Last week I concelebrated Mass twice at Christ the King Church in Little Rock for the diaconate ordination of three men, including my nephew Stephen, and priesthood ordination of five men for the Diocese of Little Rock. It was truly a blessing to be in such a beautiful church and participate in some meaningful and significant liturgies for these men, their families, and all the Catholics of Arkansas.
While in Christ the King Church, I prayed a Holy Hour in their chapel where they have Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration going on 24/7 (and have had for at least 5-10 years). On more than one occasion I have heard their pastor, Monsignor Francis Malone, humbly say that the main contributing factor is the reality that this parish has produced seven seminarians, of which at least two or three have already been ordained a priest, is the fact that the parish has Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I would strongly agree with such a statement. I believe the reality of this devotion and practice going on in more than a few parishes in Arkansas, including, of course, our own, has contributed greatly to God blessing us with so many seminarians, many of whom have become, or will become, priests. The fact that one of our own, Jonathan Semmler, has become a seminarian for the Diocese of Little Rock, is a credit to his own growing faith, that of his parents, that of our faith family here at Sacred Heart, AND, I believe, in the reality that so many of our parishioners have been, and are, participating in Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration and are committed to giving at least an hour every week to be in the Lord's presence and grow in His grace and love. I urge all those who do this (and, as always, I URGE more parishioners to join us. Call Mike Kerwin at 922-1531), to pray for Jonathan and all our seminarians every time you are in the chapel for prayer. Our ongoing efforts in prayer for Jonathan before Jesus in the Monstrance may lead (if it is God's will) to Sacred Heart having its first native-born parishioner be ordained a priest of God in about seven years. Jesus urged His followers to "pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His vineyard." (Matthew 9:38). Prayers for this and other intentions happening 24/7 are producing wonderful, and in some cases, miraculous results. Thank God for all who are in this ministry and devotion!
While in Christ the King Church, I prayed a Holy Hour in their chapel where they have Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration going on 24/7 (and have had for at least 5-10 years). On more than one occasion I have heard their pastor, Monsignor Francis Malone, humbly say that the main contributing factor is the reality that this parish has produced seven seminarians, of which at least two or three have already been ordained a priest, is the fact that the parish has Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I would strongly agree with such a statement. I believe the reality of this devotion and practice going on in more than a few parishes in Arkansas, including, of course, our own, has contributed greatly to God blessing us with so many seminarians, many of whom have become, or will become, priests. The fact that one of our own, Jonathan Semmler, has become a seminarian for the Diocese of Little Rock, is a credit to his own growing faith, that of his parents, that of our faith family here at Sacred Heart, AND, I believe, in the reality that so many of our parishioners have been, and are, participating in Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration and are committed to giving at least an hour every week to be in the Lord's presence and grow in His grace and love. I urge all those who do this (and, as always, I URGE more parishioners to join us. Call Mike Kerwin at 922-1531), to pray for Jonathan and all our seminarians every time you are in the chapel for prayer. Our ongoing efforts in prayer for Jonathan before Jesus in the Monstrance may lead (if it is God's will) to Sacred Heart having its first native-born parishioner be ordained a priest of God in about seven years. Jesus urged His followers to "pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His vineyard." (Matthew 9:38). Prayers for this and other intentions happening 24/7 are producing wonderful, and in some cases, miraculous results. Thank God for all who are in this ministry and devotion!
In about a week, we will conclude our "Little White Books" for the Easter season. They have been a great way to connect with the Lord through scripture and reflection and learn some things about the Church of Bible that you didn't know.
I am pleased that over 100 parishioners or families have recognized how good it is to stay connected to the Lord daily (and throughout the entire year) and have done so by being part of our bulk subscription to "Give Us This Day." For only $20 a year (a savings of 50% since we get it in bulk), you can get each month's edition and know you are getting a different, short morning and evening prayer for each day, the scripture readings that are proclaimed at Mass each day, and wonderful reflections from a variety of different people from clergy to laity, to saints of the past. There are also short two-page reflections at the start of each week which are informative and inspirational. The week's two-page reflection was penned by the former Abbot of Subiaco (here in Arkansas), Father Jerome Kodell, a noted scripture scholar who last visited us before our parish day of recollection.
If you are interested in joining in the bulk subscription which begins a new year's worth with the July issue, either stop by the Office and leave your money and name with Linda, or pay your $20 (check to Sacred Heart Church or cash) or sign-up and pay your money in the narthex over the next few weeks.
