What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Lent? For some it is "giving up" something, which can be a good thing if our self-sacrifice leads us to God. Many people also think of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent as we hear the call to repentance and reflect on the transforming power of Jesus that is always ready to heal us. While it is probably safe to say that more people go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent than any other season of the Church year, the fact is that many people don't go to this sacrament during Lent or any other time. Recently I tried moving the regular times that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available here at Sacred Heart and have not witnessed any increase in the numbers of people going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I have decided to return to the time I had been having (weekdays, 8:30-8:55 a.m., Saturday, 3:00-3:45 p.m. AND at 4:30 p.m. on the first and second Tuesdays of the month); and, will hope to be busier during those times in the future especially AFTER, I pray, many of you participate in our five-week Lenten program, FORGIVEN: THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF CONFESSION. While I encourage you to participate in this video program with your fellow parishioners either Monday, Wednesday or Thursday mornings at 9:45 a.m. or Tuesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. starting the week of February 19, you can do this program at home if you have access to the internet and can watch the weekly videos wherever you are. The trailer for this series speaks a truth that some Catholics view the Sacrament of Reconciliation as "HUMILIATING" and therefore don't avail themselves to the sacrament much, if at all. Actually it is sin, which makes us less than what God wants us to be, that is humiliating, while the Sacrament of Reconciliation is humbling. If this doesn't initially sound good, remember what Jesus said on more than a few occasions: "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself, shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:12f, Luke 14:11). I pray that after you participate in this program you will be prepared and ready for The Lord to "lift you up" with the grace that flows from His mercy.
At some point during my trip to Florida to visit some of my family and baptize my great-nephew, James, I couldn't help but look ahead to James' future life, wondering what the world will be like when he is my age (which, for those who don't know, is 58 years). Given the situation of our world today, one can only imagine how challenging things will be for him and others - 58 years from now. It would indeed, be easy to be negative, and even skeptical about the future - given so much in this world that he and others of his generation will have to deal with that is beyond what any of us can imagine. I am, however, optimistic for him (and I hope many others) because I know that he will grow up in a loving Catholic home where he will come to know Jesus Christ and grow in faith, hope and love through God's grace and the efforts of his biological and faith family. I pray that he and many of his contemporaries will keep their focus on Jesus Christ and His love and mercy, and celebrate the reality that the future is always bright when we put our faith and hope in Him.
When Jesus is the rock and foundation of one's life, then a person (of this or any time) can live each day in hope, and strive to bring that hope to the world, no matter what is happening, good and/or bad. It is for those of James' generation, and ours, who do not live with faith in Jesus Christ and do not follow Him as the Way, the Truth and the Life, that I especially feel for, and pray for, every day.
One our our baptismal responsibilities (and that for James when he grows up) is to bring Jesus and His message of hope to others. I might challenge you this week to spend time pondering those who helped bring you to faith in Jesus, and consider who you need to go to now in your life to help you grow even closer to Jesus and to living His truth and spreading it in one way or another, every day. With Lent right around the corner (Ash Wednesday is February 14), a number of opportunities will be offered to all of us. Let's pray for the grace and strength to say yes to one or more of these, and know that the Lord has more and more blessings ready for those who put greater and greater trust in Him.
When Jesus is the rock and foundation of one's life, then a person (of this or any time) can live each day in hope, and strive to bring that hope to the world, no matter what is happening, good and/or bad. It is for those of James' generation, and ours, who do not live with faith in Jesus Christ and do not follow Him as the Way, the Truth and the Life, that I especially feel for, and pray for, every day.
One our our baptismal responsibilities (and that for James when he grows up) is to bring Jesus and His message of hope to others. I might challenge you this week to spend time pondering those who helped bring you to faith in Jesus, and consider who you need to go to now in your life to help you grow even closer to Jesus and to living His truth and spreading it in one way or another, every day. With Lent right around the corner (Ash Wednesday is February 14), a number of opportunities will be offered to all of us. Let's pray for the grace and strength to say yes to one or more of these, and know that the Lord has more and more blessings ready for those who put greater and greater trust in Him.
I would like to start this pastor's column with some good news. Last year 299 families from Sacred Heart Parish gave to the "Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal" which led us to reach and easily surpass our parish goal for 2017. I must admit that while I'm tempted to focus firstly on the fact that we got "so close" to 300 or more families who made a gift to help fund a LARGE variety of ministries and activities that are happening throughout the state of Arkansas, instead, let me say a loud (or at least a "strong" since you can't hear me) THANK YOU VERY MUCH to those who were so thoughtful and generous to this great cause.
I'm sure some, if not many of you, receive throughout the year, solicitations to help a large variety of causes and needs. While most of us don't even try to give something to all of them, it takes thought and reflection before deciding which causes we will help.
The good thing about the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal is that the money I give goes to a great variety of peple in need from the poor (Catholic Charities), to the Unborn (through the efforts of the Respect Life Office), to needy students (in Catholic Schools, religious education, and College Campus Ministry Programs) to our seminarians (who are being prepared to be our future priests in Arkansas), to our adults and youth who use diocesan facilities (that have recently been renovated) for retreats (like our own parish men's retreat February 26-March 1, and opportunities for formation and education (like our future permanent deacons). The list is so long, I might mention more of them in future columns. The bottom line is THEY ALL need our support and will get it through our gift to the Arkansas Sharing Appeal. While we, thanks be to God have reached and surpassed our goal this past year and in previous years, the overall goal has not been reached for quite a few years, so some hard decisions have to be made when it comes to who might not get as much as they need.
PLEASE have an open mind and heart to what you hear next weekend, and especially if you haven't given anything to this appeal in the past, consider doing something this year. I am happy to say, our parish has, in the last number of years, had some of the highest numbers of total givers, and I hope and pray that trend continues and goes even higher this year.
Praise God for all the work that's being done in the name of Jesus Christ and all of us who give to the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal!
I'm sure some, if not many of you, receive throughout the year, solicitations to help a large variety of causes and needs. While most of us don't even try to give something to all of them, it takes thought and reflection before deciding which causes we will help.
The good thing about the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal is that the money I give goes to a great variety of peple in need from the poor (Catholic Charities), to the Unborn (through the efforts of the Respect Life Office), to needy students (in Catholic Schools, religious education, and College Campus Ministry Programs) to our seminarians (who are being prepared to be our future priests in Arkansas), to our adults and youth who use diocesan facilities (that have recently been renovated) for retreats (like our own parish men's retreat February 26-March 1, and opportunities for formation and education (like our future permanent deacons). The list is so long, I might mention more of them in future columns. The bottom line is THEY ALL need our support and will get it through our gift to the Arkansas Sharing Appeal. While we, thanks be to God have reached and surpassed our goal this past year and in previous years, the overall goal has not been reached for quite a few years, so some hard decisions have to be made when it comes to who might not get as much as they need.
PLEASE have an open mind and heart to what you hear next weekend, and especially if you haven't given anything to this appeal in the past, consider doing something this year. I am happy to say, our parish has, in the last number of years, had some of the highest numbers of total givers, and I hope and pray that trend continues and goes even higher this year.
Praise God for all the work that's being done in the name of Jesus Christ and all of us who give to the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal!