Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
I am aware of some parishes that audio tape the Sunday homily, and make it available to shut-in parishioners who cannot make it to church.  Those of you who get the Arkansas Catholic newspaper each week, know that they usually print Bishop Taylor's homily from a previous Sunday.  I am considering how best to make available the homilies from our weekend Masses to people who are shut-in and/or heard it at Mass and want to reflect further on what was said.  Perhaps our parish website (hsvsacredheart.com) would be the best way to do this.  I must admit that I rarely write out my homilies, so this may be a challenge for me on a regular basis.  I did in fact write out my homily from July 19/20 and will find a way to get it on the website soon. 

In this homily I quoted the Pope and the bishops from the Middle East on the need for peaceful resolution and long term solutions to the ongoing tensions there.  I also spoke on the Gospel that calls us to reach out in a Christ-like way to those young immigrants from Central America who have come to our country in dangerous conditions to escape poverty and/or violence in their homeland or to reunite with family members who are already in this country.  Again I quoted from the Pope on this issue.  I realize this is a tough and complex issue that needs some real changes of attitude and actions in our country and in the countries of origin of these young people. 

One thing that I want to say here, that I didn't say in my homily, is that we need to generally avoid a "border mentality" as Christians and always strive to have a Christ-like mentality and heart when it comes to anyone in need, especially those who are weak and vulnerable. 

I did, in my homily, encourage at least one thing we can do as followers of Christ. Give to "Save the Children" which is reaching out to help the children of God along the southern border of our country and in other places around the world. Search on Google, "Save the Children" to see how you can donate. The phone is 1-800-728-3843; their address is 501 Kings Highway E, Fairfield, Connecticut 06825.