Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
helpinghandsWe are inviting all interested parishioners, as well as our dedicated Helping Hands volunteers, to attend our Appreciation and Information Dinner on Thursday, April 27, at 5:00 p.m. in the Lower Hall.  Plan on joining us for a delicious dinner of garden mix salad, tri-tip tenderloin, twice baked potato, green beans and fresh strawberry shortcake.

There is no greater ministry than to fulfill Christ's command, "Love Your Neighbor."  Helping Hands has as its mission:  "Caring for each other and extending a helping hand for the moment when a helping hand is needed."  Opportunities abound for our volunteers to offer a helping hand and to perform works of mercy here at Sacred Heart.  Whether you have done many jobs during the past year, or whether you simply served by waiting for the call, please plan to attend!

If you are considering volunteering and need more information, we invite you to join us for dinner and our celebration of all the good we do for our parish family, a family united in Christ's love by caring for each other.  As always, your spouse or special guest is also welcome.  Sign-up sheets for the Appreciation Dinner are in the narthex.  Please sign-up by April 24.
Fly Away HomeSacred Heart Monthly Movie Night will be on Wednesday, April 24, at 6:00 p.m. in the Lower Hall. The movie that will be shown is "Fly Away Home," hosted by the Ladies of the Sacred Heart.  After Amy (Anna Paquin) loses her mother in a car accident, she must uproot her life and move to Canada to live with her father, Thomas (Jeff Daniels), an oddball inventor with whom she has no relationship.  She initially struggles to find her place in her new home, but things change when she stumbles upon a collection of abandoned goose eggs.  When the eggs hatch, Amy and her dad work together teaching the motherless birds to fly south for the winter, and also, on their blossoming relationship.
VeteransMy name is Becca Effrein and I am writing to reach out to your church.  I am a nurse practitioner with the Veterans Administration (VA) hospital out of Little Rock.  I work for Home Based Primary Care and I cover the Hot Springs Village area.

A little about our program.  We bring a primary care provider to the vereran instead of the veteran having to travel to the VA clinic for primary care services.  We are like a mobile clinic on wheels and include a Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, social workers, occupational therapist, registered dietician, psychologist and pharmacist.  If you know of a veteran who would benefit from this service, please don't hesitate to reach out.  Our social worker can provide information and answer any questions.  Contact Becca Effrein at 1400 Malvern Avenue in Hot Springs, AR 71909, Office Telephone: 501-624-0700, Cell Phone: 501-412-0124, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Ping PongYes, ping pong is now available to be played at Sacred Heart in the Lower Hall on Game Day, each Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 3:00 p.m.  The Parish Life Committee purchased two ping pong tables as well as paddles and balls for use by those interested.  Ping Pong is now open on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. (in the Lower Hall) with the exception of Movie Night (every 4th Wednesday).  Come join in the fun!
Divine MercyIn private revelation to St. Maria Faustina, Jesus asked that a Feast of the Divine Mercy be celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter.  He told her: "On that day, all the divine flood gates through which graces flow are opened.  The soul who will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment."

Here at Sacred Heart, we will have a Divine Mercy Holy Hour on Sunday, April 23, at 3:00 p.m. with song, veneration of the Divine Mercy Image, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered throughout the Holy Hour.  Those who wish to receive the graces attached to Divine Mercy Sunday (see above) can go to Confession anytime within a week or two before or after Divine Mercy Sunday.

In addition to joining us for the Divine Mercy Holy Hour on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 23, at 3:00 p.m., we invite and encourage all parishioners to pray at home or at church, the nine-day Divine Mercy Novena starting on Good Friday at church at 5:30 p.m. and continuing on Holy Saturday at church at 5:30 p.m. and Easter Sunday at church at 5:30 p.m.
BabyOnce again, the Respect Life committee is inviting you to participate in the Spiritual Adoption Program.  You are asked to pledge to pray daily for nine months for a baby in danger of abortion.  While this child will remain unknown to his or her "spiritual parents," many people have found that by naming "their child" helps to keep them focused on the reality that their prayers are helping to save the baby (and the mother) from the harm of abortion.

Everyone benefits from the Spiritual Adoption Program.  While it is not always possible to see the particular effects of prayer, we know through Scripture and by faith, that God wants us to pray-in this case for babies and their families, and we know that He answers all prayers.  You will pray daily for this baby-that he or she will be carried to term and experience the fullness of life-a life that our Heavenly Father gave him or her.

