ll parishioners who seek to grow in their relationship with the Lord first and foremost, then their brothers and sisters "in the Lord" that is fostered in a variety of ways, especially in our celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
I also appreciate those who come out from the pews to serve the Lord and their fellow parishioners in the liturgical ministries that we have during Mass and before and after Mass (like the sacristans and ushers)
Then there are those who put in some or a great deal of extra time in serving the Lord outside of our times of worship. Two people who do this are our V.I.P.'s for the month of February, Mark and Kacky Leslie. When I think of Mark, the first thing that comes to mind is all the work he does in financial matters for our Knights of Columbus Council (10208). With all the fundraising activities of our Knight's and the normal collecting of dues and other monies that come in, Mark puts in an unknown (by me anyway) number of hours being proficient and responsible in his duties which is a blessing to our Knights and many others as well. There are of course other activities he is involved in and even takes a leadership role in such as the newcomers welcoming committee that he and Kacky have been heading up and coordinating for a while. I'm thankful to them for this and also appreciate all those who are in this ministry of welcoming and informing new parishioners about Sacred Heart Church. Mark is a past "Scribe" for our Knights 4th degree assembly, is part of the "kitchen crew" for Knights breakfast fundraisers, and comes early and at times stays later to set-up and clean-up for Knights events (which are mostly fundraisers that assist a variety of people in need). He has attended the annual parish men's retreat and has repre-sented our Knights Council at the annual state convention. He has been serving on the Sacred Heart Parish Life Commission for a significant period of time and is currently one of two representatives from that commission on our pastoral council.
Kacky is a native-born Arkansas, who has been a faithful, loving wife to Mark for over 50 years and a support to him in his career, much of which was in the military. Since they moved to Hot Springs Village in January of 2018 she has been an active member of LOSH, a past co-captain and now captain of Guild 6 and co-leads that guilds' efforts to minister to our bereaved through funeral receptions when her guild is called upon to do it. She and Mark have volunteered for the annual Arkansas Special Olympics event in Searcy Arkansas and has been blessed with Mark and others by attending the Knights couples retreat in Subiaco. As mentioned above she and Mark have been members of the welcoming committee, and have done a great job leading this ministry in our parish. Both Kacky and Mark have shown themselves to be always ready to help out when needed in too many instances to mention. I dare say that even though they have been here for a relatively short time (7 years) they are wonderful contributors to the growth and stability of our parish (and our Knights council and assembly) which hopefully is an inspiration for others to do the same!
I also appreciate those who come out from the pews to serve the Lord and their fellow parishioners in the liturgical ministries that we have during Mass and before and after Mass (like the sacristans and ushers)
Then there are those who put in some or a great deal of extra time in serving the Lord outside of our times of worship. Two people who do this are our V.I.P.'s for the month of February, Mark and Kacky Leslie. When I think of Mark, the first thing that comes to mind is all the work he does in financial matters for our Knights of Columbus Council (10208). With all the fundraising activities of our Knight's and the normal collecting of dues and other monies that come in, Mark puts in an unknown (by me anyway) number of hours being proficient and responsible in his duties which is a blessing to our Knights and many others as well. There are of course other activities he is involved in and even takes a leadership role in such as the newcomers welcoming committee that he and Kacky have been heading up and coordinating for a while. I'm thankful to them for this and also appreciate all those who are in this ministry of welcoming and informing new parishioners about Sacred Heart Church. Mark is a past "Scribe" for our Knights 4th degree assembly, is part of the "kitchen crew" for Knights breakfast fundraisers, and comes early and at times stays later to set-up and clean-up for Knights events (which are mostly fundraisers that assist a variety of people in need). He has attended the annual parish men's retreat and has repre-sented our Knights Council at the annual state convention. He has been serving on the Sacred Heart Parish Life Commission for a significant period of time and is currently one of two representatives from that commission on our pastoral council.
Kacky is a native-born Arkansas, who has been a faithful, loving wife to Mark for over 50 years and a support to him in his career, much of which was in the military. Since they moved to Hot Springs Village in January of 2018 she has been an active member of LOSH, a past co-captain and now captain of Guild 6 and co-leads that guilds' efforts to minister to our bereaved through funeral receptions when her guild is called upon to do it. She and Mark have volunteered for the annual Arkansas Special Olympics event in Searcy Arkansas and has been blessed with Mark and others by attending the Knights couples retreat in Subiaco. As mentioned above she and Mark have been members of the welcoming committee, and have done a great job leading this ministry in our parish. Both Kacky and Mark have shown themselves to be always ready to help out when needed in too many instances to mention. I dare say that even though they have been here for a relatively short time (7 years) they are wonderful contributors to the growth and stability of our parish (and our Knights council and assembly) which hopefully is an inspiration for others to do the same!
Last Sunday evening, I sent out a robocall that indicated that I had preached two very different homilies that weekend, one at the Saturday evening Mass and one at the two Sunday Masses. I remember indicating that the one on Saturday included the topic of immigration in our country. I said that after Saturday's Mass, and after hearing from a few parishioners, that the topic of immigration, that recently has included a call for "mass deportation" of those who are in our country without legal status, is complex and elicits strong emotions in some, and a homily is probably not the best place to try to speak about it from a Christian perspective.
