As I write this pastor's column, I'm thinking about a dear soul, Alberta Bertrand, who died this morning (June 9) at Good Samaritan Nursing Home at the age of 105! I have only personally known one other person who lived to that age in Fort Smith (and whose name was Josephine Mueller). In both cases, I can truly say that they handled their situation with grace and faith. Both were eager to receive Holy Communion whenever it was made available to them.
Alberta was blessed to have a family (especially Sons, Ray, Jerry and Jim and their spouses) who visited her regularly and lovingly - and helped keep her spirits up. It really is hard to grasp the extent of what Alberta witnessed in her long life, especially the developments and changes in society and in the Church. Thankfully, even with so many changes, she was blessed with a rock-solid faith that helped her greatly to adjust and accept so many changes including changes in her growing family unit.
How wonderful it was for me to walk into her room after she died and find some of her family, and many health care workers at Good Samaritan, surrounding her bed where Alberta lay looking so peaceful at the time that followed her passing. The workers had just prayed a short service for Alberta and then stayed to join in on the prayers I offered for her. Alberta had lived at Good Samaritan for about seven years and was truly loved by those who cared for her. Most of us cannot appreciate what it takes for someone to work in such a setting day after day. There are, of course, many challenges, but also many blessings. Please include these people and those they serve in your prayers. Finally, I know Alberta felt truly blessed to have both a brother (Reverend John Hebert) and a grandson, Reverend Jacob Bertrand as priests of God. I give thanks to God for having known and ministered to this special lady. May she now rest forever in the joy and peace of God's heavenly home!
Alberta was blessed to have a family (especially Sons, Ray, Jerry and Jim and their spouses) who visited her regularly and lovingly - and helped keep her spirits up. It really is hard to grasp the extent of what Alberta witnessed in her long life, especially the developments and changes in society and in the Church. Thankfully, even with so many changes, she was blessed with a rock-solid faith that helped her greatly to adjust and accept so many changes including changes in her growing family unit.
How wonderful it was for me to walk into her room after she died and find some of her family, and many health care workers at Good Samaritan, surrounding her bed where Alberta lay looking so peaceful at the time that followed her passing. The workers had just prayed a short service for Alberta and then stayed to join in on the prayers I offered for her. Alberta had lived at Good Samaritan for about seven years and was truly loved by those who cared for her. Most of us cannot appreciate what it takes for someone to work in such a setting day after day. There are, of course, many challenges, but also many blessings. Please include these people and those they serve in your prayers. Finally, I know Alberta felt truly blessed to have both a brother (Reverend John Hebert) and a grandson, Reverend Jacob Bertrand as priests of God. I give thanks to God for having known and ministered to this special lady. May she now rest forever in the joy and peace of God's heavenly home!
Sometimes it takes awhile for me to decide the subject matter for my weekly pastor's column. And, sometimes, it comes to me rather quickly. This week it was clear to me right away that I needed to devote this space to reflections on Deacon Bernie Bauer and Marilyn, his wife and faithful, loving companion for 70 years.
Firstly, I am thankful for the ministry Deacon Bernie offered so lovingly and faithfully to this parish for most of the 27.5 years that he and Marilyn lived in the Village as parishioners at Sacred Heart Church. Even as he stepped away from normal deacon ministry a few years ago, he remained a daily Mass attendee who was first to be asked to serve as a minister of the Sacred Blood at Mass. He almost always stayed after Mass to purify the sacred vessel and set the altar books for Mass the next day. In doing this, he will truly be missed. He continued to take Holy Communion to a few of our shut-ins and remained active in our Village Interfaith Council as one of our parish representatives. He participated in ecumenical events sponsored by this Council, and was a great ambassador for this parish and for Catholicism in general. Marilyn, his dear wife, though restricted due to health issues, has always been his best support (after, of course, The Lord) in all that Deacon Bernie did. They were both involved in an ongoing prayer group of parishioners who faithfully met on Sundays. In a few short words, they will be "SORELY MISSED" by so many of us for so many reasons.
While I and others, and in agreement with the Bauers, recognize that their move to Illinois to live with one of their daughters, is what's best for them at this time in their lives, it is truly hard to say goodbye to them, or really (because we are believers in the Communion of Saints), we thankfully say "Until we meet again."
I am so glad that this parish has the pictures of both priests and deacons of this parish, present and past, on the wall of the narthex. It assures that current and future parishioners will know who ministered the Good News of Jesus to others, and I dare say, it will be hard (even perhaps, impossible) for anyone to surpass the longevity of their service to this wonderful parish and community.
God bless you, Deacon Bernie and Marilyn, and know that you will alway be in our thoughts and prayers no matter where you are, and I'm confident that we will be in yours. Keep smiling, and Deacon Bernie, keep that wonderful, spontaneous laugh that you have. It says to me how happy you always are to be one of God's children and an uplifting spirit to many, including, of course, me!
