Before deciding the subject matter for this pastor's column, I gave some thought to the fact that this is the first column of the new calendar year. As such, I want this column to touch on an important topic that potentially speaks to almost all of you, and be both an invitation for some and an affirmation for others.
The topic is the ministry of Eucharistic Adoration here at Sacred Heart Church. I say it's a ministry because anything that we do that is a commitment to the Lord, and is focused firstly on giving praise and thanks to God with words and/or with our presence with the Lord, is doing God's work as a faith-filled disciple. It also is a great blessing to those who say "yes" to participating in this ministry as can be attested to by most of our adorers some of whom have been doing it as a regular or sub for up to 10 years.
I would like to share with you the testimony of one of our Eucharistic Adorers:
" Eucharistic adoration—a journey from intimidation to comfort."
When I first walked into the chapel for adoration, I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me. The stillness felt heavy, and I questioned whether I belonged there. Would I know how to pray? What if I just sat there, frozen? That sense of dread was palpable.
As I sat in silence, something remarkable happened. I began to realize that adoration isn't about perfection; it's about presence. It's not about saying the right words, but rather about being open to the love of Christ.
Slowly, the intimidation began to fade. I allowed myself to breathe, to listen, and to simply be. I found that in those moments of quiet, I could experience God's presence in a profound way. The chapel transformed from a place of anxiety to a sanctuary of peace.
What began as a daunting experience became a source of delight. I discovered that vulnerability is a gateway to deeper connection. As I opened my heart, I felt enveloped in God's love—a comfort that reassured me I was exactly where I needed to be.
Written by: Cindy Norlin
Please consider at the start of the new year joining so many in the parish in this ministry as a regular or sub and experience blessings that will be many for you, your family, your parish family and others that you can pray for in the presence of the Lord!! Call Mike Ritch 832 231-7469 to get started.
The topic is the ministry of Eucharistic Adoration here at Sacred Heart Church. I say it's a ministry because anything that we do that is a commitment to the Lord, and is focused firstly on giving praise and thanks to God with words and/or with our presence with the Lord, is doing God's work as a faith-filled disciple. It also is a great blessing to those who say "yes" to participating in this ministry as can be attested to by most of our adorers some of whom have been doing it as a regular or sub for up to 10 years.
I would like to share with you the testimony of one of our Eucharistic Adorers:
" Eucharistic adoration—a journey from intimidation to comfort."
When I first walked into the chapel for adoration, I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me. The stillness felt heavy, and I questioned whether I belonged there. Would I know how to pray? What if I just sat there, frozen? That sense of dread was palpable.
As I sat in silence, something remarkable happened. I began to realize that adoration isn't about perfection; it's about presence. It's not about saying the right words, but rather about being open to the love of Christ.
Slowly, the intimidation began to fade. I allowed myself to breathe, to listen, and to simply be. I found that in those moments of quiet, I could experience God's presence in a profound way. The chapel transformed from a place of anxiety to a sanctuary of peace.
What began as a daunting experience became a source of delight. I discovered that vulnerability is a gateway to deeper connection. As I opened my heart, I felt enveloped in God's love—a comfort that reassured me I was exactly where I needed to be.
Written by: Cindy Norlin
Please consider at the start of the new year joining so many in the parish in this ministry as a regular or sub and experience blessings that will be many for you, your family, your parish family and others that you can pray for in the presence of the Lord!! Call Mike Ritch 832 231-7469 to get started.
I am sure all of us, if asked, could come up with names of people (and even ourselves) who have a hard time saying no when asked to do something. A more positive way to look at this is that there are people who seem to always say yes when something is asked of them. Dwayne Garret, who along with his wife Debbie (or Deb as she is called), admits that he is one of those persons (and I would say Deb is as well). He says that after he and Deb were welcomed by Bill and Diane Patterson to the parish, through our welcoming committee ministry, that they, when asked, not only became part of that ministry as "Welcomers", in a short time they agreed to head up that ministry, which they did with wonderful results (including starting a newcomer's dinner which was held once or twice a year. Through the invitation of others (Bob Honzik, Tom Donnelly, and Bill Nosek), Dwayne became an usher at the 10:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, a perpetual adorer and a 4th degree Knight. He felt blessed by helping in a variety of service projects of the Knights including Meals on Wheels, fundraising efforts to help people in need, soliciting sponsors for the St. John's Golf Tournament and the Campaign for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. He has joined others at the March for Life in Little Rock, helped at Special Olympics in Searcy, and has become a visitor of our homebound Knights of Columbus who appreciate someone visiting them in their homes. He has been inspired to get more and more involved with Jackson House and currently serves on the board of directors there.
Deb has gotten involved in both behind the scenes ministries such as Helping Hands (as a sunshine card sender to parish shut-ins) and leadership positions (as she is currently the President of LOSH. She is not only a faithful Eucharistic Adorer, but she is a division leader in our Eucharistic Adoration Ministry (in the 6 hour period in the mornings every day). She coordinates a Holy Hour among some members of her guild and is a Member of the National Eucharistic Sodality of the Blessed Sacrament. It is a blessing for her (and others) that she is a frequent participant in daily Mass.
