I'm sure all of us, at one time or another, have used the phrase "more or less..." As we are on the doorstep of entering the Lenten Season (which starts this Wednesday), I would say that this is a season of more AND less. Firstly, we are called to LESS or at least to lessen our time doing some "eartly things" such as eating or watching television, or of entering into conversation that too easily gets into the "business" of others. Our focus, as well as our time, talents and treasure should be MORE in the ways of the Lord. In the areas of our prayer life, we can all do more on our own and at home with our "little book" (which you will receive this weekend) or by praying a daily rosary and/or chaplet of divine mercy, or some other spiritual practice that you are already doing and increase in one way or another. Some or all of these can be done before Jesus, present in the Monstrance in our chapel, at a time that works for you, day or evening. This is an excellent time of the year to try out a Holy Hour that is scheduled once a week (committing for the seven weeks of Lent and deciding after Lent to keep it going during the 7 week Easter Season and maybe beyond). There is also weekday Mass which you might consider attending at least once a week throughout Lent. As usual, the Wednesday 5:00 Mass will be followed by a light supper and a 20 - 30 minute video series, "This is Our Faith" (Michael Crumble). I hope more than a few of you will participate in our 5 week study on the Eucharist in Sacred Scripture that is being offered three different times (morning, afternoon, and evening) on Thursdays. After doing the reading and reflections on those readings each week, you will join with others in sharing and/or listening to others reflections and grow in knowledge and in your relationship with the Lord. Please consider joining in some or all of our Stations of the Cross prayer opportunities on the Fridays of Lent. The first two will happen at 4:30 p.m. (February 24 and March 3) and the next 4 (March 10, 17, 24, and 31) at 6:00 p.m. The later times consider the reality of more daylight and will better accommodate those who are still working outside or inside the home. Finally, in addition to choosing acts of charity or committing some of your time and talents to our Helping Hands Ministry (call Cathy Wedwick at 501-915-8456 or Pat Widlowski at 501-922-1395) which assists parishioners whose needs vary from person to person, I hope everyone will participate in "Operation Rice Bowl" by taking a bowl with written materials that help us to appreciate and sympathize with needy people who are poor or who are recovering from a natural disaster. They will also benefit from our prayers and the money we save up and give at the end of Lent which will go (mostly) to "Catholic Relief Services" which assists people all over the world. Some (one fourth) will go to Catholic Charities of Arkansas to assist people closer to home. The opportunities to make this coming season of Lent a great blessing to us and in most cases to the others are these and others. The key is to choose some and be consistent throughout this relatively short season of the year. It has the potential (and even purpose) of making our Easter Season (a time of rejoicing in Jesus' Resurrection) our best one ever and a source of blessing for the rest of the year and, even, the rest of our lives!

Before introducing our VIPs (Very Important Parishioners) for the month of February and giving glory to God for them (see Matthew 5:13), I would like to invite you to nominate an individual or couple for this recognition through the forms that are available on the credenza in the hallway leading from the narthex to the administration/education wing of our parish building. While I believe the members of our parish commissions have already presented many good choices for this recognition (people who let the light of Christ shine through them) the parish council wants to give all parishioners the opportunity to do this. You are asked to not only give us names to consider, but also information about this person's demeanor and actions that clearly indicate that they go far beyond regular and active participation at Mass, in their ministries and activities in the parish and, where applicable, in the community at large. This month's VIPs are Mike and Ann Webster, who are the last of the "Webster Clan" (Sylvia and Nancy Webster, Karen Feckler, Linda Cox and Marian LaVelle) to join our parish in 2015. Though both still worked when they came to Hot Springs Village (Mike for 2 years and Annie for 7 years) they almost immediately took on the ministries of Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and lector at Mass (Mike is now the head of the lector ministry). In time, they chose to get involved in many activities and ministries of this wonderful parish. Annie was a regular helper at the parking lot Masses during COVID. She has helped in various ways to support Knight's and Men's Club functions and fundraisers and has been a volunteer for Special Olympics in Arkansas. Mike joined the Knights of Columbus and became active in its many functions and recently completed 4 years as manager of the refreshment center for the Knight's activities. He attained 4th degree status in the Knights and is serving as a 4th Degree Honor Guard. He's been a member of the Men's Club for the past 6 years and is in his second year as Men's Club President. He's been active in the set up and take down of the crosses for life, delivered meals for meals on wheels, delivered Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to needy families and has volunteered for Special Olympics of Arkansas. He has been a vital part of the team that solicited donations for the ST John's School fundraising golf tournament and was one of the coordinators for the statewide Catholic Charities golf tournament that was held at Granada Golf Course this past year. He was one of the volunteers in the parking lot Masses (directing and parking of cars and as an E.M.). Mike and Annie are not only a blessing to the Webster family, but also to their faith family of Sacred Heart Parish. I offer them words of thanks and gratitude here and hopefully in person and I invite you to do the same when you see them!

My pastor's column is most always directed to anyone and everyone who takes time to read and reflect on at least some of what I say. The same is true in this column EXCEPT what is directed to 248 families of our parish. I say THANK YOU, THANK YOU  to you for your generosity to the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal for the year 2022!! The total amount of money that was given by you faith-filled, most generous souls was an unbelievable $103,000!!!! Even without knowing the amount of money given by each family (except what I gave), it is edifying to know that you recognized that your gift is in fact gifting a wide variety of people and age groups (from babies in the womb through our repsect life office initiatives, to our young people in religious education and youth activities, to our college age and young adults, to our newly formed and initiated adults and young people as Catholics, to our seniors who are helped through our family life office and our senior priest, to the poor and needy families who are assisted through Catholic Charities of Arkansas. I pray that you 248 families (and me) will be able to be as generous as you were last year as the opportunity to give a one time gift or a pledge that is paid out throughout the year is before you through the mailing you received this past week. I'm confident that whatever you give will be thoughtful and generous again.

I now encourage and even strongly ask that the many registered parishioners who did not give anything to the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal last year will consider doing so this year whether by a one-time donation through the mail (making sure, if you will, that you are from Hot Springs Village and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish), or by a pledge that you can pay off monthly throughout the rest of the year, and help your fellow parishioners to blow past (or even way past) the amount of money given last year, and make our donors much higher in number than last year. While this annual diocesan request comes each year from Bishop Taylor who is "The Chief Shepard" of our diocese, know that countless other clergy and lay leaders and workers are asking us to help them in their efforts to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and/or be Christ to people of all ages, races and creeds who live in Arkansas.