Last weekend's Masses here at Sacred Heart Church ended with the song, "Go Make A Difference" a very upbeat song from Steve Angrisano that is a great "dismissal" song Its verses speak of our calling to be a light in the world, the salt of the earth, and the love of God for all to see. We leave the celebration of the Mass and willingly, purposefully seek to share our love for the Lord and the hope he gives us in everlasting life to those we encounter in our daily lives.
When I think about our V.I.Ps for the month of May, Rob and Carolyn Bowers, I recognize and give thanks for their response to the call of the Gospel and of the song to "Go make a Difference in the World". Rob is on the board and is the treasurer of the "Arkansas Learning Through the Arts" organization and has served on several POA and Diamante committees and boards. Carolyn is an active participant and leader in the Hot Springs Village Community Foundation, The Ouachita Speaker Series, The Hot Springs Symphony Guild and the annual Village Cancer Walk. They not only put in great effort in these civic endeavors, but they also inspire and encourage others to get involved.
As members of Sacred Heart Church for 25 years, they have given of themselves in a number of ways. Rob is a faithful altar server at the 8:00 Sunday Mass and in recent years has joined the Knights of Columbus. Carolyn has been serving for a while on the Parish Finance Council and for years was a cantor both for the Sunday Masses and also at daily Mass.
Rob and Carolyn are committed Catholics both in the parish and in the wider venue of the world outside of the parish. They are one of many examples of Sacred Heart Parish who have retired from their careers, but not their lifelong commitment to the Lord "to let their light shine on for all the world to see", as is spoken of the song "Go Make A Difference".
The following young men have recently been ordained transitional deacons for the Diocese of Little Rock and have made their vow of celibacy before the bishop, their families and their parish families in Arkansas: Duwan Booker, Tuon Do, Christopher Elser, Joseph Minh, Phong Nguyen, and Quinton Thomas.
Pray for them as they enter the last year of their formation including diaconate responsibilities and will hopefully be ordained priests around this time next year. I also once again want to thank our Knights of Columbus and our parish for their ongoing financial support of our seminarians in their formation to be priests in Arkansas for many years to come. I hope you have already marked August 1 on your calendar for the Knight's annual "Taste of Faith" fundraiser for our seminarians. We are expecting almost all of our seminarians to be present that evening as well as Bishop Taylor, our vocations director, Fr. Jeff Hebert and the spiritual director for the House of Formation Fr. Mauricio Carrasco.
When I think about our V.I.Ps for the month of May, Rob and Carolyn Bowers, I recognize and give thanks for their response to the call of the Gospel and of the song to "Go make a Difference in the World". Rob is on the board and is the treasurer of the "Arkansas Learning Through the Arts" organization and has served on several POA and Diamante committees and boards. Carolyn is an active participant and leader in the Hot Springs Village Community Foundation, The Ouachita Speaker Series, The Hot Springs Symphony Guild and the annual Village Cancer Walk. They not only put in great effort in these civic endeavors, but they also inspire and encourage others to get involved.
As members of Sacred Heart Church for 25 years, they have given of themselves in a number of ways. Rob is a faithful altar server at the 8:00 Sunday Mass and in recent years has joined the Knights of Columbus. Carolyn has been serving for a while on the Parish Finance Council and for years was a cantor both for the Sunday Masses and also at daily Mass.
Rob and Carolyn are committed Catholics both in the parish and in the wider venue of the world outside of the parish. They are one of many examples of Sacred Heart Parish who have retired from their careers, but not their lifelong commitment to the Lord "to let their light shine on for all the world to see", as is spoken of the song "Go Make A Difference".
The following young men have recently been ordained transitional deacons for the Diocese of Little Rock and have made their vow of celibacy before the bishop, their families and their parish families in Arkansas: Duwan Booker, Tuon Do, Christopher Elser, Joseph Minh, Phong Nguyen, and Quinton Thomas.
