September VIRTUS training session will be offered Monday evening, September 21, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in an A & E Classroom. If you are a new volunteer minister and have not attended a previous training session, you are required to attend to meet the bishop's directive that all volunteer ministers be in compliance with this diocesan program.To register online, go to www.virtus.org, select "registration" from "Little Rock Diocese" and "Sacred Heart of Jesus at Hot Springs Village," select the date and follow instructions. Any questions, call Russ Harrison, 922-1767.
The next Red Cross Blood Drive supported by the Knights of Columbus and hosted by the Village United Methodist Church, 200 Carmona Road, is 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 15. Previous donors at this site with e-mail addresses have been sent an e-mail reminder. New donors can go to www.redcrossblood.org for detailed information and to schedule an appointment. Contact John Bodensteiner with questions or to be placed on an e-mail reminder list (915-0339 or jbodie65@gmail.com). Thanks in advance for sharing your "gift of life." 
Is it time for a change? Walking Toward Eternity is an inspiring series designed to help you live your faith more fully by developing and nurturing characteristics that are essential to the Christian life. Through daily prayer and meditation with Scripture, you will be drawn into an intimate and life-changing encounter with Christ.As you prayerfully reflect on God's Word, you will begin to hear the subtle ways God is speaking to you, and you will be challenged to set aside those things in your life that keep you from growing closer to Him. By putting the fruits of your study into practice, you will be able to make real changes in your life, changes that will make you more like the person God created you to be. Daring to Walk the Walk, the first series of Walking Toward Eternity, introduces seven key virtues and outlines practical steps for living them out in your life.
Walking Toward Eternity goes on for eight weeks starting with the week of September 14. The choices of sessions, which last approximately 90 minutes each week, are Tuesdays at 9:45 a.m. and Wednesdays at 9:45 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. - all at Sacred Heart Church. You are asked to purchase a $15 journal/manual which will be used along with your Bible at the sessions and at your home. PLEASE sign up in the narthex for this wonderful and potentially life-changing experiences as soon as possible (and certainly by September 14).
Join us Thursday, September 17, for a potluck dinner in honor of Deacon Larry who has recently retired from the Diaconate. Social with appetizers and cocktails will begin at 5:30 p.m. and potluck dinner at 6:00. Sign-up in the narthex from September 5 through Monday, September 14; or, call JoAnn O'Brien at 922-1730. 
Our committee has just completed our first year June 30, 2015. During the year we were contacted by 27 families that requested assistance from Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. Some of the requests were referred to either government or other private agencies that could provide the help needed. Eighteen of these families received direct help from our committee with food, utility, rent, furniture, transportation and shelter. The help our committee provided benefited 40 children.Family Assistance was allotted $13,000 for our yearly budget, and we received $1,840 from other agencies or private donations for specific individuals that we helped. We spent $14,481 on the 18 families we helped with financial assistance.
Committee members are: Ed Keearns, Tom and Cathy Ament, Dick Hill, Pamela Cox, Sheila Harrison, Don Ritter, Wayne Kapple, Gary Wolfer, Rebecca Huber and Marvin Young.
On Sunday, September 13, the Knights of Columbus invite everyone to their delicious Parish Breakfast. The Menu will consist of biscuits and gravy with sausage and scrambled eggs, hash browns and juice, coffee or milk. We will be welcoming new parishioners who will be guests of the Knights. All proceeds are used for Knights' charitable activites. 
Registration for REY for the 2015-16 school year is now open. Classes are available for grades Pre-K through 12. Pre-K through 6th grade meet on Sunday mornings at 9:15, beginning September 13. The Junior High and Senior High meet on Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. beginning September 16. All children of this parish are invited and encouraged to attend these classes. Call Terry Poldrack at 501-922-6095 for information. 
Our produce people from Guy, Arkansas, Jaime and Tom Henry, wish to thank Father Bill, the parish and all their loyal customers for allowing them to sell their delicious produce during the growing season. They are finished for this year, and are hoping to return toward the end of April to begin selling strawberries and other fresh produce. 
