When I think of our VIPs for the month of June, Tom and Cathy Ament, the words ACTIVE and SOCIAL come to mind first. For the 26 years they have lived in the Village, they have been seemingly here, there and everywhere in our parish community (in ways I will describe in this pastor's column) in the community activities in the Village, expecially golf, and in working in the community to make it the best place to live that it can be for those who choose to move here. It is clear when you first encounter them there is not a shy bone in their bodies. The words friendly, outgoing, and engaging fit both of their personalities. Unless health issues slow them down (and, like many people, they have), they are lively, energetic and, as you are about to find out, they have used and in many ways continue to use their energy for others. After being "energized by the Lord and others through a "Marriage Encounter" weekend couples experience over 50 years ago, they took to heart the message "Bloom where you are planted" and, in many ways, hit the ground running when they moved to the Village. Both have served as longtime lectors at the 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass where Cathy also is an extraordinary miniaster of Holy Communion and a Eucharistic Adorer. They have worked at Jackson House, Special Olympics and Cathy as a volunteer for Helping Hands. After 25 years of doing it, they still enjoy delivering food baskets on the holidays and say that they have been enriched by the families they have encountered. Cathy was vice president and then president of LOSH and is still a very active member of the All Saints Guild, which includes activities connected with bake sales and preparing food and serving at funeral meals. Tom has served as Grand Knight for our local KNights of Columbus Council 10208, is a 4th degree member of the KNights and coordinated the K of C "Pennies from Heaven" for 15 years that provides aid to families who have suffered disasters. He is a charter memeber of our parish family assistance committee and has put much effort with others in assessing and helping people in the area who are going through difficult times with some immediate assistance and information of other services in the area that can help them in providing for themselves, long term. He has been an active member of the Sacred Heart Men's Club, and has been the sick list leader for them for 10 years. You can see they indeed fit the term active and giving to others in need in time, talent and treasure in a caring, Christ-like way. Let's thand the Lord and then them for what they have done and are still doing, and appreciate that they inspire and encourage each other in all this and obviously in their married life that they have enjoyed for more than 50 years!

While I now regret using people who identify as transgender (which Wikipedia defines as people whose gender identity or gender expression does not correspond with the sex they were assigned (or people of faith would say "that God them when they were  conceived in their mother's womb), I have decided to use this pastor's column to present in short form some of what the "Church" says about this issue. Firstly, as disciples of Jesus Christ we are call to "Christ-like" love for all people. We must not look with disdain or worse toward these or any other people who, like us, were formed by God in their mother's womb. the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the sexes are meant by divine design to be different and complimentary, each having equal dignity and made in the image of God. I also like and recommend what I read from "Catholic Answers" when it says "we should help people discover their true identities as children of God, not support them in the disordered attempt to reject their undeniable biological identity." In March the USCCB (United States Bishops issued a 14  page statement directed firstly to Catholic health care institutions named "Doctrinal Note on the Moral Limits to Technological Manipulation of the Human Bidy" which can be accessed online at the www.USCCB.org website. In summary, it says Catholic hospitals "must not perform interventions, whether surgical or chemical, that aim to transform the sexual characteristics of a human body into those of the opposite sex, or take part in the development of such procedures." I believe the bishops would speak against such action in ANT hospital or health care institution. The Church, as far as I know, will not give direction on terminology when addressing a person who identifies as transgender, nor will it comment on other practical issues that have made the news. namely the use of public bathrooms and competitive sports situations (unless it involves Catholic facilities or Catholic institutions that offers sports for its students). Bishop Taylor has spoken about the freedom of people not to participate in certain ceremonies and activities (i.e."Pride" parades) as "not being discrimination against the persons involved in such gatherings not is it an expression of hatred towards the persons involved". (April 3, 2015). If I have any more to add about this subject (especially after reading the 14 page document listed above) I'll bring it up in a future pastor's column.

When a sports season has ended (at least on the professional level), the athletes normally take a break from practicing (andplaying and rest). Those who win a championship (which I would imagine creates an emotional and psychological "high") have time to ponder what they have accomplished before getting back to it with the first practice before the next season starts. With regard to our life as disciples of Christ, we have just completed the church Season of Easter. During the 40 day Lenten season we "practiced" prayer, fasting, and almsgiving and, hopefully, heeded the call to examine our life in relation to Christ, and acknowledged, repented and asked forgiveness of our sins, especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We then joined in the solemn celebration of the Paschal Mystery through the Paschal Triduum which culminated in the renewal of our baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday. Then came the 50 days of celebration of Christ's victory over death through his Resurrection and pondering our call to spread the "Good News" of Jesus Christ as did the apostles and others who were filled with the Holy Spirit (as were we at our Baptism and Confirmation). After we all shared in the celebration of the "Victory of all victories," the victory of Christ over sin and death, the Easter Season). We come to "Ordinary Time" which is the longest season of the Church year. The priests of Arkansas will take a short rest and break from ministry to go on retreat on the grounds of Subiaco Abbey this week. I ask your prayers for me and all the priests who will be there during the week. What, then, is Ordinary Time for priests and all baptized believers have in store for us? The Church says we cannot speak of Ordinary Time without speaking of Sunday. It is the basic structure upon which the Church Year is built. The great liturgical seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter are more expansive celebrations of particular aspects of the one paschal mystery which we celebrate every Lord's Day. (Ordo pg. 36). Since I have more reflections from the Church and myself about Ordinary Time, please plan to read more about it in the next Pastor's Column. Since we've just finished the 8th week in Ordinary Time (and there are 26 more weeks of it to be observed and celebrated), there's plenty of time to hear more about AND MOST IMPORTANTLY live it to the fullest in Jesus Christ and with the members of the Body of Christ  here at Sacred Heart Church!!