Pray for them as they enter the last year of their formation including diaconate responsibilities and will hopefully be ordained priests around this time next year. I also once again want to thank our Knights of Columbus and our parish for their ongoing financial support of our seminarians in their formation to be priests in Arkansas for many years to come. I hope you have already marked August 1 on your calendar for the Knight's annual "Taste of Faith" fundraiser for our seminarians. We are expecting almost all of our seminarians to be present that evening as well as Bishop Taylor, our vocations director, Fr. Jeff Hebert and the spiritual director for the House of Formation Fr. Mauricio Carrasco.
What does Pope Leo think or feel about _______? That blank could be and/or is being filled out in so many different ways, as some people want to know sooner than later where Pope Leo XIV stands on a variety of issues in the Church and in the secular world.
I must say I feel for Pope Leo as he begins his new life as the Bishop of Rome and the new Pontiff of the Catholic Church because he is not given by the media and others a "grace period" to adjust to his new role and discern what the Holy Spirit is asking him to be and do for the people of God and the world.
He didn't have much time after being elected pope to decide what to say and in what language to say it when he first addressed the world within an hour after agreeing to be the pope of the Catholic Church. The fact that his opening address was spoken in Italian and Spanish (and nothing in English) led some to conclude that he did so to show that although his native language is English as one raised in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, he will be the pope of all people of diverse languages throughout the world.
I hope that in addition to whatever time people spend finding out more about Pope Leo from his life as Robert Francis Prevost, then Fr. Prevost, Bishop Prevost, and of late Cardinal Prevost, that they (and you and me) will spend time in prayer for him. At the same time, we are called to put our trust in God, the Holy Spirit that he will inspire, instruct, and lead the new pope in what he says and does to protect and preserve the longstanding Tradition and traditions of the Church that have been handed down for all these centuries by past popes, bishops, priests and religious.
At this point, I think it is fair and true to say that he has had similar pastoral experiences as did Pope Francis in being a missionary in Peru for many years as a priest and most recently as a bishop. One has to think he will stress the missionary call of all Christians to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to people of faith and people who are still open and hungering for faith, especially in coming to know and serve Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of the world.
One thing we can say at the start of his pontificate is that he will not please everyone, and that he will receive plenty of criticism and even opposition from both inside and outside of the Church as he serves as the Vicar of Christ on earth. Given his age (69 years) he potentially could be our pope for many years to come. May he continue the good work he has already done for many years as an Augustinian priest, and provide what the Church and world needs at this time in history, especially in the ways of hope, mercy and peace that come from our loving Lord!
I must say I feel for Pope Leo as he begins his new life as the Bishop of Rome and the new Pontiff of the Catholic Church because he is not given by the media and others a "grace period" to adjust to his new role and discern what the Holy Spirit is asking him to be and do for the people of God and the world.
He didn't have much time after being elected pope to decide what to say and in what language to say it when he first addressed the world within an hour after agreeing to be the pope of the Catholic Church. The fact that his opening address was spoken in Italian and Spanish (and nothing in English) led some to conclude that he did so to show that although his native language is English as one raised in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, he will be the pope of all people of diverse languages throughout the world.
I hope that in addition to whatever time people spend finding out more about Pope Leo from his life as Robert Francis Prevost, then Fr. Prevost, Bishop Prevost, and of late Cardinal Prevost, that they (and you and me) will spend time in prayer for him. At the same time, we are called to put our trust in God, the Holy Spirit that he will inspire, instruct, and lead the new pope in what he says and does to protect and preserve the longstanding Tradition and traditions of the Church that have been handed down for all these centuries by past popes, bishops, priests and religious.
At this point, I think it is fair and true to say that he has had similar pastoral experiences as did Pope Francis in being a missionary in Peru for many years as a priest and most recently as a bishop. One has to think he will stress the missionary call of all Christians to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to people of faith and people who are still open and hungering for faith, especially in coming to know and serve Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of the world.
One thing we can say at the start of his pontificate is that he will not please everyone, and that he will receive plenty of criticism and even opposition from both inside and outside of the Church as he serves as the Vicar of Christ on earth. Given his age (69 years) he potentially could be our pope for many years to come. May he continue the good work he has already done for many years as an Augustinian priest, and provide what the Church and world needs at this time in history, especially in the ways of hope, mercy and peace that come from our loving Lord!
