One of the realities of offering three Masses every weekend, is that some presentations are made at only one Mass and those who go to the other two Masses are not aware of what was presented and whom it was presented to at that Mass. Thankfully, I have my pastor's column to make sure everyone knows (or at least, those who read the bulletin).
Last Sunday at the 10:00 a.m. Mass I presented a certificate of appreciation and flowers to Marge Stehling who, after 22 years, has recently given up the leadership of the ministry of bringing Communion to our shut-ins in their homes and other parishioners who reside in nursing care facilities, group homes, or rehabilitaion centers who can't come to church for Mass.
I want to sincerely thank Marge again for coordinating this ministry and making the assignments of Extraordinary Ministers of Communion to these people and keeping an updated list for me and others to know who has been taking Communion to our homebound parishioners. After Mass last Sunday, Marge let me know what a blessing it has been for her to head up this ministry. She expressed her desire to continue being one of those who is available to bring Communion to anyone in need of it.
I want to let you know, Sue Glinka has agreed to take over the leadership of this important ministry. Her name and phone number will be in the fulletin under HOMEBOUND COMMUNION.
Please do not hesitate to call her if you or your loved one is unable to come to Mass because of sickness or the inability to be mobile enough to come to church for Mass. We have quite a few ministers who are ready and willing to bring Communion to you, give you a bulletin, and visit with you for a bit if you are up to it.
I want to thank those who have been trained in this ministry and are doing it or have done it in the past. Finally, know that I am always ready to come to visit with our shut-ins and offer them the Sacraments of Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation and/or Holy Communion as requested.
Last Sunday at the 10:00 a.m. Mass I presented a certificate of appreciation and flowers to Marge Stehling who, after 22 years, has recently given up the leadership of the ministry of bringing Communion to our shut-ins in their homes and other parishioners who reside in nursing care facilities, group homes, or rehabilitaion centers who can't come to church for Mass.
I want to sincerely thank Marge again for coordinating this ministry and making the assignments of Extraordinary Ministers of Communion to these people and keeping an updated list for me and others to know who has been taking Communion to our homebound parishioners. After Mass last Sunday, Marge let me know what a blessing it has been for her to head up this ministry. She expressed her desire to continue being one of those who is available to bring Communion to anyone in need of it.
I want to let you know, Sue Glinka has agreed to take over the leadership of this important ministry. Her name and phone number will be in the fulletin under HOMEBOUND COMMUNION.
Please do not hesitate to call her if you or your loved one is unable to come to Mass because of sickness or the inability to be mobile enough to come to church for Mass. We have quite a few ministers who are ready and willing to bring Communion to you, give you a bulletin, and visit with you for a bit if you are up to it.
I want to thank those who have been trained in this ministry and are doing it or have done it in the past. Finally, know that I am always ready to come to visit with our shut-ins and offer them the Sacraments of Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation and/or Holy Communion as requested.
In light of what has been happening in the world of politics in our country in recent weeks, perhaps a reminder of an old saying is appropriate, "If you don't have anything nice to say about someone, don't say anything."
I have no doubts that if we allowed the space and opportunity to do it, more than a few people in this parish would have much to say (or write) about, Linda Daniels, our office manager who is retiring after 22 years of service to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, its pastors and parishioners, of this wonderful parish. Dedication, faithfulness, efficiency and a caring, listening ear and demeanor are just some of the words that can be (and should be) used when speaking about Linda and the way she has distinguished herself in her many years of service here. Most of us don't think about the myriad of personalities and issues that are presented to a person in Linda's position and it's clear to me that she always attempted to be respectful and helpful to anyone she encountered over the phone or in person. The consistency of having someone in their position for so long a time, was a great blessing to the parish, especially given the turnover of three pastors during her time here at Sacred Heart Church pray God's blessings to Linda as she leaves us and an invitation to drop by anytime and/or come to some of our functions here at the parish. I know she has made some deep and lasting connections with parishioners who are still here and others who have come and gone from her and our sight. Though not a parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish, I'm sure many echo my sentiments that she will always be seen and appreciated as a part of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish family, and has certainly left her mark here that will be remembered for many years to come. God bless you, Linda!
I have no doubts that if we allowed the space and opportunity to do it, more than a few people in this parish would have much to say (or write) about, Linda Daniels, our office manager who is retiring after 22 years of service to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, its pastors and parishioners, of this wonderful parish. Dedication, faithfulness, efficiency and a caring, listening ear and demeanor are just some of the words that can be (and should be) used when speaking about Linda and the way she has distinguished herself in her many years of service here. Most of us don't think about the myriad of personalities and issues that are presented to a person in Linda's position and it's clear to me that she always attempted to be respectful and helpful to anyone she encountered over the phone or in person. The consistency of having someone in their position for so long a time, was a great blessing to the parish, especially given the turnover of three pastors during her time here at Sacred Heart Church pray God's blessings to Linda as she leaves us and an invitation to drop by anytime and/or come to some of our functions here at the parish. I know she has made some deep and lasting connections with parishioners who are still here and others who have come and gone from her and our sight. Though not a parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish, I'm sure many echo my sentiments that she will always be seen and appreciated as a part of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish family, and has certainly left her mark here that will be remembered for many years to come. God bless you, Linda!
