Some of the greatest times of growth in the church have happened during times of prosecution and other trials of all sorts. This happened from the beginning when the blood of martyrs became the seeds for more and more people to choose the way of Jesus Christ through the church. while COVID-19 has caused ongoing chaos and worry in our country and throughout the world, the church with mandates, restrictions, fears and decisions not to participate in Mass live since there is currently no obligation, can, over time, lead some to discontinue the practice of their faith in church in their day to day lives. We can only pray that the grace of God and good faith example of so many (including of course in our parish) will strengthen those who might otherwise weaken and make stronger in faith and in trust of Jesus those who are already strong.
I don't hesitate at this time to invite those who are not of the Catholic faith to consider finding out more and maybe in time be ready to become Catholic. The preparation process is often not very long for those who have already been baptized in another Christian faith through a spouse, family member or friend. I am already aware of two people who have shown an interest in Catholicism and our faith community of Sacred Heart Church and I hope and pray more will be encouraged in this direction. I will soon plan a "get together" session for those who are interested. Until then I would like to invite anyone who might be interested in coming into full communion with the Catholic Church to call me at 501-209-2502 and find out more and hopefully agree to meet with me so I can find out more about your background in faith and interst in the Catholic faith. With what is going on, I believe the world (and individuals) need the rock of safety and security that the Church offers through Jesus Christ. How about you?
I don't hesitate at this time to invite those who are not of the Catholic faith to consider finding out more and maybe in time be ready to become Catholic. The preparation process is often not very long for those who have already been baptized in another Christian faith through a spouse, family member or friend. I am already aware of two people who have shown an interest in Catholicism and our faith community of Sacred Heart Church and I hope and pray more will be encouraged in this direction. I will soon plan a "get together" session for those who are interested. Until then I would like to invite anyone who might be interested in coming into full communion with the Catholic Church to call me at 501-209-2502 and find out more and hopefully agree to meet with me so I can find out more about your background in faith and interst in the Catholic faith. With what is going on, I believe the world (and individuals) need the rock of safety and security that the Church offers through Jesus Christ. How about you?
We have all heard it said about someone, especially after they die that this person "left their mark" in terms of the difference they made in people's lives or in their profession. In the case of Lanny Mabus, our parishioner who recently died, I think it can be said that he "left his mark" in the many items he made for our church building as a master woodworker that benefited our liturgical space and made our facility safer for those who walk around. An example of both were the handrails he built and installed in the hallways of the A&E building that stretched from the outside door to the Narthex as well as the rails that assist our liturgical ministers as they walk up the ramps leading to the altar area. In addition he made the following items that are regularly used and seen in the body of the church: stand for the Roman Missal, Book of the Gospels (on the altar and in front of the ambo), and the candle stands on either side of the altar. He constructed the beautiful Ambry that holds the precious, blessed holy oils at the entrance into the body of the church and the cross that stands in the narthex during the Lenten and Easter seasons and has normally been used for the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday. Like St. Joseph who is generally thought of as being quiet, and faithful in his carpentry work and his care for Mary and Jesus, so Lanny was a quiet man who used his God-given skills for much good for the church and many others and was a loving husband to Kathy for 50 years and a loving father to his four daughters. Once he made his profession of faith in the Catholic Church (and really before this) he was active in lay ministry as an usher (and serving as the head usher over all the ushers the past few years). He was active as a Knight of Columbus (3rd & 4th Degree) and logged many miles to and from Little Rock taking donations of men's clothes to St. Francis House, a homeless shelter for Veterans. He was a member of the Men's Club and a faithful Monday morning adorer in our Perpetual Adoration chapel (though I know it was difficult for him to sit still there or anywhere for an hour straight). Lanny's funeral Mass was two days before the feast of St. Martha. I am please to say I knew this man who was "Martha-like" in his busyness and this love for the Lord Jesus.
Please remember Lanny in your prayers and thank God for the "marks" he left in this wonderful parish. May he rest in peace!
