Last weekend, I celebrated four Masses and preached homilies that differed in overall content (at least three of them) but all focused on one point; that God's mercy, which is beyond our comprehension (and perhaps appreciation) leads not only to forgiveness, but also to GENEROSITY which shows itself in the most widespread way through the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
At the 8:00 a. m. Mass I spoke about policemen and teachers who, in these difficult days continue to show generosity in protecting the public and teaching our children and young people in a less than ideal atmosphere. I also spoke of an abundance of generosity being offered by Catholics in Arkansas and parishioners here at Sacred Heart in the money that has been contributed to the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal (hopefully $84,000 from some of our Sacred Heart parishioners, if all pledges are paid off and the recent virtual "Taste of Faith" Arkansas seminarian fundraiser that netted a total of around $500,000 including $46,000 from our parishioners through the efforts of our local Knights of Columbus).
Of course there are so many ways that generosity is shown besides money as has certainly been the case for the last number of years by Cathy Silk, first as a volunteer on our prish life commission and in the last few years as a paid employee who was often generous of her time and talents and her positive helpful demeanor in countless ways and for the benefit of many people! Sadly, I tell you that she and her husband Jeff will soon be leaving our parish and Hot Springs Village to move back east where Jeff will accept a new position is his career in law enforcement. While the generosity of both (including Jeff being our head parking attendant for our outdoor Mass) will be sorely missed, I am so encouraged by last weekend's scripture readings and my knowledge of so many generous people in our parish to be confident that as many of our parishioners as are needed will agree to step up to the plate and generously give of themselves to continue and even expand on the good work that has been done by Cathy here, including (and maybe especially) her efforts to protect our parishioners when they are here and even elsewhere from sickness from the coronavirus as well as promoting good health practices like our exercise groups that are led quite capably by Linda Broome.
We will be blessed to have Cathy and Jeff with us for a part of October which should be enough time to identify people with generous spirits and the skills needed to be trained to do the Lord's work in a variety of ways here at Sacred Heart Church. It's a little early to say good-bye to Jeff and Cathy Silk, but not early to wish them the best in the furture and offer to help them as they get ready to leave. God bless them and all generous people who give of themselves so quickly and so often for people in need!
At the 8:00 a. m. Mass I spoke about policemen and teachers who, in these difficult days continue to show generosity in protecting the public and teaching our children and young people in a less than ideal atmosphere. I also spoke of an abundance of generosity being offered by Catholics in Arkansas and parishioners here at Sacred Heart in the money that has been contributed to the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal (hopefully $84,000 from some of our Sacred Heart parishioners, if all pledges are paid off and the recent virtual "Taste of Faith" Arkansas seminarian fundraiser that netted a total of around $500,000 including $46,000 from our parishioners through the efforts of our local Knights of Columbus).
Of course there are so many ways that generosity is shown besides money as has certainly been the case for the last number of years by Cathy Silk, first as a volunteer on our prish life commission and in the last few years as a paid employee who was often generous of her time and talents and her positive helpful demeanor in countless ways and for the benefit of many people! Sadly, I tell you that she and her husband Jeff will soon be leaving our parish and Hot Springs Village to move back east where Jeff will accept a new position is his career in law enforcement. While the generosity of both (including Jeff being our head parking attendant for our outdoor Mass) will be sorely missed, I am so encouraged by last weekend's scripture readings and my knowledge of so many generous people in our parish to be confident that as many of our parishioners as are needed will agree to step up to the plate and generously give of themselves to continue and even expand on the good work that has been done by Cathy here, including (and maybe especially) her efforts to protect our parishioners when they are here and even elsewhere from sickness from the coronavirus as well as promoting good health practices like our exercise groups that are led quite capably by Linda Broome.
We will be blessed to have Cathy and Jeff with us for a part of October which should be enough time to identify people with generous spirits and the skills needed to be trained to do the Lord's work in a variety of ways here at Sacred Heart Church. It's a little early to say good-bye to Jeff and Cathy Silk, but not early to wish them the best in the furture and offer to help them as they get ready to leave. God bless them and all generous people who give of themselves so quickly and so often for people in need!
We have all heard and perhaps spoke the phrase "the light at the end of the tunnel" when we have been in some dark and difficult time and we believe it is about to come to an end. I wish we could say that about the Coronavirus at this point, but most would say we can't yet. Nevertheless, it can be a good thing for us to find light that is either present in the midst of the darkness or that we can identify as being a potential blessing after the darkness is over. I would like to address some of these that I see and can identify even as the restrictions due to the Coronavirus continue.
St. Pardre Pio wrote the following to one of his spiritual children back in 1915. "When you are attending Mass and other religious services, be very reverent when you stand up, kneel, and sit. Perform each action with great devotion. Be modest in your gaze, and do not turn your head this way and that to see who is coming or going. Try not to talk to anyone unless charity or a strict need required it."
Given the realities of our wearing masks in church and locating in the pews or in chairs that keep us at least 6 feet apart from one another, Padre Pio's encouragement is much more easily followed than before the Coronavirus appeared in our country (and to those who want and/or need a quiet atmosphere before Mass, it has been a blessing). My hope would be that long after the coronavirus with its restrictions has ended, that we would carry on these "forced habits" not because we "have to do so," but because it would be a good thing for us and those in the church with us.
Two more actions that we have had to adjust to at Mass is not touching one another (except family members) during the Sign of Peace at Mass and during the Lord's Prayer. In the name of consistency and appropriateness, our turning to our neighbor with a gesture of peace like bowing one's head or waving peace to those around us, might in fact be the "way to go" after the Coronavirus is over, especially since there would not be any passing on of germs from shaking others' hands as many of us did before COVID-19. Similarly, if we are now folding our hands during the Lord's Prayer or joining the priest/celebrant in the "orens" position with arms apart and hands raised toward heaven, this might be a good (and healthy) practice to continue for the long-term future.