It was nice to get away from my normal routine for some vacation time, though I was indeed spotted around the parish grounds and in the building at various times during my week of vacation.
Last Sunday, I went back to my "home" parish of St. Mary of the Springs in Hot Springs and was asked to be the main Celebrant of the Mass by Father Ravi, the current pastor there. Of course, there were many aspects of my experience before, during and after Mass, that were familiar and haven't changed since I was an altar server and on the altar every Sunday there from my first year of grade school until I left for college in 1978. There were, however, some things that have changed that caught my attention. Firstly, I was struck by the great diversity in the people who participated in the Mass and I don't mean the many young people that were there compared to what we have here at Sacred Heart Church, though it was a greater number than what I remember when I was growing up there. It was the diversity of ethnic backgrounds that were spread throughout the congregation at that Mass. It reminded me that one of the strengths of the Catholic Church is the diversity of it's members that come from all over the world, with many different experiences of life, but one strong commonality, our faith in Jesus Chist and His Church. Also in my growing-up years, though I had a stronger and stronger feeling that I would one day be in the sanctuary of that church as a priest, I couldn't have imagined back then that I would be con-celebrating Mass with a missionary priest from India.
The greater diversity, and yet unity, in our church is shown in the blessings that have come to our diocese and other places that have needed and have welcomed missionary priests to help us in the face of a shortage of priests in our diocese and in most dioceses in our country. While the number of priests ordained for our diocese has thankfully increased greatly in the past 10-15 years, it has included, not only native-born Arkansans, but also priest (like Father Nelson Rubio) who have chosen to give their whole priesthood in service to God, and the bishop who is given to us as our chief shepherd in Arkansas. The continued presence of Father Ravi and more than a few missionary priests who serve for a time in our parishes, is a reminder that we still need them, and should give thanks to God for their willingness to come so far to serve us in Arkansas with the encouragement and consent of their bishop.
One final observation from my experience at Mass last Sunday at St. Mary's was sadly the lack of participation in the singing by a great many in the congregation who were there for the 8:30 a.m. Mass. It led me to give thanks to God that I am in a parish that excels in participating in the Mass in words prayed and songs SUNG.
It's nice to be back in this beautiful church and with you, my parish family!
Last Sunday, I went back to my "home" parish of St. Mary of the Springs in Hot Springs and was asked to be the main Celebrant of the Mass by Father Ravi, the current pastor there. Of course, there were many aspects of my experience before, during and after Mass, that were familiar and haven't changed since I was an altar server and on the altar every Sunday there from my first year of grade school until I left for college in 1978. There were, however, some things that have changed that caught my attention. Firstly, I was struck by the great diversity in the people who participated in the Mass and I don't mean the many young people that were there compared to what we have here at Sacred Heart Church, though it was a greater number than what I remember when I was growing up there. It was the diversity of ethnic backgrounds that were spread throughout the congregation at that Mass. It reminded me that one of the strengths of the Catholic Church is the diversity of it's members that come from all over the world, with many different experiences of life, but one strong commonality, our faith in Jesus Chist and His Church. Also in my growing-up years, though I had a stronger and stronger feeling that I would one day be in the sanctuary of that church as a priest, I couldn't have imagined back then that I would be con-celebrating Mass with a missionary priest from India.
The greater diversity, and yet unity, in our church is shown in the blessings that have come to our diocese and other places that have needed and have welcomed missionary priests to help us in the face of a shortage of priests in our diocese and in most dioceses in our country. While the number of priests ordained for our diocese has thankfully increased greatly in the past 10-15 years, it has included, not only native-born Arkansans, but also priest (like Father Nelson Rubio) who have chosen to give their whole priesthood in service to God, and the bishop who is given to us as our chief shepherd in Arkansas. The continued presence of Father Ravi and more than a few missionary priests who serve for a time in our parishes, is a reminder that we still need them, and should give thanks to God for their willingness to come so far to serve us in Arkansas with the encouragement and consent of their bishop.
One final observation from my experience at Mass last Sunday at St. Mary's was sadly the lack of participation in the singing by a great many in the congregation who were there for the 8:30 a.m. Mass. It led me to give thanks to God that I am in a parish that excels in participating in the Mass in words prayed and songs SUNG.
It's nice to be back in this beautiful church and with you, my parish family!