Photo courtesy the Arkansas Catholic

The Diocese of Little Rock has raised $620,000 toward building its House of Formation for men who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood or for seminarians taking college courses in Little Rock.

The diocese announced in August that the house would be located in the former Sisters of Mercy convent at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Little Rock.  After further investigation, it was decided that it was more cost effective for the building to be torn down and a new building be erected on the site.

The 6,000-square-foot building will feature a kitchen, meeting room/library, dining room, common area, chapel, 10 student rooms with private baths and apartments for the vocations director, Msgr. Scott Friend, and assistant vocations director, Msgr. Richard Oswald.  The initial estimate for the project is $900,000, but that does not include site work, furnishings and architect fees.

Groups have come forward already to sponsor two of the rooms in the house.  The state Knights of Columbus council donated $187,000 to sponsor the chapel.  Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Hot Springs Village pledged $50,000 toward the dining room.  Catholic Extension Society has committed a $100,000 matching grant to the project and will donate $50,000 more if another $200,000 can be raised by Sept. 30.

Demolition on the old convent, which was used until 2009 for religious education classes and offices, will begin this month.  Construction is expected to be completed this fall.

In his audio homily to promote the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal Feb. 4-5, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor said the diocese will borrow the remaining money needed for construction from the Seminarian Endowment Fund and repay it from CASA donations.

Msgr. Friend said he is hopeful the house will raise the profile of diocesan seminarians.  Currently, eight men are living in the temporary House of Formation at St. John Center in Little Rock.  When they are not attending classes at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock or studying, the men are able to participate in parish and diocesan events and get to know local Catholics, he said.

"It's been a great tool because I have a place (where they can come to discern)," Msgr. Friend said.  "I have had three more requests from people,  It's really sparked interest because we are here in the diocese.  It's been a real positive experience...It builds a sense of community."

Msgr. Friend said the diocese wanted the House of Formation to be based at a parish, and Good Counsel Church was chosen for the site because of its location near UALR and diversity of the parish and neighborhood.

"Good Gounsel represents well what the Church is," he said.  "We are universal.  Catholics are all over the world. This gives the guys the experience of seeing that.  I also think there is a benefit to being in that particular area because we need to be mindful of the fact that we are here to serve people.  Even though we don't take a vow of poverty, we are called to a simple lifestyle.  We want to make sure our surroundings are like that.  Having it based in a parish (is good because that is) where we work most of the time as priests.

Dannet Botkin explains the new Resident Ambassador Program to the Sacred Heart Men’s Club at the club’s March meeting.

There were two special guests at the March meeting of the Sacred Heart Men’s Club; Dannet Botkin, Marketing Manager for the POA, and her father Dan Botkin.  Following dinner, Dannet gave a presentation to the club outlining the plans that have been put in place to market Hot Springs Village and the results achieved to date.  The marketing program that is being put in place is targeting those people 40 to 65 years of age who are planning for retirement and have money to spend.  The plan is utilizing all mediums to reach potential homebuyers including print media, direct mail and emails.  In addition 12 micro websites have been established each focusing on a different theme such as golf, fishing, entertainment, etc. to showcase the many diversified aspects of the Village.  Dannet is also using various other techniques to expose the Village including participating in trade shows and partnering with the Board of Realtors and the Chamber of Commerce to offer tours to visitors.

A survey of those who recently moved into the Village shows that over 50% chose Hot Springs Village after learning about it from a friend or family that lives here.  Recognizing this trend, a new program has been established called a Resident Ambassador.   This program is offered to encourage residents to expose their family and friends to the Village and to qualify for discounts and prizes.  There are other special and unique activities planned to gain exposure to the Village including such things as a Media Day, a Triathlon in June, States Weeks where visitors from a state can use amenities at resident rates and a Real Estate Open House Day featuring lunch at participating restaurants.

