I truly hope you were as overwhelmed as much as I was by the information that was supplied last weekend (by Dave Witchger-thanks) which spelled out in detail all the charitable giving that came through Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish for the calendar year 2016. The number of beneficiaries that resulted from the generous giving of time, talent and treasure were many and varied, from the poor (i.e., Jackson House, Samaritan Ministries), to young people (i.e., St. John's and Our Lady of Fatima Schools), to missionary efforts in our country and around the world and many others including our seminarians and retired priest and religious. While the amount of money that was given through the stewardship of Sacred Heart Parishioners was very impressive ($331,187), I am equally impressed and thankful for the efforts of our parish organizations: Ladies of the Sacred Heart-$13,000, Sacred Heart Men's Club-$9,500, Knights of Columbus Council 10208-$113,250, as these funds were raised due to much time and effort being exerted behind the scenes and during fund-raising activities.
As we have started the season of Lent which stressed almsgiving (which we encourage especially through Operation Rice Bowl which benefits Catholic Relief Services), I can say with confidence that almsgiving is going on in this parish all the time which speaks loudly of a commitment to Jesus that is spoken in Church (especially through the recitation of the Creed) and in action-on a regular basis both at our church and in the community at large.
I pray that those who have not given much or any, will be inspired to share in the many ways that we are being Christ to others, especially to those in need, and consider joining our parish organizations that are doing so much and building good and positive relationships with one another. God bless you all!
As we have started the season of Lent which stressed almsgiving (which we encourage especially through Operation Rice Bowl which benefits Catholic Relief Services), I can say with confidence that almsgiving is going on in this parish all the time which speaks loudly of a commitment to Jesus that is spoken in Church (especially through the recitation of the Creed) and in action-on a regular basis both at our church and in the community at large.
I pray that those who have not given much or any, will be inspired to share in the many ways that we are being Christ to others, especially to those in need, and consider joining our parish organizations that are doing so much and building good and positive relationships with one another. God bless you all!
Spring Training to a baseball fan is, among other things, a reminder that the regular season of Major League baseball is right around the corner. To a baseball player in the "Big Leagues," it is a time to get their bodies into playing shape and to concentrate on the skills and repetitive practices that will help them to be ready to give their best and produce good results when the season starts. In some ways, the season of Lent is the "Spring Training" for all Catholics and people of some other Christian faith traditions. We are called to give ourselves to and concentrate on the disciplines of PRAYER, FASTING, and ALMSGIVING. Through our repetitive actions in these areas, we prepare ourselves for the Easter Triduum and Easter Season, and hopefully develop habits in all three of these disciplines that will bear fruit in the immediate and long term future.
I invite you to use daily the daily reflections from Pope Francis that we are making available as the Lenten season begins. Consider joining with so many of your fellow parishioners in the practice of prayer before Jesus in our Perpetual Eucharistic Chapel. You can start with a few minutes once a week, and maybe build up to an hour before Lent concludes, or just make a commitment to at least 15 to 30 minutes in there at the same time each week of Lent. Of course, we are always happy to welcome full time adorers or substitute adorers during the Lenten Seasonb. Call Mke Kerwin at 922-1531.
Lastly, there is an excellent way to combine the practices of fasting and almsgiving by participating in "Operation Rice Bowl" which encourages saving money that might have been spent on food or other pleasures and giving it at the end of Lent to Catholic Relief Services which is helping in disaster relief situations around the world and which is committed to poverty relief on an ongoing basis, also all over the world. Of course, you can choose additional means to get in good or better spiritual shape that are of your own choosing. Let the Lord and His Church guide you through the most beneficial Lent that you've ever had (including being reconciled with God and the Church anytime during Lent through the Sacrament of Reconciliation) at the times listed onf the front cover of the bulletin or during our Lenten Penance Service on April 6.
Pre-season baseball is the start of something that will lead to one team being crowned World Series Champion. Fortunately for us, the Lenten Season can lead to countless people of faith living as chamnpions for the Lord in the long term in this life and for an eternity in heaven. Join the spring training that is Lent. It is open to us all!
