We have just exited September which was busy, busy, busy in many ways through activities of the Knights of Columbus, Men's Club and Ladies of the Sacred Heart. Many people were involved in happenings that raised money and/or did good for others. I thank the Lord for all this and especially for the people who gave of themselves for the benefit of others, with those "others" often being people they don't even know. All the while, we have our "Helping Hands Ministry" reaching out daily to parishioners who have various needs which they cannot take care of or do on their own anymore.
I want to encourage those who have transportation issues, or are alone and could benefit from someone who could communicate with them on a daily or regular basis, to call one of our coordinators, Cathy Wedwick (915-8456) or Pat Widlowski (922-1395) to see if "Helping Hands" can help in these or in other ways. If you know of someone who is in need of "Helping Hands" services, please encourage them to call one of our coordinators, or you take the initiative to call Cathy or Pat with the name of the person in need and his or her contact information. I'd better also ask more of you who have some time and the heart of Christ, to offer to serve in our "Helping Hands Ministry." You will find your efforts not only helpful to some in need, but also a blessing for you in a number of ways.
Looking ahead, October looks busy in many ways. I pray you will share in the busyness and the blessings that come to those who participate in the ministries and activities that are happening in this wonderful parish!
I want to encourage those who have transportation issues, or are alone and could benefit from someone who could communicate with them on a daily or regular basis, to call one of our coordinators, Cathy Wedwick (915-8456) or Pat Widlowski (922-1395) to see if "Helping Hands" can help in these or in other ways. If you know of someone who is in need of "Helping Hands" services, please encourage them to call one of our coordinators, or you take the initiative to call Cathy or Pat with the name of the person in need and his or her contact information. I'd better also ask more of you who have some time and the heart of Christ, to offer to serve in our "Helping Hands Ministry." You will find your efforts not only helpful to some in need, but also a blessing for you in a number of ways.
Looking ahead, October looks busy in many ways. I pray you will share in the busyness and the blessings that come to those who participate in the ministries and activities that are happening in this wonderful parish!
There is much to reflect upon as we begin "Respect Life" month. Given that this is an election year, with a new President of the United States being elected in a little over a month, it is good for us to ponder and consider where all candidates stand when it comes to Life Issues. Sadly I say that it is indeed difficult to find candidates who are consistently "Pro Life" from conception to natural death. I hope you have taken time to read the inserts in the bulletin the past two weekends as it gives us much of our Catholic teaching and tradition to consider and use, not only during election time, but throughout the year and throughout our life. I hope you take the time to read our bulletin inserts this week, "Caring for Loved Ones at Life's End." It speaks on a subject that is of practical value for many in our parish, especially those who are married and who still face the reality that in most every case, one spouse is going to get sick and die before the other one does. Some skills and practical suggestions on what to do during the last days, and maybe months, before someone dies, will be offered in this pamphlet. If you are not ready to read it now, PLEASE at least save it somewhere to read in the future.
As I always do, I want to invite all of you to literally stand or sit as a witness to our belief that Life is a precious gift from God from the moment of conception to natural death, and needs to be cared for and protected by individuals and our government, from harm and/or from death. I encourage you to participate in the one-hour "Life Chain" in downtown Hot Springs THIS Sunday from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. I know for many, giving public witness to our faith by standing or sitting along the sidewalk holding a sign and praying for that hour, is not an easy thing to do. I applaud vigorously those "few" who are there faithfully every year. They have not been deterred from coming by the low numbers of people in the past who have joined them. PLEASE add to our numbers this year. You will be blessed and be a blessing in ways you may not immediately see, but trust me, God sees and is VERY pleased with those who attend.
As I always do, I want to invite all of you to literally stand or sit as a witness to our belief that Life is a precious gift from God from the moment of conception to natural death, and needs to be cared for and protected by individuals and our government, from harm and/or from death. I encourage you to participate in the one-hour "Life Chain" in downtown Hot Springs THIS Sunday from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. I know for many, giving public witness to our faith by standing or sitting along the sidewalk holding a sign and praying for that hour, is not an easy thing to do. I applaud vigorously those "few" who are there faithfully every year. They have not been deterred from coming by the low numbers of people in the past who have joined them. PLEASE add to our numbers this year. You will be blessed and be a blessing in ways you may not immediately see, but trust me, God sees and is VERY pleased with those who attend.