Although Dannet has been on the job for a very short time there are already some impressive results.  In addition, Hot Springs Village will be declared as one of the five best retirement centers in the US in an upcoming issue of Newsweek magazine.  Following the presentation Dannet took questions from those attending and her talk was very much appreciated.

Father Herald Brock visited Sacred Heart Catholic Church as a Missionary Friar to lead a Day of Reflection and to ask for assistance for the people of South Sudan, Africa.

As part of its Lenten Programs in preparation for the celebration of Easter, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church hosted a day of reflection on Saturday, March 3^rd.  Father Herald J. Brock of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal was the program presenter.  Over 100 Sacred Heart parishioners and guests participated in the day which began with a mass at 9 AM.  Following mass, Father Brock led a discussion based on the life and impact of Blessed John Paul II.  He emphasized the important role that John Paul II played in encouraging the Catholic Church at a very difficult time and how he rose above the suffering in his own life to emphasize the dignity of the human person.  Participants were invited to bring a lunch and to join together eating in the church’s Lower Hall with beverages and desserts provided by the Ladies of Sacred Heart guild members.

Father Brock remained at Sacred Heart church to preach the homily at each of the weekend masses.  In his sermon Father Brock reflected on how we all face temptations which are forms of a trial.  We then emerge from these trials transfigured by having accepted and choose Christ’s way forward.  In addition, Father Brock talked passionately about his new assignment as a Missionary Friar.  He is traveling the world to bring to light the great struggles of the Christian people of South Sudan, Africa.  Having emerged from a devastating war of many years in order to remain Christian, the new country of South Sudan is desperately in need of assistance rebuilding churches, hospitals and schools. The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal have been supporting the people of South Sudan and are planning on continuing that in the future.  Father Brock asked for both the prayers and the financial assistance of the Sacred Heart parishioners to aid in this important effort.

The Ladies of the Sacred Heart sponsor a Shawl Ministry for the parish.  Members meet the first Tuesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. in one of the classrooms.  New knitters and crocheters are always welcome.  (We are very grateful that the parish covers our expenses).  We make shawls for anyone who is ill, old, cold or in need of spiritual comfort, and Father Bill or Deacon Bernie bless them.  We usually give them out after our monthly meeting of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart on the second Monday morning each month, September through May.  You can also call Pat Maher at 922-6258 if you need a shawl for someone or, if you need more information.

Do you have a family member, relative or loved one, currently serving in the United States Military?  Would you like to have them remembered in prayer by our parish family here at Sacred Heart of Jesus?  We have a prayer board in the narthex, where the names of those actively serving our country in the military are posted.  If you wish to have a loved one included on this prayer list, please write his/her name on the slip of paper provided, and place it in the basket in the narthex.  You can include the rank and branch of service.  We lift up in prayer all the courageous men and women who volunteer their service to protect our precious freedoms.

From Deacon John:  Several people have asked for a copy of last weekend’s homily and sometimes reading something on paper doesn’t have the same effect as hearing it.   So we have posted an audio file of the homily.  I suggest that you take time before listening to the homily to reread Sunday’s first reading (Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25) and the Gospel (Mark 2: 1-12).   These readings really set the stage for the homily.   I hope this provides some thoughts for the Lenten Season.

Father Bill Elser, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, welcomed parishioners and quests to the first Wednesday evening program and shared some stories about his recent trip to Japan.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church celebrated Ash Wednesday with two masses during which ashes were placed on the foreheads of parishioners.  The “Day of Ashes”, as it is officially known, always falls on a Wednesday 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays.  The ashes come from the burning of the palms that were used in the prior year’s Palm Sunday celebration.  Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a period of fasting, abstinence and penance in preparation for the celebration of Easter.  The ashes also symbolize death and remind us of our mortality, calling us to repentance before this life is over.  When public penance was common back in the 5^th and 6^th centuries people would cover themselves in ashes and wear sackcloth as penance.  Beginning in the 8^th or 9^th century the custom of placing ashes on foreheads became common and continues today as a tradition in many Christian churches including the Roman Catholic Church.