I invite you to use daily the daily reflections from Pope Francis that we are making available as the Lenten season begins. Consider joining with so many of your fellow parishioners in the practice of prayer before Jesus in our Perpetual Eucharistic Chapel. You can start with a few minutes once a week, and maybe build up to an hour before Lent concludes, or just make a commitment to at least 15 to 30 minutes in there at the same time each week of Lent. Of course, we are always happy to welcome full time adorers or substitute adorers during the Lenten Seasonb. Call Mke Kerwin at 922-1531.
Lastly, there is an excellent way to combine the practices of fasting and almsgiving by participating in "Operation Rice Bowl" which encourages saving money that might have been spent on food or other pleasures and giving it at the end of Lent to Catholic Relief Services which is helping in disaster relief situations around the world and which is committed to poverty relief on an ongoing basis, also all over the world. Of course, you can choose additional means to get in good or better spiritual shape that are of your own choosing. Let the Lord and His Church guide you through the most beneficial Lent that you've ever had (including being reconciled with God and the Church anytime during Lent through the Sacrament of Reconciliation) at the times listed onf the front cover of the bulletin or during our Lenten Penance Service on April 6.
Pre-season baseball is the start of something that will lead to one team being crowned World Series Champion. Fortunately for us, the Lenten Season can lead to countless people of faith living as chamnpions for the Lord in the long term in this life and for an eternity in heaven. Join the spring training that is Lent. It is open to us all!
He was an isolationist. This is a statement that I can't imagine any person of enlightened Christian faith saying about Jesus Christ. His ministry reached far and wide and when he was tempted by his disciples and others to stay in one place, he said that they must move on to preach the Word to others. Jesus taught against an isolationist mentality among his disciples when he told parables such as The Good Samaritan and when he encountered the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus was all about building bridges of understanding, love, acceptance, mercy and peace among all people and bringing people together, rather than keep them apart.
Our Pope, Francis, has echoed Jesus throughout his papacy in words and by his example of humility and love for all, especially the vulnerable and the poor. He has spoken against any and all who would propose to build walls between peoples and has urged all followers of Jesus Christ to have a welcoming disposition to people of good will. Our bishop, Anthony Taylor, has also echoed Pope Francis and Catholic Social Teaching in statements, and teachings he has promulgated as bishop of Arkansas on the issue of immigration. In his pastoral letter on the human rights of immigrants, he makes it clear that the Church does NOT promote illegal immigration. Rather, the Church promotes all efforts to remove the causes of illegal immigration. It promotes and supports all efforts to revise our immigration process and procedures so as to be just and fair for people who want to immigrate to our country.
As Catholics, we are called to live daily by the principles, ways and teachings of Jesus Christ and lead others to do so in all areas of public and private life.
I must say, I found it troubling when a parishioner shared with me an e-mail that is being promulgated and passed on that protrays Jesus saying something that he certainly did not say. I would hope and pray that ayone who receives such an e-mail would reply back to the sender that it is blasphemous to use any depiction of Jesus to say, NOT what Jesus said, but another person or persons beliefs or opinion. Let us all strive to truly hear and take to heart all that Jesus said and did and have an openness toward others that reflects the mind and heart of Jesus at all times.
Our Pope, Francis, has echoed Jesus throughout his papacy in words and by his example of humility and love for all, especially the vulnerable and the poor. He has spoken against any and all who would propose to build walls between peoples and has urged all followers of Jesus Christ to have a welcoming disposition to people of good will. Our bishop, Anthony Taylor, has also echoed Pope Francis and Catholic Social Teaching in statements, and teachings he has promulgated as bishop of Arkansas on the issue of immigration. In his pastoral letter on the human rights of immigrants, he makes it clear that the Church does NOT promote illegal immigration. Rather, the Church promotes all efforts to remove the causes of illegal immigration. It promotes and supports all efforts to revise our immigration process and procedures so as to be just and fair for people who want to immigrate to our country.
As Catholics, we are called to live daily by the principles, ways and teachings of Jesus Christ and lead others to do so in all areas of public and private life.
I must say, I found it troubling when a parishioner shared with me an e-mail that is being promulgated and passed on that protrays Jesus saying something that he certainly did not say. I would hope and pray that ayone who receives such an e-mail would reply back to the sender that it is blasphemous to use any depiction of Jesus to say, NOT what Jesus said, but another person or persons beliefs or opinion. Let us all strive to truly hear and take to heart all that Jesus said and did and have an openness toward others that reflects the mind and heart of Jesus at all times.