Someone recently sent me an e-mail that stated that of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, five signers were captured by the British as traitors, twelve had their homes ransacked and burned, two lost their sons serving in the Recolutionary Army, and nine fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Recolutionary War. They signed, and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. No doubt our country grew in numbers and in commitment as "Americans" because of the sacrifices of those who signed the Declaration - and others as well.
This past week we celebrated the feast of two martyrs, St. Thomas the Apostle (July 3) and St. Maria Goretti (July 6). Though 19 centuries past from the time Thomas died for his faith until Maria Goretti died for hers (1902), the sacrifice they and other martyrs made (and some continue to make) are often the seed of new converts to faith in Jesus Christ and a means of strengthening the resolve of all Christians to be strong and grow stronger in our commitment to the Lord who said, "Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 19:38) This certainly was in the minds and hearts of the martyrs and it is worthwhile to keep in our minds and hearts as well.
This past week we celebrated the feast of two martyrs, St. Thomas the Apostle (July 3) and St. Maria Goretti (July 6). Though 19 centuries past from the time Thomas died for his faith until Maria Goretti died for hers (1902), the sacrifice they and other martyrs made (and some continue to make) are often the seed of new converts to faith in Jesus Christ and a means of strengthening the resolve of all Christians to be strong and grow stronger in our commitment to the Lord who said, "Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 19:38) This certainly was in the minds and hearts of the martyrs and it is worthwhile to keep in our minds and hearts as well.
If you have participated in a funeral Mass here at Sacred Heart in the last seven years, you know that I make it a point to welcome everyone who is there, especially those of other faith traditions. I normally try to make them as comfortable as I can with our liturgy, and alert them of the three postures, stand, sitting and kneeling, that we take at various times of the Mass. At Communion time, I let them know, once again, that we are blessed to have people of all faiths with us, and share my hopes that we can some day be united in the Lord as Jesus Himself willed (John 17:20). I also ask for their respect for our difference in belief about Holy Communion, and either come up for a blessing, or remain in their pews during the distribution of Communion.
Hopes and prayers for Christrian unity is a goal and activity worthy of us attaining and doing, respectively, every day. It is also something that is so much closer than it was just 50 years ago. The amount of dialogue and respect that has been shown both by religious leaders and lay people, has grown greatly, and the ill will, and even denial of salvation outside of any particular denomination, has truly subsided, thanks be to God (through the workings of the Holy Spirit). This past weekend, an editorial in the "Arkansas Catholic," written by the presiding bishop of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) said "Though we have not yet arrived, we have claimed that we are, in fact, on the way to unity...."
Our recent Popes have certainly done much to encourage healthy and meaningful dialogue between the Catholic Church and other Christian faiths, and many positive results have often come from these encounters. Here in the Village, as in most places, the challenges are many in this regard. I site, however, the fact that I get more than a few flyers and letters from some of the local churches inviting me and Sacred Heart Parishioners to join them in some of their activities and missions, as one example of how far we have come in the last 30 to 40 years. I pray that all of us will do our part to promote both fraternity and unity among our Christian brothers and sisters.
Hopes and prayers for Christrian unity is a goal and activity worthy of us attaining and doing, respectively, every day. It is also something that is so much closer than it was just 50 years ago. The amount of dialogue and respect that has been shown both by religious leaders and lay people, has grown greatly, and the ill will, and even denial of salvation outside of any particular denomination, has truly subsided, thanks be to God (through the workings of the Holy Spirit). This past weekend, an editorial in the "Arkansas Catholic," written by the presiding bishop of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) said "Though we have not yet arrived, we have claimed that we are, in fact, on the way to unity...."
Our recent Popes have certainly done much to encourage healthy and meaningful dialogue between the Catholic Church and other Christian faiths, and many positive results have often come from these encounters. Here in the Village, as in most places, the challenges are many in this regard. I site, however, the fact that I get more than a few flyers and letters from some of the local churches inviting me and Sacred Heart Parishioners to join them in some of their activities and missions, as one example of how far we have come in the last 30 to 40 years. I pray that all of us will do our part to promote both fraternity and unity among our Christian brothers and sisters.