From all that I've shared with you about Dwayne and Debbie, I hope you see as I do, a couple who puts the Lord first, in their spiritual lives and practices and from this flows their willingness to say "yes" to serving the Lord and others with a smile on their faces. One other thing that I have noticed and appreciate about them is their flexibility when it comes to working with me and others. They are always "up to the task" in a variety of ways! God bless you, Dwayne and Debbie. Though you've only been parishioners here for around 6 years, it seems like much longer and I pray with all that you do (and I'm sure will be doing going forward) that you continue to be a blessing and be blessed for years to come!
Deb has gotten involved in both behind the scenes ministries such as Helping Hands (as a sunshine card sender to parish shut-ins) and leadership positions (as she is currently the President of LOSH. She is not only a faithful Eucharistic Adorer, but she is a division leader in our Eucharistic Adoration Ministry (in the 6 hour period in the mornings every day). She coordinates a Holy Hour among some members of her guild and is a Member of the National Eucharistic Sodality of the Blessed Sacrament. It is a blessing for her (and others) that she is a frequent participant in daily Mass.
From all that I've shared with you about Dwayne and Debbie, I hope you see as I do, a couple who puts the Lord first, in their spiritual lives and practices and from this flows their willingness to say "yes" to serving the Lord and others with a smile on their faces. One other thing that I have noticed and appreciate about them is their flexibility when it comes to working with me and others. They are always "up to the task" in a variety of ways! God bless you, Dwayne and Debbie. Though you've only been parishioners here for around 6 years, it seems like much longer and I pray with all that you do (and I'm sure will be doing going forward) that you continue to be a blessing and be blessed for years to come!
In the old African spiritual hymn, "Rise Up Shepherd and Follow", the primary characters, the shepherds who were visited by the angel after Jesus's birth, are making their way to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us" (Lk 1:15) referring to the birth of Jesus Christ. The first verse of that hymn wrongly speaks of them following the star to Bethlehem (wrongly because it was the magi, not the shepherds who, according to the evangelist Matthew, were led to the place where Jesus lived). I was informed in a video I watched years ago that the African slaves in the United States sang this hymn as they fled by night to escape their slavery toward the end of the Civil War. Tragically many of them lived through many Christmases as slaves who longed for their freedom. Sadly, in our time, there are many victims of human trafficking who feel the same as they are kept like slaves and are made to do things that degrade them and potentially harm them in many ways. This is especially egregious when it happens to young people. In our state, that is ranked number two in terms of registered sex offenders, and number one when it comes to child abuse, the possibility of young people being victims of human trafficking is high.
In general, it is estimated that around 20% of all children in the United States will be approached by a trafficker before the age of 18. Those of you who have grandchildren and great-grandchildren should take notice of this and hopefully be open to hearing more about this issue and what can be done to protect our young people and even rescue those who are currently victims of such behavior toward them. Human trafficking and crimes connected with the making and distributing of both adult and child pornography is estimated to be a $150 billion dollar criminal industry.
Efforts to combat all of this include a human trafficking and pornography task forces, including one established by Bishop Taylor in our diocese. Gary Wolfer of our parish accepted a position on that task force and will be a welcome resource for our parish as we hear more about what we and the public in general can do to fight against this "forced slavery" of our times. Every one of us is invited to educate ourselves by participating in a symposium on the dangers of human trafficking that will take place at Christ the King Church in Little Rock on Saturday, January 25. An announcement about this symposium and how to go about signing up and attending this free workshop (that includes breakfast and lunch) can be found in our bulletin this week. Experts on this subject from around the country will be making presentations. At the very least, please pray for victims and potential victims of human trafficking, and be open to learning more about this growing and serious problem in our country and in the world. It is well worth our time and attention now and in the future!
In general, it is estimated that around 20% of all children in the United States will be approached by a trafficker before the age of 18. Those of you who have grandchildren and great-grandchildren should take notice of this and hopefully be open to hearing more about this issue and what can be done to protect our young people and even rescue those who are currently victims of such behavior toward them. Human trafficking and crimes connected with the making and distributing of both adult and child pornography is estimated to be a $150 billion dollar criminal industry.
Efforts to combat all of this include a human trafficking and pornography task forces, including one established by Bishop Taylor in our diocese. Gary Wolfer of our parish accepted a position on that task force and will be a welcome resource for our parish as we hear more about what we and the public in general can do to fight against this "forced slavery" of our times. Every one of us is invited to educate ourselves by participating in a symposium on the dangers of human trafficking that will take place at Christ the King Church in Little Rock on Saturday, January 25. An announcement about this symposium and how to go about signing up and attending this free workshop (that includes breakfast and lunch) can be found in our bulletin this week. Experts on this subject from around the country will be making presentations. At the very least, please pray for victims and potential victims of human trafficking, and be open to learning more about this growing and serious problem in our country and in the world. It is well worth our time and attention now and in the future!