Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
Last week I concelebrated Mass twice at Christ the King Church in Little Rock for the diaconate ordination of three men, including my nephew Stephen, and priesthood ordination of five men for the Diocese of Little Rock.  It was truly a blessing to be in such a beautiful church and participate in some meaningful and significant liturgies for these men, their families, and all the Catholics of Arkansas.

While in Christ the King Church, I prayed a Holy Hour in their chapel where they have Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration going on 24/7 (and have had for at least 5-10 years).  On  more than one occasion I have heard their pastor, Monsignor Francis Malone, humbly say that the main contributing factor is the reality that this parish has produced seven seminarians, of which at least two or three have already been ordained a priest, is the fact that the parish has Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  I would strongly agree with such a statement.  I believe the reality of this devotion and practice going on in more than a few parishes in Arkansas, including, of course, our own, has contributed greatly to God blessing us with so many seminarians, many of whom have become, or will become, priests.  The fact that one of our own, Jonathan Semmler, has become a seminarian for the Diocese of Little Rock, is a credit to his own growing faith, that of his parents, that of our faith family here at Sacred Heart, AND, I believe, in the reality that so many of our parishioners have been, and are, participating in Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration and are committed to giving at least an hour every week to be in the Lord's presence and grow in His grace and love.  I urge all those who do this (and, as always, I URGE more parishioners to join us.  Call Mike Kerwin at 922-1531), to pray for Jonathan and all our seminarians every time you are in the chapel for prayer.  Our ongoing efforts in prayer for Jonathan before Jesus in the Monstrance may lead (if it is God's will) to Sacred Heart having its first native-born parishioner be ordained a priest of God in about seven years.  Jesus urged His followers to "pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His vineyard."  (Matthew 9:38).  Prayers for this and other intentions happening 24/7 are producing wonderful, and in some cases, miraculous results. Thank God for all who are in this ministry and devotion!