As we begin a new calendar year, with many uncertainties when it comes to the things of "this world" and thankfully the assured blessings that the Lord promises to those who love Him, I pray we all are committed to growing in the Lord.
This starts with seeking a deeper union of love, mercy, and peace with Him through prayer (publicly and privately) and through the reading of His Word and pondering of that Word. When this is done, I believe there will always be a growing in the desire to follow the example of Christ in all ways, but especially in service to His Church, our neighbors and people unknown to us and in need.
This month, our parish V.I.P.'s, Bill and Diane Patterson are wonderful examples to us of those who have answered the call and example of Jesus in various avenues of service, especially in this wonderful parish. As active people in our liturgies (Bill as an altar server and altar server coordinator and Diane as guitarist and director of the Saturday night choir for a LONG time). Bill and Diane seem to be present in church more than most parishioners not only for weekend Masses but for Masses of Resurrection for our deceased parishioners, and on Holy Days and special Masses (like our Marriage Anniversary Masses). Speaking of marriage, Bill and Diane are wonderful examples of a long-lasting marriage (63 years) that has born bountiful fruit not only in their childrern, grandchildren, (and great grandchildren) but also in their brothers and sisters in the Lord that they have encountered here at Sacred Heart Church and in other parishes they belonged to before coming to us.
They are often seen in parish social gatherings and have served our parish community for a long time as members of our "welcoming Committee" in the role of meeting one on one (or usually two on two or with singe newcomers) to speak about the ministries and activities of the parish and share their experiences of both service and joyful participation in some of what our church has to offer. Bill has been a very acticve member of our Knights of Columbus (Council 10208 and the Victor A. Bieberle Assembly) and served in leadership roles, including Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator. He has been very involved in our Sacred Heart Men's Club as past president, and as Secretary and in the fundraising endeavors of the Men's Club AND Knights of Clumbus. He has served as the commander of our Fourth Degree Honor Guard and has been an honor guard for a long time, serving at various parish and diocesan events in that role. Bill is a charter member of our Cemetery committee and in most recent times has taken over from Buddy Dixon as chair of that committee. I can truly and thankfully say that both Bill and Diane have "stepped up to the plate" and are a blessing to many in the use of the stewardship of faith that God has given them.
Both of their demeanors are calm, assured, and welcoming to all and are appreciated whenever and wherever they present themselves! I'm very glad that they were selected as V.I.P.'s for the first month of this new year. What a great way to start this year's recognition of V.I.P.'s If you shomehow don't know them, I hope you will look them up in the parish directory and look for opportunities to meet, get to know them and hopefully offer to serve with them in one or even a few ways. God bless both Bill and Diane.
This starts with seeking a deeper union of love, mercy, and peace with Him through prayer (publicly and privately) and through the reading of His Word and pondering of that Word. When this is done, I believe there will always be a growing in the desire to follow the example of Christ in all ways, but especially in service to His Church, our neighbors and people unknown to us and in need.
This month, our parish V.I.P.'s, Bill and Diane Patterson are wonderful examples to us of those who have answered the call and example of Jesus in various avenues of service, especially in this wonderful parish. As active people in our liturgies (Bill as an altar server and altar server coordinator and Diane as guitarist and director of the Saturday night choir for a LONG time). Bill and Diane seem to be present in church more than most parishioners not only for weekend Masses but for Masses of Resurrection for our deceased parishioners, and on Holy Days and special Masses (like our Marriage Anniversary Masses). Speaking of marriage, Bill and Diane are wonderful examples of a long-lasting marriage (63 years) that has born bountiful fruit not only in their childrern, grandchildren, (and great grandchildren) but also in their brothers and sisters in the Lord that they have encountered here at Sacred Heart Church and in other parishes they belonged to before coming to us.
