Dear Fellow Parishioners, When I was very young, I became an altar boy. I remember how excited I was! Shortly after Vatican II girls were allowed. Vatican II stressed that everyone of us were active participants in the life and the vitality of parish life. Our future as The Catholic Community of Sacred Heart lies in the hands of each of you that will read this letter and those of you who will share it with someone else. If we pause and look forward, and see the reality right here in the Blackstone Valley, we have witnessed the non-viability of four Catholic churches since July. Why? The energy, enthusiasm, commitment, vitality, good sound finances, and a host of other characteristics to maintain viability seemed to be lacking. To forge on into the future, grow in the present and presence of each other, we must be those active participants in the life and the vitality of parish life. This weekend we will be hearing from Aaron Buckley at the 4:00 Mass and Josh Ingemi at the 9:30 sharing their stewardship story with our community. I am asking you to reflect on their words of encouragement as you begin to assess your own involvement here at Sacred Heart. As you review the Stewardship materials, I would ask that you raise any questions you have about various ministries at Mass, and we can get you the answers before you make your stewardship commitments for the following weekend. Our collective wisdom and involvement in order to be the Catholic Community God calls us to be. Today, let’s remember that we are all in this together and pool our time, skills and talents to keep the Catholic Community of Sacred Heart vital and relevant in Hopedale. Fr. Bill