The September outing for members includes a Miniature Golf Tournament at the DeSoto Games area, followed by lunch at Charlie's, on Saturday, September 12. Golf begins at 10:00 a.m. Bring a putter and a ball. Meet for lunch, Dutch treat, at 11:30 a.m. Sign-up in the narthex for either - or both. Call Ann Hooper at 922-6963 with questions. 
Many thanks to the ever-present support of the Holy Spirit and the generosity of our parishioners and PEA Adorers, we have filled all but one of the hourly vacancies. Would YOU consider ending your Sunday Sabbath by taking the midnight Sunday hour (12:00 a.m. Monday morning) and spending it with Jesus in the blessed Sacrament? What a wonderful way to start off the week! Call Paula Doyle for more information and to sign up at 922-5771. 
Our Sunday Mixed Choir will begin choir practice on Wednesday, September 2, at 3:00 p.m. in the main church. All voices are welcome. Our men would really appreciate some help! There are no try-outs. You do not have to read music. Just come with a willingness to make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Please call Lynne Border at 922-2062, extension 13, with questions. 
The Knights of Columbus World Day of Prayer for Peace seeks to unite Knights, Catholics and all people of good will regardless of their religious faith - in prayer for peace. While September 11 will always be remembered for the tragic loss of life, Knights hope that this somber occasion will be the foundation of an annual opportunity for a day of earnest prayer for peace in the world.Please join all parishioners on Friday, September 11, at the 9:00 a.m. Mass which will be dedicated to our prayer for peace. Mass will be followed by the Patriotic Rosary and a special prayer for peace.
Please join us Saturday, September 26, for the 14th Annual Village Walk for Cancer Research at the Cortez Pavilion/Hernando Trail beginning at 7:30 a.m. Come and walk a few feet or walk five miles for Cancer Research. No distance is required. The registration fee is $35. Our goal for 2015 is to register 600 walkers and raise $45,000 from sponsors, walkers, bake sale, silent auction and from donations. Door prizes will be given away. Our Church Ministry Team would like Sacred Heart to have representation for this special event. Proceeds from the event go to the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Foundation fund to benefit cancer research. All funds stay in Arkansas. The day of the Walk, enjoy complimentary fruit, coffee, water, hamburgers and hot dogs! We will be there come rain or come shine!Registration forms are in the A & E hallway or see Lynne Border. Complete the form and enclose your check and send to the address listed on the form. Help us make a difference by helping us help others.
On behalf of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church we would like to extend a BIG thank you to Arlene Thompson, former parishioner, cantor, lector and the many other hats she wore while she attended Sacred Heart. Arlene has donated the beautiful baby grand piano that is now in our choir area. The piano is an Essex, made by Steinway. Arlene does not have enough room for her piano where she now lives and wanted it to come to Sacred Heart. Fr. Bill was in favor with Arlene's request and the baby grand was moved to our church several weeks ago. The piano has now been tuned and will be a wonderful addition for our music ministry program at Sacred Heart. THANK YOU Arlene for the contribution of your beautiful baby grand piano to our worship space at Sacred Heart! 
God calls us to live a joy-filled life. Matthew Kelly, author of Rediscovering Catholicism, helps us to unlock that joy and to hear the voice of God calling us to a life of joy with Him. This book is on the bookcase in the first room of the library. Please, when checking out this item or any other, fill out the card in the book with the date, your first and last name. Then place card in the designated box in the main library. Place all returns in the marked box in the first room. 
In accordance with the Deacon Guidelines for the Diocese of Little Rock, a deacon must submit his letter of retirement to the Bishop 90 days before his 75th birthday. In complying with this rule, I have submitted my letter, with my retirement being effective after July 12, 2015. As I admittedly look forward to a less "scheduled" life, I will still have all my faculties as a deacon and am open to serving in a variety of activities and ministries as the need arises and my time allows.It has been a great privilege to serve Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and the Diocese of Little Rock for the past 17 years and I anticipate continuing to serve for many more years.
-Deacon Larry Lipsmeyer