Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
"They're dropping like flies."  This is a saying that one must be careful uttering especially at Hot Springs Village. Perhaps it would be appropriate to say "they are dropping OUT like flies" to describe some departures from ministries and activities here in the parish in recent times.

Roger Bresnahan, who recently died in Texas, had to drop out quite awhile back from leadership in the Friday morning prayer group, as coordinator of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, and in leading the Men's Club monthly prayer service due to the cancer that ultimately took his life.  Fortunatedly, others have stepped forward and those activities continue.

Also recently, Paula Doyle has stepped away from the coordinator position of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration here at Sacred Heart Church (which she admirable and competently took over from Roger Bresnahan when he got sick). Fortunately, Mike Kerwin has agreed to be our new coordinator, and I know he will do a good job in this important ministry.  

Now recently, I have received an e-mail letter from Ann Hooper saying that she has decided after 18 years that it's time for her to turn over leadership of our Sacred Heart Singles to someone else.  Firstly, let me publicly say THANK YOU to Ann for her dedication to his ministry to our singles (which in our parish means mostly widows and widowers).  Ann (and her helpers over the years) has provided many opportunities and venues for our "singles" to gather for fellowship in a group in which they share, no doubt, much in common, especially the fact that they are living without a spouse.

At this point, I would like to put out a plea for someone to step forward to take the reigns of our singles group.  This doesn't have to be only one person,  We can have coordinators, if that works best.  While the singles normally have had one activity per month, certainly there is room for discussion with the current members and thoughts for a new coordinator on what to do and when and where to do it.  Given the reality that we have more than a few in the parish who become single every year due to the death of their spouse, I believbe future efforts will be a blessing to them and to our parish as these people get together for fun, for prayer and maybe for other kind s of activities.  I will begin praying that someone or a few people will step forward to take on this important position or that if asked to do so, they will say yes.  I believe that God always provides for our needs individually and as a parish community as we seek always to grow in His grace and love.  Please call me at 209-2502 if you are interested.