One of the blessings of this parish, that unfortunately, I have not found or developed in other parishes, is the "Welcoming Committee" that is headed up now by Art and Marna Morissette. They, and a number of volunteer couples, offer to visit new parishioners' homes, tell them all about Sacred Heart Parish, encourage them to get involved in the ministries and activities we offer here, and answer any questions our newcomers might have. In addition, we have started having a Newcomers Dinner here at Sacred Heart twice a year where the newcomers can meet each other along with the leaders of ministries and activites here to be encouraged, once again, to get involved.
Hospitality toward newcomers doesn't start or end with parishioners as I have, so far, mentioned. It is up to all of us to have a welcoming demeanor to people we don't know both at church and at our parish gatherings. We all enjoy being around people we all know, and I am pleased that we have so many opportunities for parishioners to encounter one another. It is important though, that new parishioners are welcomed into the lives of our current parishioners so that we can all grow in our relationship as brothers and sisters in the Lord.
One reality in our parish on the other end, is the departure of parishioners to other places due to deteriorating health, the loss of a spouse to death, and other reasons why people leave us. I ask if you are leaving the parish to move to another city and parish, that you let me know so that I can say "Farewell" and give you a parting blessing, and let the church office people know so that your name can be taken off the parish rolls.
Life is all about "Hello's" and "Goodbye's" which can be tough to do. My hope is that I, and others, are striving to be the hospitable people God calls us to be every day, and that we all rejoice that our connection through Baptism is not just for a time, but for all eternity. A new song that we are soon going to start singing at Mass is "Companions On the Journey." Please pay attention to those words as we sing them and let them reflect that reality in our day-to-day lives no matter where the Lord takes us in life!
Hospitality toward newcomers doesn't start or end with parishioners as I have, so far, mentioned. It is up to all of us to have a welcoming demeanor to people we don't know both at church and at our parish gatherings. We all enjoy being around people we all know, and I am pleased that we have so many opportunities for parishioners to encounter one another. It is important though, that new parishioners are welcomed into the lives of our current parishioners so that we can all grow in our relationship as brothers and sisters in the Lord.
One reality in our parish on the other end, is the departure of parishioners to other places due to deteriorating health, the loss of a spouse to death, and other reasons why people leave us. I ask if you are leaving the parish to move to another city and parish, that you let me know so that I can say "Farewell" and give you a parting blessing, and let the church office people know so that your name can be taken off the parish rolls.
Life is all about "Hello's" and "Goodbye's" which can be tough to do. My hope is that I, and others, are striving to be the hospitable people God calls us to be every day, and that we all rejoice that our connection through Baptism is not just for a time, but for all eternity. A new song that we are soon going to start singing at Mass is "Companions On the Journey." Please pay attention to those words as we sing them and let them reflect that reality in our day-to-day lives no matter where the Lord takes us in life!
As I continue daily praying the "Healing Prayer for the Catholic Faith" (and I hope you are doing as well), I am thankful that this prayer, after lifting up to the Lord the victims of sexual abuse, prays for priests who have remained faithful to their vocation. As this issue continues to be in our minds and hearts and we are given information this week from our bishop naming 12 priests who have credibly been accused of sexual abuse of minors here in Arkansas over a period of 50 years or longer, I have to tell you that at our meeting with the bishop this past Monday, a few priests indicated that all of this is weighing heavy in their minds and hearts.
I am concerned about and praying for our young priests especially those who have only been pastors for a short time. I know they are doing their best personally to deal with all this AND help parishioners who are having a hard time with it as well. In addition to praying for them, I also urge you to include in your own prayers, the family members of the priests whose names have come out as perpetrators of these crimes against our children and young people, and people in congregations where these priests have served. I know they are going through many mixed emotions as they consider how these priests who faithfully brought Jesus to them through Mass and in other ways, could have done such terrible things to these young people. Getting back to our priests (expecially our young ones), please pray that they are not led by all this to consciously stay away from our children and young people out of fear of what some will think. Our children and young people can benefit greatly from encounters with priests and while priests must be prudent in how they handle themselves around children, it would indeed be a victory for the devil, if priests avoid children and young people, the very ones who are the future of our church AND some, our future priests.
Please take seriously the need for all of us to pray on an ongoing basis for the Church and its priests and people. It is our best weapon against the wickedness and snares of the devil and it can bring us to a peace in mind and heart that we need now AND always!
I am concerned about and praying for our young priests especially those who have only been pastors for a short time. I know they are doing their best personally to deal with all this AND help parishioners who are having a hard time with it as well. In addition to praying for them, I also urge you to include in your own prayers, the family members of the priests whose names have come out as perpetrators of these crimes against our children and young people, and people in congregations where these priests have served. I know they are going through many mixed emotions as they consider how these priests who faithfully brought Jesus to them through Mass and in other ways, could have done such terrible things to these young people. Getting back to our priests (expecially our young ones), please pray that they are not led by all this to consciously stay away from our children and young people out of fear of what some will think. Our children and young people can benefit greatly from encounters with priests and while priests must be prudent in how they handle themselves around children, it would indeed be a victory for the devil, if priests avoid children and young people, the very ones who are the future of our church AND some, our future priests.
Please take seriously the need for all of us to pray on an ongoing basis for the Church and its priests and people. It is our best weapon against the wickedness and snares of the devil and it can bring us to a peace in mind and heart that we need now AND always!
Though it was just another "appointment," one of countless appointments I have had with parishioners over th 32 years of my priesthood, this one has stayed with me. This parishioner was distraught because a priest who he had known and respected for many years had recently been credibly accused of sexual crimes against minors. This priest had done so much "good" in his priesthood that it was hard to believe that he had done something this "bad." It was a hard pill to swallow for this parishioner, and it was leading him to have doubts in his faith life and even doubts about God. I tried to help him through this difficulty (as I'm sure many priests and professionals have been and are doing with people who find out a priest they have admired has sinned gravely) and at some point, I invited him to give thanks for all the good GOD was able to accomplish through this fallible, sinful instrument over the years of his priesthood. The works of God are many and bear much fruit in spite of the weaknesses of the instruments and recipients of His grace. St. Paul says, "We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10) Everyone, including priests, will have to answer for both the good and the bad they've done in their lives. The bottom line is: Justice will prevail in the courts of God. Thanks be to God for us and for all sinners that Jesus showed us God is loving and merciful and will surely remember the good that priests and everyone has done through the power of God's grace.
I believe I was able (through God's grace) to lead the distraught parishioner who had come for help, to focus more (I hope) of his attention on the God who accomplishes so much good for us and others in spite of the very fallible instruments that he uses every day. When we focus too much on the bad, we stay in the dark. When we are led to focus on the good that happens to us (and hopefully through us) we stay in the light, which is a great way to live!
I believe I was able (through God's grace) to lead the distraught parishioner who had come for help, to focus more (I hope) of his attention on the God who accomplishes so much good for us and others in spite of the very fallible instruments that he uses every day. When we focus too much on the bad, we stay in the dark. When we are led to focus on the good that happens to us (and hopefully through us) we stay in the light, which is a great way to live!