Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
If you keep doing what you are doing - you'll keep getting what you are getting.

I thought of this saying as I prepared to write my pastor's column which, at this time of the year, entails encouraging you to consider participating in the March for Life in Little Rock next Sunday, January 19.  It seems that my words of encouragement are heeded by the same people who go to the March every year.  Let me say that I think it 's great that we usually fill-up a busload of people to go to the Mass and March for Life.  I pray that these faith-filled believers in the sanctity of human life, will continue to take the time annually to give public witness to the importance of protecting human life from the moment of conception in the womb of a mother.

But what about the many who have not participated in the March and probably won't, no matter what I, or anyone else, says or writes?  Well, after walking into the narthex of our church and seeing all the baby items that have been brought and donated so far, I remembered that there are many ways to promote the sanctity of human life, and I thank God for the many who are doing it in this and in other ways.  The effort is ongoing and varied, and I am confident that all that we do will ALWAYS give honor and glory to the God Who created every human being in His image and likeness.  Our ongoing prayers and actions DO make a difference.
The Church allows for time at weekend Masses for announcements to be made.  While somes churches use lay ministers to make these announcements, I have chosen to be the one to make these announcements of upcoming events because I often will offer encouragement to participate in whatever is being announced. Though I cannot and will not announce everything that's upcoming (that's why I urge you to always read the entire bulletin), I believe that there are more ears listening to what is said than eyes who will read what's in the bulletin.  Those who listen at church and read the bulletin will receive a double encouragement and confirmation of what is upcoming. While I promise to do my best as we start a new calendar year to limit the number and length of announcements, I give thanks (as I hope many of you do) that we are all members of a faith community that has so much to offer us in our growth in the ways of the Lord.  Finally, for those who wonder about it, I sometimes split-up the announcements (some before Mass and some after the post-Communion prayer) for two reasons:  firstly, because we have so much going on and I don't want to risk an overload at any one moment AND secondly, because there are things that need our attention and action as we are leaving Mass and therefore, given some of our memories, are best announced right before Mass is ended.  I will try not to repeat announcements before the end of Mass that I have already made.
As we draw near a new calendar year, it is normal for some people to come up with New Year's resolutions.  This often involves activities or new routines that will hopefully improve the person mentally, physically, emotionally and, I hope, spiritually.

Now that we have the opportunity to be with Jesus at any hour of the day or night to praise Him, thank Him, and grow in His love through time spent at our Perpetual Adoration Chapel, I pray (if you are not already doing so) that you will commit some time each week to come by the chapel to be with The Lord.  Perhaps you will be inspired to commit to one hour each week at the same time every week.  We still need committed hourly adorers to join others so that every hour has, at least two people or more.  The signup forms to become a weekly committed adorer, as well as sheets for those who would be willing to serve as substitutes, are on a table in the nartex.  Please fill out the form and leave it in the glass bowl on the table.

If you make and keep such a commitment to The Lord, I believe it will make other New Year's resolutions (especially those which are directed toward the needs of others) easier to keep, and will bear fruit in your lives beyond what you could ever imagine.  

A Blessed New Year to all of you!