Normally, as we enter the month of December, I start looking ahead, in terms of liturgies to our Advent Reconciliation Service (this year on December 19) and our Christmas Masses (which will be a challenge for priests and congregations this year since the Fourth Sunday of Advent is Christmas Eve). This, however, is no normal December, since we will be hosting the "First Mass" of Nelson Rubio, our adopted seminarian, on Sunday, December 17 at 10:00 a.m. I hope many of you will choose to come to this Mass and will sign-up to join us for the reception for Nelson after Mass in the Lower Hall. Cards and gifts for Father Nelson will be accepted before and after Mass. We are expecting people from outside our parish to join us, including at least 60 from a parish in Wisconsin where Nelson has been ministering to as a Deacon.
I want to also encourage you to come to Nelson's Ordination Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock on Saturday, December 16, at 10:00 a.m. If you have never been to an Ordination Mass, I can testify that it is a moving liturgy with many priests in attendance to pray for, lay hands on, and embrace Nelson upon his Ordination to the priesthood. We will consider renting a bus to take parishioners over to the ordination if there is enough interest and a need to do so (and if we can get a bus). Please sign-up if you are willing to drive some people over to the Ordination with you. The sign-up sheets are in the narthex.
We have supported Nelson over these last few years and it's almost time for us to come together to celebrate his priesthood and continue our prayerful support as he becomes an associate paster in parishes in North Little Rock and Marche. With all this taking place on Gaudette Sunday weekend with its theme of "REJOICING," we have a special reason to gather and rejoice, the Ordination and/or First Mass of Nelson Rubio. PLEASE make plans to come!
I want to also encourage you to come to Nelson's Ordination Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock on Saturday, December 16, at 10:00 a.m. If you have never been to an Ordination Mass, I can testify that it is a moving liturgy with many priests in attendance to pray for, lay hands on, and embrace Nelson upon his Ordination to the priesthood. We will consider renting a bus to take parishioners over to the ordination if there is enough interest and a need to do so (and if we can get a bus). Please sign-up if you are willing to drive some people over to the Ordination with you. The sign-up sheets are in the narthex.
We have supported Nelson over these last few years and it's almost time for us to come together to celebrate his priesthood and continue our prayerful support as he becomes an associate paster in parishes in North Little Rock and Marche. With all this taking place on Gaudette Sunday weekend with its theme of "REJOICING," we have a special reason to gather and rejoice, the Ordination and/or First Mass of Nelson Rubio. PLEASE make plans to come!
Today's pastor's column starts with a question. (That, as you know, is the normal way I begin my homilies).
Who spends more time in church than the priest? I can only speak for myself and tell you that Carol and Larry Cruz, who have been the head sacristans at Sacred Heart Church for almost 15 years, have indeed, spent more time in the church than myself, and I'm sure, Monsignor Malone before me. The list of activities that Carol and Larry did on a daily and weekly basis were so many, that I dare not try to list them all here. Suffice it to say they have been a HUGE blessing to the priests and parishioners they have served for all these years. I can't begin to thank them enough for their tireless and faithful efforts when it comes to the environment of our church and making sure everything is ready for Mass. I look forward to recognizing their efforts and all of us thanking them in some kind of public gathering in the future.
By now you probably realize that they are retiring from their position, though they are willing to continue to help in some way and are ready to help the new head sacristan(s) in learning what needs to be done in terms of our liturgical celebrations and environment. We are blessed to have more than a couple of assistant sacristans who are regularly giving of themselves to set-up for all the Masses that happen here. We need some, or a number of people, to take over Carol and Larry's duties. I cannot expect to find any person or couple who's willing to spend as much time as Carol and Larry did in this ministry, (though I would be thrilled if such people stepped forward). If you are interested in the head sacristan position and want to know more, please call me at 501-209-2502. I'm looking for someone, or persons, with good organizational skills who can work well with others and who have a love for the Lord and the Church as Carol and Larry do. Please pray to God in thanksgiving for Carol and Larry and in petition for a person or persons to step forward and serve the Lord in this important and fulfilling way.
GOD BLESS YOU CAROL AND LARRY. Enjoy your freedom to pursue other interests and activities at this point in your lives or just rest from your labors.
