As we begin a new Liturgical Year with the season of Advent, be reminded that our Church is a sanctuary from the stress of all the bombardment of capitalism that takes away from the powerful experience that these four weeks can have towards our inner spiritual journey. Please take the time to make that inner journey, by focusing on each of the Advent Candles. Focus on the times you have received hope through those who have helped you; and open your hearts to bring hope to the people around you who need your help. Live in the present moment!
I live by the mantra that comes from reading the word of God, “Learn from the past; (Hebrew Scriptures) live in the present; (Christian Scriptures) and plan for the future; (the Catholic community with us on the journey)!
Before we enter into a new calendar year, I want to make sure you were aware of several upcoming initiatives so you can plan for 2020. Every year as members of the Diocese of Worcester, we along with all the other parishes in our Diocese participate in the Annual Partners in Charity Appeal. This appeal provides the needed monies necessary for our Diocese to function. Programs such as education of future priests and deacons, as it has done in the past for Deacon Tom and me, support and training for youth ministers and faith formation leaders for the parish, as it does for Lee Maleno and Tara Corcoran, financial assistance to various programs and operational assistance for Tina Buckley and Darleen Page. I could continue to list the services the Diocese provides us as a parish, but you get the point. Every year our community is most generous in making our goal of $43,200.
In the new year, we are being asked to go an extra mile. Over the next four years, along with all the other parishes of our Diocese, we have been asked to help fund an endowment fund called “Legacy of Hope.” This endowment will provide necessary funding to support our parishes, priest’s retirement and custodial care, charitable outreach, parish-based evangelization and more. The Diocesan target is $33 million. Our target is $345,199 pledged over a four-year period. The benefit to Sacred Heart is that we will earn 40% up to our target. We will then earn 60% on anything above our target. These funds will begin to be returned to us later in 2020, so the reward is immediate. The funds will be used exclusively to restructure the connector between the church and the parish center. Sacred Heart has the ability to retain $138,080 after we reach our campaign target.
I tell you all this ahead of time because I need a team of 6-8 people to help with “Legacy of Hope.” I am hoping you will prayerfully consider assisting in anyway you can as we begin this important campaign.
It’s a new Liturgical year and I want you to take advantage of living in the present moment these four weeks. At the same time, I want you to join me in planning for the future of our Diocese and Catholic Community.