Over these past years I have had conversations with many of you concerned about family members and friends who are Catholic and no longer practice their faith. Many have said these and similar words of concern; “Father, we did everything we could to raise them in the faith we cherish, they received all their sacraments, brought them to church every week, and now they do not practice their faith, and are not even baptizing their own children.” “I am broken hearted that my neighbor just buried her Mom, who was a daily Mass attendee, and because she doesn’t practice her faith any more, they didn’t have a Mass at church for her!”
These and many similar conversations cause us to throw up our hands, and sometimes cause us to build walls, or sit in judgment of those who for some reason are alienated from our Catholic Faith. We have invited Fr. Carl Chudy to lead us in our annual Parish Retreat to address our concerns and to give us some wisdom and insight as to how we can build bridges and keep the doors open to family and friends; and in some cases even invite them back to the Catholic Community.
I encourage us all to attend the parish retreat this week Friday and Saturday. It is
FREE. However, we do need to have an accurate meal count for Friday’s supper and Saturday’s breakfast and lunch. So, take the time to come together and learn to listen, gain the necessary skills for opening the door and assisting growth in our Catholic Community.
Further Good News! Beginning this month, we will have a “Deacon in Training” here at Sacred Heart. Some of you may already know Mr. Thomas Tierney. He will be will us this final year of studies before he is ordained a permanent Deacon. He will be learning some of the ministries that we share around the altar; assisting us in some of our ministries and having the wonderful opportunity to meet us as a Catholic Community. Tom is married to his wife Debbie and they have two daughters Sarah, a junior at Worcester State and Catherine, a freshman at Dean College. Since he is taking three courses and works full-time he will journey lightly with us. It is my hope that upon his ordination as a Deacon he will be assigned to continue with us here at Sacred Heart in the years ahead. We are pleased that Tom will be with us and I am sure you will all give him a wonderful Sacred Heart welcome.
Fr. Bill