Who spends more time in church than the priest? I can only speak for myself and tell you that Carol and Larry Cruz, who have been the head sacristans at Sacred Heart Church for almost 15 years, have indeed, spent more time in the church than myself, and I'm sure, Monsignor Malone before me. The list of activities that Carol and Larry did on a daily and weekly basis were so many, that I dare not try to list them all here. Suffice it to say they have been a HUGE blessing to the priests and parishioners they have served for all these years. I can't begin to thank them enough for their tireless and faithful efforts when it comes to the environment of our church and making sure everything is ready for Mass. I look forward to recognizing their efforts and all of us thanking them in some kind of public gathering in the future.
By now you probably realize that they are retiring from their position, though they are willing to continue to help in some way and are ready to help the new head sacristan(s) in learning what needs to be done in terms of our liturgical celebrations and environment. We are blessed to have more than a couple of assistant sacristans who are regularly giving of themselves to set-up for all the Masses that happen here. We need some, or a number of people, to take over Carol and Larry's duties. I cannot expect to find any person or couple who's willing to spend as much time as Carol and Larry did in this ministry, (though I would be thrilled if such people stepped forward). If you are interested in the head sacristan position and want to know more, please call me at 501-209-2502. I'm looking for someone, or persons, with good organizational skills who can work well with others and who have a love for the Lord and the Church as Carol and Larry do. Please pray to God in thanksgiving for Carol and Larry and in petition for a person or persons to step forward and serve the Lord in this important and fulfilling way.
GOD BLESS YOU CAROL AND LARRY. Enjoy your freedom to pursue other interests and activities at this point in your lives or just rest from your labors.
"Time flies when you are having a good time," is a saying that many of us have heard, said and/or have agreed is true. As one who is blessed to spend at least one holy hour with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration in our chapel most every day, I would testify that a holy hour often goes quickly and fruitfully when I am in the presence of Jesus in the Monstrance on the altar. Often I find myself just resting in the peace and love of the Lord. Sometimes I engage in Scriptural reading and reflection as I pray the Lord's insight that will inform my mind and influence my actions in His name. Ofen I bring people and needs before Him, and ask His help, comfort, strength and peace to win out over weakness, fear, and conflict.
Recently I have been reading a chapter of the book by Vinny Flynn, "Seven Secrets of the Eucharist" and ponder some of his insights on the gift of Jesus present to us in the Eucharist. And I always take time to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, praying that God's mercy will be experienced by us here as well as people throughout the world.
As we are celebrating the Fourth Anniversary of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration at Sacred Heart Church, I give thanks that many of you have answered the call to come "be" with the Lord, in this unique and intimate setting. It is truly wonderful to know that some have been faithful in this "Ministry of Adoration" for all four years. I pray for those who have participated in this blessed activity and now rest in the peace of Christ. Finally, I continue to pray that this ministry will continue to be strong and will be made stronger by more of you signing up to be a weekly adorer or offering yourself as a substitute when the need arises (and believe me that happens for various and good reasons). While I would have a hard time ranking in importance all the ministries and acticities we have here at Sacred Heart, I can say for sure that number one on that list is Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration and from it flows many blessings seen, and many more unseen, that give praise to the Lord. Please call Mike at 922-1531 to choose an hour that will be the most important hour of your week (after participating in Mass), because it is spent with the Lord!
Recently I have been reading a chapter of the book by Vinny Flynn, "Seven Secrets of the Eucharist" and ponder some of his insights on the gift of Jesus present to us in the Eucharist. And I always take time to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, praying that God's mercy will be experienced by us here as well as people throughout the world.
As we are celebrating the Fourth Anniversary of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration at Sacred Heart Church, I give thanks that many of you have answered the call to come "be" with the Lord, in this unique and intimate setting. It is truly wonderful to know that some have been faithful in this "Ministry of Adoration" for all four years. I pray for those who have participated in this blessed activity and now rest in the peace of Christ. Finally, I continue to pray that this ministry will continue to be strong and will be made stronger by more of you signing up to be a weekly adorer or offering yourself as a substitute when the need arises (and believe me that happens for various and good reasons). While I would have a hard time ranking in importance all the ministries and acticities we have here at Sacred Heart, I can say for sure that number one on that list is Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration and from it flows many blessings seen, and many more unseen, that give praise to the Lord. Please call Mike at 922-1531 to choose an hour that will be the most important hour of your week (after participating in Mass), because it is spent with the Lord!