I couldn't imagine myself or anyone referring to a heart attack as being a "timely" event in any kind of positive way. That was until my brother Danny (who's been the plant manager at Sacred Heart for around 5 years) had a heart attack last Saturday night. Without going into details, let me tell you that he ended up on Sunday afternoon having a heart cath. and having a stint put in where the LAD artery was 100% blocked. I say the heart attack was timely because the Lenten Season will start this Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) and for the longest time he has always lost weight through some of his Lenten practices and is part of the plan given to him for his ongoing recorvery and better health. While most (if not all of us) are not recovering from a life-threeatening event such as Danny's, I would hope that all will try to make this our best Lent ever, knowing that life can change or even end in an instnat and we should all strive to be ready to meet our "merciful judge" the Lord. While the traditional practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving should generally be followed, I would like to present some concrete opportunities in our parish to aid you in making this your best Lent ever and HOPEFULLY finding yourself continuing some of these practices for the rest of your life.
I start with the suggestion of participating in at least one daily Mass a week in addition to a weekend Mass for the Lord's Day. These are offered at 9:00 a.m. except on Wednesdays during March when they will be at 5:00 p.m. For those not already doing so, I urge you to sign up for and be committed to one hour of prayer and spiritual reading in our Eucharistic chapel. You can sign up any day of the week from 4:00 a.m to 1:00 a.m. the following day. If after Lent is over you want to keep that hour, you (and those you pray for) will be truly blessed by it.
Consider participating in our 6-week scripture reflection and study on the Passion and Resurrection Narratives in all 4 Gospels. Call Cathy Kraus right away (501-922-2062, ext. 11) or just show up THIS Monday at 9:45 a.m., Wednesday at 1:00 p.m., or Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in the classroom wing of our parish building. I guarantee you will be enlightened and inspired by what you experience in contemplating the most important part of the bible (at least for Christians)!
Our Men can really get a spiritual boost by participating in the Sacred Heart Men's retreat March 7-10 at St. John's Retreat Center in Little Rock. Coming early in the Lenten Season it can make a huge difference in how the rest of your Lent goes. For the ladies of the parish LOSH is sponsoring a one day women's retreat on Monday, March 28 in the Lower Hall.
The Stations of the Cross (including a Stations for seniors) will be prayed every Friday of Lent at 4:30 p.m.
Toward the end of Lent (April 3-6) Fr. George Knab will offer a parish mission to inspire us in our relationship with the Lord each evening with Mass each morning and talks in the evening AND opportunity for the Sacrament Reconciliation with him each day and with other priests on Tuesday of the mission.
Finally, we will be blessed to welcome legendary Christian music artist John Michael Talbot for a Lenten concert on Saturday, March 12 in our church. Committing to making this your BEST Lent ever by participating in these offerings truly has the potential to change your lives in a significant way and most importantly of saving our lives for an eternity of peace and joy in the Lord, whenever and however our life in this world comes to an end!
I start with the suggestion of participating in at least one daily Mass a week in addition to a weekend Mass for the Lord's Day. These are offered at 9:00 a.m. except on Wednesdays during March when they will be at 5:00 p.m. For those not already doing so, I urge you to sign up for and be committed to one hour of prayer and spiritual reading in our Eucharistic chapel. You can sign up any day of the week from 4:00 a.m to 1:00 a.m. the following day. If after Lent is over you want to keep that hour, you (and those you pray for) will be truly blessed by it.
Consider participating in our 6-week scripture reflection and study on the Passion and Resurrection Narratives in all 4 Gospels. Call Cathy Kraus right away (501-922-2062, ext. 11) or just show up THIS Monday at 9:45 a.m., Wednesday at 1:00 p.m., or Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in the classroom wing of our parish building. I guarantee you will be enlightened and inspired by what you experience in contemplating the most important part of the bible (at least for Christians)!
Our Men can really get a spiritual boost by participating in the Sacred Heart Men's retreat March 7-10 at St. John's Retreat Center in Little Rock. Coming early in the Lenten Season it can make a huge difference in how the rest of your Lent goes. For the ladies of the parish LOSH is sponsoring a one day women's retreat on Monday, March 28 in the Lower Hall.
The Stations of the Cross (including a Stations for seniors) will be prayed every Friday of Lent at 4:30 p.m.
Toward the end of Lent (April 3-6) Fr. George Knab will offer a parish mission to inspire us in our relationship with the Lord each evening with Mass each morning and talks in the evening AND opportunity for the Sacrament Reconciliation with him each day and with other priests on Tuesday of the mission.
Finally, we will be blessed to welcome legendary Christian music artist John Michael Talbot for a Lenten concert on Saturday, March 12 in our church. Committing to making this your BEST Lent ever by participating in these offerings truly has the potential to change your lives in a significant way and most importantly of saving our lives for an eternity of peace and joy in the Lord, whenever and however our life in this world comes to an end!