If you took a poll of priests and asked what topic gets the most reaction when preached upon or written about, I feel sure they would say, MONEY. Last weekend Jesus made a strong statement in Luke's Gospel (Lk 16:1-13), "You cannot give yourself to God and money." I believe just as many priests might indicate that the topic of "leaving Mass before the final blessing and dismissal," also produces a strong reaction, from those who leave early, those who stay, and in some cases, from the main celebrant of Mass.
Lately, I have heard from a number of people who expressed some frustration about what they experience during Communion Time. One was an extraordinary minister of Communion who ran out of consecrated hosts in the back of church because more people than just the handicapped were receiving Communion from him - and then IMMEDIATELY leaving church. Another person (one of our handicapped who sits in back) told me after Mass that she feared either she or the minister of Communion (or both) might be in danger of being knocked over by those who were leaving church after receiving Communion. Obviously, if asked, I would quickly say to both those who have been Catholic all their life, as well as those who are preparing to be Catholic, that the Mass ends with the blessing of the priest and dismissal by the deacon, or, if there is no deacon, the priest celebrant of Mass. Just as there are good reasons for some people to come early to church before Mass (to pray or read the readings of the day, or practically to sit where they want to sit), so I'm sure there might be good reasons for people to leave Mass before everyone starts to leave. I know thery are priests who make the case as to why EVERYONE should stay until the blessing and dismissal (including pointing out the Judas Iscariot was the only one who left the first Mass - the Last Supper - early). I'm confident that whatever has been used as an argument for trying to get people to stay until the dismissal (including the importance of spending some time in the pew after the Lord who has just been received into their body and soul), will not stop some people from the habit of leaving early. My concern is for our minister of Communion who goes to the back of church (handicapped or otherwise) who are at the very least "distracted" by what some have called the "chaos" that is going on during the Communion Time at Mass when "reverence" should be the demeanor of those at Mass and the atmosphere of all in church as Jesus comes to us in Holy Communion. I truly desire to hear from any who are leaving early from Mass (anonymously if you wish), as to the reason or reasons why you are doing so, so I can better address this issue in the future. I ask everyone to ponder how important it is to be respectful to Jesus at Mass and courteous and respectful to one another as well.
Lately, I have heard from a number of people who expressed some frustration about what they experience during Communion Time. One was an extraordinary minister of Communion who ran out of consecrated hosts in the back of church because more people than just the handicapped were receiving Communion from him - and then IMMEDIATELY leaving church. Another person (one of our handicapped who sits in back) told me after Mass that she feared either she or the minister of Communion (or both) might be in danger of being knocked over by those who were leaving church after receiving Communion. Obviously, if asked, I would quickly say to both those who have been Catholic all their life, as well as those who are preparing to be Catholic, that the Mass ends with the blessing of the priest and dismissal by the deacon, or, if there is no deacon, the priest celebrant of Mass. Just as there are good reasons for some people to come early to church before Mass (to pray or read the readings of the day, or practically to sit where they want to sit), so I'm sure there might be good reasons for people to leave Mass before everyone starts to leave. I know thery are priests who make the case as to why EVERYONE should stay until the blessing and dismissal (including pointing out the Judas Iscariot was the only one who left the first Mass - the Last Supper - early). I'm confident that whatever has been used as an argument for trying to get people to stay until the dismissal (including the importance of spending some time in the pew after the Lord who has just been received into their body and soul), will not stop some people from the habit of leaving early. My concern is for our minister of Communion who goes to the back of church (handicapped or otherwise) who are at the very least "distracted" by what some have called the "chaos" that is going on during the Communion Time at Mass when "reverence" should be the demeanor of those at Mass and the atmosphere of all in church as Jesus comes to us in Holy Communion. I truly desire to hear from any who are leaving early from Mass (anonymously if you wish), as to the reason or reasons why you are doing so, so I can better address this issue in the future. I ask everyone to ponder how important it is to be respectful to Jesus at Mass and courteous and respectful to one another as well.