There is a lot of lively exchange going on and good communication as we conclude this homily series on “Everyday heroes.” I am especially pleased with the questions asked of me from time to time. The feedback is great because we need to be discussing the word of God. It is wonderful to know people are listening and that sometimes I end up pushing people’s buttons and pushing the envelope. The Word of God needs to get under our skin if it is to take root.
This past weekend I spoke about the Gospel call by Jesus to be vigilant and faithful. As Catholics our worship at Mass (keeping Holy the Sabbath) means we are gathered (Two or more gathered in His name) and sent (go into the world and spread the good news!). Through prayer I believe we are called to enhance our presence in the world as faithful and vigilant disciples of Christ.
May 4th seems so very long ago, yet it is only 4 months since Bishop McManus was here to consecrate and dedicate our church and altar. Some of you may notice the white marble cover under the altar. That is where Bishop McManus placed the relics of Saint Gemma Galgani and St. Pius X. In the past the relics were placed on the altar; but since the relics of St. Peter are buried beneath the main altar at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome it has now become the custom to do the same in newly consecrated church settings.
Three words have been key to Catholic Parish life since the revelations of abuse in our church: accountability, ownership and transparency. We have been making great strides in all three areas here at Sacred Heart. Being accountable, transparent and taking ownership are equally important to me as your pastor, that is why in my bulletin letter I sometimes address issues that may not be of a spiritual value, but of a temporal nature. I am careful with the monies we spend as a parish as if it were my own. And let me tell you, I am a careful spender.
It is not often that we hear the impressions of people visiting our parish. Having the impressions of someone who speaks at other parishes share their impressions of Sacred Heart helps to keep us focused. Following both Masses Carl Baniszewski shared how impressed he was by our welcome, and the participation of everyone at Mass. He also commented on how prepared we were to pray for their missionary work immediately after he spoke. This was also the first time he was blessed by the community he visited! How wonderful it is to receive such positive feedback as a community.
It’s Vacation Bible School week here at Sacred Heart! Monday through Friday, July 22-26 young people from our community will focus on fun activities that teach lessons of faith in a relaxing and exciting atmosphere. I am so pleased that we are letting it “Roar!” here in our parish. God is Good!
Every summer Catholic Parishes throughout the United States welcome missionaries through the Propagation of the Faith office to speak to us of their ministry and seek our support. Next weekend July 20-21 we will be receiving a visit from AIM USA; the United States Secretariat of the Alliance for International Monasticism. Carl Baniszewski will be here to talk to us about their work and seek our support. In this week’s bulletin you will find a flyer that describes their work and a prayer for their ministry. There will be a second collection to benefit their ministry.
At the end of last summer, the original air conditioning units (there are three) in the parish center breathed their last. With your continued support and contributions to our Endowment Fund we were able to ask the Operations Team to spring into action and get us up and running without seeking funds for this $30,000.00 project. The buildings and ground team sought three bids (required by the diocese for all projects over $10,000.00) and after careful examination of those bids they recommended that we have the installation done by All-Temp Systems Mechanical, Inc. of Milford.
Throughout our formative years, it was drilled into the depths of our very being that we were to be good Catholics and good citizens. That was taught not by words but by example. Each one of us was encouraged to be involved at church. Altar serving, ushering, and choir were the only options at the time, and all of us were involved. Then as we entered high school we helped out the sisters clean the church, train altar servers, and help whenever needed.
As most of you know, I celebrated my big 6-0 birthday this past Thursday. The one thing about these milestone birthdays is that it gives you a chance to pause and reflect on where the years have gone and where God is calling next. Looking back on the past 60 – one thing is very clear; the church girl grew up to become the church lady. I say this with a smile, because the church has been central to who I am as a person.
Happy Father’s Day Week! Did you know that Father's Day began as a Catholic tradition to honor fathers and celebrate the influence of fathers in society? It all began in European countries during the Middle Ages and has been celebrated on March 19 (Saint Joseph's Day). This celebration was brought by the Spanish and Portuguese to Latin America, where it is often still celebrated on March 19th.
