As I write this pastor's column, it is one day from the start of the gathering and meeting of the heads of all the bishops' conferences from all over the world to meet with Pope Francis and deal with the issues of sex abuse of minors and vulnerable adults by clergy and others in the church, along with accountability from our bishops and other church leaders and what should be done in those instances where accountability is shown to be lacking.  Certainly our prayers for our Church's leaders and people should be ongoing, and our efforts to protect the vulnerable from abuse by any clergy, other church personnel and ANYONE must be as strong as possible.

I feel blessed that while all this is going on, I continue to reflect on the life and ministry of Father Y.C., a missionary priest from India who has served the Lord in his home country as well as in Oklahoma and Arkansas.  I continue to reflect on his (and others like him) who are willing to leave their country of origin to serve in parishes in the United States that might otherwise not have a priest, part-time or at all.  The sacrifice(s) that are made by priests like Father Y.C. are real and need to be appreciated by all of us.  Secondly, I knew Father Y.C. as someone who was easy as a brother-priest to talk with, and he seemed to have a perpetual smile as he went about doing his ministry to people he was appointed to serve.  There are many missionary AND native-born priests whose lives give credible and joyful witness to Jesus Christ, who need our prayers and support during this difficult time in the Church.  While ALL instances of sexual abuse are deeply disturbing, and as much or more so, any cover-up of such actions, I am comforted by the efforts of the Church of today to protect our children and vulnerable adults from harm.  I also give thanks for the priesthood Jesus Christ has given me and others, and pray that the priests of today and in the future, will be ever committed to Jesus and the people they serve, and live compassionate, caring lives as did Father Y.C. and so many priests of happy memory!

"I want to stay in my home as long as I can."  This quote could easily come from many of our parishioners (and others) who contemplate their future.  There aren't manyy people who like the idea of having to go to an assisted living place or a nursing home as their health begins to deteriorate.  Some are able, in spite of their handicaps, to remain in their home because they can afford having caregivers in their home for some, many or all hours of the day and night.  Others think their only option when needing skilled care 24/7, is a nursing home setting.  I am here to tell you there is another option that is comparable in price to a nursing home, but is, in my opinion, a much better solution when one needs full time care.  They are known as "Group Homes" and so far I have witnessed a number of our parishioners and my own uncle (of happy memory) use them and find them a good alternate to a nursing home setting.  These homes are "true" homes that have usually three residents who receive 24/7 care.  They each have their own bedroom and bathroom and they share other rooms in the house (dining room, living room etc).  Whether the person is mobile or not, the caregivers provide the most personal of care and the residents get three "good" meals a day.  They receive consistent care from a few people who become familiar to them (compared with a large variety of different people in a nursing home).  The only challenge to getting in a "Group Home" is availability.  Right now I am aware of at least two places that have openings.  I am willing to share contact information on any of these places with those who are interested at any time.  I pray that more people will take advantage of these alternate living arrangements for those who need this kind of care and can't afford to stay in their own homes anymore.  I thank the Lord for the good care that I have seen provided in these places and hope it can benefit some of our parishioners in the future.

It is not unusual for me to participate in three funerals in close proximity to each other.  This has happened in my priesthood not only here at Sacred Heart Churc, but in other places where I have been assigned to serve.  What was unusual in the instance of the funeral Masses of parishioner Tom Thornton, former parishioner Bob Rodgers, and Father Y.C. was that in all three instances their bodies were present in a casket for both the funeral and their Rosary (or Vigil) Service.  After the funerals of the first two, their bodies were taken for cremation, and the interment of their cremains was scheduled for a later time.  They (or their tamilies) wish to have their bodies present for their services which very much fits what the Catholic Church strongly encourages - even when cremation is going to happen.  Having the body present gives family and friends of the deceased the important opportunity to grieve the loss of the person, since the person's body is usually able to be viewed.  This is especially important here when some, or most, of the family have not seen their loved one before dying.  Having the body present also gives us the opportunity to recognize the body that was blessed with holy water at their baptism AND clothed in a white garment (by using a white funeral pall) signifying the purifying action of Baptism.  Sacramentals like a crucifix and Bible can be placed on the casket and kept there throughout the liturgies as a reminder to those present of the faith life of the person who has died.  In the case of Bob Rodgers, I saw family members saying their goodbyes to Bob as they viewed his body for the last time and comforting each other at that difficult, and yet healthy, time of closure.

I speak of these items, so you, who are planning what will happen after you die, will consider what I have just said and think about having your body present at the funeral rites of the Church - even if your choice ultimately is for cremation and interment in a Columbarium or cemetery grounds.  Please always keep in mind that the Catholic Church is strong in its belief and expectation that one's cremated remains be interred in a permanent place of rest and NOT be "divided up" or just kept indefinitely in someone's home.  Remember, too, if you want help in planning and making choices about the funeral rites for yourself, Deacon John and I are always willing to meet and work with you, so such decisions won't have to be made by your family members at the difficult time of your death.  Our contact information is printed on the front of the bulletin.