We have entered the beautiful month of May. It is beautiful because the weather is always improving and it is getting to be more and more like summer. It is a time for First Communions, Confirmations, weddings, and graduations. It is a time when we seem to have many opportunities to get together with friends and family to enjoy and celebrate the many blessings of God in our lives. It is also beautiful because it is the month of our Blessed Mother. Our Blessed Mother is truly a great blessing in our lives. She is the Mother of God and she is our Mother, too. Mary is a Mother whose love brings us close to Jesus as she guides and comforts us in our daily lives. Mary is really the first and greatest disciple of Jesus. She followed Him more closely than any of the others. She was with Him when most of them deserted Him as He was arrested and condemned to death. She was there at the foot of the cross as He hung there dying for us. Mary, as our mother, was the last gift that Jesus gave us while He was here on earth. As He said to St. John, “Son, behold your Mother.” He said this to all of us.
May is an important time for us to pray the Rosary because the Rosary provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the events in the lives of Jesus and Mary as well as the events that take place in our lives. The mysteries of the Rosary speak so eloquently of virtues of faith, hope, and charity and how these virtues can lead us to a deeper relationship with God and a greater awareness of His love for us and His presence in our lives.
There are many opportunities to pray the Rosary with your parish family. The school children pray the rosary throughout the month of May (see the bulletin for days and times). The Rosary is prayed Monday thru Friday in church at 7:30 AM. The Knights of Columbus pray the Rosary the first Sunday of the month at 6:15 PM, in the church (that would be this Sunday). The Public Pro-Life Rosary is prayed the second Saturday of every month at 10:30 AM in front of the school, on Broad Street (that would be on May 9).
On Saturday, May 9, at 11:00 AM, our second-grade students in Sacred Heart School and Roots will receive our Lord for the very first time in Holy Communion. We pray for these children as they receive their First Holy Communion and deepen their relationship with Jesus as members of His Mystical Body. Pray that they will come to really know Jesus as they receive His Body and Blood throughout their lives. May they follow Him more closely and be faithful to Him in all that they do.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS. The Feast of the Sacred Heart this year is on Friday, June 12. Since the Feast of the Sacred Heart occurs on a Friday, we are permitted to move the celebration to the weekend because it is our patronal feast. So, we will celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the weekend of June 13 and 14 at all the Masses. Following the 5 PM Mass on Sunday, June 14 we will hold our parish picnic. The Family Life Commission and the Parish Council will be working to plan the event, but more help and ideas would be most welcome. So, if you would like to help plan this parish gathering, please call the parish office as soon as you can. In the meantime, we can all pray for good weather.
Yesterday four men were ordained to the permanent diaconate at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral which included Jon Woost, a member of our parish. It is always great to announce such good news to everyone. We pray for Jon, his wife Carrie, and all those who were ordained as well as their families and the people to whom they will minister. May God bless their ministry in every way so they may be able to witness to the love of Jesus Christ. Next Sunday there will be a Mass of Thanksgiving at 10:30 AM here at Sacred Heart with Jon’s brother, Bishop Michael Woost, being the main celebrant. All are welcome to join in this special time of thanksgiving for the gift of the newest vocation from our Sacred Heart Parish family. A reception in McMahon allHall will follow Mass hosted by the Altar and Rosary Society.
