Among the many opportunities that this parish offers to people to come together for fellowship (and in some cases, to do charitable works), I want to highlight our Sacred Heart Singles Group.  At least once a month, this group has an activity that is open to all single people in the parish.  Of course "single" in this instance, mostly means widows and widowers. It is certainly understandable, after a spouse dies, that some people feel uncomfortable in settings of couples.  The singles group provides a comfortable atmosphere in which everyone there is in the same boat of living the single life. Whether it's the parish hall for potluck and games; or, a trip somewhere for a few hours or for all day, the Sacred Heart Singles Group have a good time and are very supportive of each other.  I have personally gone to some of their events and enjoyed my time with them.  After all, I'm "single" too, though different from your average single - whatever that means.  Please look in this and all future bulletins to see when and where the next Sacred Heart Singles activity is taking place.  Call Ann Hooper, 922-6963, with any questions you have or for more information.

Those of other faith traditions who visit our Mass, especially at funerals, can't help but notice how uniform we are in our postures of standing, sitting and kneeling throughout the Mass.  It is something that Catholics take for granted beause we do it all the time. Only during the Communion rite can there be some confusion in guests and in some Catholics.

The Bishops of the United States decreed that the normal posture throughout the reception of Holy Communion is standing.  During this time, besides coming up to receive Jesus in Holy Communion, we usually join in singing a Communion song.  After the last person has received Communion, we are called to kneel (or if we can't kneel, to sit) and have a time of quiet for everyone to speak to and/or listen to the Lord who is now within them through His body, and those who wish to receive, His Blood.  The bishops have also said that if someone decides to return to the pew after receiving Communion and immediately kneel as part of a long-standing tradition of doing so, they should not be singled out in any way, or criticized for doing so.  In this, and in many churches that stress the posture of standing during the reception of Communion, practically speaking, this will be one time during Mass when, for a short period of time, there will be a variety of postures being assumed throughout the congregation.  What is most important, is that all who receive Holy Communion realize Who is now come to them in a wonderful, miraculous way; and, take time to thank the Lord in word and/or song for His presence within them.  That is something that can be done uniformly and with much blessing for all who do it.

After serving as your pastor for almost five years, I have developed some habits of communication that fit certain situations.  One of those happens when I am informed by a family member of a parishioner who has just died that cremation is what they want, or what their loved one chose sometime before they died.  After talking to them about the Church's preference of a funeral with the body present before cremation and interment, I then ask them where they plan on their loved one's cremated remains to be interred.  This is when more than a few people don't have an answer. Options include interment in a cemetery plot or in a columbarium such as the one we have on the chuch grounds.  What is NOT permitted is keeping the cremated remains in one's home for an undetermined period of time.  Scattering a loved one's cremated remains is disrespectful of the person and is definitely not allowed.

I urge all who are considering cremation to decide where you want your cremated remains interred after the funeral liturgy.  If you are considering using our Columbarium or another one somewhere else, it would be advisable to check into prices.  Recently a parishioner who was speaking to me, shared what he thought was the cost of interment in our Sacred Heart Columbarium and was not even close to the actual cost.  Call Buddy Dixon at 922-2811 if you want that and/or any other information about our Columbarium garden as a resting place for you or a loved one.  Making decisions now is the thoughtfgul thing to do.  Perhaps the Easter season, when we are pondering and celebrating the life we will share with the Lord when our earthly life is over, is a good time to think about and make plans for your arrangement of funeral and interment, and make sure you share these with your loved one or ones.  I am always ready to answer any other questions or concerns that you might have on this matter.