Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
There are many reasons why I feel blessed every day to be the pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.  The list starts with the faith-filled, active people that we have here in this wonderful parish and it includes all of the ministries and activities that are going on regularly here.  I am especially impressed by the ongoing charity and charitable spirit that is alive in so many people and in so many ways here at Sacred Heart Church.

I hope you looked at the insert in last week's bulletin which gave a breakdown of the amount of money that was given in the calendar year 2014 to needy organizations and ministires (a total of $365,774!), as well as the beneficiaries of this charitable giving and the breakdown of who raised and/or collected these funds.  What isn't quantified is the number of hours donated and worked by the members of the Knights of Columbus ($61,726), the Men's Club ($7,200), and the Ladies of the Sacred Heart ($11,200) that produced the amount of money that was given to so many charitable causes.  While so many of you were generous in a monetary way to at least some of the "causes" that were put before you here at Sacred Heart Church in the year 2014, I am impressed and thankful for those who gave of the stewardship of their time and talent (including those on our Social Justice and Charitable Commission and our Family Assistance Committee) that shows how many good-hearted, charitable, Christ-like people we have here in this parish.  I pray that they will be inspired to continue such efforts and lead others to join them in monetary support and time given to our active organizations here at Sacred Heart Church.

Please continue contributing to your Rice Bowls to benefit the needy through Catholic Relief Services for the rest of Lent and be prepared to return them (if possible) on Holy Thursday (April 2) or over the first few weekends of the Easter Season.