Recently the parish council discussed and then recommended that in the not so distant future we start recognizing parishioners at Sacred Heart Church who give good example of what it means to love and serve the Lord and this faith community in a variety of ways. This will include reserving a special parking place for them for a period of time and perhaps a special prayer and blessing over them at the Mass they attend on the weekend. I know from my experiences here at Sacred Heart that the list of people to recognize is long and many of you will not have to think for long before coming up with a few or many names to recommend.
Today, in my column I want to recognize and give thanks to God for Buddy and Martha Dixon who in fact are leaving us to move close to family support. They will not have the opportunity to be the first to receive a special parking space in our church parking lot, but they would certainly be on mine and many others' lists as most worthy of recognition. While you may have at least seen Buddy in the role of lector at the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass with his strong and distinctive voice and for years as a cantor at Mass, and soloist for special Masses, the fact is that Buddy served the Lord in various ways "behind the scenes." He was a recruiter and trainer of cantors for more than a few years and was the coordinator for the Knights of Columbus premiere event every year, the Mass to celebrate the lives of the deceased brother Knights of our council and assembly, pray for them and honor the widows of our deceased Knights. It was always well planned and well carried out and was an event that was always anticipated by the current Knights and widows of Knights in large part because of the efforts of Buddy behind the scenes and at the Mass and dinner that followed including leading the traditional ending of everyone getting in a circle and singing "Let There Be Peace On Earth" in the lower hall.
Buddy also headed up the Sacred Heart Columbarium Garden Committee and with great compassion and diligence worked with people who wanted to purchase a niche in our Columbarium as a final resting place for themselves and others. The fact that we have the most beautiful Columbarium garden in the Village and beyond, is in large part due to Buddy's attentiveness to it and guidance to those who keep it looking so nice year round.
Martha has been an active member of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart with the St.Teresa of Calcutta Guild and of course has been a great supporter of her husband Buddy in all his activities at Sacred Heart Church and beyond. I say beyond because Buddy has been involved with the POA in a number of capacities, including most recently as an elected director. Both Buddy and Martha will obviously be missed by many, including me, and it is with much gratitude that we say good-bye and best wishes to this couple who have definitely left a lasting mark on this parish and community that they have loved and served for many years. God bless you, Buddy and Martha! I will make sure you have a special parking place if you ever return to visit this community that you love and who loves you!
Today, in my column I want to recognize and give thanks to God for Buddy and Martha Dixon who in fact are leaving us to move close to family support. They will not have the opportunity to be the first to receive a special parking space in our church parking lot, but they would certainly be on mine and many others' lists as most worthy of recognition. While you may have at least seen Buddy in the role of lector at the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass with his strong and distinctive voice and for years as a cantor at Mass, and soloist for special Masses, the fact is that Buddy served the Lord in various ways "behind the scenes." He was a recruiter and trainer of cantors for more than a few years and was the coordinator for the Knights of Columbus premiere event every year, the Mass to celebrate the lives of the deceased brother Knights of our council and assembly, pray for them and honor the widows of our deceased Knights. It was always well planned and well carried out and was an event that was always anticipated by the current Knights and widows of Knights in large part because of the efforts of Buddy behind the scenes and at the Mass and dinner that followed including leading the traditional ending of everyone getting in a circle and singing "Let There Be Peace On Earth" in the lower hall.
Buddy also headed up the Sacred Heart Columbarium Garden Committee and with great compassion and diligence worked with people who wanted to purchase a niche in our Columbarium as a final resting place for themselves and others. The fact that we have the most beautiful Columbarium garden in the Village and beyond, is in large part due to Buddy's attentiveness to it and guidance to those who keep it looking so nice year round.
Martha has been an active member of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart with the St.Teresa of Calcutta Guild and of course has been a great supporter of her husband Buddy in all his activities at Sacred Heart Church and beyond. I say beyond because Buddy has been involved with the POA in a number of capacities, including most recently as an elected director. Both Buddy and Martha will obviously be missed by many, including me, and it is with much gratitude that we say good-bye and best wishes to this couple who have definitely left a lasting mark on this parish and community that they have loved and served for many years. God bless you, Buddy and Martha! I will make sure you have a special parking place if you ever return to visit this community that you love and who loves you!