There are many situations in life that call for prayerful reflection before making a decision which often leads to peace once that decision is made.  When we are afforded the opportunity to give of ourselves for some altruistic good, then a time of prayer will often lead us to give more than we otherwise would.  I ask that every parishioner spend some time this week prayerfully discerning how generous you can be to the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal (CASA) for the year 2013.

There are many people who are blessed by our generous gift to CASA.  These include our seminarians (House of Formation), the needy (Catholic Charities), our young people (in Catholic schools and weekly religious education programs), the people in small parishes where collections are not sufficient to provide for their ministry needs, and others that Jesus calls us to serve including those who are incarcerated in our prisons who need the Good News proclaimed to them.  Lest I forget there are priests of our diocese who are retired and/or sick who benefit from CASA.

Next weekend, I ask you to come to Mass ready to make your yearly commitment to CASA through a one-time gift, or by making a pledge that can be paid once a month for the entire rest of the year.  While I am confident that many of you will respond thoughtfully to this annual appeal, I pray that families and/or individuals who have not given anything in the past, will be inspired to join with me and your fellow parishioners at Sacred Heart Church and throughout Arkansas, to aid so many in the work of The Lord in this part of His vineyard.