While we are blessed to witness so many couples in our parish who have been married for so many years (40, 50, 60, or even more), the reality is that the success rate of marriage in the United States is still only about 50%, (including 41% of first-time marriages). This is tragic and obviously affects many more people than the couple themselves starting with their children. As many of you have concerns about your children and grandchildren when it comes to the civil dissolution of so many marriages, I want to share with you what Matthew Kelly shares in one of the chapters of his book, "33 Days to Eucharistic Glory", a book that I hope to have in everyone's hands by Christmas this year. On Day 17, he makes a claim about married couples in a city in Bosnia-Herzegovina that is hard to believe. There are approximately 30,000 inhabitants in the city of Siroki-Brrijeg and there has not been a single recorded case of divorce there in recent memory! This is a country in which Catholics have experienced much suffering due to religious persecution. Through this they have learned and are passing on an EPIC lesson, sacrifice and salvation are inseparably connected. In part, this has played itself out through the development of a unique wedding ritual (which I was introduced to and used at the wedding of one of my nephew's (Zach) to his now wife (Alyssa). On the day of their wedding, the couple brings a crucifix to church where it is blessed by the priest during the wedding ritual and these words are said to the couple: "You have found your cross. And it is a cross to be loved, to be carried, a cross not to be thrown away. During the exchange of vows, the bride places her right hand on the crucifix and the groom places his hand over hers. The priest places his stole around their hands, and therefore around the cross too. After exchanging their vows, the first kiss is not between them, but rather both kiss Jesus on the cross, and only afterward kiss each other. After the ceremony is over the newly married couple takes the crucifix to their home and display it prominently somewhere in their home and daily (and consciously) bring their hopes, dreams, struggles, worries, gratitude and sorrows and lay them at the foot of the Cross of Jesus Christ! They kiss the cross every night before they go to bed, and when they have children and the children are old enough, they too kiss the cross each night after their parents do. Kelly says in this booklet, "Love and sacrifice are inseparable. Suffering and salvation are inseparable! In a fallen world, broken by selfishness, and bent out of shape by pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, sloth and gluttony, love requires sacrifice." (pg. 83) Jesus's life was a life of love and sacrifice which culminat-ed in his death on the cross and brought redemption and salvation to the human race! Whether it be married life, single life, or religious life, Jesus and his example are there for us to reflect on and imitate daily and all of us can and should literally or figuratively kiss the cross every day and experience the many blessings that come to married couples and individ-uals whose love is given first to Christ and then to others in Christ-like ways!
This past Tuesday, November 12, the Church celebrated the memorial of St. Josephat who was a bishop in the early 17th century. He was Polish and grew up in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He served as the Archbishop of Polotsk from 1618-1623 and died a martyr's death on November 12, 1623. His efforts to promote unity between the Eastern and Western Church were in large part the cause of his martyrdom. He died seeking to bring Christians together at a time when others had strong feelings and actions in the other direction, toward seeing others who disagreed with them as the enemy. Exactly one week before the memorial of St. Josaphat, many people in our country went to the polls and made their choices among the candidates who were on the ballot to lead them for varying periods of time, starting in January, 2025. In light of the continued polarization that this country faces with some seeing fellow Americans who disagree with them on a variety of positions as being "the enemy", I say we not only needs the prayers of saints like Josaphat to inspire a more Christian heart and response toward those who disagree with them on one or usually a variety of issues, but also inspiration from the Spirit of unity, to try to understand and work with others to come up with solutions and policies that truly benefit the common good. It seems to me that in most recent times (or maybe longer) people on the extremes of positions have had too much voice and influence that has led to hard feelings and a stalemate when it comes to getting things accomplished. Also, in the area of religions in our country it is important that we applaud and promote those who strive to find common ground and mutual respect for those who do not believe as they do. There are more than a few things in most religions that unite us rather than divide us, and we should pray that sincere efforts to work together be supported and prayed for on a daily basis. The history of our country and the even longer history of the Church has shown time and again how much good happens when people start with basic respect for others (especially those who disagree with them) and a readiness to work toward solutions that are considerate of the wisdom of all sides and of course, reflect first and foremost the mind and heart of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
As we prepare to celebrate the feast of "Christ the King" (November 24) to close out the Church year, let us pray that we will always have the perspective that looks beyond what this or any other country stands for and be committed first and foremost to the King of heaven and earth in thought, word and deeds. Striving to be united in him, we can live in these seemingly troubled times in peace with God and with one another!
