The KofC 10208 has completed their 2019 Baby Bottle Campaign. We thank all parishioners for their generosity. The recipients of the funds will be grateful for your continued support. If you still have one of the baby bottles, please return it to Sacred Heart of Jesus with or without a donation. Please place the bottle in the basket on top of the cabinet in the narthex. We are missing approximately 55 bottles. Please contact Bob Bowman for any questions at 501-922-6619.  |
| Food Basket Committee Photo credit: Sheila Harrison |
Sunday, December 8, is the last day to drop off your wrapped package. Please return the purchased gift to the tree in the narthex, wrapped with the Angel attached. Please be sure the Angel is "gift description" side DOWN so that the child will not know what is inside the package.
If you have taken an Angel and, for whatever reason, cannot return the gift by December 8, please call Claudia Keearns at 501-922-3832 so that another gift may be purchased. The gifts will be inventoried Monday, December 9, and any missing gifts will be purchased from Food Basket funds. We want to ensure that each child receives four gifts and Angels not returned means that a child will be short a gift. Thank you for your continued generosity and attention to these details.
On October 2, 2019, 130 parishioners and friends of Father Bill Elser gathered to celebrate his 60th Birthday. It was held in the lower hall of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. Fr. Bill has been a Priest for over 33 years and Sacred heart's Priest for the past 10 years.
God bless the Parish and all those who helped in making this such a wonderful party especially Parish Live, Cindy Lefler and Cathy Silk for coordinating the festivities. They involved the whole Parish from the Spiritual Bouquet, the reading of the famed Priestly Hands prayer and organizing the Parishioners to bring potluck side dishes and desserts. Johnna Westerman catered the roasted turkey breast and honey baked ham.
To celebrate his Birthday, a beautiful Birthday Cake was displayed for all to see (and to taste).
 |
 |
The Sacred Heart's Choir sang Maureen Morgan's rendition of the 1959 top song Bobby Darin's, "Mack the Knife" with the new title "Father Bill." Lynne Border played it and all sang it just like Bobby Darin's version including the 'shout out' at the end of the song, "Look out for that birthday guy!"
Bonnie Lennen & Betty Mierzwiak donated an Energizer Bunny to resemble some characteristics of the cherished Birthday Priest. The Energizer Bunny would have a hard time keeping up with Fr. Bill!!
Fr. Bill was also presented with a framed print of the prayer, "Beautiful Hands of a Priest".
There were many gifts for Father from the Parishioners, family and friends including a Spiritual Bouquet from the Congregation along with a rosary of his favorite Saint Padre Pio.
Sacred Heart has been blessed to continue to have Fr. Bill as its Priest.
Fr. Bill was also presented with a framed print of the prayer, "Beautiful Hands of a Priest".
There were many gifts for Father from the Parishioners, family and friends including a Spiritual Bouquet from the Congregation along with a rosary of his favorite Saint Padre Pio.
Sacred Heart has been blessed to continue to have Fr. Bill as its Priest.
Let me assure you prayers work! I went into my surgery truly feeling united to each and everyone of you in prayer (that is called the Communion of Saints). Two hours later the surgeon said everything went just fine, only a triple bypass, he couldn't find anything else to fix. I am progressing in my recovery, had my first post surgery visit with the doctor and he said everything looked excellent, numbers were perfect and I was way ahead of schedule. I have received hundreds, literally hundreds, of cards from all of you (only 2 duplicates, how is that possible?) and I treasure each one. Hope to be back full time soon but I am going to take it slow. May God Bless and Care for each one of you, you are always in my prayers. ~ Deacon John ~
The next meeting of the 2019-2020 year for the Sacred Heart Men's Club will be on Tuesday, January 14, at 5:00 p.m. in the Lower Hall of the church. At 5:00 p.m. you may join others in the Upper Hall to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for family, Church, our nation, world peace, and your personal intentions. Social gathering in the Lower Hall is from 5:00 to 5:45 p.m. Dinner will be served before 6:00 p.m. After dinner, we will have a short business meeting. Remember to sign up with Danny Murphy at the meeting to participate in our "Meals on Wheels" program during the month of February. The dinner for the evening will be Pork Loin with Sangria Sauce, salad, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, rolls and ice cream for dessert. The cost of the dinner is $12 per person and will be catered by employees of Chef Johnna. Any man who is member of Sacred Heart Church or any non-Catholic husband of a wife who is a member of Sacred Heart Church, is invited to attend. New members eat free by paying the $15 membership fee. Contact Bill Patterson by phone at 922-8631 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 3:00 p.m. Sunday, January 12, if you plan on attending and eating with us.
The Knight's of Columbus Council 10208 invite all parishioner's and friends to their New Year's Eve Dinner and Dance on Tuesday, December 31 at 5:00 p.m. in the Lower Hall. A fully catered holiday meal will be prepared and served by "The Home Plate Restaurant." Shrimp cocktail, Ambrosia Salad, 10 oz. Prime Rib, Baked Potato, Asparagus, Dinner Rolls, Dessert, condiments and coffee will be served at 5:45 p.m. The Refreshment Center will be open all evening and generous donations will be appreciated. Tickets are $75 for two (single $38). Table of 8 is $300. On-call reservations are encouraged. Call 501-404-5195. Ticket pickup and sales arranged before and after weekend Masses, December 21/22 and 28/29. 