Even if you don't do all that's available in this monthly booklet, you will certainly benefit from what you do read and from the prayers that are found (some in the front that are unique each month) in this wonderful spiritual aid. I would love to see our number of subscribers rise, and rise significantly in this new cycle. Please consider being one of them or continuing if you have already been a subscriber.
I am pleased that over 100 parishioners or families have recognized how good it is to stay connected to the Lord daily (and throughout the entire year) and have done so by being part of our bulk subscription to "Give Us This Day." For only $20 a year (a savings of 50% since we get it in bulk), you can get each month's edition and know you are getting a different, short morning and evening prayer for each day, the scripture readings that are proclaimed at Mass each day, and wonderful reflections from a variety of different people from clergy to laity, to saints of the past. There are also short two-page reflections at the start of each week which are informative and inspirational. The week's two-page reflection was penned by the former Abbot of Subiaco (here in Arkansas), Father Jerome Kodell, a noted scripture scholar who last visited us before our parish day of recollection.
If you are interested in joining in the bulk subscription which begins a new year's worth with the July issue, either stop by the Office and leave your money and name with Linda, or pay your $20 (check to Sacred Heart Church or cash) or sign-up and pay your money in the narthex over the next few weeks.
Even if you don't do all that's available in this monthly booklet, you will certainly benefit from what you do read and from the prayers that are found (some in the front that are unique each month) in this wonderful spiritual aid. I would love to see our number of subscribers rise, and rise significantly in this new cycle. Please consider being one of them or continuing if you have already been a subscriber.
Taking something or someone for granted can bring negative results to the person who does this. The Houston Rockets, for instance, took for granted that they would best the San Antonio Spurs at their home court in game six of their NBA basketball playoff series, especially since two of the main players for San Antonio were out due to injury. Instead, they lost the game by over 30 points. As people of faith, sadly we can take Jesus for granted in a number of ways, especially when He comes to us in His Body and Blood at Mass and into our bodies when we receive Him in Holy Communion.
In less than a month we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord, and since Deacon John is scheduled to preach that weekend, I would like to take time in my column to encourage us first of all, to always approach Jesus with the utmost reverence and awe. Try not to let anything or ayone distract you when you are coming forward to receive Him. Joining in the singing the Communion Hymn is always a good way to keep your focus on Jesus. When you get close to the person who is to give you Communion, bow your head slightly before or while you say "Amen" after the minister says "The Body of Christ" to you.
After people return to their pews, I know there are some who remain standing and others who choose to kneel and pray. While the Church says that the "common posture" throughout the distribution of Communion is standing, and insists on a time after everyone has received, to kneel or sit in quiet prayer to the One (Jesus) who has entered our bodies, it also recognizes and accepts those who choose to return to their pews and kneel. Either way, we should not allow ourselves to become and/or remain distracted during the distribution of Communion. Rather, while Jesus is close to us, we can either speak to Him in the quiet of our hearts or speak in praise of Him by joining in the Communion Hymn or do both, as our distribution of Communion normally takes awhile in our large church. Consciously keeping our attention on Jesus as best we can during this special time during Mass will produce blessings to us, to our community of believers and to those who we lift up to the Lord as He dwells so close to us.
In less than a month we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord, and since Deacon John is scheduled to preach that weekend, I would like to take time in my column to encourage us first of all, to always approach Jesus with the utmost reverence and awe. Try not to let anything or ayone distract you when you are coming forward to receive Him. Joining in the singing the Communion Hymn is always a good way to keep your focus on Jesus. When you get close to the person who is to give you Communion, bow your head slightly before or while you say "Amen" after the minister says "The Body of Christ" to you.
After people return to their pews, I know there are some who remain standing and others who choose to kneel and pray. While the Church says that the "common posture" throughout the distribution of Communion is standing, and insists on a time after everyone has received, to kneel or sit in quiet prayer to the One (Jesus) who has entered our bodies, it also recognizes and accepts those who choose to return to their pews and kneel. Either way, we should not allow ourselves to become and/or remain distracted during the distribution of Communion. Rather, while Jesus is close to us, we can either speak to Him in the quiet of our hearts or speak in praise of Him by joining in the Communion Hymn or do both, as our distribution of Communion normally takes awhile in our large church. Consciously keeping our attention on Jesus as best we can during this special time during Mass will produce blessings to us, to our community of believers and to those who we lift up to the Lord as He dwells so close to us.