Fr. Joe's Letter

Fr. Joe’s Letter

Jan 17, 2024

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK is coming soon; January 28 – February 3.  The theme for this year centers around the Blessed Mother and her words to Jesus at the wedding feast in Cana, “Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:5). These five words say a lot about Catholic schools and what its mission is about.  Catholic schools are a place of learning many things especially our Catholic Faith which teaches us to serve others in charity and a spirit of sacrifice.  We strive to teach our students to be leaders in the Catholic Faith by living and sharing the teachings of the Gospel with others.  This is the way to true success in this life and more importantly in the life to come.  Teaching our children to succeed is to teach them the way to heaven and instill in them the desire to lead others in the same way.  In other words, to do whatever Jesus tells us.

Sacred Heart is a Catholic School with the emphasis on CATHOLIC.  We exist to teach the Catholic Faith.  We have a great staff of people who are truly dedicated to this mission.  We not only teach the Faith in a classroom, but we also share the Catholic Faith in every way possible.  Our teachers make every effort to share the knowledge of our Faith by instruction and example at every possible opportunity.  The children pray every day in the classroom in the morning, before and after lunch, and at the end of the day.  In addition, we have Holy Mass every Thursday and holydays, Stations of the Cross and Benediction during Lent, Rosary and Benediction during October and May.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available to the students during Advent and Lent.  There are also times for the students to pray in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our Chapel of Divine Mercy.  There are also many opportunities for service to others especially for the poor and needy.  The children are taught to respect others, adults, and their classmates.

We strive to teach the children in the example of Jesus Himself.  Our Catholic Faith is all about what we believe and how we live our Faith in everything we do.  Jesus taught us to love one another just as He loves us.  The love of Jesus is a sacrificial love and so we teach the children to give of themselves to others no matter who they are or what they look like or where they are from.  We love others because we are all children of God and brothers and sisters of Jesus.

We have every reason to be proud of Sacred Heart School.  It is a fine school with a great and giving faculty and staff.  Mr. John Czaplicki is a very good principal and a man of faith which makes for a great combination with the rest of the faculty and staff.  With so many good and dedicated people Sacred Heart continues to grow into a very wonderful place to go to school.  I do hope that more of our parishioners see the great value in Catholic Education and send their children to Sacred Heart School.  There is much financial aid available through Ed Choice and the Angel Scholarship Fund thanks to the State of Ohio and many generous people. Please look into all the possibilities of substantial financial aid.  It will be well worth your time and effort as well as your children’s opportunities to grow in their Catholic Faith.

There will be a variety of events planned for Catholic Schools Week here at Sacred Heart beginning with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at 10:30 AM on Sunday, January 28, followed by a very extensive OPEN HOUSE at the school.  Pre-K and Kindergarten Open House begins at 11:00 AM.  Grades 1 through 8 Open House is 11:30 to 1:00 PM.  Everyone is invited to come and see our school after the 10:30 Mass.  I would encourage you to consider asking your friends to come and see Sacred Heart School, especially those who may have or will soon have school-age children.  We will be serving coffee and donuts too.  Please save the date and plan to visit a really great school.

THE IRON CHEF fundraiserfor the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be held on Saturday, February 3.  However, I am sad and happy to say that the event is SOLD OUT, thanks to the generosity of so many of you and our corporate sponsors.  This is the main fund-raising event for our St. Vincent de Paul Society which does a tremendous amount of work on behalf of the people in our community who are in need.  The St. Vincent de Paul Society helps with food, rent, prescriptions, and many other ways.  Plus, they help people at the special times of the year like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter.  All their good works are possible only because of the kindness and generosity of you, the people in the pews. Thank you so much for all your generosity to help take care of those in need.  May God bless you for your kindness and sacrifice.

Fr. Joe Labak