An updated list of activities planned throughout the end of the year is now in the SINGLES notebook. Activities now open for registration are:December 17: Singles Christmas Brunch at DeSoto Club. Cost is $15 per person and includes everything but adult beverages. Menu is the Sunday buffet: made-to-order omelette and waffle stations, eggs, bacon, sausage, plus a small salad bar and two soups. Adult beverages will be available with two drink specials for our group. Tickets must be purchased no later than December 16.
March 19, 2020: Save the Date. The Cancer Research Day at the Races. More details will be forthcoming in January.
Parish Life is sponsoring a Christmas dinner prepared by Chef Johnna on Christmas Day, December 25, at 12 noon. If you are interested in enjoying a delicious meal, sharing in good fellowship (maybe even some songs) and celebrating Christ's birth with our parish family, please sign-up in the narthex. The menu includes a Spring salad mix with mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, bacon and a citrus dressing; Rolled stuffed pork loin with dried fruit, sweet Italian sausage and topped with a Sangria au jus; Scalloped potatoes; Roasted asparagus along with a roll and butter. Dessert will include a fudge brownie topped with Fr. Bill's famous candy cane, peppermint ice cream. Donations will be accepted to help off set the cost of the meal. Last day to sign up is Monday, December 23. Any questions, please contact Cindy Lefler at 915-0127
The area around the statue of our Blessed Mother has be beautifully landscaped and is being cared for by thoughtful parishioners, Karen and Rick Meyers. Please thank them for their efforts when you see them. God bless you, Karen and Rick! 
The boxes of Christmas presents and food are in the upper hall and ready for the parish volunteers to pick-up and deliver to their designated families. PLEASE match the alphabet designation for the family to the boxes that are picked up for delivery. There will be at least one box of wrapped gifts and one, maybe more, boxes of non-perishable food for the volunteer to deliver. The receipt for purchase of meat and perishables should be turned in to Carol Barrett per the instructions in the letter volunteers received. A big "Thank You" to all the people who took angels from our Giving Tree and returned the respective wrapped gifts in a timely manner. Thank you ALL! 
Keeping our bodies healthy by participating in fitness classes, especially at this time of year, aides our body in fighting off nasty germs which may be lurking. Sacred Heart of Jesus parishioners have been blessed by the Wellness opportunities presented by offering fitness classes and an opportunity to receive flu vaccinations. Receiving our flu vaccine is another way to deter germs from catching hold. Prevention is key. There are numerous fitness classes for all levels offered at Sacred Heart. All classes are held in either the Upper or Lower Halls.| All Level Fitness Class | Mon, Wed, Fri. | 8:00-8:45 a.m. | Upper Hall | |
| Fit 'n Balanced (low impact) | Mon, Wed. | 3:15-4:00 p.m. | Linda Broome | Lower Hall |
| Fit 'n Fabulous (advanced level) | Mon, Wed. | 4:00-5:00 p.m. | Linda Broome | Lower Hall |
 |
| SH Singles at Sight and Sound Theater, Branson |
December 17: Singles Christmas Brunch at DeSoto Club. Cost is $15 per person and includes everything but adult beverages. Menu is the Sunday buffet: made-to-order omelette and waffle stations, eggs, bacon, sausage, plus a small salad bar and two soups. Adult beverages will be available with two drink specials for our group. Tickets will be available before and after Mass December 7/8. Tickets must be purchased no later than December 8.
March 19, 2020: Save the Date. The Cancer Research Day at the Races. More details will be forthcoming in January.
March 19, 2020: Save the Date. The Cancer Research Day at the Races. More details will be forthcoming in January.
Please circle your calendar for Tuesday, December 17 at 4:00 p.m. for our Parish Reconciliation Service. We expect to have more than a few priests availabe for individual reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 
The Knights of Columbus, Council 10208, invite you to attend their Feast of St. Nicholas Dinner and Dance, on Friday, December 6 at 5:00 p.m. in the Lower Hall. The dinner will be a Holiday Ham Dinner catered by Home Plate Restaurant. The "Blue Velvet Band" will provide music to dance to or just sit and listen. Tickets are $20 per person and will be on sale after Masses on November 30/December 1 or call the ticket hotline at 501-404-5195. 
Thanks to everyone who donates 'Pull Tabs' as we continue to collect them. Proceeds go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital so that parents with a child receiving treatment there may have accommodations at the Hospital's Ronald McDonald House. Any soda or beer cans, pet food cans, vegetable, fruit and soup cans all may have the 'Pull Tabs.' There is a box on the credenza wall, as well as, in the cabinets of the A&E Hallway for you to place your collected tabs. This effort is sponsored by LOSH and they greatly appreciate your continued support. Point of contact is Ann Bowman, 922-6619. Thank you! 
The Annual Parish Mass of Remembrance at which we acknowledge and pray for family members of Sacred Heart who have died this year will take place on Thursday, December 19, at 9:00 a.m. If you have a relative who died anywhere this past year, we ask that you put their name and your name on a sign-up sheet in the Narthex and indicate whether you will be able to attend the Mass and the reception that will follow in the Lower Hall. If you are able to come, a candle will be available for you to light and put on a table up front which signifies your loved one and the prayers we offer for them at this Mass, as well as prayers for the bereaved. Parishioners, come join us and support those who have lost loved ones this year.