When a sports season has ended (at least on the professional level), the athletes normally take a break from practicing (andplaying and rest). Those who win a championship (which I would imagine creates an emotional and psychological "high") have time to ponder what they have accomplished before getting back to it with the first practice before the next season starts. With regard to our life as disciples of Christ, we have just completed the church Season of Easter. During the 40 day Lenten season we "practiced" prayer, fasting, and almsgiving and, hopefully, heeded the call to examine our life in relation to Christ, and acknowledged, repented and asked forgiveness of our sins, especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We then joined in the solemn celebration of the Paschal Mystery through the Paschal Triduum which culminated in the renewal of our baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday. Then came the 50 days of celebration of Christ's victory over death through his Resurrection and pondering our call to spread the "Good News" of Jesus Christ as did the apostles and others who were filled with the Holy Spirit (as were we at our Baptism and Confirmation). After we all shared in the celebration of the "Victory of all victories," the victory of Christ over sin and death, the Easter Season). We come to "Ordinary Time" which is the longest season of the Church year. The priests of Arkansas will take a short rest and break from ministry to go on retreat on the grounds of Subiaco Abbey this week. I ask your prayers for me and all the priests who will be there during the week. What, then, is Ordinary Time for priests and all baptized believers have in store for us? The Church says we cannot speak of Ordinary Time without speaking of Sunday. It is the basic structure upon which the Church Year is built. The great liturgical seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter are more expansive celebrations of particular aspects of the one paschal mystery which we celebrate every Lord's Day. (Ordo pg. 36). Since I have more reflections from the Church and myself about Ordinary Time, please plan to read more about it in the next Pastor's Column. Since we've just finished the 8th week in Ordinary Time (and there are 26 more weeks of it to be observed and celebrated), there's plenty of time to hear more about AND MOST IMPORTANTLY live it to the fullest in Jesus Christ and with the members of the Body of Christ  here at Sacred Heart Church!!