Times & Homilies

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Sunday Mass

Saturday (Vigil)  4:30 pm
Sunday: 10:00am

​Daily Mass
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Thursday  11:00 am
Friday  11:00 am

Devotions

Rosary:      Thursday and Friday 10:40 am
Adoration:  Every first Friday of the month 11:30 am - 8 pm 
Stations of the Cross:     Fridays of Lent at 6:30 pm
Mass Intentions:     Request a Mass Card
Reconciliation:     Saturdays 4:00-4:15 pm, or by appointment

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Accommodating the Faithful
Sacred Heart makes every effort to accommodate and normalize the experience of Communion for the faithful, including those suffering from celiac disease or gluten intolerance.  Therefore, if you wish to receive a low gluten host, please seek direction from Fr. Bob. You will be responsible for adding your host to the ciborium attached to the gold bowl and then receiving Communion from the pastor. If you have questions, please let us know ahead of time in order to normalize the experience of Communion. During  Holy Week there will be extra low gluten hosts which will be consecrated for consumption.

​Padre’s Portion:   
               It is December, and things are ending. Students get their papers in and prep for finals. Retailers push for a sales rush to declare a good year. Our northern world grows darker, daylight shorter. The calendar is down to its last page.  But in our religious tradition, December is when we turn back to the beginning. It is Advent, the lead-up to Christmas, placed close to the day when the sun begins to shine longer and night grows shorter.
 
             Sure, a lot of preparing grabs our time and energy in December—Santa and shopping lists, gifts and invitations. But in stolen moments of reflection, December is hope, a chance to start anew, a return to basic groundwork and fundamental questions. We can draw the line on who we have been and what we have done and get to start again. We often need another chance.
              
              And what a beautiful way we started our Season with "Quiet Joy."  It was amazing and a huge debt of gratitude to Marie and her choir, all the readers, all the accompanists -- it was touching, inspiring, and full of hope.  Thank you for a wonderful evening.  Mark your calendar for next year.  December 6th, I'm projecting.
           
              Also, last week's speaker, Lisa Hodge, mentioned a book that really impacted her prayer life.  Some of you asked for the name:  “The Prayer of Jabez".  It is a powerful little book.
 
             I hope you're remembering "Reverse Advent" project for Advent.  Just gather one can or dried food every day and place it in a basket maybe in the middle of your table.  This is to help us count up to December 25th and have a basket of food to bring to Church for SVDP.  God Bless You!

              We are half way through the Season of Advent.  The message of the first reading and the Gospel is that God who saves draws close to us.  When God is near, how do we react?  Do we hesitate because of uncertainty or avoid because of fear?  Do we refuse to meet God because of apathy?  God comes to us out of love.  God comes to us whether we are ready or not.  Advent centers on expecting God to come.  What are we waiting for?
 
            Our response to this coming may be joy.  We can experience the nearness of God through the actions of others, nature, prayer or reflection.  The smile of a friend, the listening of another, the presence of a loved one, the beauty of a sunset or the comfort of silence can reveal God. We may be able to “cry out with joy and gladness”.
 
            After this response of joy or gladness, we ask the question of the crowd to John the Baptist:  “What ought we to do?”  The response in the Gospel to a variety of people, -- rich person, tax collector and soldier, is straightforward:  be generous and honest as well as just and fair to others, be conscious of who you are and what are your responsibilities, and perform them with care and unselfishness.
 
            Each of us plays a variety of roles:  citizen, worker, professional, laity, clergy, religious, mother, father, sister, brother, etc.  We can serve others in these roles.  Our challenge is to bring the “Good News to the people” and to enable others to share the Good News of a God who is near and cares for each person.  What are we waiting for?
 
            Also the Christmas schedule of Masses will remain the same as the past few years:  4:30 p.m. Family Mass (focused on the children and their parents with the Children’s choir leading the music),  Midnight (The Choir will sing our celebration) and 10:00 a.m. Christmas Morning (The Choir again!).  I so look forward to celebrating this great feast that we are preparing for now.  I can hardly wait!  Three full churches is the best gift I could receive.
             
God Bless.

Ministry Assignments Oct 1 - December 30

Special note: If you are unable to serve for an assignment, please find a substitute in advance and notify the office as to who will take your assigned time and date. If you have a need to be removed from the ministry assignments, please contact Shelley in the office. Thank you!

​Attention Greeters and Ushers:  we have new badges for you to wear; they are located in the back of church where the bulletins sit.  Please remember to wear your badge and then return it back to the table after Mass. This is a great way for visitors to know who you are if they have any questions. Thank you!

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