Having spoken about Deacon Bernie in my homily last weekend after hearing of his passing, as well as at a Memorial Mass for him on Monday morning, I feel blessed to share something with his wonderful family and friends who have gathered at St. Peter's in Skokie this morning.

Having only known him for the last twelve years of his life, while serving as pastor at Sacred Heart Church in beautiful Hot Springs Village Arkansas, my experiences with him are fairly limited, when one ponders his almost 100 years of life in this world and all the blessings that came to him and through him in all those years. After reading the obituary that his wonderful family put together, it is clear to me that the qualities that I was blessed to see for a relatively short time, were qualities that he carried throughout his life. He was a gentle, kind, humble, other-centered disciple of Christ who loved the Lord and all those the Lord put in his life starting with his family of origin, and then his beautiful wife of over 70 years, his six children and the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were all listed by name in the obituary. That very listing of all of their names said to me, among other things, that they were all uniquely loved by him. Add to this, the large number of extended family Bernie had, including his beloved parish families such as yours and ours, and we have reason to rejoice and give thanks for the many who were blessed to know and love him and be loved by him.

For the sake of brevity during this funeral Mass, which I grieve I could not be a part of in person, I want to share something about Deacon Bernie that I look forward to sharing with the parishioners at Sacred Heart Parish that I pray will inspire more than a few to participate in something that is near and dear to my heart and clearly to Deacon Bernie's life for much of his life, that being the Celebration of the Mass, including in a special way, weekday Mass. In the obituary, it was shared that in his growing up years in Indiana, he LOVED getting up in the wee hours of the morning for his 6;30a.m. daily Mass assignment as an altar boy. Recalling these cherished memories, he said "I was so full of joy when leaving church, that I would run and leap like a stag, and scream. I was so happy! One day, this young Bernie paused, knelt at the altar of St. Joseph and asked the Lord to teach him how to love. I dare say that all of us who knew Bernie can attest that he was a good student of the Lord who learned and practiced love his entire life.

Fast forward to the last seven years at Sacred Heart Parish where there were few if any times that Bernie missed daily Mass, assisting me as a deacon on the altar countless times or in the pews with his fellow parishioners whom he offered the precious Blood of Christ at almost every Mass he participated in. I have no doubt that this daily part of his life served as the fuel that gave him his wonderful innocent, child-like, Christ-like demeanor and a perpetual desire to serve the Lord and others with compassion and love.

Like an uncle of mine, who was also born in 1923, Deacon Bernie was quick to laugh or giggle in his own way in almost every circumstance, which was an obvious sign (at least to me) that he lived with the joy of the Lord in his mind and heart, the Lord that he was privileged to receive at Mass daily from his early years to the later years of his life.

God bless Deacon Bernie with the beatific vision and eternal rest from the many years he was given in this world and to this world to love as Jesus loved and blessed him!!

In 2015, eleven parishioners decided to create an endowment through the Arkansas Community Foundation that would provide our church with an annual income, in perpetuity, to be used strictly for local charitable outreach use. The Finance Council has decided that we would not withdraw any funds from the endowment until it reached $100,000. At that time, the Church should receive about $3000 every year, in perpetuity for charitable uses. Many have donated to the endowment by making memorial contributions for deceased church members. Today our endowment has grown to $72,800. Please consider our endowment for memorial or recognition gifts and remember it when making your will or trust arrangements. Endowment envelopes are available on the wall bracket in the Narthex for your convenience. Checks must be made payable to HSV Community Foundation--not Sacred Heart Church. If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn Bowers at (915-8022, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Dave Witchger at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Hello everyone! The Capuchin Novitiate in California has been a great experience for me these past couple of months. I have been busy doing ministry at a place called Alpha Resources in Santa Barbara. I help out kids who are mentally challenged by doing activities with them and assisting them as needed. My Novitiate year has been an experience of growth with the help of our Formators and 10 other novices.

We will keep you in our prayers and please keep us in yours. If you are interested in supporting my Capuchin Province, please see www.brownrobe.com to view the ways in which you may donate via the Brown Robe Benefit.

The story of our diocese is featured in an episode of "The Chair: The Diocese of Little Rock." "The Chair" is a new 85 eqisode series celebrating the best of Catholicism in the United States, from the physical beauty of our cathedral to the holy beauty of the bishops. In the Little Rock episode of "The Chair," you'll hear from Bishop Anthony B Taylor about his role as bishop and learn more about our diocese and the Cathedral of St Andrew. This intimate protrait of our diocese is an opportunity to see our history and the journey of Bishop Taylor from his youth to our shepard of today. Watch "The Chair" for free at thechair.com/LittleRock.

What do Sacred Heart Adorers say about the time they spend in chapel? "Iquiet my mind and open my heart to Jesus. I look forward to this time because I feel the peace that only Christ present in the Eucharist can provide." "Helps me enlighten my spiritual journey!" "A peaceful time to spend with Jesus with no interruptions." Visit our Perpetual Adoration website www.shjea.com or contact Kathy Clark at
203-816-7737 to become a regular adorer, prayer partner or substitute.

The Sacred Heart Grief Support Group is for those who have faced or are facing challenges related primarily, but not only, to the death of a loved one. SHJCC is a safe place to learn and grow together. We are here to assist you in reclaiming your life, increasing happiness and to be inspired. The Grief Support Group will meet each Monday in October between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in one of the classrooms (check the calendar on the wall outside the office). To register, contact Deacon Larry Christoff via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 573-645-6814.