I can imagine that many of us have thought or said at times that the younger generation overall has it easier than we did when we were growing up in so many areas of life, including "Church life". Think about Lenten seasons of long ago. Catholics were called upon to be "vegans" during Lent as all forms of meat, fish and animal products were excluded for the entirety of Lent. Back then, it was considered a penitential practice, and yet some dieticians of today certainly recommend eating such a diet some or all of the time as healthiest for our body. People were allowed one meal a day AFTER 3:00 p.m., until the 1400's when it was revised to noon. Eventually a small snack was permitted to sustain energy. Over time, Fish, meat and eventually dairy products were allowed. Fasting, though, was required all 40 days. It was not unitl 1966 that fast days were lessened to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (for those 18-59 years of age). The days of abstaining from meat have lessened to only the Ash Wednesday, Fridays of Lent and Good Friday for those 14 years of age and older. These "disciplines" of Lent back then and now are, among other things, calling us to the humility of giving over our wills, in these instances, to God through the Church for our benefit. Given the age of most of you who are reading this pastor's column, it may seem that the Church expects much less from us (with regard to fasting). The reality is that there are many choices of earthly things that can and do occupy our time and attention, which could be given to God and works of the Gospel (especially compassion, charity, and service to others), I would challenge everyone (including myself) to "fast" from some aspects of this world like television, social media, and some forms of food if not strictly, at least in cutting back on some or all of these and ocnsciously replace them witth the things of God. Make the commitment to read and reflect on what is found in the "Little Books" that are being given out this weekend and spend some time (or for some, more time) in prayer and reflection on what God is telling us to be and to do. 

In this time of Eucharistic revival stronly consider participating in Mass at least one time during the week and be fed by God's Word and Jesus's Body and Blood. Practice almsgiving through the use of the "Rice Bow;s" and calendars that are being given to use and consider other ways to help "God's poor". 

This year, we will be preparing two people for entrance into the Church trough the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. Include them by name (Kyle Carter and Barbara Meyers) in your prayers and plan to participate in the ENTIRE Easter Triduum which, your Lenten practices will ensure will be a truly BLESSED three days! On Ash Wednesday we will also hear the call for repentence which, if taken seriously, will lead to the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, especially toward the end of our Lenten journey. ENTER THE JOURNEY and be transformed and/or renewed in the Lord! Many people over the ages will tesify that observing 40 out of 365 total days of the year turned toward and attuned to the Lord has made a hugh difference in their life and the eternal hope we have through Jesus Christ.

See if you can fill in the blanks to the following: "I am a ______Catholic." "I belong to the Diocese of ______ ____." "I am a parishioner of ______ _____ __ _____ ________ ______." (see answers below.) I hope you got all three right. I also hope you are proud to be counted among a large, larger, and largest group of faith-filled believers in Jesus Christ! We are blessed in many ways by our connection to one another in these groups of people. We are also called to be a blessing to the members and ministries that are offered to various people both within and outside of the Catholic faith. The "Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal" is the opportunity (and really, a calling) for every Catholic household in the Diocese of Little Rock to support ministries that have partial funding from various sources, and that NEED the support of ALL Catholics in Arkansas financially in order to fulfill their mission of doing the Lord's work in their area of ministry. I say "All" knowing that sadly less than twenty percent of all Catholic households in Arkansas traditionally have given something for the pastoral work that is going on, besides what their parishes are funding and doing. While our numbers at Sacred Heart Church are thankfully higher than that, we have quite a way to go to even be at the fifty percent level of participation. While I sincerely ask that those approximately 234 Sacred Heart Parish families who gave to CASA in 2023 be faithful in giving generously again in 2024, I strongly ask that those who did not give last year, will give SOMETHING this year and be counted as those who have a compassionate, caring heart for children, other youth, college students, seminarians, and many adults whose lives are being made more Christ-like and/or who are coming to know Christ through the help that is being given to them. Prayerfully consider what you will give and use the envelope you received in the mail or at church to make a pledge that can be satisfied over a ten month period this year or at least give a one-time contribution. Next week's bulletin will list all the ministries and groups of people that will be receiving needed help from Catholics all over Arkansas. My goal and emphasis this year will not only be on reaching and exceeding the financial goal the diocese has given us (which we thankfully have done almost every year) but to FAR EXCEED the numbers of households who give! PLEASE be one of those and know you are counted among the BLESSED in Arkansas for your gift! (Answers to the fill in the blanks above are Roman, Little Rock, and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church)

  I was talking the other day with a parishioner about the pre-Vatican II Latin Mass and the reality that the altar servers prayed, (without any help from the congregation,) the "Confiteor" (I confess to almighty God....). I can  remember doing that in my early years of being an altar server, except I only did it in English. I feel sure that if any of our parishioners who were altar servers in those "Latin-Rite days were completely honest, they would admit that they prayed this prayer rather "speedily". It was more "said" and less "prayed" by many of the altar servers who did it.

  I think we all could recall a time when we just said our prayers and didn't really pray them slowly and with thought. Admittedly I have tried in praying the rosary both in private and in community to slow down and consciously speak to Mary the words of the "Hail Mary". I would encourage all of us to consider whether or not you are going slow enough where we are truly speaking to Mary, or Jesus, or the Father in the rote  prayers that  we pray. It is especially hard when one is praying 53 Hail Mary's in a rosary, but it is potentially much more meaningful and powerful to pray "thoughtfully" AND from the heart. I would like to present the Anima Christi prayer that many of us learned by heart growing up, which is a good prayer to pray, slowly and deliberately when we speak to Christ especially after receiving Holy Communion, or before him in the Monstrance or in the Tabernacle.

  If we truly pray this prayer (composed by St. Ignatius of Loyola 1491-1556), and properly observe the periods and commas, then we will be blessed in many ways.

  SOUL OF CHRIST SANCTIFY ME.
  BODY OF CHRIST,SAVE ME.

  BLOOD OF CHRIST, INEBRIATE ME.
  WATER FROM THE SIDE OF CHRIST, WASH ME.

  PASSION OF CHRIST, STRENGTHEN ME. 
  O GOOD JESUS, HEAR ME. 

  WITHIN YOUR WOUNDS HIDE ME. PERMIT ME NOT TO
  BE SEPARATED FROM YOU.

  FROM THE MALIGNANT ENEMY, DEFEND ME.
  AT THE HOUR OF MY DEATH, CALL ME, AND BID ME
  COME TO YOU. 

  THAT WITH YOUR SAINTS, I MAY PRAISE YOU,
  FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN