I want to start my pastor's column by saying something that I'm sure you've heard and agree that it's true. "Don't believe everything you read or hear through social media" or, sadly, these days don't believe "very much" that you read or hear in social media, especially (I say) Catholic Church information. 

This is the case when it comes to what has been released by the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (Fiducia Supplicans) that was approved by Pope Francis on December 18, 2023. The subject is the pastoral meaning of blessings by ordained clergy (bishops, priests and deacons).  Some of the secular media and some Catholic publications would have us believe that this is a direct "teaching" of the pope that deals only or mostly on blessings of same sex couples.  A reading of this declaration of the DDS tells the reader that its scope doesn't start or end with the blessing of same sex couples.  It makes it clear that Church ministers MUST avoid any rites or prayers that contradict or create confusion about what marriage is.  The Church (pope and bishops) continues to affirm the Bible and the Church's Tradition that says that marriage is between a man or woman that is open to the conception and birth of human life from God.  When the document discusses possible blessings for persons in irregular or invalid unions or in same-sex relationships, it allows for the spontaneous blessing of such persons.

Our bishop, Anthony Taylor, in a statement issued on December 18, says that the DDF recommends, for example, to begin with a prayer asking that the individuals (NOT THEIR UNION) have peace, health, a spirit of patience, dialogue and mutual assistance_but also God's light and strength to be able to fulfill His Will completely.  Our bishop quotes the DDF that the intention of such a spontaneous blessing is NOT to legitimize anything, but to open one's life to God, to ask for help to live better, and also to invoke the Holy Spirit so that the values of the Gospel may be lived with greater faitfulness (n.40). Our Faithfulness to God's love for everyone needs to come out in blessings over individuals which rightly should include the call to conversation to be more Christ-like in all ways.

If you would like to read the whole statement of our bishop, please go to our parish website www.hsvsacredheart.com or get a copy of it in the narthex of our church.

As we enter the Christmas Season (according to the Church calendar starting Christmas Day and ending with the Feast of Baptism of the Lord, we are blessed to celebrate many special days of solemnities (i.e. The Nativity of the Lord-December 25, Mary the Mother of God-January1 and the Epiphany of the Lord-January 7); Feasts (The Holy Family-December 31, the Baptism of the Lord-January 8) and feasts of saints (like Stephen and the apostle/evangelist, John). Some of these fall on weekdays and are worthy of serious consideration of participating in Mass those days (look at your church calendar or the insert in this week's bulletin).  The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains many good points about the benefits of the reception of Holy Communion which are good to reflect upon and act upon during this Christmas Season. Under the title "fruits of Holy Communion" it includes these reflections. 

1.  Holy Communion augments our union with Christ. The prinicpal fruit of receiving the Eucharist in Holy Communion is an intimate union with Christ Jesus. Communion with the flesh of the risen Christ...preserves, increases and renews the life of grace given at Baptism. The growth in Christian life needs the nourishment of Eucharistic Communion.
2.  Holy Communion also separates us from sin. The Eucharist cannot unite us to Christ without, at the same time, cleansing us from past sins and preserving us from future sins. (CC1393). It helps us grow in charity and this living charity wipes away venial sins AND helps preserve us from future mortal sins. That is a clear statement about the poser of the Eucharist for those who receive it over and over again.
3.  the reception of the Eucharist also unites us more closely to Christ's body, the Church. Communion renews, strengthens and deepens our incorporation into the Church which began at our baptism. The "Church" is our family in faith and we areinspired by the reception of Jesus in the Eucharist to recognize and celebrate that we are all in this together in our faith journey on earth and with the saints the eternal banquet feast in heaven.
4.  As some go to their biological family at Christmas or have them come to visit, the sad reality of fallen away Catholics and/or in-laws who are of other Christain faith communities joining us at Mass, shows us through their inability to go to Holy Communion, that we need to pray for unity in Christ that we hope someday will lead us all to share at the table of the Lord as Jesus will to be the case. 

I ask you to spend time going back and spend time reflecting on all these points in prayer, which, at the least, hopefully lead you to say "Thank You, Jesus" for amking yourself so present to us at every Mass we are blessed to attend!

After being your pastor for over 13 years, I must say, one of the blessings that I may take for granted is the many parishioners who serve in various activities and ministries here who are past retirement age. In spite of being retired from their profession and of serving for some or many years in parish  ministries elsewhere, they get involved here and are a blessing to their fellow parishioners and, in some instances, non-parishioners with a drive and energy that surely comes from the Lord. Such is certainly the case with Deacon BJ and Vernell Bowen, our VIPs for the month of December. If I described all they did in their lives in Little Rock for well over 40 years, both in the church and in charitable endeavors and organizaitions in the larger community, I know it would be impossible to do so in the space I have in my pastor's column. Deacon BJ was on more than a few civic boards and committees including "Helping Hands" in North Little Rock which provides food and other support to the poor on a daily basis in that part of the state.Deacon BJ is a "Hot Springs Boy" who was born and raised there (like someone else you know at sacred Heart Church). In his adult life he was active at St Edward's in Little Rock in the parish and the Catholic school there. Following his ordination to the Permanent Diaconate in 2002, he was assigned to the Cathedral of St Andrew's in Little Rock where he served until moving his ministry solely to Sacred Heart Church in 2023. For a time he served both parishes and began exercising his preaching ministry here a few years ago. As a "Senior" Deacon, he continues to preach one weekend a month here, assists with the Catholic prayer and Word services at Samaritan Ministries in Hot Springs once a month a has helped prepare a few people to convert to Catholicism and receive sacraments of initiation. He has recently agreed to assist with our Sunday Eucharistic Holy Hours once a month. Vernell was born and raised in Saline County and, besides being a wonderful wife to BJ for 49 years, she served as an educator for 48 years, first as a teacher in public schools and then as principal at St Edward's School in Little Rock and, finally as Superintendent of Catholic Schools of Arkansas from 2002 to 2019. Upon moving to Hot Springs Village in 2019 she soon became a very active member of the Ladies of Sacred Heart, serving as vice president, then president, and now on various committees of LOSH. They are reitrees who obviously continue to be active in serving the Lord and others as Sacred Heart Parioshioners and are indeed a blessing to many, including me. God's continued blessings upon BJ and Vernell!