Just as the new way of selling fruits and vegetables (because of the Coronvirus) proved not only to be a safe and healthier way to continue to offer this service to our parishioners and others from throughout the Village, but seemed good for other reasons (and will probably be done next harvesting season when the Henry family and their helpers return), so in church and in other places new ways of doing some things that have to do with time spent at church and at Mass might need to continue for more than one good reason. I hope we will all be open to that and receive some blessings from an otherwise difficult time.
St. Pardre Pio wrote the following to one of his spiritual children back in 1915. "When you are attending Mass and other religious services, be very reverent when you stand up, kneel, and sit. Perform each action with great devotion. Be modest in your gaze, and do not turn your head this way and that to see who is coming or going. Try not to talk to anyone unless charity or a strict need required it."
Given the realities of our wearing masks in church and locating in the pews or in chairs that keep us at least 6 feet apart from one another, Padre Pio's encouragement is much more easily followed than before the Coronavirus appeared in our country (and to those who want and/or need a quiet atmosphere before Mass, it has been a blessing). My hope would be that long after the coronavirus with its restrictions has ended, that we would carry on these "forced habits" not because we "have to do so," but because it would be a good thing for us and those in the church with us.
Two more actions that we have had to adjust to at Mass is not touching one another (except family members) during the Sign of Peace at Mass and during the Lord's Prayer. In the name of consistency and appropriateness, our turning to our neighbor with a gesture of peace like bowing one's head or waving peace to those around us, might in fact be the "way to go" after the Coronavirus is over, especially since there would not be any passing on of germs from shaking others' hands as many of us did before COVID-19. Similarly, if we are now folding our hands during the Lord's Prayer or joining the priest/celebrant in the "orens" position with arms apart and hands raised toward heaven, this might be a good (and healthy) practice to continue for the long-term future.
Just as the new way of selling fruits and vegetables (because of the Coronvirus) proved not only to be a safe and healthier way to continue to offer this service to our parishioners and others from throughout the Village, but seemed good for other reasons (and will probably be done next harvesting season when the Henry family and their helpers return), so in church and in other places new ways of doing some things that have to do with time spent at church and at Mass might need to continue for more than one good reason. I hope we will all be open to that and receive some blessings from an otherwise difficult time.
If anyone in our country can point to a political party or candidate for office who takes a stand on and completely supports Gospel values and the social justice teachings of the Catholic Church, please let me know what or who that is, so I can confidently and without question or thought vote for them. UNFORTUNATELY, I do not believe such a party or person may be found, so the Church calls on us to the task for "Forming Our Consciences For Faithful Citizenship" which is in fact a reflection and teaching of our United States Bishop that is updated and made available every 4 years and can be found by logging into www.USCCB.org. In #5 of the introduction, it says that, "This statement highlights the role of the Church in the forming of conscience and the corresponding responsibility of each Catholic to hear, receive and act upon the Church's teaching in the lifelong task of forming his or her own conscience.
Foremost among those teachings are the four basic principles of Catholic social doctrine: the dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarty and solidarity." By taking the time to educate ourselves and act, both at election time by voting and in other ways at all times, we do our part to help build a better world. Long after the election is over, regardless of who wins, we, the electorate, are charged to support efforts to care for the common good and challenge them to create and/or change positions and laws that do not promote the 4 basic principles mentioned above. While we must always stand for and promote efforts and laws that protect human life from the moment of conception to natural death, we must do the same when it comes to people being given an opportunity to work (in humane conditions) to support themselves and their families and to receive a wage that is at least enough to provide for the basics of food, clothing and shelter for themselves and their families.
Right now, there is the sentiment of some that the upcoming election will move us more toward capitalism or more toward socialism in and through the agendas of those who are running for office. I choose not to comment on that, but instead be comfortable and confident in saying that we as Catholic Christians must ALWAYS promote policies and form minds and hearts in the ways of the Gospel with the corresponding hope and belief that this will lead to a country that is truly "Under God" in recognizing God's sovereignty over everyone and every institution, and make our existance and that of future generations filled with God's justice, love, mercy and peace........the kind of world that best prepares us for life that awaits us in God's eternal care!
Foremost among those teachings are the four basic principles of Catholic social doctrine: the dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarty and solidarity." By taking the time to educate ourselves and act, both at election time by voting and in other ways at all times, we do our part to help build a better world. Long after the election is over, regardless of who wins, we, the electorate, are charged to support efforts to care for the common good and challenge them to create and/or change positions and laws that do not promote the 4 basic principles mentioned above. While we must always stand for and promote efforts and laws that protect human life from the moment of conception to natural death, we must do the same when it comes to people being given an opportunity to work (in humane conditions) to support themselves and their families and to receive a wage that is at least enough to provide for the basics of food, clothing and shelter for themselves and their families.
Right now, there is the sentiment of some that the upcoming election will move us more toward capitalism or more toward socialism in and through the agendas of those who are running for office. I choose not to comment on that, but instead be comfortable and confident in saying that we as Catholic Christians must ALWAYS promote policies and form minds and hearts in the ways of the Gospel with the corresponding hope and belief that this will lead to a country that is truly "Under God" in recognizing God's sovereignty over everyone and every institution, and make our existance and that of future generations filled with God's justice, love, mercy and peace........the kind of world that best prepares us for life that awaits us in God's eternal care!