Some of you may have noticed that shortly before Christmas we obtained a new piano for the church. The new piano was provided to us through the generosity of and in memory of Betty Garing, who has been a member of Sacred Heart pretty much her whole life. She and her husband Walt had been very active here in the parish and now as well as their children and grandchildren. Betty was a long-time member of the choir and was very dedicated to our music ministry. The new piano was very much needed so that we can continue to enhance the quality of our worship music so that we can all give greater glory and praise to God.
I am very proud of our music program here at Sacred Heart and very grateful to all those who have added so much to our worship of God. Eric Pandrea has done a very good job over the past 27 years playing the organ and piano, cantering for Masses, weddings, and funerals. He has been assisted by so many talented and dedicated people. I think we can all be very proud of the music department at our parish. However, nothing is perfect and there is more we can do. I am sure there are other people that can add much beauty to our worship of God by offering their talents as singers and by musical instruments. Please, if you have any talents in the area of music, I would like you to pray to ask God where you may offer your talents in service to our prayer and worship.
This week is CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK; January 25 – January 31. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2026 is “Catholic Schools Week: United in Faith and Community,” emphasizing holiness through daily life, service, and strong family involvement, with a focus on building faith-filled communities and contributing to the wider world. 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.
Last week Deacon Rich preached at all the Masses telling us about his friend Fr. Andrew, whom he met at Walsh University and how he went to visit Fr. Andrew in Tanzania last fall. While Deacon Rich was visiting, he met the bishop of the local diocese and was asked by him if there was any way that our parish might help them in building a school and a convent there to further the spread of the Gospel. The Catholic Faith continues to grow in leaps and bounds all over Africa. Deacon Rich came back and asked me if that were possible. So, we decided to ask our parish family to help out in this missionary work which led to Deacon Rich’s homily last Sunday. So far, the response has been wonderful in that over $50,000 has been raised and we will have a second collection this weekend in hopes to raise the remainder of our $110,000 goal to build the school and the convent for the sisters to reside. The Sisters are already committed to teaching in the school. Such a wonderful response from so many generous people here at Sacred Heart and in Tanzania. It is part of the plan to also involve our Sacred Heart students in this missionary work as well.
By virtue of our Baptism in Jesus we are all called to spread the Gospel so that more and more people will come to know the love and mercy of God. Thank you to all who have already donated and those who will do so in the days to come. May God bless you and your families for such generosity.
