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

In this weekend’s Gospel when Jesus looked at the young man he spoke only a few words.  Those words clearly affected the young man with the power of God’s word as described in the reading from Hebrews: “God’s word is living and effective, sharper than any two –edged sword.  It penetrates and divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the reflections and thoughts of the heart.”  They penetrated and laid bare the difficulty the man was having with Jesus’ call.  And the young man went away.  Hopefully, in time, the young man came back.  Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, I am sure would not let him go so easily.  Also, the young man’s yearning was to follow Jesus.  
              
However, the disciples became very concerned with the apparent impossibility of salvation.  Jesus’ response was twofold.  The invitation is gift, surrounded by love.  When Jesus spoke to the young man, Jesus looked at him with love.  The call of God’s love is strong; once accepted, it becomes so strong that one is willing to give up even family to follow Jesus and the Gospel.  The young man’s heart was not ready yet to be open to such unconditional love.  However, once in the world longer, hopefully, he would know the only true, unchanging gift is the unconditional love of our God.  
 
However, we can see that this gift is a two-edged sword.  The way of Jesus Christ cuts through the world’s ways.  And the world objects with violence, ridicule and derision.  All too often, we as human beings, want to follow our plan – which often is not infused with an unselfish, truth-filled love.  Jesus is asking if we would let ourselves follow his plan.  What a different world it would be.  For it would essentially be a world where the dignity of each person would be upheld and reverenced.  Jesus, however, promises only love and the greatest gift of all, everlasting life, to those who follow.  
 
And this is "Respect Life" month where we focus on the dignity of each person from the moment of conception to natural death.  Fr. Matt from St. Rose's is the Director of Pro-Life Activities for our Archdiocese.  He wrote in his cover letter to all of us priests:  "To be pro-life means more than only pro-birth.  To be pro-life is the bold choice to respect the dignity of every human person.  Women should be treated better.  Immigrants should be welcomed.  Discrimination of race, sex, age, religion or class needs to end.  The dignity of every person needs to be advocated for, not just those with whose cause we agree.  Pro-life action means to build up humanity speaking the truth in love."  Great words to ponder this month (and all the time).
  
The first reading from Wisdom confirms the pull of God.  The author clearly prefers God’s wisdom to any earthly possession or physical reality.  In other parts of the Old Testament, we are told the only gift we need to pray for is the gift of Wisdom.  Reflect on that.  Wisdom helps us in those areas of our lives where the path is not so clear.  I daily pray and plead for the spirit of Wisdom; I ask the intercession of both St. Robert Bellarmine (my patron and very wise man) and my Dad (another wise man) to help me to be the best Father I can be – which to me is to be open to the Wisdom of God.  Let us pray for the Wisdom of God to always prevail among us.  
 
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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