At the end of the nine-month prayer program, a baby shower is held and participants bring new baby items such as disposable diapers, formula, clothes, layette items, and other baby articles.  These items are then donated to a local pregnancy center to help mothers in need. So, aside from the spiritual benefits, the Spiritual Adoption Program helps in a tangible way as well.

The program begins April 30.  Beautiful prayer cards with a simple ten-second prayer will be available in the narthex. Please place them on your refrigerator to remind you to pray for your "spiritual child."
Spiritual DirectionPaula Doyle, a certified spiritual director since 2001 and Sacred Heart parishioner, is again offering to accompany you on your spiritual journey, now in a private practice from her home.  There is no charge for the first visit, and subsequent sessions are subject to a nominal fee.  If you are interested or have questions, please call Paula at 922-5771 or transmit to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Scrambled eggs sausage and biscuitsSunday, April 23, the Knights of Columbus would like to invite everyone to a parish breakfast.  The menu will include sausage and eggs, biscuits, gravy, hash browns, and juice, coffee or milk.  We will be welcoming new parishioners who will be guests of the Knights. Please join us in welcoming them to the Sacred Heart family. Breakfast is only $6.00 a plate and as always, children 12 and under, eat free.  All breakfast proceeds are used to help fund Knights charitable activities throughout the year.  Your support is greatly appreciated.  See you there!
Church Dinner2Please join us on Holy Thursday, April 13, at 5:15 p.m. in the Lower Hall for a meal prepared by Chef Johnna whose menu includes Herb-grilled chicken, mashed Ranch potatoes with gravy, green beans, salad and roll.  Donations will be accepted to help cover the cost of the meal. Dessert will be provided by the Ice Cream Priest, Father Bill. Refreshment Center will be available, and handsome servers will be provided by the the Sacred Heart Men's Club.  Sign-up in the narthex before April 10.  Head count will be given to the caterer that date.  Contact Cathy Silk at 908-938-5545 with questions.
Bake Sale 1The women of All Saints Guild are sponsoring a Bake Sale before and after all the Masses on Palm Sunday Weekend, April 8 and 9.  Bake sale items will include pastries, coffee cakes, sweet breads, muffins and pies.  Let the women of All Saints help with your Easter baking!  You will also be supporting the underprivileged children in the Mountain Pine, Jessieville and Fountain Lake School Districts.  Please help us so we can help these children.
ink cartridgesPlease put printer ink cartridges for recycling in the library area marked "Ink Cartridges." The cartridges will be donated to the Village Animal Welfare League for recycling.  St. John's no longer recycles them.
Montserrat Retreat HouseThe weeks are rushing by and soon it will be April 9, time to go to the Montserrat House and spend quiet time with God. Call Tom today and reserve your spot for this important time to spend without distraction with our God.  Perhaps you need some of your special undisturbed time with your Maker in order to get the special instructions that He has been waiting to whisper in your ear.  I know, you still have a week before you need to commit, but why not admit that Jesus wants to talk to you, and let Tom know that you want to make a reservation.  It will end the turmoil in your thoughts and get you on the road to getting that special message and help that you have been hoping for - for the last few weeks. You will be glad you have made the commitment.  Call Tom Yerina at 922-3062, Gerald Krawczynski at 915-9629, Bill Hartnett at 922-6922, or Bob Honzik at 922-2702 for more details and reservations.
Easter LilyThe Decorating Committee is looking for 20 volunteers to take a potted flower from the narthex to the altar during the Gloria at the 8:00 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass. If you would like to do this honor please call Marty Schnoebelen at 204-9178. Thank you for your kindness.
Fish fry 1The Knights of Columbus are once again sponsoring opportunities for good food and fellowship on Friday, April 7 in the Lower Hall.  For $10 a plate you will get delicious fried catfish fillets, a baked potato, cole slaw and a dessert. You can come and eat your meal ANYTIME betwen 5:00 and 6:30 p.m.  Takeouts will also be available. Proceeds, as always, will benefit charities that are chosen by the Knights of Columbus during the fraternal year.
LentPlease remember to follow the disciplines of fasting and abstinence during Lent as follows: Abstinence from meat on all Fridays of Lent (including St. Patrick's Day) for those 14 years of age or older.  As for Fasting, only one full meal and two small meals for those between the ages of 18 and 59 on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
reconciliationMark your calendars for our Lenten Reconciliation Service with opportunity for individual reception of the sacrament with area priests on Thursday, April 6, at 6:00 p.m.  The other service in the area has been scheduled at St. John's Church in Hot Springs on April 4, at 6:00 p.m.