In my early uears (starting at the age of six) I fondly recall my dad waking me up to go with him to 6:00 a.m. Mass at St John's Church in Hot Springs. I sat alone in the sparsely populated pews and witnessed him as an usher at Mass every Sunday. I also was blessed to witness my older brother, Joe, serving Mass at St Mary's Church (in Hot Springs) and was so happy when I was old enough to join him as an "altar boy". Seeing my dad and brother serving the Church in these ways provided a wonderful example to me of the importance of doing my part as a member of God's faith family, just as I was inspired (or initially made) to do my part in my biological family to support the household (with my chores). Obviously, these experiences had a big influence on my vocation to the priesthood as I saw both of my parents give and give and give to their children, to others, and to the Church. I also realize that the older one is, the harder it can be to try something new. I must say, however, how wonderful it's been to see people in this parish (and in others) who step forward to serve the Lord in various ways as a member of their faith family. This includes liturgical ministries and other ways of serving the Lord and others in ministries and activities this parish offers. While some ministries and activities are in the public eye, especially liturgical ministries, there are others that happen behind the scenes in people's homes and in the large community. We have our rosary makers and prayer shawl makers who work here, and in their homes to create these items fot the use of others. Our Helping Hands Ministry provides an array of opportunities to offer help to parishioners who can no longer meet all these needs on their own for a short time, due to health issues, or on an ongoing basis, as they try to stay or (some would say survive in their homes). One dear parishioner, Gisela Heumann, who recently died, was largely confined to her home, but headed up the "Buddy" phone chain that connects people so that a person who lives alone communicates (usually by phone) one a day with another person in a similar situation to make sure each is okay and to at least hear one familiar voice every day. Another of our shut-ins that I take Communion to in her home, has told me how she appreciates a "thinking of you" type card in the mail every week from a Helping Hands volunteer that lets her know someone is thinking of her. I hope you will look (or have already looked) at the insert in the bulletin this week and consider becoming a "helping Hands" volunteer in one or more of the areas listed on the insert and mail it to Cathy Wedwick (address is on the bottom of the form) or turn it in to the church office. Unlike iturgical ministries in which a person is scheduled on a specific day and time, "Helping Hands" volunteers can say yes or no when a need is presented depending on whether they can do it and are give fair notice about the need (unless, on rare occaisions it is a last minute need). While our Helping Hands ministry is unique compared to other parishes that I have served, the needs of this parish are unique in some ways, and I say "The Blessings" that come from helping others in one or a number of ways are many! Won't you please help out?
Our VIP (Very Important Parishioner) program here at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish not only provides the opportunity to recognize and thank those who have served and some who are serving their fellow parishioners (and others) in a variety of ways, it also reminds or informs us of the various ministries and activities we have happening in our parish, may of which happen in most Catholic parishes throughout the world. Some we offer here, however, are unique in that they help us be the best version of ourselves in spirit, mind and body, which benefits us and, hopefully, others as well. Our VIP for the month of May, Linda Broome, has certainly been the right person for developing physical fitness for those who choose to come to the lower hall on Tuesdays AND Thursdays from 10:00-11:00 a.m. (Fit & Balanced) and 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Chair Strech & Balance). She also arranged for a Mat Yoga class from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the days mentioned above. To say that Linda is "competent" in helping people (in individual and group sessions) need to be fleshed out by saying she is enthusiastic about what she does, has been committed to her own physical fitness over the years, and has the cretivity to make exercise sessions FUN and beneficial to those who give her time to work with them. She make a very good case to say that phusical activity is especially important for those who, due to what I call "the aging condition" are generally not as active as before in day-to-day life and therefore need scheduled and regular times to stretch their muscles, improve their balance, and get their heart rate up in ways that are helpful to them! She takes the time to listen to and talk to the people who come for exercise and shows in others that she truly cares about each person who comes to her class. She affirms and encourages people and reminds her fellow exercisers to do only what they feel comfortable doing without judgement from her and anyone else who is there. While Linda has a loving husband, Johnny for 40 years, children and grandchildren, three sisters and her mother (in Memphis), she sees those who come to her classes as extended family and whom she loves and loves to help function through the exercise she does with them and what she encourages them to do on their own. Linda also stepped up to the plate as a member of the Parish Life Commission and, for the second year, serves on the parish council as one of two representatives from that commission. She is a member of LOSH and has participated in the Cancer Walk here in the Village, and helped raise funds for the Animal Welfare League of Hot Springs Village (most recently with her "acting" skills in Gil Duran's Mystery Dinner Theater). Most people see her as a "go getter" who seems happiest when around people who are exercising with her. Thanks, Linda, for being the "moving" force behind our exercise program that benefits our parishioners and people in the community at large. You are a blessing to many!
After having 5 deaths and 4 funerals at Sacred Heart Parish in a very short time since Easter Sunday, I was not surprised when a couple from the parish came up to me the other day and asked about getting together to talk about the options they have when planning their funeral liturgy and answer any questions they might have as they fill out their funeral planning form. Perhaps some of you are not aware that a funeral planning form exists and can be accessed at the church office or in a marked spot on the credenza in the hallway leading from the Narthex to the educational/administrative wing of our parish facilities. There are, of course, many choices that can and really should be made before one takes their last breath in this world, the first one being what funeral home to use. A second decision that has only been an option (in Catholicism anyway) for a relatively short period of time, is whether to have one's body present for the funeral and the interment OR for the funeral followed by cremation and interment of cremains in an urn in the ground or at a columbarium OR immediate cremation and a funeral with or without cremains present in an urn with interment happening at a scheduled time. I hope you already see that it is important for these decisons to be made and shared with family members and our parish (especially of the family cannot be reached if someone dies suddenly with no family aroud). That's only the start, however, as there are choices that can be amde when it comes to the funeral itself as far as the scripture readings that will be proclaimed and songs that will be sung at the Mass of Resurrection and whether a person wants a rosary to be prayed the night before the funeral, the day of the funeral, or not at all. Family members of our deceased parishioners are often (if not always) relieved when I tell them that their loved one has already made decisions about some or all of this (and more) so as to relieve them of decisions they might sturggle to make during their time of grief or worse "disagree over" with other family members, I hope all this gets your attention (if you haven't some or all of this) and leads you to come to a session that I will present on Wednesday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. and the same one on Thursday, May 18 at 2:00 p.m., both in the Lower Hall. I will have forms available as we go through the choices that can be made and I'll try to have someone from our columbarium committee there to talk about the process of obtaining a niche in the Sacred Heart Columbarium Garden area as your final resting place if you have chosen cremation. I have always said that doing pre-planning when it come to arrangements after your death, especially the funeral itself is the last statement one can make to everyone (including of course the family) of one's faith in Jesus Christ and hope in what Jesus has won for us beyond what we can see or ever experience in life here on this earth!