After I attended a priest deanery meeting that previous Thursday afternoon, I found myself concerned about what some of our priests, especially our young priests "might" have to deal with in the future due to a directive that had been in place for over a decade that was recently rescinded that federal agents could not enter "sensitive" locations in search of people from other countries who did not have legal status in our country. This included churches and schools. Such a move, I believe, should be of concern to faith-filled people because in this country we hold dear the right and space we have for worship, religious education and even social gatherings, that should not be entered by law enforcement personnel unless given permission by those in charge of such facilities. I pray that a change will take place sooner than later that will once again respect and protect religious and school facilities from being entered by federal officials (unless in severe and life-threatening circumstances) without permission being granted. I hope you took time to read our bishop's recent letter that was in last week's bulletin about recent developments when it comes to those who are living in our country from other countries. One of the things I want to highlight that our bishop said (and that was similar to what Pope Francis recently communicated to the bishops of our country) is that our Catholic faith and its Tradition calls on us in this and every instance that involves human life (including of course the infant in a mother's womb) that our first focus and priority should ALWAYS be protecting and respecting the dignity of the person regardless of their status as determined for instance by their country of origin. When we start by looking at everyone as precious because they are made in the image and likeness of God and are loved by him, then we are hopefully going to treat them with dignity and respect, including and perhaps especially those who are poor and vulnerable (in imitation of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord). Seeking to develop and have the mind and heart of Jesus, will undoubtedly lead us to deal with the migrant in a way that first gives honor and glory to God and seeks what is truly most benefi-cial for the common good.
After I attended a priest deanery meeting that previous Thursday afternoon, I found myself concerned about what some of our priests, especially our young priests "might" have to deal with in the future due to a directive that had been in place for over a decade that was recently rescinded that federal agents could not enter "sensitive" locations in search of people from other countries who did not have legal status in our country. This included churches and schools. Such a move, I believe, should be of concern to faith-filled people because in this country we hold dear the right and space we have for worship, religious education and even social gatherings, that should not be entered by law enforcement personnel unless given permission by those in charge of such facilities. I pray that a change will take place sooner than later that will once again respect and protect religious and school facilities from being entered by federal officials (unless in severe and life-threatening circumstances) without permission being granted. I hope you took time to read our bishop's recent letter that was in last week's bulletin about recent developments when it comes to those who are living in our country from other countries. One of the things I want to highlight that our bishop said (and that was similar to what Pope Francis recently communicated to the bishops of our country) is that our Catholic faith and its Tradition calls on us in this and every instance that involves human life (including of course the infant in a mother's womb) that our first focus and priority should ALWAYS be protecting and respecting the dignity of the person regardless of their status as determined for instance by their country of origin. When we start by looking at everyone as precious because they are made in the image and likeness of God and are loved by him, then we are hopefully going to treat them with dignity and respect, including and perhaps especially those who are poor and vulnerable (in imitation of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord). Seeking to develop and have the mind and heart of Jesus, will undoubtedly lead us to deal with the migrant in a way that first gives honor and glory to God and seeks what is truly most benefi-cial for the common good.
How is the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal (CASA) the same as second collections that are taken up at various times throughout the year, and how do they differ? They are the same in that they call us to give some of the financial resources that we are blessed to have to help others who are in need. They differ in that our second collections are taken up at a particular time in any given month, and usually is a nationwide (or even an interna-tional) collection that benefits a certain cause or ministry (like the recent Black and Indian Mission Collection). The Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal, understandably, happens only in Arkansas and depends on the Catholic families in Arkansas to make it successful in partially or totally funding a variety of ministries and activities that are happening in the name of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church throughout our wonderful state.
Because of its importance, the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal goes on beyond one particular weekend and asks that our generosity be such that we are willing to "pledge" a certain amount and pay it over several months or throughout the year. This is what I do, and I invite you to do the same OR at the least give a "one time" gift using the envelopes in the pews (and putting them in the collection basket as it comes around) or taking them home, filling them out, and mail them in through the "postage paid" envelopes.
I don't have time to even touch briefly on all the ministries and activities that NEED our support through our gift(s) to CASA as there are so many, so I'll plan to talk about some of them in future pastor's columns, hoping that if you have not given to CASA yet, you will do so after reading of the wonderful works that are happening because of our generosity.
Today, I will point out that money is needed to support at least one priest, a permanent deacon, and 10 religious sisters who are working full time in a variety of mission parishes that, because of their small congregation, are not able to afford to give them a small salary, food, housing and health benefits that they need. These nuns are ministering to the spiritual needs of the Catholics that are under their care, and they are also reaching out to evangelize non-believers to lead them to the blessings of life in Christ in a Catholic church community. Since Catholics make up only 5% of the total population of Arkansas, there is much room and opportunity for growth in the faith in our state.
Thanks to those who have already made a pledge and/or gift to CASA. Please don't be shy to encourage your fellow parishioners to do the same. I pray that by the end of the year we have more families that give to CASA than we've ever had before!
Because of its importance, the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal goes on beyond one particular weekend and asks that our generosity be such that we are willing to "pledge" a certain amount and pay it over several months or throughout the year. This is what I do, and I invite you to do the same OR at the least give a "one time" gift using the envelopes in the pews (and putting them in the collection basket as it comes around) or taking them home, filling them out, and mail them in through the "postage paid" envelopes.
I don't have time to even touch briefly on all the ministries and activities that NEED our support through our gift(s) to CASA as there are so many, so I'll plan to talk about some of them in future pastor's columns, hoping that if you have not given to CASA yet, you will do so after reading of the wonderful works that are happening because of our generosity.
Today, I will point out that money is needed to support at least one priest, a permanent deacon, and 10 religious sisters who are working full time in a variety of mission parishes that, because of their small congregation, are not able to afford to give them a small salary, food, housing and health benefits that they need. These nuns are ministering to the spiritual needs of the Catholics that are under their care, and they are also reaching out to evangelize non-believers to lead them to the blessings of life in Christ in a Catholic church community. Since Catholics make up only 5% of the total population of Arkansas, there is much room and opportunity for growth in the faith in our state.
Thanks to those who have already made a pledge and/or gift to CASA. Please don't be shy to encourage your fellow parishioners to do the same. I pray that by the end of the year we have more families that give to CASA than we've ever had before!