A Few Words From Our Pastor

Dear Friends,

This weekend our DSF (Diocesan Service Fund) commitment begins.  Everyone who is registered as a parishioner has/will receive an envelope asking them to extend their charity to the neediest in the Archdiocese.   There are extra commitment envelopes in the pews for those of you who are not registered here at Sacred Heart. 

This couldn’t come at a more apt time, since we are all considering what kind of sacrifice to do during Lent, which begins next Wednesday.  I think we have to be honest, and ask if what we are intending to do during Lent benefits anyone other than ourselves?  Christian charity and sacrifice always benefits and gives life to others. We take our example from Christ himself, whose life was poured out for all, that we might have life and have it abundantly.  Lent is that season when we are called to pray, fast, and give alms - to perform works of charity.

The following Grace Before Meals from the United States’ Conference of Catholic Bishops, which hopefully you will pray during Lent says it all:

“Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation;
You make us hunger and thirst for holiness.
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation;
You call us to true fasting:
To set free the oppressed,
To share our bread with the hungry,
To shelter the homeless and clothe the naked.”

Ash Wednesday is a day of universal fast and abstinence in the Church.  Ashes are blessed and imposed after the homily with the prayer reminding us to turn away from selfishness and sin, and heed the call to be faithful to the Gospel.

Mass and distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday: 

Sacred Heart Church: 8:00 a.m.
 St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica: 12:10 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Holy Rosary: 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
St. Patrick’s: 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Liturgy of the Word and distribution of ashes  (no mass): 12:05 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. 
St. Peter’s: 7:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. 
Reina De La Paz: 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Stations of the Cross:
The Stations of the Cross will be held every Friday after the 8:00am mass here at Sacred Heart.

The First Friday of Lent (8 Feb.) each parish will have The Stations of the Cross in their own parish.
Please see the schedule for the rest of the Lenten Stations of the Cross, further on in the bulletin.

Have a great week, and God Bless,

Fr. Niall.