Firstly, I am thankful for the ministry Deacon Bernie offered so lovingly and faithfully to this parish for most of the 27.5 years that he and Marilyn lived in the Village as parishioners at Sacred Heart Church. Even as he stepped away from normal deacon ministry a few years ago, he remained a daily Mass attendee who was first to be asked to serve as a minister of the Sacred Blood at Mass. He almost always stayed after Mass to purify the sacred vessel and set the altar books for Mass the next day. In doing this, he will truly be missed. He continued to take Holy Communion to a few of our shut-ins and remained active in our Village Interfaith Council as one of our parish representatives. He participated in ecumenical events sponsored by this Council, and was a great ambassador for this parish and for Catholicism in general. Marilyn, his dear wife, though restricted due to health issues, has always been his best support (after, of course, The Lord) in all that Deacon Bernie did. They were both involved in an ongoing prayer group of parishioners who faithfully met on Sundays. In a few short words, they will be "SORELY MISSED" by so many of us for so many reasons.
While I and others, and in agreement with the Bauers, recognize that their move to Illinois to live with one of their daughters, is what's best for them at this time in their lives, it is truly hard to say goodbye to them, or really (because we are believers in the Communion of Saints), we thankfully say "Until we meet again."
I am so glad that this parish has the pictures of both priests and deacons of this parish, present and past, on the wall of the narthex. It assures that current and future parishioners will know who ministered the Good News of Jesus to others, and I dare say, it will be hard (even perhaps, impossible) for anyone to surpass the longevity of their service to this wonderful parish and community.
God bless you, Deacon Bernie and Marilyn, and know that you will alway be in our thoughts and prayers no matter where you are, and I'm confident that we will be in yours. Keep smiling, and Deacon Bernie, keep that wonderful, spontaneous laugh that you have. It says to me how happy you always are to be one of God's children and an uplifting spirit to many, including, of course, me!
Last week I concelebrated Mass twice at Christ the King Church in Little Rock for the diaconate ordination of three men, including my nephew Stephen, and priesthood ordination of five men for the Diocese of Little Rock. It was truly a blessing to be in such a beautiful church and participate in some meaningful and significant liturgies for these men, their families, and all the Catholics of Arkansas.
While in Christ the King Church, I prayed a Holy Hour in their chapel where they have Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration going on 24/7 (and have had for at least 5-10 years). On more than one occasion I have heard their pastor, Monsignor Francis Malone, humbly say that the main contributing factor is the reality that this parish has produced seven seminarians, of which at least two or three have already been ordained a priest, is the fact that the parish has Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I would strongly agree with such a statement. I believe the reality of this devotion and practice going on in more than a few parishes in Arkansas, including, of course, our own, has contributed greatly to God blessing us with so many seminarians, many of whom have become, or will become, priests. The fact that one of our own, Jonathan Semmler, has become a seminarian for the Diocese of Little Rock, is a credit to his own growing faith, that of his parents, that of our faith family here at Sacred Heart, AND, I believe, in the reality that so many of our parishioners have been, and are, participating in Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration and are committed to giving at least an hour every week to be in the Lord's presence and grow in His grace and love. I urge all those who do this (and, as always, I URGE more parishioners to join us. Call Mike Kerwin at 922-1531), to pray for Jonathan and all our seminarians every time you are in the chapel for prayer. Our ongoing efforts in prayer for Jonathan before Jesus in the Monstrance may lead (if it is God's will) to Sacred Heart having its first native-born parishioner be ordained a priest of God in about seven years. Jesus urged His followers to "pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His vineyard." (Matthew 9:38). Prayers for this and other intentions happening 24/7 are producing wonderful, and in some cases, miraculous results. Thank God for all who are in this ministry and devotion!
While in Christ the King Church, I prayed a Holy Hour in their chapel where they have Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration going on 24/7 (and have had for at least 5-10 years). On more than one occasion I have heard their pastor, Monsignor Francis Malone, humbly say that the main contributing factor is the reality that this parish has produced seven seminarians, of which at least two or three have already been ordained a priest, is the fact that the parish has Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I would strongly agree with such a statement. I believe the reality of this devotion and practice going on in more than a few parishes in Arkansas, including, of course, our own, has contributed greatly to God blessing us with so many seminarians, many of whom have become, or will become, priests. The fact that one of our own, Jonathan Semmler, has become a seminarian for the Diocese of Little Rock, is a credit to his own growing faith, that of his parents, that of our faith family here at Sacred Heart, AND, I believe, in the reality that so many of our parishioners have been, and are, participating in Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration and are committed to giving at least an hour every week to be in the Lord's presence and grow in His grace and love. I urge all those who do this (and, as always, I URGE more parishioners to join us. Call Mike Kerwin at 922-1531), to pray for Jonathan and all our seminarians every time you are in the chapel for prayer. Our ongoing efforts in prayer for Jonathan before Jesus in the Monstrance may lead (if it is God's will) to Sacred Heart having its first native-born parishioner be ordained a priest of God in about seven years. Jesus urged His followers to "pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His vineyard." (Matthew 9:38). Prayers for this and other intentions happening 24/7 are producing wonderful, and in some cases, miraculous results. Thank God for all who are in this ministry and devotion!