They are often seen in parish social gatherings and have served our parish community for a long time as members of our "welcoming Committee" in the role of meeting one on one (or usually two on two or with singe newcomers) to speak about the ministries and activities of the parish and share their experiences of both service and joyful participation in some of what our church has to offer. Bill has been a very acticve member of our Knights of Columbus (Council 10208 and the Victor A. Bieberle Assembly) and served in leadership roles, including Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator. He has been very involved in our Sacred Heart Men's Club as past president, and as Secretary and in the fundraising endeavors of the Men's Club AND Knights of Clumbus. He has served as the commander of our Fourth Degree Honor Guard and has been an honor guard for a long time, serving at various parish and diocesan events in that role. Bill is a charter member of our Cemetery committee and in most recent times has taken over from Buddy Dixon as chair of that committee. I can truly and thankfully say that both Bill and Diane have "stepped up to the plate" and are a blessing to many in the use of the stewardship of faith that God has given them.
Both of their demeanors are calm, assured, and welcoming to all and are appreciated whenever and wherever they present themselves! I'm very glad that they were selected as V.I.P.'s for the first month of this new year. What a great way to start this year's recognition of V.I.P.'s If you shomehow don't know them, I hope you will look them up in the parish directory and look for opportunities to meet, get to know them and hopefully offer to serve with them in one or even a few ways. God bless both Bill and Diane.
Besides reading the letter from the bishop this weekend asking you (and all Catholics of Arkansas) to give generously to the Christmas Collection which is the only fundraising effort each year that mostly supports the retired, sick, infirmed and in small part the active diocesan priests of Arkansas, through the "Clergy Welfare Fund," I have a somewhat unique perspective among most of our priests because of the fact I was appointed by Bishop Taylor this year as the "minister for Senior Priests" who reside outside of the official retirement home for diocesan priests on the grounds of St. John's Center in Little Rock. Besides the six retired priests who live in "St. John's Manor" (and Fr. Harvey who lives there and is the Minister for those priests) there are eleven priests who live on their own mostly scattered around Arkansas, with one living in an assisted living facility in California, one in New Mexico, and two who have retired back in their home country of Nigeria. All of these priests served in active ministry for over 40 years (and some more than that) and have retired for a number of reasons. Due to distance, I try to keep up with these priests by phone on a periodic basis. Some of them are still able to make themselves available to help parishes who need a substitute priest for a weekend's worth of Masses and for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Some have declined physically and/or mentally and face ongoing medical and other needs. As I write this, two of our senior priests are in long-term care facilities (which some of you know are getting very pricey) and one is in the hospital. I know from my contacts with them that they are ALL very appreciative of the ongoing financial and other support they receive from the Clergy Welfare Fund.
As a member of the "Clergy Welfare Priest Advisory Board" I want to tell you that this year, for the first time, the bishop has authorized money from the Clergy Welfare Fund to be offered in a limited way to help active diocesan priests who need assistance with exercise and diet programs so they can be as healthy as possible to serve in active priesthood for as long as possible. To this point only a few of our active and senior priests have requested this help, but I think the offer says that our bishop and the Catholics of Arkansas want their priests to be healthy in mind, body and spirt. Finally, if any of our active priests, due to time or burnout, need to get away for a sabbatical (break) from ministry at an approved facility or location, the costs are paid by the clergy welfare fund of Arkansas.
I hope this wider perspective will help you to appreciate how important it is for all Catholics of Arkansas to support the special Christmas collection. I can assure you that all of our priests who have or will benefit from this fund greatly appreciate your prayers and ongoing support!! God bless you and God bless our priests!!
As a member of the "Clergy Welfare Priest Advisory Board" I want to tell you that this year, for the first time, the bishop has authorized money from the Clergy Welfare Fund to be offered in a limited way to help active diocesan priests who need assistance with exercise and diet programs so they can be as healthy as possible to serve in active priesthood for as long as possible. To this point only a few of our active and senior priests have requested this help, but I think the offer says that our bishop and the Catholics of Arkansas want their priests to be healthy in mind, body and spirt. Finally, if any of our active priests, due to time or burnout, need to get away for a sabbatical (break) from ministry at an approved facility or location, the costs are paid by the clergy welfare fund of Arkansas.