One of my clear memories from my time at St. John's Elementary School in Hot Springs is the May Crowning procession on the first Friday in May. Each class of students would gather outside on the side of the church and process into the church singing a medley of Marian Hymns that still ring out in my mind, especially in the month of May. In that parish, a girl from the second grade First Communion class crowned a statue of Mary.
I'm sure many of you remember "May Crownings". They are a traditional May tradition in many parishes. Our Ladies of the Sacred Heart will crown Mary inside and outside our church this coming Monday, May 12 right before (indoor) and after (outdoor) the 9:00 a.m. Mass.
In this tradition we honor the "Queenship" of Mary. We refer to her as the Queen of heaven and earth. In the Litany of Mary, we ask for her prayers as the Queen of angels, patriarchs, prophets, Apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and of all saints.
While it would be incorrect to ever see her in any way on the same level as her Son, Jesus (as he is human and divine and she was only human), it is appropriate to see her as the "Mother Queen" who gave birth to the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's, Jesus Christ. While May has long been considered the "Month of Mary" we are called to honor her every month of the year for who she was in the plan of Salvation, and the perfect disciple of her Son, Jesus Christ, and who she IS, a great intercessor to her Son for our wants and needs that we bring to her in various prayers, especially the "Hail Mary".
I want to share with you something that was composed by one of our "converts" to the Catholic Faith and fellow parishioner, Cindy Norlin, who already has a wonderful respect for the Blessed Virgin Mary and recognizes how special she is (or should be) to all Christians.
It is titled "May Flowers for Mary" and this is what it says:
In gardens bright where roses bloom,
And lilies lift their heads,
We gather petals, soft perfume,
Where love and prayer are wed.
With tender hands, we weave a crown
Of blossoms pure and fair,
And place it gently, kneeling down,
Upon her statue there.
O Mother mild, so full of grace,
Our Queen in heaven above,
Accept these blooms we humbly place--
A sign of all our love.
Each flower speaks what hearts can't say,
Each stem a whispered prayer,
That you may guide us day by day,
With gentleness and care.
So through the month of shining May,
With every bloom we bring,
We honor you in a quiet way--
Our Mother and our Queen.
I'm sure many of you remember "May Crownings". They are a traditional May tradition in many parishes. Our Ladies of the Sacred Heart will crown Mary inside and outside our church this coming Monday, May 12 right before (indoor) and after (outdoor) the 9:00 a.m. Mass.
In this tradition we honor the "Queenship" of Mary. We refer to her as the Queen of heaven and earth. In the Litany of Mary, we ask for her prayers as the Queen of angels, patriarchs, prophets, Apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and of all saints.
While it would be incorrect to ever see her in any way on the same level as her Son, Jesus (as he is human and divine and she was only human), it is appropriate to see her as the "Mother Queen" who gave birth to the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's, Jesus Christ. While May has long been considered the "Month of Mary" we are called to honor her every month of the year for who she was in the plan of Salvation, and the perfect disciple of her Son, Jesus Christ, and who she IS, a great intercessor to her Son for our wants and needs that we bring to her in various prayers, especially the "Hail Mary".
I want to share with you something that was composed by one of our "converts" to the Catholic Faith and fellow parishioner, Cindy Norlin, who already has a wonderful respect for the Blessed Virgin Mary and recognizes how special she is (or should be) to all Christians.
It is titled "May Flowers for Mary" and this is what it says:
In gardens bright where roses bloom,
And lilies lift their heads,
We gather petals, soft perfume,
Where love and prayer are wed.
With tender hands, we weave a crown
Of blossoms pure and fair,
And place it gently, kneeling down,
Upon her statue there.
O Mother mild, so full of grace,
Our Queen in heaven above,
Accept these blooms we humbly place--
A sign of all our love.
Each flower speaks what hearts can't say,
Each stem a whispered prayer,
That you may guide us day by day,
With gentleness and care.
So through the month of shining May,
With every bloom we bring,
We honor you in a quiet way--
Our Mother and our Queen.