Something happened in the last few months that got my attention and has led me to want to share it with our parishioners. I was informed by two different people of the fact that two of our recently deceased parishioners have made Sacred Heart Church a beneficiary of part of the assets from their estate.
While I firstly thanked God for their thoughtfulness and generosity in making this decision before they died (and I hope leaving some of the proceeds of their estate to other entities that do God's work, especially among the poor), I realized that in my priesthood that it has been rare that even one, much less two in a short period has made the choice to give to God and his work "something" after their death. In the Gospel of Luke (12:13-15) we are told of a man who approached Jesus and asked him to tell his brother to give him a share of the inheritance (that he must have gotten from his father). Jesus's response was a teaching about the sin of greed and goes on to tell the parable of the man who kept "saving" his abundant harvest by building more and more bins unaware that he was going to soon die. Jesus then asked "to whom will your stored up wealth go?" (verse 20).
I'm confident that many of you have already done some estate planning. I found out this year upon my godmother's passing, as the executor of her Will how complicated, lengthy, and costly the legal process is when one goes the route of a Will versus a Trust. I hope all of our parishioners get good advice when it comes to what you leave behind of your money and possessions when you die. I pray as well that all of us will follow the example of the two dear ladies I mentioned "AND" give a Christ-like example to our family members and/or friends in what we leave behind in money and possessions to those in need, especially the poor. This can be one of the greatest (and obviously last) statements of your faith that you can teach to your children, grandchildren and your fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord.
While I firstly thanked God for their thoughtfulness and generosity in making this decision before they died (and I hope leaving some of the proceeds of their estate to other entities that do God's work, especially among the poor), I realized that in my priesthood that it has been rare that even one, much less two in a short period has made the choice to give to God and his work "something" after their death. In the Gospel of Luke (12:13-15) we are told of a man who approached Jesus and asked him to tell his brother to give him a share of the inheritance (that he must have gotten from his father). Jesus's response was a teaching about the sin of greed and goes on to tell the parable of the man who kept "saving" his abundant harvest by building more and more bins unaware that he was going to soon die. Jesus then asked "to whom will your stored up wealth go?" (verse 20).
I'm confident that many of you have already done some estate planning. I found out this year upon my godmother's passing, as the executor of her Will how complicated, lengthy, and costly the legal process is when one goes the route of a Will versus a Trust. I hope all of our parishioners get good advice when it comes to what you leave behind of your money and possessions when you die. I pray as well that all of us will follow the example of the two dear ladies I mentioned "AND" give a Christ-like example to our family members and/or friends in what we leave behind in money and possessions to those in need, especially the poor. This can be one of the greatest (and obviously last) statements of your faith that you can teach to your children, grandchildren and your fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord.
I hope everyone would agree (either strongly or not as strongly) that in our daily lives we sometimes take for granted the blessings that come from God and the acts of charity that are done for us and by us for others. In other words, we fail to give thanks FIRST to God from whom all belssings flow, and then to others for their efforts, especially when those efforts go "above and beyond" what is normally done.
I don't want this to happen after two recent "happenings." The first was the extra effort that was expended by so many to have three funeral Masses here over a period of two consecutive days and receptions for all three!! Firstly, to the Guilds of Lady's of the Sacred Heart who worked together to pull off nice receptions for all three funerals, including coming in after the luncheon the Knights had, after a fourth degree exemplification on Saturday. I also say "Thank You" to the coordinators and volunteers in our bereavement ministry, our altar servers, lectors, as well as the office staff that puts together the programs. With Lynne on vacation, Maureen Morgan agreed to be the cantor for all three funeral Masses with the instrumental help of Ellen Nagode. Larry Gremillion agreed to be the "livestream technician" for all three funerals and though we still have some technical difficulties in the production end of this effort, I know the families truly appreciated the effort he put forth. Finally, there was the efforts of our plant manager Danny Elser, who had to do so much in set up and clean-up to make all of this happen (including the 4th degree exemplification on Saturday in the lower hall)! Most of all I applaud and five thanks to God for how all of these people came together and worked together for the glory of God and to help the families of the loved ones whose funerals we had. Add to all this the flower ceremony by our Ladies of the Sacred Heart for deceased members or spouses of their members and the Fourth Degree Honor Guard of our 4th degree assembly (who due to my negligence had to get honor guard members on short notice to commit to one of these funerals) and I know what can happen when faith-filled servants of the Lord come together to do the work of the Lord and who put into action one of the beatitudes "Blest are those who mourn for they will be comforted."
The second happening was the Catholic Charities fundraising golf outing that took place at Diamante Country Club this past Monday. I don't have room to acknowledge all those OF SACRED HEART parish that worked together as players, volunteers and financial donors who made the day enjoyable and also one of the most successful in terms of money made for the year-round efforts of Catholic Charities of Arkansas to help many who are in need. Let me quickly sneak in one name, Murray Claassen, our parishioner and current Grand Knight of our Knight's Council who worked hard on getting and coordinating parish volunteers. THANK YOU, Murray and than all of you for your efforts!!!
I don't want this to happen after two recent "happenings." The first was the extra effort that was expended by so many to have three funeral Masses here over a period of two consecutive days and receptions for all three!! Firstly, to the Guilds of Lady's of the Sacred Heart who worked together to pull off nice receptions for all three funerals, including coming in after the luncheon the Knights had, after a fourth degree exemplification on Saturday. I also say "Thank You" to the coordinators and volunteers in our bereavement ministry, our altar servers, lectors, as well as the office staff that puts together the programs. With Lynne on vacation, Maureen Morgan agreed to be the cantor for all three funeral Masses with the instrumental help of Ellen Nagode. Larry Gremillion agreed to be the "livestream technician" for all three funerals and though we still have some technical difficulties in the production end of this effort, I know the families truly appreciated the effort he put forth. Finally, there was the efforts of our plant manager Danny Elser, who had to do so much in set up and clean-up to make all of this happen (including the 4th degree exemplification on Saturday in the lower hall)! Most of all I applaud and five thanks to God for how all of these people came together and worked together for the glory of God and to help the families of the loved ones whose funerals we had. Add to all this the flower ceremony by our Ladies of the Sacred Heart for deceased members or spouses of their members and the Fourth Degree Honor Guard of our 4th degree assembly (who due to my negligence had to get honor guard members on short notice to commit to one of these funerals) and I know what can happen when faith-filled servants of the Lord come together to do the work of the Lord and who put into action one of the beatitudes "Blest are those who mourn for they will be comforted."
The second happening was the Catholic Charities fundraising golf outing that took place at Diamante Country Club this past Monday. I don't have room to acknowledge all those OF SACRED HEART parish that worked together as players, volunteers and financial donors who made the day enjoyable and also one of the most successful in terms of money made for the year-round efforts of Catholic Charities of Arkansas to help many who are in need. Let me quickly sneak in one name, Murray Claassen, our parishioner and current Grand Knight of our Knight's Council who worked hard on getting and coordinating parish volunteers. THANK YOU, Murray and than all of you for your efforts!!!
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!!
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!!