Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
I'm sure you remember the survey we did awhile back on possible renovations in our worship area which involved installing a hearing loop, new carpet in parts or in the whole church, and changes in our altar area (sanctuary) that involved new flooring, and the removal of the plant boxes that currently surround the sanctuary.  After reflection and discussion at both a Pastoral Council meeting and a Finance Council meeting, there was a consensus that the whole project be undertaken and be paid for out of our Building and Maintenance fund.  We are currently soliciting bids on this project and will submit them, when ready, to the Diocesan Building Commission for approval.

We will keep you updated on the timetable for this work to start.  Our goal is to get it done as expediently as possible with the least disruption to our using the church for Mass.  For those wondering about the gold drapes that were up during the Easter Season, the plan is to put them back up next during the Christmas season.  We are obtaining drapes in green and purple to use them during the appropriate liturgical seasons during the church year.  I hope everyone knows which color we will see next.  Of course ... it will be green for Ordinary Time.

I get many e-mails regarding the need for blood donations during the summer.  Please consider giving the gift of life at the next blood drive, this Tuesday, July 8, at the Village United Methodist Church on Carmona Road from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  This drive is cosponsored by our Knights of Columbus Council 10208.
"Timing is everything" is a saying that seems to fit in many situations of life.  It also correlates, at times, with the Church's calendar.  That is truly the case with the solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist which the Church celebrates every June 24.  It's celebration, coming inthe first days of the Fortnight for Freedom (June 24-July 4), has much to say about the ministry of St. John the Baptist who boldly proclaimed in public, the message of conversion, and of preparation for the coming of the Messiah.  Many tried to silence the voice and witness of John, including Herod who imprisoned him and ultimately had him beheaded. John stood tall and strong to the end for the truth, and so should we in all the ways of the Lord, and in the right of all people to practice and live out the tenants of their faith.

We should be inspired by John and ask for his intercession for ourselves and for our country at a time when some of our religious freedoms are being threatened.  In celebrating the birth of John the Baptist who "stirred in his mother's womb," we should continue to do what we can so that all pregnant women will be stirred with joy at the child in their womb and will be encouraged to care for that child before and after he is born.

Once again, and always, our voices should resonate for the right of all children to live inside and outside of their mother's womb and like John, grow in the spirit throughout their lives.
Even though summers can be quiet in many churches, it is anything but quiet here.  I hope the same is true in many places as we observe the Fortnight for Freedom from June 21-July 4.  This is a time for prayer, education and action on behalf of the Right to Religious Freedom in our country and throughout the world.  Please read the bulletin insert this weekend, and consider joining us for daily Mass during these days.  We will recite the Prayer for Religious Freedom (which we often do throughout the year right before Mass begins).  Consider getting from the table in the narthex, buttons that you can proudly wear in defense of religious liberty, which we all know has been under attack in recent years.

Speaking of religious freedom, if you read this in time, consider joining me and other Catholics in the area for the Corpus Christi March with the Blessed Sacrament in the Monstrance from St. John's Church to St. Mary's Church where there will be benediction after we arrive.  Be out in from of St. John's Church in Hot Springs around 4:30 p.m. There will be bus rides back to St. John's from St. Mary's so that we can pick up our vehicles after the March is over. This march is, thankfully, something we can do to profess our belief in the Real Presence and not hesitate to do so in a public way, with the cooperation of civil authorities to see that we are safe during this trek down the streets of Hot Springs.

Finally, I hope to see you all for the Mass for the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday at 5:00 p.m., followed by our dinner for those who signed up ahead of time.  See the related buletin announcement for more details.