The recent news about St. Joseph Hospital in Hot Springs selling out to the company that owns National Park Hospital (a for-profit hospital), is upsetting to many.  My mother did her nurses training at St. Joseph's in the 1950s and later returned to work there as a nurse for over 20 years.  Anyone who now works there or is a potential patient there has real concerns about the future employment or the quality of care that will be offered there.  Some of you may not be aware that Bishop Taylor issued a statement of concern the day after the announcement of St. Joseph's plans for the future were announced.  He has concern for all those I mentioned above, as well as the poor in the area who will need medical care in the future.  He has let it be known that he has not yet been consulted or informed on this matter, and insists that he be included and that his concerns be addressed by the Mercy Health System and any future owner of this hospital.  As I write this column on the feast of St. Joseph, the Worker, I urge all of us to pray for all involved in this issue and especially ask for the intercession of St. Joseph that the best solution possible will be reached and good health care will be available to all who live in this part of the state of Arkansas.

After having four funeral Masses in the span of nine days, I was reminded of one of the realities of a retirement community and the blessings that come to us who have resurrectional faith in Jesus Christ.  We are strengthened in our hope of Resurrection for our loved ones and one day for ourselves because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and His Resurrection that we are celebrating in a unique way during the Easter season.  I want to also use this column to thank all those who participate in our bereavement ministry here at Sacred Heart.  This includes all those who give of their time and talent in our funeral liturgies.  We are blessed to now have a Resurrection Choir to lead our singing at these Masses.  Also, I thank Marilyn Burke and all those who set up and provide hospitality at our wake services and funerals.  I thank our Ladies Guilds who provide a reception for families after the funeral Mass is over.  Finally, I thank Ann Hooper for her ongoing efforts to reach out and help the bereaved long after our public liturgies.  GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

In case you're wondering, our American Bishops have not gone quiet with regard to threats against religious liberty that have happened and no doubt will continue to happen.  This is a time for us to be properly informed by the Church and then, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, act in unity to work against this threat.l  I invite you to go to the website: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/our-first-most-cherished-liberty.cfm.  Read the document that was developed by the Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops which, among other things, lists concern that have led the bishops to act now and to call us to action, to protect this long-standing and important freedom in our country.