Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
Now that we are already past the halfway point of the first month of the new calendar year, I am looking ahead to February and in this pastor's column, asking you to do the same and to mark down some important dates.

Firstly, on February 10, 11, 12 and 13, we will have a parish mission led by Deacon Glenn Harmon and his wife, Linda, whose ministry is based in California.  The title of the mission is "The Road to Emmaus".

Deacon Glenn will preach at all the masses the weekend before the mission to encourage your participation.  He has been preaching missions all over the United States for many years and is in high demand.  Please make plans to join us for this spiritually-uplifting experience.

Secondly, we are blessed to have our bishop, Anthony Taylor, coming to us on Saturday, February 15 (at the 4:00 p.m. Mass) to have a special blessing for couples who have recently celebrated or who are, this year, celebrating their Silver Wedding Anniversary, as well as those who have been married 50, or more, years.  A reception will follow in the parish hall, and more details will follow as we get closer to the event.

Finally, before we get too far away from the Christmas season, I want to say THANK YOU to all those who remembered me at Christmas with cards, gifts, Masses and goodies to eat.  God bless you for your thoughtfulness to me AND your generosity to the Clergy Welfare Christmas Collection which brought in $17,209 from our generous parishioners.