Dear Fellow Parishioners; Several people have asked how I am doing celebrating Sunday Mass in an empty church; looking at empty pews. Several have suggested adding a tape of parishioners talking, coughing and other familiar distractions. Pam texted me Sunday afternoon to remind me that I was supposed to wear pink vestments for the 4th Sunday of Lent. Ooops! It is very different from all the 40+ years of my priesthood to be celebrating Mass with congregation that is unseen. However, as I posted last week, your feed back regarding Mass helps to know that the flock is appreciative of our efforts to continue to keep Holy the Sabbath and to be nourished and nurtured by the Word of God.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, “What a difference a day makes!” Well, these days we need up to the second information regarding our journey together, or apart by at least six feet during this pandemic. Little did we know Lent of 2020 would really be an invitation into solitude and an opportunity to “Be Open” to the many ways God is speaking to us and giving us the space to declutter our schedules so we can really pay attention.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, Be Open! And what a challenge that call is for us as we are faced with that which we have planned as a parish, that which the Diocese expects of us, and along comes the coronavirus, aka Covid19. It helps me to step back and look at what is happening; to put some order and perspective to what is happening. Here are my thoughts. I hope this perspective helps.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, Our Lenten journey is enhanced by all our senses as we gather during this 40-day communal desert experience. It starts as we enter the church and reach into the holy water font. The pebbles remind us that we in the dryness of the desert; we need to thirst for a deeper relationship with God and deepen our spiritual selves. The absence of candles reminds us that without the light of Christ we stumble in the darkness of sin.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, “Be Open;” the challenge for us this Lenten season is before us! “Be Open to be led by the Spirit,” “Be Open To Listen;” “Be Open to living water,” “Be Open to see,” Be Open to Believe,” “Be Open to death,” “Be Open to New Life!”
Dear Fellow Parishioners, In Haiti, lots of preparation and effort goes int a huge week-long celebration of Mari Gras. There is lots of music and dancing as they make ready for the Lenten journey. The celebration is said to be necessary because the Haitian lifestyle is like a continuous Lenten journey. There is constant prayer - that lives will improve in some way, for the sick, and for work to support their families. Fasting for many is simply part of their existence; most people survive on one meal a day. Acts of charity abound when, just like here, someone is in need, others come to the rescue. A spirit of sharing is part of the culture so that no one is left behind.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, Hopefully you have noticed that the Partners in Charity banners are placed at the front and rear entrances of the church as well as the bulletin insert for the annual campaign that supports all the ministries and charities we perform as Catholics in our Diocese. This weekend we will watch the campaign video reminding us all of the work that is accomplished when each of our parishes join as Partners in Charity and how we make a difference in Worcester County by doing so.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, Many questions arise in my heart as I continue to journey with you here at Sacred Heart. One that I have right now is: “How do we form community as a parish today?” There have been many different ways that people came together in the past; Men’s Leagues, Women’s Clubs, League of Catholic Men (Women), Couples Clubs, and most recently our family gatherings at Chicken BBQ’s, Italian Night, Harvest Fest.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, Many people have commented on how pleased they are that I am reviewing the sacraments and how important it is to be rooted in the sacraments. It was great to know that the children going to “Kids chapel” knew that there were seven sacraments and remembered which ones they had received so far at their ages. Our faith is rooted and nourished by “Word” and “Sacrament.” Therefore, ritual and sacramentals are so important for us as Catholics. The very definition of sacrament brings to light all the senses that come to us from the sacraments “An outward sign” reminds us that sight, sound, touch, taste, smell is all included in the outpouring of God’s grace into our lives.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, The Beatification of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen has been in the news lately. Many of the older folks (not me) will remember his TV series “Life is Worth Living.” The program explained the Catholic Faith and viewers were able to submit questions about Catholic faith, theology, spirituality and more. The show enabled Catholics to deepen their understanding of their Catholic Faith and at the same time many non-Catholics joined our faith because of the program which was on ABC stations.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, While we were the final stretch of the Advent Season, from December 23rd into the Christmas Season until December 31st; there was a great deal of behind the scenes work provided to our parish from our Chancery office to make sure we had a signed contract with TeamSolar for our Solar panel contract. Thanks to the efforts of Fr. Richard Reidy, Peter Dawson (contract lawyer), Peter Dunbeck (Environmental Stewardship Coordinator), and Bishop McManus we have a contract in place. Once the panels are up and running this will provide more than $140,000.00 of income to our parish over a 20-year period.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, Merry Christmas to you all! I know some people are thinking, “enough already!” and that is because we forget that the Christmas Season begins Christmas Eve December 24th. However, being bombarded with Christmas decorations and “Holiday Muzak” in the grocery stores and department stores, and homes in our neighborhoods since Halloween, we forget when this Season actually is.
Happy Christmas Season Everyone! We gather together on the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. Originally this feast was always on January 6th, the Twelfth Day of Christmas. However, it is now celebrated the Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Family.
Happy Christmas Season everyone! Yes, I want everyone to remember that Christmas is a Season and not just a day; and there are lots of Christmas blessings that flow during this wonderful time of the year. Hopefully you have unwrapped the most important of our Christmas gifts, a new and wonderful relationship and understanding of the central importance of Jesus Christ in your life!
Dear Fellow Parishioners, Dear Fellow Parishioners, A Merry Christmas to you all! And this will certainly be a Merry Christmas when we have done our Spiritual (inner) shopping this Advent Season. Isn’t it wonderful to realize that the four weeks before Christmas are about preparing for a relationship and not an event? It takes all the pressure off when we are reminded that Christ was born over 2000 years ago but can be born anew in our hearts if we make room for him there.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, This Third Sunday of Advent we light the candle of Joy, and many have expressed the joy they receive participating in the Reverse Advent Calendar. “It’s such fun grocery shopping and picking up the items listed on the calendar, knowing that it will help those in need!” As people were placing their bags at the entrances of the church many were commenting on how much food was brought in by others. Another commented, “It is so good to shop for people who are in need instead of buying things for people who have more that the need!” If you haven’t begun participating, it’s not too late to jump in.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, 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!
Dear Fellow Parishioners, Our Pastoral Planning Team (PPT) and Buildings and grounds team are hard at work on many items for our parish. I want to bring two major projects to your attention. They are a works in process: Solar Panels and updating and moving the transformer that is located outside the glass entryway to the hall and church.
Happy Feast Day! It is the Feast of Christ the King; a fitting ending to the liturgical calendar and a fitting beginning to our Thanksgiving celebration for all we are grateful. As we give thanks, we prepare to begin a new liturgical year as we enter the Season of Advent. A word on each would be appropriate so we don’t miss the presence of God’s hand in each of these events
Dear Fellow Parishioners, We are a very generous community when it comes to assisting those in need through donations to our Thrift Shop, the Mustard Seed Meals, St. Gerard’s in Haiti, Veterans, our annual Mission Speaker each summer, serving meals at Trinity Episcopal and more. The response of those interested in providing emergency shelter for the homeless (47 parishioners) has been tremendous. We as a community have a desire to live the Gospel.