Last week's pastor's column was unusually long (some would say in contrast to my homilies which are always long). If you didn't read it, the focus was on all the opportunities that this Lent affords us at Sacred Heart Parish to grow in our life in the Lord and hopefully develop new habits that can continue long after Lent is over. While sadly we don't have anyone preparing for the three sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil, we are called to include in our private and public prayers those who will be receiving these sacraments and will commence a new journey with the Lord and with brothers and sisters in the Lord. While many still think of Lent as a time to "give up" things like chocolate, and other favorite food, or fast from some of the other things of the world as a 40 day penance for sins we have committed, it also gives us the opportunity to "do the things of the Lord," like being attentive to family, friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners who need a caring voice or a caring hand. Consider calling Cathy Wedwick at 501-915-8456 or Pat Widlowski at 501-922-1395 to find out what opportunities there are to be a "Helping Hand" to a parishioner in need. There's also the opportunity to give blood at the Knight's of Columbus bimonthly blood drive THIS Tuesday anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Village United Methodist Church on Carmona Road. While we usually never know who will get our blood, we can be confident that it will help someone to recover from surgery, or even save their life during a medical crises.
I would also like to urge everyone to join the Lenten effort to help the materially poor throughout the world through the Catholic Relief Services "Operation Rice Bowl" by accumulating money throughout Lent through money saved by not buying certain non-essentials (which are many in number out there) and just giving some of our abundance to aid the poor. Lent is also a good time to help the poor in our area through Jackson House by putting something (even a dollar or two) in the wooden container marked for that purpose in the Narthex. With higher prices on food and other items hitting everyone, it is especially a challenge to those who have limited funds to start with. It would definitely make a great impact if ALL of the 600 plus people who come to Mass here every weekend put at least one dollar in that box each weekend of Lent. The amount collected would feed a large number of people who need the assistance for a variety of reasons. After spelling all of this out, I hope you see that this pastor's column is really a continuation of last Sunday's opportunities to make this Lent potentially life-changing in ways that keep us truly grounded in the Lord in ways that strengthen us in faith, hope and love and in confidence in the eternal life Jesus Christ has won for those whose faith is lived in word and in deed.
I would also like to urge everyone to join the Lenten effort to help the materially poor throughout the world through the Catholic Relief Services "Operation Rice Bowl" by accumulating money throughout Lent through money saved by not buying certain non-essentials (which are many in number out there) and just giving some of our abundance to aid the poor. Lent is also a good time to help the poor in our area through Jackson House by putting something (even a dollar or two) in the wooden container marked for that purpose in the Narthex. With higher prices on food and other items hitting everyone, it is especially a challenge to those who have limited funds to start with. It would definitely make a great impact if ALL of the 600 plus people who come to Mass here every weekend put at least one dollar in that box each weekend of Lent. The amount collected would feed a large number of people who need the assistance for a variety of reasons. After spelling all of this out, I hope you see that this pastor's column is really a continuation of last Sunday's opportunities to make this Lent potentially life-changing in ways that keep us truly grounded in the Lord in ways that strengthen us in faith, hope and love and in confidence in the eternal life Jesus Christ has won for those whose faith is lived in word and in deed.