Although I was wet for much of Monday during the annual Bishop McDonald/Catholic Charities golf tournament, I stood proud and thankful that Sacred Heart of Jesus was represented by twenty-four people on six teams who gave the day and a generous contribution to Catholic Charities of Arkansas.  We had, by far, the best representation of any parish in Arkansas.  Once again our parish showed its leadership when it comes to helping those in need.  I look to the future with nothing but confidence and hope that this will continue in so many ways throughout the year.  If you are not currently part of any of our efforts to be Christ for others through time, talent and treasure, please join us.  The benefits of doing so are out of this world.

I have some good news and some "not so good" news to share with you.  Firstly, the good news is that the House of Formation for our seminarians and discerners will be formally dedicated this Thursday, September 20, at 6:00 p.m. on the grounds of Our Lady of Good Counsel church in Little Rock.  As a parish, we can be especially proud of this House of Formation as we contributed $50,000 to help pay for the dining room where the seminarians will share all their meals.  The "not so good" news is that our "adopted" seminarian, Guillermo Caballero, who is from Columbia, has left the diocese and returned to his native country.  What I have been told is that he was homesick for his family and for the culture he left behind in Columbia.  Guillermo now has a teaching job in Colombia, and says he has not closed the door on the priesthood.  We grieve the loss of Guillermo as a prospective priest for our diocese and we pray for his continued discernment of his vocation.  I know for a fact that he appreciated our prayers and support during his time of formation as one of our seminarians.  Please keep him in your prayers.

We are blessed to recently hear from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of St. John over four straight weekends at the Sunday liturgy.  It was a great reminder to us that Jesus is the Living Bread come down from heaven for us to eat and never die.  We come to the banquet of the Eucharist to receive Jesus in Holy Communion, and prepare ourselves for the banquet feast of heaven.  Unfortunately, some, due to sickness or a weakened condition, are unable to join us at the Eucharistic celebration.  I am so grateful for the men and women of our parish who bring the Eucharist to people in their homes and in our local retirement facilities.  I know that the people who receive the Eucharist are VERY grateful for the visit of these ministers, which includes prayer and the reception of Jesus in Holy Communion.  I ask you to please remember, if you cannot make it to Mass on Sunday due to sickness or a weakened condition, to please call Marge Stehling at 922-3837.  She will arrange for an extraordinary minister of Communion to visit you with the Eucharist on a day and at a time that works for everyone involved, for as long as you need it.  Even if it's only for a few weeks after a surgery or stay in the hospital, we want to provide this great help to your healing and peace.