In my time as pastor here at Sacred Heart Parish, I have heard on numerous occasions from people outside of our parish that we are a "generous" parish when it comes to giving monetarily to meet various needs whether they are emergency needs or regular needs close by or far away. Whether it be the needs in Haiti for a local source of water or a building where students can gather safely for school or the needs of many people through the ministries that receive some or all of their support from money that comes in throughout the year in response to the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal. The regular response of a good percentage of our parishioners shows me and others that they appreciate, to one extent or another, that they are called to be good stewards of the financial resources that they are "blessed to have". While there is nothing wrong with accumulating financial and other resources for current and future needs, it is clear that Jesus wants all of us (in our case all Sacred Heart Parishioners) to be giving to those whose basic daily needs are greater than ours and who are unable to meet their needs with their own resources as well as the needs of our parish. While I rejoice that it seems our glass is half full when it comes to people in our parish who give financially and in other ways from what they are blessed to have from God (including their time and talent), in the case of giving of time, talent, and treasure there may be more than a half who are not giving much (if anything) and need to be challenged to begin doing so. I hesitate to just agree when some say "Fr Bill, Sacred Heart Parish is really generous in so many ways". I sometimes add that we do have "more than our share of generous people" who gladly give and who know that our God can never be outdone in generousity.

Are there people in this parish and in all parishes who give little or even nothing to support the needs of the parish (i.e. ministries, salaries, utilities and maintenance)? The answer, of course, is yes! Are there people who justfy not giving or not giving much because they say or think something like, "They are getting plenty from others...they don't need my money". Yes. Finally, are there seniors who say, "I don't have much money coming in since I am retired, so I need to hold on to as much as I can for current and future needs?" The answer is yes. In the end there is no doubt that some need a change of heart, thinking, and action when it comes to giving and, honestly, most, if not all of us, who are giving could and hopefully will be inspired by the Lord and generous givers to give more. I would be interested to get feedback from those who are givers (in some or all ways of giving) as to why you do it and how you are blessed by it. I would like to share some of what is shared with me without putting a name to it. I hope your witness to giving AND the Lord will have an impact on all of us in wonderful ways. Again, my email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. As St Paul said "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7). Thankfully, I see many such people here in this parish!!!