As we prepare to celebrate the feast of "Christ the King" (November 24) to close out the Church year, let us pray that we will always have the perspective that looks beyond what this or any other country stands for and be committed first and foremost to the King of heaven and earth in thought, word and deeds. Striving to be united in him, we can live in these seemingly troubled times in peace with God and with one another!
In a "perfect parish world" (or close to it) every parishioner would, besides participating in Mass at least on the weekends (EVERY weekend) would be involved in a ministry at Mass AND in at least one parish activity or ministry outside of Mass. I dare not even dream of that being a reality, because if I did so, I
could only imagine the countless blessings that would come from it both within the parish and outside of the parish community!
Thankfully, our parish is blessed to have people like Marie Hylden, our Very Important Parishioner for the month of November who step up and get involved in multiple ministries and activities in the parish AND larger community that blesses the people impacted by her efforts and the happy, helpful and kind disposition she exudes in her interactions with others. Given all she does, it seems like she has been doing it for many years, though the reality is that she has lived in Hot Springs Village for just 8 years as she and her husband, Rick moved to the Village from Plano, Texas. For those who don't know this, Rick died suddenly about two years ago. They were blessed to be husband and wife for 44 years and have three children and seven grandchildren, (who Marie goes to see quite often) and who are the "loves'' of her life. Marie is often present on the altar as a lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and has recently started taking Communion to the homebound. She served enthusiastically as the
vice-president and the president of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart. She is the captain of Guild 2 and has recently accepted the leadership of the Spring LOSH Charity Golf Tournament. She has taken over as head of the holiday food basket effort and the Angel Tree, and works with various people and organizations of the parish to help these needy families from the area schools. She joins in the seasonal efforts of our church decorating committee and helps to take down and put up the drapes in the sanctuary when the Church seasons change. She is also a member of one of the Parish counting teams which gathers on Monday mornings to count the stewardship from the weekend Masses. In the larger community, Marie is very involved with he Hot Springs Village Symphony Guild (currently as the
president) in its efforts to support the Arkansas Symphony and the beautiful concerts it puts on (including a concert for a large group of school-aged children this month). She is a past president of the Desoto Women's Club and an active member of P.E.O. Chapter CU. As you can see, Marie is much more likely to say "yes" than "no" when asked to do something, AND she is one who I'm truly thankful for, not only because of all that she has done and continues to do, but also because she takes initiative even when not asked to give of her time, talents, treasure and faith to benefit others! God bless you Marie for being the person God calls you (and all of us) to be!
could only imagine the countless blessings that would come from it both within the parish and outside of the parish community!
Thankfully, our parish is blessed to have people like Marie Hylden, our Very Important Parishioner for the month of November who step up and get involved in multiple ministries and activities in the parish AND larger community that blesses the people impacted by her efforts and the happy, helpful and kind disposition she exudes in her interactions with others. Given all she does, it seems like she has been doing it for many years, though the reality is that she has lived in Hot Springs Village for just 8 years as she and her husband, Rick moved to the Village from Plano, Texas. For those who don't know this, Rick died suddenly about two years ago. They were blessed to be husband and wife for 44 years and have three children and seven grandchildren, (who Marie goes to see quite often) and who are the "loves'' of her life. Marie is often present on the altar as a lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and has recently started taking Communion to the homebound. She served enthusiastically as the
vice-president and the president of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart. She is the captain of Guild 2 and has recently accepted the leadership of the Spring LOSH Charity Golf Tournament. She has taken over as head of the holiday food basket effort and the Angel Tree, and works with various people and organizations of the parish to help these needy families from the area schools. She joins in the seasonal efforts of our church decorating committee and helps to take down and put up the drapes in the sanctuary when the Church seasons change. She is also a member of one of the Parish counting teams which gathers on Monday mornings to count the stewardship from the weekend Masses. In the larger community, Marie is very involved with he Hot Springs Village Symphony Guild (currently as the
president) in its efforts to support the Arkansas Symphony and the beautiful concerts it puts on (including a concert for a large group of school-aged children this month). She is a past president of the Desoto Women's Club and an active member of P.E.O. Chapter CU. As you can see, Marie is much more likely to say "yes" than "no" when asked to do something, AND she is one who I'm truly thankful for, not only because of all that she has done and continues to do, but also because she takes initiative even when not asked to give of her time, talents, treasure and faith to benefit others! God bless you Marie for being the person God calls you (and all of us) to be!