Someone recently gave me a bulletin from a parish they visited while out of state.  It contained a two-page article on the subject of "What You Wear in Church."  This is a subject which elicits many strong opinions almost anywhere you happen to be.  The article I mentioned points out that even if "immodest" or "improper dress" does not offend God, it can and does offend some of our brothers and sisters in the pew.  It goes on to say that dressing well can assist the community in praying well, and that dressing appropriately is a sign of respect for our brothers and sisters in Christ.  I believe that these are good points, and I feel that we are blessed to belong to a faith family that dresses well for Mass.  I personally don't feel the need to bring this subject up at church.  I pray that our parishioners who have children and/or grandchildren visit during the summer, will be blessed to have them coming to Mass with them and that all of us will be respectful to God and others in all ways.

Recently, after celebrating Flag Day, I asked what patriotic song is the best theme song for this special day in our country.  The answer, of course, is "The Star Spangled Banner".  The very title of our country's national anthem speaks of the flag.  As we have been observing and participating in the "Fort Night for Freedom Days", as promoted by our American Bishops, I have come to the conclusion, after singing a variety of patriotic songs at the end of our Masses, that the theme song for these days and for our ongoing efforts to promote and protect the freedom of religion, should be "America".  The opening line of the song speaks of our "sweet land of liberty".  The first verse ends with "from every mountainside, let freedom ring".  As we have just observed "Independence Day" in our country, let us continue to celebrate and give thanks for the many freedoms we enjoy in this great country, and do our part to see that they continue for ourselves and for future generations.

I have some good news and bad news this week.  The good news is that my Alma Mater, St. John's Catholic School in Hot Springs, is getting a new principal, Angela Isaacs, who loves the Lord and the children she has taught in her years at St. John's.  Angela, along with her husband, Scott, and daughters Sarah and Hannah, are members of our parish. Her parents, Ron and Fran Boudreaux, are also faithful members of our parish.  The bad news is that Angela has resigned her position as Sacred Heart's CCD Coordinator.  She has done a wonderful job of helping our parishioners who have children and our teachers, to form our children in the ways of the Lord Jesus through our Catholic faith.  She will be sorely missed, and I thank her (and invite you to do the same) for her service to our parish.  We need to begin an immediate search to find a new CCD Coordinator.  There is a monthly stipend paid for this position.  If you, or someone you know, has some teaching and/or administrative experience in religious education, please call me at 209-2502 to find out more about this important position in our parish.  We will pray for Angela as she begins her new duties, and I ask for your prayers that we get a competent person to take her place for our parish children and young people.