In my mind, I was about to repeat the information
about our Festival in April that I wrote last week, but instead I will simply
invite everyone to come to a Festival Volunteer Meeting on Thursday, February 12th
at 7:30pm in the gym. We need your help.
In today’s notes, I will instead focus on the
two Mission-like Masses that we will be having soon. I say
Mission-like because they are taking the place of the Parish Mission that
was scheduled here at Sacred Heart for next week. As I have reported before,
one of the mission priests of the Dominican Order has developed a life
threatening illness and the Order has cancelled all of their scheduled
Missions. The Mission was arranged about a year and a half ago so it will be
some time before another Mission will take place. However, we will be having
these two special Masses before Lent.
Next Saturday, February 11th is the
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the World Day of the Sick. After the homily,
all those Catholics over the age of reason (age seven) who are sick or suffering
in any way, may come forward for the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
Every Mass is special but the 11:30am Mass on February 11th will have
the intention of All the Sick and it will be a prayer for healing and strength.
On Wednesday, February 15th at
7:30pm, there will be another Mass for Peace and Prosperity in difficult times
and for the Sanctification of Human Labor. At the end of Mass, there will be a
brief Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (ten minutes) and a special blessing
with the Monstrance.
These Masses will give us special opportunities
to gather and pray for our needs and they will serve as a preparation for the
Season of Lent, which is like a spiritual retreat for the whole Church for six
weeks before Easter.
Let us pray for the needs of one another at
these special Masses.
Sincerely in Christ,
Monsignor Joseph R. Giandurco
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Pastor’s
Annual Report