Mass outdoors
Rest In Peace Reverend Ittiyappara
Pope Francis is seen giving a homily on Christmas Eve. Francis on Sunday condemned the violence at the U.S. Capitol and prayed for reconciliation.
Vincenzo Pinto/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
“I urge the authority of the state and the entire population to maintain a high sense of responsibility in order to calm the spirits, promote national reconciliation and protect the democratic values rooted in American society.””
NPR article by Matthew S. Schwartz
Pope Prays For U.S. Capitol Victims, Urges Americans To Protect Democratic Values
Pope Francis offered prayers Sunday for those who lost their lives during the siege at the U.S. Capitol — and encouraged Americans to come together in a spirit of reconciliation.
“I extend an affectionate greeting to the people of the United States of America, shaken by the recent siege of Congress,” Francis said, as reported by the Catholic News Agency. “I pray for those who lost their lives — five lost in those dramatic moments.”
Violence is always “self-destructive,” the pope said. “Nothing is gained with violence and so much is lost. I urge the authority of the state and the entire population to maintain a high sense of responsibility in order to calm the spirits, promote national reconciliation and protect the democratic values rooted in American society.”
Francis asked the Virgin Mary, the patroness of the United States, to help “keep alive the culture of encounter” and “the culture of care” so that Americans can “build the common good together.”
The pope’s remarks come after he earlier told Italian news program TgCom24 he was “astonished” by the attack on Capitol Hill. “I was astonished, because they are people so disciplined in democracy,” he said, adding that even in the most mature society, things can go wrong and some people “take a path against the community, against democracy, against the common good.”
Francis condemned the violence, and offered a message of hope: Now that this division is out in the open, “it can be seen, so it can be remedied.”
Scam alert!
Recently, some parishioners have reported receiving requests for gift cards from Fr. Bernard and Fr. Eddie by email. This type of thing is always a scam. Priests would not request gift cards from parishioners, let alone indirectly through email.They would ask directly for volunteer work. Always disregard this type of indirect request, especially for money or gift cards from priests as being a scam.
January 2016 reprint
Pope Francis’ Ten New Year’s Resolutions For You
We’re already a few days into the New Year, but it’s not too late to make your resolutions. If you need some help, here are some ideas from the Holy Father himself.
Here are ten things Pope Francis called upon Vatican employees to do in a meeting held before Christmas:
1. “Take care of your spiritual life, your relationship with God, because this is the backbone of everything we do and everything we are.”
2. “Take care of your family life, giving your children and loved ones not just money, but most of all your time, attention and love.”
3. “Take care of your relationships with others, transforming your faith into life and your words into good works, especially on behalf of the needy.”
4. “Be careful how you speak, purify your tongue of offensive words, vulgarity and worldly decadence.”
5. “Heal wounds of the heart with the oil of forgiveness, forgiving those who have hurt us and medicating the wounds we have caused others.”
6. “Look after your work, doing it with enthusiasm, humility, competence, passion and with a spirit that knows how to thank the Lord.”
7. “Be careful of envy, lust, hatred and negative feelings that devour our interior peace and transform us into destroyed and destructive people.”
8. “Watch out for anger that can lead to vengeance; for laziness that leads to existential euthanasia; for pointing the finger at others, which leads to pride; and for complaining continually, which leads to desperation.”
9. “Take care of brothers and sisters who are weaker … the elderly, the sick, the hungry, the homeless and strangers, because we will be judged on this.”
10. “Making sure your Christmas is about Jesus and not about shopping.”
You can modify this structure using our intuitive drag and drop interface, which allows you to rearrange content to your heart’s content.
“Take care of your family life, giving your children and loved ones not just money, but most of all your time, attention and love.”
Many Thanks To COVID Safety Compliance Volunteers
We wish to thank those individuals who volunteered to set up the church for Mass attendance in the past year of COVID-19 concerns. These folks were there to help with compliance, setting up spacing, disinfecting and helping to keep safety materials stocked. May God bless you.
Thank You To Our Altar & Decorating Volunteers
In these challenging times beautiful displays that lift the hearts and minds to God are especially appreciated.They remind us of the indescribable and infinite beauty of God and His ultimate gift to us at Christmas. Thank you for persevering in spite of the challenges and may God bless you for your service.
Thank You To Our Grounds Crew
We wish to thank our ever vigilent and dedicated grounds crew: Harold and Nacho for the beautiful displays of roses and other plants that they keep in top form for our viewing pleasure, Bob and Padraic Dailey who focus on the beauty of the Myrtle side of the church property and Tom Simovich who is responsible for the manicured lawns, while volunteering for any odd jobs that need to done. We especially wish to express our gratitude to Bob Somers, currently in semi-retirement, who over the span of many years has volunteered his time and skills to keeping the Sacred Heart grounds neat, and tidy, May you all be blessed. Thanks be to God for your service.
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“This year, due to COVID-19, Religious Education will begin with at-home instruction by the family.”
Latest Update
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
We are awaiting our home instruction books for enrolled families and will inform you as soon as possible of the starting date of religious education. Thank you for your patience. This year, due to COVID, Religious Education will begin with at-home instruction by the family. Assistance from parish catechists will be available after Masses monthly for registered families in person or by phone. Contact Kim Farrell, DRE for more information. Her phone number is (707) 442-2233.
Our Faith and Life series is still our main text, but during at home instruction this text is much easier for parents: https://www.comcenter.com/program/429/
Click here to download the Book of Instructions.
CONFIRMATION
It’s that time of year again for us to begin preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. If you or a loved one is between 7th grade and 17 years old, now is the perfect time to join us!
Please leave a message with Deacon Dance at (707) 442-2233 or email at
dancefarrell@gmail.com and clearly say that you are interested in Confirmation, leave your name, the name of your child, and your phone number. Deacon Dance will contact you soon regarding classes!
RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a place to ask questions and seek understanding regarding the Catholic faith. . For more information, please contact Ann Lynch 707-443-6741 or call the rectory office @ 707-443-8429.
Letter to Parents & Confirmation Candidates
Catholic Apps
CatholicApps.com was created in response to the call to evangelization from Saint John Paul II, and then continued on through Pope Benedict, and of course the call for deeper evangelization from Pope Francis. We aim to review, and share a lot of catholic appsthat can help you deepen your own Catholic faith, or share unique Catholic apps that allow you to share and evangelize your faith with family, friends, and anyone you have a relationship with.