It’s Official! We officially have so many blessings! Congratulations to Deacon Tom Tierney, his wife Debbie and his daughters Catherine and Sarah on his Ordination last Saturday. What a blessing Deacon Tom is to our faith community and what an incredible accomplishment!
What a challenge it was to choose a date for vacation this year. I was hoping to go in May after Easter, but there were lots of events taking place here at Sacred Heart and with family. The Church consecration, confirmation, First Communions, a family wedding and then, the wonderful ordination of Deacon Tom Tierney and his Mass of thanksgiving this weekend. I certainly didn’t want to miss any of those significant events in the lives of our Catholic Community. I will be missing some Graduation Celebrations but know that each person that has invited me to join them understands my absence.
We gather together for what most people celebrate as the “official” beginning of summer. Memorial Day weekend begins our summer mass schedule; Saturday is at 4:00 P.M. as usual, and on Sunday we have one Mass at 9:30 A.M. I am hoping that all of us, when we are not traveling will make the effort to attend one of these two Mass times so that we as a community continue to support each other during these vacation times. Remember, there is no vacation from our vocation as Disciples of Christ.
There have been lots of positive feedback from those who attended the consecration of the church and altar and the gala. Msgr. Doran said, “I have been ordained 53 years and never attended a church consecration before, what a beautiful experience.” Many commented on how quickly the service passed, because there was so much beautiful ritual happening in the ceremony; so reverent and powerful. There was also feedback from people who didn’t attend; many were sorry that they didn’t take or make the time to be present. Some thought it would be too long, others thought they were not interested, and after they heard from everyone that did attend, they wish they took the opportunity.
What a wonderful celebration of the consecration of our church and altar, and the Gala that followed. Bishop McManus was so impressed by the participation of our community throughout the ceremony; “Everyone paying attention, singing and praying together.” Many of you who attended have shared at how moving and meaningful the whole service was. We received a 48-page document of instructions on April 8th to prepare for the consecration and Pam Chaplin got to work and pulled it all together; working along with Msgr. Bob Johnson, Bishop McManus’ master of ceremonies, and created an event we will all remember for a lifetime. How wonderful it was to have Fr. Ray Goodwin, Msgr. John Doran and Fr. Denis O’Brien with us, all of whom had never been present for the consecration of a church and altar before
We welcome Bishop Robert McManus this weekend for the Dedication of our Church and Altar. All this is taking place because of the wonderful partnership we have established one with another as a Catholic Community. We pooled our financial resources, our wisdom and our talents to create a vision of what we wanted our campus to be and worked together through listening to make that vision a reality.
What a wonderful Holy Week here at Sacred Heart. Even though it was April school vacation, we came together as a Catholic Community of faith to celebrate in ritual and sacrament the Lord’s passion, death and resurrection. Everything moved like clockwork as everyone pooled their ministry skills together to assist us in the “work of the people” liturgy. I know it is not wise to list names of people who assist with each and every task because there is the danger of forgetting someone important. I will not do that; however, I want to thank everyone who is there, not just during Holy Week, but all year long, functioning in ministry.
“He is risen, he is truly risen Alleluia!” These words of the angel at the tomb of Jesus are an indication of our Lenten journey. I believe in many ways we have all “Risen to the Occasion!”
It is April School Vacation and some people will be traveling during this time. I know two families and some students are traveling to Italy and will be spending Holy Week in Rome, celebrating the holiest days of our Catholic faith-life with Pope Francis. How wonderful is that. As exciting as that is, the very same celebrations that are taking place in Rome take place in our parish and every Catholic Church throughout the world. We gather as a community of faith to remember our Salvation History in ritual, song and action to assist us in deepening our understanding and commitment to a powerful relationship with Jesus Christ.