I hope this wider perspective will help you to appreciate how important it is for all Catholics of Arkansas to support the special Christmas collection. I can assure you that all of our priests who have or will benefit from this fund greatly appreciate your prayers and ongoing support!! God bless you and God bless our priests!!
As with so many of our V.I.P's (Very Important Parishioners) though there are many blessings that have come to the parish and to the persons who are given this well deserved recognition, my first thoughts about the Darnell's (Rick and Sandy), our V.I.P.'s for December is thanks to God and them for their roles in making the "Parking Lot Mass" work during the long months that it was offered.
Rick served as one of my "sound technicians" in setting up and running our "broadcast" of the Mass for people to hear and participate while staying in their cars. He came early to set up and stayed late to tear down in various and sometimes very difficult weather conditions (rain, heat or cold) and made sure our system was working EVERY time. Sandy often served as the sacristan of the parking lot Mass, who put together, brought out, and set up the vessels and books that were needed for the celebration of Mass and sometimes serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion at that Mass.
Besides this regular and valuable ministry that they so willingly did all the time we had that Mass, Rick has taken on leadership roles in our wonderful Knights of Columbus council and assembly as our audio/visual person which has been so valuable during COVID restrictions and in other positions of service. Sandy has served as a regular sacristan for quite awhile and has been coordinating our liturgical envioronment committee which especially involves a lot of effort in the Advent, Christmas, Lenten and Easter seasons. She is currently caring for a large number of Christmas poinsettias that had to be purchased early and need to last as long as possible during the upcoming Christmas season.
Sandy is also active in LOSH and as a captain in the St. Anthony Guild, as a Eucharistic Adorer, as a volunteer to take people to donctor's appointments and/or to church for Mass, and as a rosary maker in our parish and in other places for many years. Rick offers to use his computer, website and other technical skills to help parishioners and others in need even as he continues to work to make a living from home.
I have come to appreciate all of this about the Darnell's (much of which is behind the scenes) and their willingness to step up and do what is needed with a kind and welcoming demeanor. If you know the Darnell's please speak a word of thanks to them or even if you don't know them personally, consider e-mailing a short note of thanks (Rick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Sandy at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or call to their home at 501-725-1296. We are truly blessed by their presence and efforts in living their Catholic Faith out in these and other ways.
Rick served as one of my "sound technicians" in setting up and running our "broadcast" of the Mass for people to hear and participate while staying in their cars. He came early to set up and stayed late to tear down in various and sometimes very difficult weather conditions (rain, heat or cold) and made sure our system was working EVERY time. Sandy often served as the sacristan of the parking lot Mass, who put together, brought out, and set up the vessels and books that were needed for the celebration of Mass and sometimes serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion at that Mass.
Besides this regular and valuable ministry that they so willingly did all the time we had that Mass, Rick has taken on leadership roles in our wonderful Knights of Columbus council and assembly as our audio/visual person which has been so valuable during COVID restrictions and in other positions of service. Sandy has served as a regular sacristan for quite awhile and has been coordinating our liturgical envioronment committee which especially involves a lot of effort in the Advent, Christmas, Lenten and Easter seasons. She is currently caring for a large number of Christmas poinsettias that had to be purchased early and need to last as long as possible during the upcoming Christmas season.
Sandy is also active in LOSH and as a captain in the St. Anthony Guild, as a Eucharistic Adorer, as a volunteer to take people to donctor's appointments and/or to church for Mass, and as a rosary maker in our parish and in other places for many years. Rick offers to use his computer, website and other technical skills to help parishioners and others in need even as he continues to work to make a living from home.
I have come to appreciate all of this about the Darnell's (much of which is behind the scenes) and their willingness to step up and do what is needed with a kind and welcoming demeanor. If you know the Darnell's please speak a word of thanks to them or even if you don't know them personally, consider e-mailing a short note of thanks (Rick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Sandy at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or call to their home at 501-725-1296. We are truly blessed by their presence and efforts in living their Catholic Faith out in these and other ways.