"Go make a difference. We can make a difference. Go make a difference in the world." These are our words from the refrain of the song, "Go Make A Difference," co-written by Steve Angrisano and Tom Tomaszek.
Even as we continue our Lenten journey, plans have to be made for music of the Easter season and this song certainly fits the season. I can tell you, for sure, that we will sing this song on the weekend of April 27-28 as we welcome to our parish nationally-known and recognized Catholic Lay Evangelist Steve Angrisano. Not only will he speak (and maybe sing a song) at all the Masses that weekend, I'm excited to announce that he will be giving talks and singing at our Easter Mission entitled "Evangelization and Easter Joy" which will happen on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings (April 28, 29 and 30) at 7:00 p.m. each night. I was blessed to hear Steve speak and sing at the Arkansas State Men's Conference, and I can attest to his enthusiasm and confidence in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in his own unique, but powerful, way. His resume of places where he's traveled for a variety of youth and adult events is extensive and impressive. PLEASE mark these days on your calendar and plan to join us for all three nights if possible.
We will be taking a collection at all of Steve's talks to help defray the costs of having him come to Sacred Heart Church. He will bring some merchandise to offer for sale, so please be aware of that. Most of all, let's pray for Steve and for our parish, that this mission will be a blessing and lead to many blessings for individuals and for our whole parish and Village Community.
Even as we continue our Lenten journey, plans have to be made for music of the Easter season and this song certainly fits the season. I can tell you, for sure, that we will sing this song on the weekend of April 27-28 as we welcome to our parish nationally-known and recognized Catholic Lay Evangelist Steve Angrisano. Not only will he speak (and maybe sing a song) at all the Masses that weekend, I'm excited to announce that he will be giving talks and singing at our Easter Mission entitled "Evangelization and Easter Joy" which will happen on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings (April 28, 29 and 30) at 7:00 p.m. each night. I was blessed to hear Steve speak and sing at the Arkansas State Men's Conference, and I can attest to his enthusiasm and confidence in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in his own unique, but powerful, way. His resume of places where he's traveled for a variety of youth and adult events is extensive and impressive. PLEASE mark these days on your calendar and plan to join us for all three nights if possible.
We will be taking a collection at all of Steve's talks to help defray the costs of having him come to Sacred Heart Church. He will bring some merchandise to offer for sale, so please be aware of that. Most of all, let's pray for Steve and for our parish, that this mission will be a blessing and lead to many blessings for individuals and for our whole parish and Village Community.
"Remember Your love and Your faithfulness O Lord. Remember Your people and have mercy on us Lord." This refrain from a "Mass song" is echoed in a number of scripture passages (like Daniel 3:25, 34-43 and Matthew 18:21-35 from this past Tuesday's Mass) and are given to us, in part, as a reminder of how merciful God is towards the sinner.
As a season of Lent calls us to repentance and conversion, we are strongly encouraged to come contritely and humbly before the Lord to celebrate His mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As we enter into the last half of the Lenten Season, I would like to offer additional opportunities to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, firstly at our Reconciliation Service on Tuesday, April 9 at 6:00 p.m. with priests of the area coming to celebrate God's mercy with us, but also before the 9:00 a.m. daily Masses (8:30-8:50 a.m., Wednesdays (4:30-5:15 p.m.), and Saturdays (3:30-4:30 p.m.)
As we grow in our appreciation of God's mercy (no matter what our sins may be), and purify our minds and hearts for the celebration of Easter and the Easter Season, we, no doubt, will find ourselves better equipped and ready to forgive those who have offended us and live us true ambassadors for Christ each and every day.
As a season of Lent calls us to repentance and conversion, we are strongly encouraged to come contritely and humbly before the Lord to celebrate His mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As we enter into the last half of the Lenten Season, I would like to offer additional opportunities to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, firstly at our Reconciliation Service on Tuesday, April 9 at 6:00 p.m. with priests of the area coming to celebrate God's mercy with us, but also before the 9:00 a.m. daily Masses (8:30-8:50 a.m., Wednesdays (4:30-5:15 p.m.), and Saturdays (3:30-4:30 p.m.)
As we grow in our appreciation of God's mercy (no matter what our sins may be), and purify our minds and hearts for the celebration of Easter and the Easter Season, we, no doubt, will find ourselves better equipped and ready to forgive those who have offended us and live us true ambassadors for Christ each and every day.
While I am pleased and proud that our parish has done so well and has been so consistent in its support of our local pregnancy problem centers with money and needed items for babies of women who have decided to bring their babies into the world, but are without adequate means to support their child, it is clear to me that such generosity needs to extend to pregnant women all over the world. This happens when we choose to support Catholic Relief Services (CRS), especially in Lent, through the money we save in our Rice Bowls and the collection that will be taken up at all the Masses next weekend.
CRS helps the poor all over the world on a regular basis and comes to the rescue when natural disasters strike all over the world. One of the stories that is found in the insert with our rice bowls, tells of Norma from Guatemala who at 20 years of age was pregnant with limited means to support herself and the child she would be caring for, both inside her womb and after she gave birth. Through a CRS-sponsored program, Norma and other young mothers learn how to raise healthy children, grow nutritious food in small gardens, and manage a healthy diet. Plus CRS provided Norma with food througout her pregnancy and monthly medical check-ups during her sons first two years of life.
Please be generous to CRS and know that your compassionate, generous heart is making a difference in many areas and for many people throughout the world.
(Your Rice Bowls can be returned either before the Holy Thursday Mass or any time after that through the first few Sundays of Easter).
CRS helps the poor all over the world on a regular basis and comes to the rescue when natural disasters strike all over the world. One of the stories that is found in the insert with our rice bowls, tells of Norma from Guatemala who at 20 years of age was pregnant with limited means to support herself and the child she would be caring for, both inside her womb and after she gave birth. Through a CRS-sponsored program, Norma and other young mothers learn how to raise healthy children, grow nutritious food in small gardens, and manage a healthy diet. Plus CRS provided Norma with food througout her pregnancy and monthly medical check-ups during her sons first two years of life.
Please be generous to CRS and know that your compassionate, generous heart is making a difference in many areas and for many people throughout the world.
(Your Rice Bowls can be returned either before the Holy Thursday Mass or any time after that through the first few Sundays of Easter).