It is alomost time again for our annual seminarian support dinner. On Friday, July 14, we will welcome our bishop, priests, seminarians, and hopefully, YOU, to enjoy a delicious meal from Chef Johnna, some homemade ice cream from Your Truly (Arkansas Peach for sure), and some entertainment and witness to tell us about our future priests and what God is already doing to them and through them for others. PLEASE GET YOUR TICKET(S) STARTING NEXT WEEKEND AND JOIN US.
We've definitely seen the fruits of our prayers and generosity to our seminarians in the large number of priest that we have ordained in recent years and in those six or seven who will receive ordination by this time next year including our adopted seminarian, Deacon Nelson Rubio. I would ask you to continue your support and prayers for all of our priests, especially those who are in the early years of their priest ministry. The challenges of priesthood are there for priests of all ages, and when one is new and doing so many ministries as priest for the first time, it can be difficult, and honestly, overwhelming at times. I ask you to consider saying a "Daily Prayer for Priests" that is found in our Adoration Chapel and in some of our missalettes/hymnals. You can find this prayer below this pastor's column. It prays for priests who are doing well and those who are struggling. It prays for priests of our past who made a positive impact on our lives for one reason or another. Personally, I and other priests, are truly strengthened and encouraged by the thought of and reality of people praying for them. When I get a card indicating some one has offered their Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament for me, I know that I am truly blessed by God's grace to do what He called me to do. On behalf of myself and all priests (especially our young ones) that you pray for, or will start praying for, I say THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU!
DAILY PRAYER FOR PRIESTS
O Jesus, I pray for Your faithful and fervent priests,
Your unfaithful and tepid priests,
Your priests laboring at home or abroad
In distant mission field,
Your tempted priests, Your dying priests,
The souls of Your priest in Purgatory
Your young and newly-ordained priests.
But above all, I recommend to You
The priests dearest to me:
The priest who baptized me,
The priests who absolved me from my sins,
The priests at whose Masses I assisted
and who gave me Your Body and Blood
In Holy Communion;
All the priest to whom I am indebted in any other
way, especially . . . . . . .
O Jesus, keep them all close to Your heart, and bless
them abundantly in time and in eternity. Amen.
We've definitely seen the fruits of our prayers and generosity to our seminarians in the large number of priest that we have ordained in recent years and in those six or seven who will receive ordination by this time next year including our adopted seminarian, Deacon Nelson Rubio. I would ask you to continue your support and prayers for all of our priests, especially those who are in the early years of their priest ministry. The challenges of priesthood are there for priests of all ages, and when one is new and doing so many ministries as priest for the first time, it can be difficult, and honestly, overwhelming at times. I ask you to consider saying a "Daily Prayer for Priests" that is found in our Adoration Chapel and in some of our missalettes/hymnals. You can find this prayer below this pastor's column. It prays for priests who are doing well and those who are struggling. It prays for priests of our past who made a positive impact on our lives for one reason or another. Personally, I and other priests, are truly strengthened and encouraged by the thought of and reality of people praying for them. When I get a card indicating some one has offered their Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament for me, I know that I am truly blessed by God's grace to do what He called me to do. On behalf of myself and all priests (especially our young ones) that you pray for, or will start praying for, I say THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU!
DAILY PRAYER FOR PRIESTS
O Jesus, I pray for Your faithful and fervent priests,
Your unfaithful and tepid priests,
Your priests laboring at home or abroad
In distant mission field,
Your tempted priests, Your dying priests,
The souls of Your priest in Purgatory
Your young and newly-ordained priests.
But above all, I recommend to You
The priests dearest to me:
The priest who baptized me,
The priests who absolved me from my sins,
The priests at whose Masses I assisted
and who gave me Your Body and Blood
In Holy Communion;
All the priest to whom I am indebted in any other
way, especially . . . . . . .
O Jesus, keep them all close to Your heart, and bless
them abundantly in time and in eternity. Amen.