In addition to the masses on Ash Wednesday, Sacred Heart kicked off a Lenten Wednesday evening program.  Each Wednesday during Lent a light supper will be served in the church’s Lower Hall.  The Parish Life Council, chaired by Mickey Townsend and Bill Hurley, coordinate the supper arrangements.  Following supper there will be a special educational program that initially will be video presentations by Michael Cumbie of the Micah Project.  These dynamic and often humorous lectures will be discussing areas of sacramental theology and liturgical worship.  A Mass will follow the lectures each Wednesday evening.  On Ash Wednesday Father Bill Elser, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, was very pleased as he welcomed more than 300 parishioners participating in the first supper/video/mass program.

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There was a very large group for the picture of those married 50 years or more that were attending the Sacred Heart Men’s Club Valentine’s Party.

n Valentine’s Day the Sacred Heart Men’s Club held their monthly meeting as a special Valentine’s salute to sweethearts.  Approximately 120 members and their wives or girl friends along with widows of club members attended.  The ladies were presented with a decorated red rose.  Following dinner the program for the evening was “Men’s Club Men Got Talent”.  Buddy Dixon served as M.C. as four men from each of three tables selected at random came forward to sing a short oldie but goodies tune.  Those attending were asked to vote by their applause for the quartet that had the most talent.  Voted the most talented was the group that included Bernie Bauer, Ed Keearns, Bill Nosek and Milt Spaniel.  Following the program all couples married 50 years or more were asked to come forward to be recognized and a group picture was taken.  The couple married the longest was Bernie and Marilyn Bauer, celebrating 65 years of marriage and also both were celebrating their birthdays in February.

The Sacred Heart Men’s Club meets monthly at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church.  Membership in the club is open to all men that are members of Sacred Heart or whose spouse is a member.  Information about the club is available at their website, hsvmensclub.com.

Danny Murphy, Sacred Heart Men’s Club Secretary and Meals on Wheels Committee Chairman, and his wife Kathy load up their van at the McCauley Center with meals, bread and milk for delivery.

During the month of February men from the Sacred Heart Men’s Club deliver the Meals on Wheels to Village residents.  Teams of two, club members or a member and his spouse or friend, arrive at the McCauley Center about 9 AM.  Here they receive a list of all the deliveries that are scheduled for that day along with a book containing maps to each address.  Hot meals are kept in warming containers that are loaded into the car or van that the member is using.  In addition, on certain days, milk and bread for the week are also loaded and delivered.  Currently there are approximately 20 addresses within the Village that receive the daily meals and the delivery involves driving about 65 miles.  The Sacred Heart Men’s Club has been assisting with Meals on Wheels deliveries for a number of years and plans to continue this service in the future.

Cathy Wedwick (seated) and Pat Widlowski (standing) review the volunteer list to make needed assignments.

Recognizing a need to provide assistance to parishioners, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church formed a Helping Hands Ministry.  Over the years this ministry has grown until today the ministry has over 150 volunteers providing over two thousand hours of assistance and support where it is needed.  Volunteers may spend just a few minutes calling to comfort someone on the Prayer List or to send a greeting card to cheer someone up.  They may also spend hours accompanying someone to a chemo appointment or doing some household chores for someone recovering from surgery.  Whether it is preparing a meal or visiting with those who are homebound or in a care facility, the volunteers who make up the Helping Hands Ministry are always ready to help and will drive over 5,000 miles each year to provide service.  When appropriate, the volunteer will bring along a handmade prayer shawl provided by the Prayer Shawl Ministry of Sacred Heart Church so the recipient, wrapped in the shawl, will feel the parish’s comfort and love even after the volunteer has left.

Under the direction of coordinators Cathy Wedwick and Pat Widlowski, the more than 150 volunteers stand ready to answer the needs within the Sacred Heart community.