to pray for particular people by name who are experiencing a crises situation (usually a sudden sickness or serious medical condition.)  Given the makeup of our parish, it should come to no surprise to anyone that the requests come in frequently if not daily.  Marvin's kindness and compassion make him a perfect fit for this "coordinator position"  and he knows the power of intercessory prayer and will attest to being blessed, strengthened and healed by it during his own prolonged sickness.

Marvin has also been a longtime member of the Social Justice and Charitable Outreach Commission of our parish and has helped out greatly in determining the charitable causes that our parishioners support generously through their stewardship at Sacred Heart Parish.  He has headed up the "Family Assistance" subcommittee of this commission since 2012 and in that role has screened many calls and assigned committee members to respond to requests from needy familiies in the area in the varied ways they request help.  He has been a longtime member of the basket committee that assists families with food at various times of the year and provides gifts at Christmas for needy children.  He (along with his dear wife, Lucy, who helps and supports him greatly in the ministries he has undertaken) coordinates the monthly Food for Seniors Program that takes boxes of food provided by Project Hope Food Bank to seniors over 65 who are unale to get to a grocery store or a food assistance outlet themselves.  Marvin and Lucy do their best to balance all of these charitable efforts with their prayer life which includes faithful participation at Mass and as hourly Adorers in our Eucharistic Adoration ministry.

Marvin and Lucy are truly role models to all of us when it comes to answering the call of the Lord to serve all those in need and shows to us fortitude, perserverance and great faith in handling with dignity and determination the ongoing health issue that has slowed him down but NOT kept him hope-filled and active in these and other ways.  When you see him and Lucy, thank them for being who they are as true servants of the Lord and of others!!