First of all, I see them often at daily Mass where Bob sometimes serves (as well as on the weekends). They are some of the relatively few in our parish who recognize and realize the benefits of the greatest of prayers, the Eucharistic Celebration that is offered in our parish every day. The Bowman's not only serve in liturgical ministries (as Ann is a Eucharistic Minister), but are active in other areas of parish life. Bob is an active member of the Knights of Columbus (as the pro-life chairman) and Men's Club (as the treasurer). In those roles he often comes early before Mass (to sell tickets for events and prepare to hand out baby bottles for our baby bottle campaign). He coordinates the "crosses for life" effort to highlight the tragedy of so many babies being killed in their mother's womb before they are born. He is a longtime volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, helping in the effort to build decent homes for needy families. He is a person that can be called on for almost any need (including as one of our parking attendants during the parking lot Masses) and he is there to help or coordinate efforts within or outside of our parish. His pro-life stance and fervor is well known to many in our parish.
Ann, besides being an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Mass is also an active member of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart (serving on the Spiritual Life Committee), is a sunshine card volunteer, coordinates the collection of pull tabs to benefit Ronald McDonald House, handles the cancelled stamps and labels for education as ongoing fundraising efforts to benefit the Sisters of the Holy Cross and for St. John's School. She also works "behind the scenes" as one of the 4 "flower ladies" who care for the floral arrangements and plants throughout our church complex. She is on one of the "collection counting teams" and has been co-treasurer/secretary of the Sacred Heart Bowling League for quite a few years. She has recently been elected to the Pastoral Council as a representative of the liturgy committee.
The Bowman's are members of our Welcoming Committee and both are "Helping Hands" volunteers. In part, (and maybe in large part) the Bowmans are continually energized to do all this because of their love for the Lord in the Holy Eucharist which is clear in their participation in Holy Mass as well as being regular Eucharistic Adorers (at one time taking the 2:00-3:00 a.m. hour once a week).
They are indeed two of the most familiar faces to me and others that truly make Sacred Heart Church their second home and are a blessing and blessed to be a true brother and sister (and servant) in the Lord to us in MANY wonderful ways! God bless you, Bob and Ann!
I want to use this space this week to share pastoral reflections and my experiences about those who come to the Church in Arkansas seeking the loving embrace of God and others either as Catholics or those who are interested in joining the Catholic faith and way of life. My response to all who come to us, whether they be native born Americans or immigrants who are seeking a better (and often a much better) life than they had in their native land, has been to greet an embrace them with love and as they are, fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. In my priestly ministry, I have been in parishes that have had a fair amount of immigrants as parishioners and I have been blessed to minister to and get to know them outside of liturigical ministry to them. I have been enriched in my life to come to know them as being strong in the areas of faith and family. I have experienced them as hard working people who are seeking to make what they can to support their families with the basics of life (which many were unable to do in their native land). I have witnessed a strong love for the Lord and honor paid to the Blessed Mother under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I have viewed them as I believe all people of faith are called to see them, as children of God and brothers and sisters in the Lord. I embrace them as priests of many years ago did towards immigrants to our country (as my great-grandparents were), in a loving way.
As we begin this weekend, the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal, I am very much aware that one of the beneficiaries of my (and hopefully your) financial support of the ministries and activites that are funded through this appeal in Hispanic Ministry in our state. I hope you will take the time to read in detail in the periodical sent to you by mail or given to you in person this weekend ALL that is happening in the name of Jesus Christ and his Church all over the state of Arkansas which needs EVERYONE'S support including Hispanic Ministry. Besides supporting volunteer and paid priest, religious and lay ministers who care for the spiritual needs of our fellow Catholics, it also promotes and provides faith formation programs for young Hispanic Catholics preparing them to spread the Good News of the Gospel and growing in their own baptismal commitment to the Lord. Jesus in last week's Gospel (Luke 4:21-30) expressed the reality of God's love for all people and the call for us to do the same, especially in a practical way towards those who are in our midst, including those who come to us from afar who are needy of the basic necessities of life and of support from a faith family. I pray we will be true to our baptismal call in this and in every way as we journey together to the universal and everlasting home of heaven!
I try, (if I remember to do so) to make my first pastor's column of each month an acknowledgement of the VIP (Very Important Parishioner) or VIP's (if it's a couple) of that month. It gives you a chance to know them better and if you wish, to send them a card of thanks. As this is the fifth weekend of January, I won't anticipate the VIP or VIP's of February, but instead give thanks to God and inform you about a VIP in this parish who had not been selected yet, but I believe would have at some point, and has recently died after a short illness, Bob Kostelecky. I'm sure I could have found out more information about Bob than I already know from his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Sue Glinka who shared in a joint wedding ligurgy many years ago, as Sue and Kay were biological sisters. I choose instead to share my own experiences and perceptions of Bob, that I was blessed to experience in the eleven plus years I have known him.
I knew him the most as a hard-working and very helpful member of the parish finance council in which he used his previous experience and skills for numerous projects that were approved and undertaken to improve and/or renovate aspects of our parish building to keep it in good shape. His "behind the scenes" efforts and helpful counsel in our meetings about other issues that came before the finance council were very much appreciated by me and the other members of the council. Bob was a faithful and active Catholic in his weekly participation in Mass and his membership in the Knights of Columbus and Men's Club. He was an active member of the "Lions" civic group and was on the architectural committee here in the Village. He was loving and faithful husband to his dear wife Kay (of happy memory) for around 60 years and took very good care of her in her last years of life as her health began to fail. Bob was quickly described to me by Danny, our plant manager who worked with Bob on numerous projects, when he found out Bob had died, as "as real gentleman, who didn't say a bad word about anyone." Less than a week before he died, as he prepared to begin chemotherapy for advanced stomach cancer, Bob received the Sacraments of the Sick and Holy Communion with great faith and appreciation to me for bringing those gifts to him and he said without hesitation and without fear, that "I've lived a good life." There are more than a few of us who would quickly say "Amen" to that without hesitation.
Since we can't thank Bob like we can our VIP's of the month, I ask you to thank God for Bob Kostelecky in your prayers, pray that his example of faith, faithfulness and service to Jesus and his Gospel will be remembered and continue to inspire those who knew him and his dear wife Kay, and pray for the happy repose of his soul which I know he would appreciate especially given the fact that he chose as the first reading for his Mass of Resurrection 2 Macabees 12:43-36. I would invite you to come to his Mass of Resurrection on Saturday, February 5 at 10:30 a.m. to honor him and to pray for him.